Which Hatchet?

Which Would You Choose?

  • Longer Model

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Shorter Model

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Keep Both

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
JK Knives

JK Knives

Moderator
Joined
Mar 6, 2001
Messages
28,089
Which one would you choose? The longer one is about 10 1/2" overall, and the shorter one is about 8 1/4" overall. They both have a cutting face of about 3 1/4", and will be 1/4" thick O1 steel. I`ll be drilling a bunch of holes under the handle area to keep it "head heavy" for chopping. Steel will be ordered tomorrow, and I`ll be grinding by Wednesday. :D Which would you choose, and why?

v8339y.jpg
 
Last edited:
In my opinion the longer would be better. It just seems the small one would be quite limiting unless space/weight was a major issue. To me it is not that big an issue.
 
I like the longer one. The shorter one could be supplanted by a big knife.
I'm sure I could sit here and find many reasons to keep both! Personally. I'm not an axe guy, but I immediately liked the bigger one.
 
I tend towards the longer model. Axe carry is not much of an issue for me ... I either need one or I don't. I like that longer handle to get more leverage for solid blows.

Might as well get the work done in as short a time as possible.

Just my $0.02.:)
 
I like the long one for wood chopping, but I can't say no to the little one as a hunting companion.

I voted for both.
 
very nice John...:thumbup: i like them both, but i think the longer would definately be a lot more useful...
 
The short one reminds me of a 'bag axe' I once saw somewhere. I think it would be easy to underestimate the utility of the smaller axe. That being said, I'd pick the longer one: more leverage, faster head speed during chopping.
 
I like the size of the smaller one, but I think the larger design will be more useable balance wise.

EDIT: But I just keep looking at that small one.......
 
Last edited:
i like the longer one, but i would be in favor of putting the scales on all the way up to the head, in case you need to choke up.
 
BarberFobic1992 said:
i like the longer one, but i would be in favor of putting the scales on all the way up to the head, in case you need to choke up.
Click to expand...

That would pretty much limit the handles to micarta, my wood only comes in
5" pieces. The micarta comes in 10" lengths, so I would need 2 pieces for that.
 
Stomper said:
That would pretty much limit the handles to micarta, my wood only comes in
5" pieces. The micarta comes in 10" lengths, so I would need 2 pieces for that.
Click to expand...

maybe a couple of holes in the upper part of the handle for a cord wrap would be a good alternative.
 
I think the longer one is the best design for an all around user. Keep the scales just the way you've indicated on the pattern.

Jeff
 
I like the shape of the smaller one but the long one does look like a better chopper. I have been looking for a hatchet and this might be the one.
 
Last edited:
I'd have to agree with most of the other posters and choose the longer one. My question is: how well do these types of hatchets work compared with a "regular" style one with a much thicker head? 1/4" steel is burly, but is it enough to make it into a chopper? Just curious. I suppose that a lot of tomahawks are on the light side and they're still useful. Anyway, I'd love to see it in action.
 
Just thinking out loud here, but would it be an advantage to shape the head more square to keep the most steel up where the action is?
 
I think I would be more likely to carry the smaller one. It's very rare ( as in never ) that I need to fell trees and would just use the axe for chopping out bits of fatwood from stumps or splitting smaller stuff to get to the dry wood !
I'd guess the smaller one could also be used as an Ulu for food prep !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top