Hatchet/Axe talk

Survival hatchet:

http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.php?product_id=521498&cat_id=17&subcat_id=57&PHPSESSID=cd6243816b892f223fc348a790c6a611

hmmm..... another cheap imitation or the real deal? you decide.

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It's not climbing the mountain to get to the top; it's climbing the mountain to enjoy the climb.

	Survivorman wrote:
	Survival hatchet: http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.php?product_id=521498&cat_id=17&subcat_id=57&PHPSESSID=cd6243816b892f223fc348a790c6a611 hmmm..... another cheap imitation or the real deal? you decide.

Kommer make good products. Though an all metal hatchet or axe isnt my thing.

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Qoute: LONGBOW50, from bladeforums:
The boy scouts motto takes on a new meaning when fate steps in and makes you feel like a dummy.

	Survivorman wrote:
	Survival hatchet: http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.php?product_id=521498&cat_id=17&subcat_id=57&PHPSESSID=cd6243816b892f223fc348a790c6a611 hmmm..... another cheap imitation or the real deal? you decide.

I was looking at buying that before. I bought the special forces shovel instead. It has sharpened edges and it is a shovel. I've split wood with it, chopped roots, but the blade is tilted a little bit so it's hard to chop a tree. For that reason I also bought a kukri machete. Coldsteel has better kukri's for hundreds of dollars but $20 is a real good value.

http://www.coldsteel.com/92sfs.html
http://www.coldsteel.com/97kms.html

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Fonly wrote:

	Survivorman wrote:
	Survival hatchet: http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.php?product_id=521498&cat_id=17&subcat_id=57&PHPSESSID=cd6243816b892f223fc348a790c6a611 hmmm..... another cheap imitation or the real deal? you decide.

Kommer make good products. Though an all metal hatchet or axe isnt my thing.

Oh, I didn't know Kommer was a brand to trust, in that case, looks like a nice llittle hatchet then Very Happy

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It's not climbing the mountain to get to the top; it's climbing the mountain to enjoy the climb.

[I had a nice post with pictures set up, but the spamware denied me...]

I just wanted to add another recommendation for the Fiskars hatchet. I've had mine for a few months now and have used the heck out of it. I used to hate 'plastic' tools too, when several years ago I was gifted hatchet with a synthetic handle which snapped in half on my first use, and I of course swore off allowing such materials on my 'users' ever again.

After reading all the positive Fiskars reviews, I picked one up and decided to abuse the heck out of it. I tried to push it past its limits, but it just never misses a beat! I use it for firewood procurement, shelter building, carving stakes, general carving, etc. and it does it all. It's lightweight, well balanced and the steel takes a great edge. For $20, it's hard not to try it out!

It's definitely a mainstay in my pack now and an excellent woods companion.

SpookyPistolero wrote:

[I had a nice post with pictures set up, but the spamware denied me...]

I just wanted to add another recommendation for the Fiskars hatchet. I've had mine for a few months now and have used the heck out of it. I used to hate 'plastic' tools too, when several years ago I was gifted hatchet with a synthetic handle which snapped in half on my first use, and I of course swore off allowing such materials on my 'users' ever again.

After reading all the positive Fiskars reviews, I picked one up and decided to abuse the heck out of it. I tried to push it past its limits, but it just never misses a beat! I use it for firewood procurement, shelter building, carving stakes, general carving, etc. and it does it all. It's lightweight, well balanced and the steel takes a great edge. For $20, it's hard not to try it out!

It's definitely a mainstay in my pack now and an excellent woods companion.

Hey spooky, Definetly agree. Fiskars are awsome for the money, I think they might even be worth more, at least I would pay more for one.

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Qoute: LONGBOW50, from bladeforums:
The boy scouts motto takes on a new meaning when fate steps in and makes you feel like a dummy.

Do you guys prefer a wood handled axe, or a gerber plastic handle? I haven't tried the gerber axes so I don't know, but the thing I'm worried about it the wood drying and making the head loose. Confused

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Well i have both, 1 wood & 1 gerber with a nice rubber like handle, it is very comfortable.
I prefer wood myself, but i find nothing wrong with a good handle made from plastic/rubber like.

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Well, I don't have any experience with plastic handles. My Marble's Safety Axe No. 6 has a wooden handle. I don't anticipate the head loosening anytime soon.

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about the head coming loose.

The plastic handles have pretty much no chance of coming loose, but I like the look of the wooden ones better. Cool

You might have to replace the handle 10 years from now, but it doesn't bother me.

What are you looking at getting? Very Happy

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	flashlightfreak9 wrote:
	What are you looking at getting?

Well nothing for a while, just curious. Someday I'll get one, because it's nice to have an axe laying around somewhere. Smile

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Yeah, it's good to shop around before you buy. Smile

Let us know what you get. Cool

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Actually I remember that I had my eye on this bad boy at sportsmans warehouse. Smile

Maybe I'll buy this one sooner than later. Cool

http://sogknives.com/store/F01T.html

Edit: I just noticed it's 420 steel. Confused

Wont the edge wear out really quick then?

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	Mystik Spiral wrote:
	Actually I remember that I had my eye on this bad boy at sportsmans warehouse. Maybe I'll buy this one sooner than later. http://sogknives.com/store/F01T.html Edit: I just noticed it's 420 steel. Wont the edge wear out really quick then?

Yeah, they didnt go over well over on blade forums, lemmie see If I can find the review of one.

stupid question what's the difference between a axe and a hatchet. it looks like they do the same thing. Very Happy

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	linsleyk wrote:
	stupid question what's the difference between a axe and a hatchet. it looks like they do the same thing.

> No such thing as a stupid question here Kim. A hatchet is for the most part only 20 to 22 inches long with a differant style handle.
An Axe is about 38 to 42 inches long with a heaver head & more of a strait handle. Thats about it IMO Cool

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Drummer Dave wrote:

	linsleyk wrote:
	stupid question what's the difference between a axe and a hatchet. it looks like they do the same thing.

> No such thing as a stupid question here Kim. A hatchet is for the most part only 20 to 22 inches long with a differant style handle.
An Axe is about 38 to 42 inches long with a heaver head & more of a strait handle. Thats about it IMO Cool

Thats kinda the way I see it, Though anything with a 18" and longer handle is what I see as an axe, But 18" to 20" is a 3/4 style, or "boys axe". Anything over that is a full sized to me. just preference. Smile

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Qoute: LONGBOW50, from bladeforums:
The boy scouts motto takes on a new meaning when fate steps in and makes you feel like a dummy.

so it seems it's the handle size if I am reading it right. Question

I think a hatchet then is right for me. I wrote down one that you guys said was the best thanks. Very Happy

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You bet Kim, a hatchet will be best for you Cool

I have what is called a " Pack Axe " from Gerber. Its really small, maybe a 12" handle.
Its almost to small, you dont get any power in your swing. I would never again by such a small hatchet.
I would stick with minimum 18" i personaly like a 20" to 22" hatchet Cool

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	You bet Kim, a hatchet will be best for you I have what is called a " Pack Axe " from Gerber. Its really small, maybe a 12" handle. Its almost to small, you dont get any power in your swing. I would never again by such a small hatchet. I would stick with minimum 18" i personaly like a 20" to 22" hatchet

Defenintly Dave, I dont like anything smaller, the only way something smaller comes along is when Im trying a hawk or something.

Thats something else you might be interested in, a Cold steel trail hawk is about the smallest I would go, but its still serviceable.

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Qoute: LONGBOW50, from bladeforums:
The boy scouts motto takes on a new meaning when fate steps in and makes you feel like a dummy.

Yeah, you need to start out with a hatchet to start developing your hatchet/axe skills. If you have a need for something bigger after you get experience with the hatchet, a larger axe(AKA: pole ax) will be necessary.

Like I said in another thread, an Estwing from Home Depot is a great place to start. They may have more than one style, so be sure to get a feel for both before you buy. Handle them, and see which one feels right.

If you discover a hatchet isn't enough, you can graduate to an axe. They sell those at Home Depot too, but I haven't checked the brands. Craftsman is probably what they'll have. They are good quality, basic axes.

Here is a manual to learn about axes.

Peter McLaran Axe Manual

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