Let's talk hatchets

[m657]

Marbles Hunters Axe No. 908
14 1/4"
$33.00

Lovely little kindling/belt double bit
You can't have mine for ANY price.

http://www.hand-tools.com/product-detail.php?prodnum=BRK-MR9DB

Worth hunting one up somewhere. This link says "discontinued".

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

A leather handled Estwing rides with me whenever I'm gonna be out and about. I've seen comments the steel's not so great, but haven't seen that as a problem for myself since it doesn't see that much use. Admittedly, it did take some gentle "reshaping" of the edge with a file at first to get it right. Under $50 with leather sheath from Ace Hardware.

I had a Hudson Bay pattern axe that was stolen, and it was an excellent cross between a hatchet and a two handed axe. It was a contract built brand sold by a now defunct company: the Council Tool version looks like they could have actually made it! http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=20HB28 (no sheath) or http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=20HBS28 (leather sheath.) They have a shorter handled version, but I found the 28" version's handle could be choked up on for hatchet duty and it worked fine. Haven't heard anything bad about Council Tools from anyone. It's a family business now headed into their FIFTH generation!

Be careful with the Snow and Nealley offerings these days: there's talk the latest ones are coming with Chinese heads and are nothing like their all US made predecessors. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/940662-Snow-amp-Nealley-New-Owners Read down some. Estwing's and Council Tools' axes are all US made as far as I know. As for the Gränsfors Bruks, Husqvarnas, Wetterlings, and such from Sweden, they'd have to pick themselves up and chop the wood themselves to justify their cost to me. Others may use their axes enough to make them worth it. Ya pays your money and ya takes your choices!

Rick C

 

[Salmoneye]

Hi,


Be careful with the Snow and Nealley offerings these days: there's talk the latest ones are coming with Chinese heads and are nothing like their all US made predecessors. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/940662-Snow-amp-Nealley-New-Owners Read down some.

Page two of your link indicates that as of 8/2014 the heads were once again being made in the USA...

 

[speedsixman]

The best hatchet I ever used was a Plumb Hudson Bay Camp Axe. The balance and swing seemed about perfect to me.
It was a bit too large to carry as a belt hatchet; a little larger than a Boy Scout style hatchet, and had a Hudson Bay style head, on about a 20" straight handle.
Unfortunately, I clumsied the handle and never found a replacement handle that I liked. That model hatchet is very rare, even on Fleabay, and about the only other place you might find one would be to cruise the flea markets and auctions

Myron

 

[m657]

This Marbles is just about 'boy scout' size, except the handle is a couple inches longer, and I've never seen a double bit 'boy scout' model.

I don't work mine too hard, as it is more like a rare bit of jewelry, more for display than zombie-clearing duties.

Some of my kindling is the old 3/4" fir ship lap siding. I've chop sawed it to length, & the swing with this little axe if perfect for specific splitting.

Also split the heavier 2x8 mill ends that work well also. Rarely just to confirm readiness, I will split a bit of old-growth fir or vine maple.

I've got a marvelous old Swedish kindling hatchet that is more fit for heavier stuff.

Also an Estwing kindling maul, hatchet length, about double weight, that is perfect for camping chores when the pulaski isn't needed.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Page two of your link indicates that as of 8/2014 the heads were once again being made in the USA...

Hi,

That would be good news! I hope they haven't ruined their reputation beyond repair with the Chinese stuff: it's taken quite a beating in some venues. The link I posted was reasonably kind to them compared to some I've read.

Rick C

 

[Mike Armstrong]

Council Tools! Made in USA and last a lifetime. Saw my first one years ago when working as a contractor for the US Park Service. The "Boy's Axe" seemed to be standard issue for their trail maintenance guys.

 

[speedsixman]

On a bit of a tangent, I wish someone made a good quality "cruiser's axe" along the lines of the old ones made by Plumb or Collins. {They were double bit, usually Michigan pattern, with about 2 1/2 lb. head and a shorter handle, maybe 28".)

Quite a bit of search engine fu found a couple of companies selling a "cruiser's axe", but the quality turned out to be less than optimal, and all the old ones at flea markets and on Fleabay are pretty much worn out from being sharpened over the years.

Myron

 

[m657]

oops....double tap

 

[m657]

"Collins. {They were double bit, usually Michigan pattern, with about 2 1/2 lb. head and a shorter handle, maybe 28".) I was fortunate to snag a used one decades ago, and it remains in my 'permanent chopping tool' fleet.

Amazing edge they will take, and it's almost not like work for the task it was designed to do.

Another of my favorites, not used very much yet stands ready when needed: 12# monster maul
Just like old Buick power steering....no force really needed, just raise the thing over yer head & steer it carefully as it falls ever so gracefully.....

 

[toysoldier]

Several of my axes and hatchet are anonymous, but I do have a double-bit TruTemper "flintedge" in good shape. Other brands inclued Craftsman, Plumb, KeenKutter, and Winchester. I have two pair of carpenter's (single-bevel) axes, set up for right- and left-hand use, a half-dozen hammer-poll hatchets, and two broadaxes. I figure they'll make good trade stock, post-apocalypse.

 

[ruggedruger]

Gransfors Bruks.
Beautiful stuff. Hand forged. Initial of actual craftsman stamped in head. You can look his name up on their site. I have two, but can't recall which models.

 

[KWYJIBO]

The Gransfors Bruks are very nice (and expensive!) I don't own one, but I've handled them and drooled over them. I really want one someday. They have models covering a wide range of sizes. Some comparable and perhaps slightly less expensive brands, also hand-forged by Swedish craftsmen, are Wetterlings and Hultafors.

 

[huntsman22]

I figure they'll make good trade stock, post-apocalypse.

Is that why we have them?.....

 

[WAYNO]

I received two CRKT Tomahawks from Ruger yesterday. First, for boys axe or hatchet size, they are a bit heavy. I like that.

And I gotta say, for only 69-bucks apiece, they've gotta be the best made in Taiwan product Ruger ever let anybody put the Ruger logo on. :wink:





WAYNO.

 

[m657]

here's another Marbles product I've never seen but will be looking for....$20!!!!

Hand forged, US Hickory handle
nice user-field report

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM_EoTTcdJE

 

[huntsman22]

Them chinamens sure work cheap......

How many 'hand forged' Marbles can they make out of a melted-down junk 1970's Chevy truck?

 

[WAYNO]

Them chinamens sure work cheap......

How many 'hand forged' Marbles can they make out of a melted-down junk 1970's Chevy truck?

:mrgreen:

 

[m657]

... the video specifies they are 'hand forged' in Ecuador and shipped to US for fitting with a marvelous domestic hickory handle. I like the shape & size of it, along with the wedge design.

Haven't learned yet who now owns the old Marbles logo.

 

[gramps]

Wow, I thought I knew about hatchets. Nice thread and very informative. Thanks.
gramps

 

[toysoldier]

I take issue with the evaluation of the handle's grain pattern as OK. My father taught me to look for a handle where the grain ran straight front-to-back. I've lived long enough, and seen enough broken handles, to know that he was absolutely correct. I've been surprised to find guys older than I who never learned this.

 

[speedsixman]

And preferably has the grain oriented vertically - (in the same plane as the head).

Myron

 

[Rocdoc]

I would avoid the stacked leather handle Estwing, I had a rock hammer made within the last 15 years, spacers in it were plastic. Of course those broke eventually, loosening up the entire grip, increasing the surface area to dessication, became unusable. Replaced it with one of the rubber handled versions, no complaints ever, should last a few lifetimes.