This head design- why not?

Gress

Gress

Gold Member
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Feb 8, 2009
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Here is head design sometimes (if not often) used on finnish and russian axes and hatchets.
See this lip?
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I have one like that
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and it makes the head way more stable with heavy work. I am just wondering why is it not used?
 
Perhaps we don't see it very often because it is a complication in the forging process. I can see the usefulness of the little tab for stability and maybe for over strikes. What can you tell us about the axe you have there?

Zieg
 
I am watching Happy People from the Taiga right now, they use those kind of hatchets and axes... It looks nice. I want one, NOW!! :D
 
The Zieg said:
Perhaps we don't see it very often because it is a complication in the forging process. QUOTE]

Hit the nail on the head. It's just more complicated to make and to haft, from a production standpoint, and the market isn't perceived by manufacturers as having a large enough demand for the feature to sustain the higher cost.
Click to expand...
 
Whoever start doing it will IMO be able to command the higher price. I had number of axes with and w/o this feature. I can attest to superiority of the tab. Especially in the hands of amateurs when not every strike is a perfect strike.
 
And as for my hatchet, It serves me for 25+ years. It has been reliable and it accompanied me in all kind of wilderness trips and did everyday jobs in my yard.
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I admit, I do minimal care for it. It sure deserves new handle now.
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Here with a knife I highly regard for any small wood jobs.
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Yes, manufacturing and profit have a lot do it with it. But so does looks. Unless you're into axes like we are, it just seems ugly(no offense, I think it has a lot character) there's a reason why all hardware store axes look alike, because that's what people buy.
 
No offense taken. Many don't like triangular blade shape at all although it works quite well.
I am with you on the looks tough as there are many beautiful designs which are not only great looking but also proven performers. And this is why I have asked my question: why did not mainstream industry adopt the supporting tab design?
I think it would not affect looks that much, but would have greatly improved the stability. I for one would be buying at a higher price no problem. If any custom maker does it I will be willing to pay.
 
That tab, I'm not sure about this, but they would probably have to retool all vices and clamps and the hanging/handles, and depending on how big the tab is it can change the handle design as well meaning that the "off the shelf handles" wouldn't work, or be hard to fit.
 
It's Boker Vox MTT Mega Tanto. It is flat on the other side which makes it great for wood work.
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(Pic is not mine)
 
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