usajon
.30 Stingray
Posts: 326
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Post by usajon on May 1, 2016 13:57:11 GMT -5
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Post by contender on May 1, 2016 21:51:36 GMT -5
A GOOD hatchet is hard to beat as a multi-tool.
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Post by bulasteve on May 2, 2016 8:01:23 GMT -5
The trick now is to find a good forged steel one. I grew up with a Norlund Hudson Bay axe and wish I'd of gotten the hatchet sized version then, too. Not sure if they can be found for sale now. Other options would be garage sales looking for something made by Marbles or such. Last option is a line of hatchets and axes imported from a Scandinavian country I can't remember, just that they are expensive and in several catalogs now. I've older type forged heads squirrled away here and at camp that I need handles for. I've a Case combo here, same handle interchanges from hatchet to skinner blade, all fits in one sheath.
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Post by bulasteve on May 2, 2016 8:07:14 GMT -5
Gransfor Bruk the line of expensive hatchets and axes, your call if you think they are worth it and have deep enough pockets. Now a days Gerber products where I used to see the Norlund products.
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Post by oregon45 on May 2, 2016 23:43:05 GMT -5
I bought a Husqvarna hatchet off Amazon for 42 bucks. Swedish forged and very sharp. Held its edge through a season of kindling cutting. Sharp enough out of the box to shave pine for fire starter.  |
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Post by bulasteve on May 4, 2016 12:10:28 GMT -5
Oregan45, you are onto to something there. With a bit of google-fu, find Husky edged stuff made by same folks that make the big buck stuff, just Huskies a bit less refined finish-wise. You-da-man !
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Post by michaux on May 5, 2016 6:14:51 GMT -5
If you have the dollars Gransfor Bruk is well worth the price of admission. I have two, an ax and a hatchet. In my not so humble opinion they are the finest hatchets and axes made...and remember; it only hurts once to get the best.
Michaux
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Post by Rimfire69 on May 5, 2016 7:55:11 GMT -5
Wetterlings is another high end , not so cheap axe\hatchet maker. Looked like real nice stuff, seemed like you could feel the quality when handling.
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,841
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Post by cubrock on May 5, 2016 9:12:09 GMT -5
Wetterlings is another high end , not so cheap axe\hatchet maker. Looked like real nice stuff, seemed like you could feel the quality when handling. I bought two Wetterlings scout hatchets for my two Boy Scout sons a few years ago. Both of them had brittle steel and the edges on both severely chipped with just a little use. Wetterlings was absolutely useless when it came to returning them for replacement under warranty. They insisted both had been abused, when all they had been used for was to cut a few saplings in the yard. The place we bought them replaced them on his dime and the replacements chipped pretty quickly, as well. Evidently, Wetterlings had gone to a new heat treatment process and brittle axe heads was a common complaint with it. Don't know if they have fixed it, but I wrote off Wetterlings because of it. |
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usajon
.30 Stingray
Posts: 326
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Post by usajon on May 5, 2016 14:03:48 GMT -5
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Post by BigBore44 on May 5, 2016 17:29:57 GMT -5
I have a couple of the Norlund hatchets around here. I actually need a new handle for the one. I'd like to find one about 18"-24" for just a little more reach and swing. My father has a Sweet little/tiny hatchet from years ago. He bought it new from L.L. Bean yeeeears ago  It's still like new and SHARP! I did a search on the web and did find a couple for sale, but they were Expensive!!!  I have always wanted a couple from Gransfors brux (sp?). I'd like to have the "Small Forest Axe" and the "Mini Hatchet" (iirc?) I mostly use a good solid knife anymore. It seems I get more use out of it, but for medium chopping on Up, a good axe is better IMO. Does anyone on here practice any "Bushcrafting" skills??? Good stuff... BigBore44 |
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cj3a
.30 Stingray
Posts: 403
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Post by cj3a on May 5, 2016 19:43:35 GMT -5
I got a John Neeman axe very nice but expensive butI have a weak spot for hand made tools.
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Post by squawberryman on May 5, 2016 20:12:31 GMT -5
I waited a year to get on the list for a Neeman hog splitter, then was told it'd be another. Couldn't do it.
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Post by bulasteve on May 6, 2016 8:19:41 GMT -5
I have a good 5 lb axe that spent it's early life clipped to the side of a B & ORR tender and is so stamped. My other good axe was made by an Amish 'smith many yrs ago and lost while the family cleared new fields. They found it in the spring while plowing that new field. You can still tell which side laid ground down all winter.
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Post by stevewhr on May 6, 2016 8:45:29 GMT -5
I've had good luck with the Estwing hatchets. They sharpen well enough to shave the hair on my arm and in a pinch will dress out an elk. Not so heavy you are burdened with one in your pack. For the money, they pretty good tools.
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