I've never used a swedish hatchet so I can't speak to their quality. I have had an estwing sportsmans hatchet for 30 years that I have enjoyed using and owning. For splitting I would choose a splitting maul with a plastic tough handle. The weight of the head does most of the work and has the width to spread hard to split wood. I have had hickory hammer handles shatter with heavy use, that had never been struck on the wood.
If you can stand to spend less than $50 for a Swedish blade, I've had this little Husqvarna for a year and a half now and it is perfect for splitting and shaving kindling (what I use it for) and would likely be just dandy for taking off limbs or bringing down small trees. Came with a leather blade guard but a full sheath wouldn't be hard to put together. The blade was straight and sharp right out of the box (haven't touched up the edge yet and it is still sharp enough to shave pine for fire-starter) and other than a bit of linseed on the handle there isn't much that needs to be done before the choppin' starts
At age 69: I can definativly tell you that the best hatchet or ax is anyone that is wielded effectively to your benefit by someone else... who also carries it.
At age 69: I can definativly tell you that the best hatchet or ax is anyone that is wielded effectively to your benefit by someone else... who also carries it.
Probably true at any age!
Originally Posted by 16penny
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
A bit cross topic, but with all these nice axes and hatchets maybe one of you guys can send some pictures to that kid at UC who wants to cut his dick off to protest Trump and tell him to take his pick.
Not sure if you want to let him use a good one or not, as A) you might not want it back knowing what it was used for or B) it could hold a special place in your heart knowing what it was used for.
Maybe we could take donations, a member could buy a cigar cutter, deliver it, and make sure it was used.
Gransfors Bruk are top of the line, but at the time my budget wasn't....I purchased both a hand axe and the Forest axe from Wetterlings. Have never been disappointed with either of them!
Me too
Last edited by BMT; 01/17/17.
"The Church can and should help modern society by tirelessly insisting that the work of women in the home be recognized and respected by all in its irreplaceable value." Apostolic Exhortation On The Family, Pope John Paul II
Good axes are where you find them. 45 years ago I bought a no-name axe from a hardware store and it's lasted me all that time. It's had a new head and three new handles but it sure has been a good axe.
Ken Howell is no longer here to regale us with old jokes so I thought I would add my humble effort in his stead...
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
For kindling a Japanese carpenters hatchet has worked well it has good steel and you can get it shaving sharp.
I keep my eyes out at junk store and garage sales for hatchets and axes. Many of the older ones are better quality than what you can find at the big box stores. Especially with no handle I can get a nice axe head for about $5 bucks usually.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli