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Old style modern made hatchet

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zimmerstutzen

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I am looking for an old style modern made hatchet/light axe. I have been watching the offerings on some on-line suppliers. I saw some I really liked the looks of generally Scandinavian makes, although I saw a nice Austrian made axe. They are sure not afraid to charge a premium.

Any recommendations based on items you actually have used?
 
I have a cheap Taiwan (buffalo tools) I think hatchet that had a fiberglass handle .....I removed the handle and made one for it ....the head looks pc ....it is a wonderful hatchet and takes an edge well. Sharp enough to shave with .
 
I re-shaped an Ace Hardware shingling hatchet to an 18th century hammerpoll axe shape and replaced the short handle with a longer framing hammer handle that was also re-shaped. It works exceptionally well and I use it whenever needed in the woods.

Total cost - ~$25 and my time.
 
Loyalist Dave said:
Don't let Stophel catch you with that.... :shocked2: :haha:

LD

That's a German style hatchet (usually termed "Rhineland pattern" because axe collectors are compelled to categorize everything exactly according to an accepted pattern). Made in China though.... :redface: If you want a good one, get one from Helko/Stihl. Or scour ebay and nice old hand forged ones aren't hard to find.

The question is, what is "old style"? Just wanting something old fashioned and not necessarily "period correct"?

This is my absolute favorite little chopper. LOVE this thing. Very small little Hudson's Bay type belt axe, 2 5/8" cutting edge. About the size of the so called "Ft. Meigs" axe, also pictured. This one is faintly marked "BEDFORD MFG CO" and "BEDFORD QUE". The Bedford Mfg Co. was in business in Quebec between 1895 and 1933 (sold out to another company). It is hand forged with a steel insert bit. This little sucker chops like a demon.
axes_800x597_zps305a3920.jpg

You're not likely to run across something like this though.... I seriously lucked out and got it on ebay for like 30 bucks.

This is a "Montreal pattern" axe, about "boys axe" size. Popular in Canada, not so much here. It's like a HB axe that's been fattened up with a much taller eye to keep the handle from working loose, which can happen with some of the narrower HB axes, especially trying to do heavier work with them.
Montreal1_800x597_zpsvrxx1jh2.jpg


Now this one's old fashioned. Ca. 1916 (there's an old ad showing this hatchet including this very leather sheath) By L. A. Sayre. "Cast steel". Marked C.G.B. and R.S.B. (father and son, I presume). This one I'm leaving as it is.
CGB%20004_800x597_zpsy2h0k71f.jpg


Notice how these are not so stretched out and scrawny looking as many modern Hudson Bay pattern axes are.

Here's an axe that I have that I eventually will get around to putting a handle on and using it as my trekking axe. I was told that this might be by a company called Moosdorfer in Austria, but I have no more information than that. Like the typical German style, but without the upper flare in the bit (which is fine with me, I don't like upward flaring bits) and looks rather like a very thick Hudson Bay hatchet! Super, super wide eye that will take a drift-fit handle. Steel is superb.
Axt1%20005_800x597_zpstcghsi5x.jpg

Axt1%20003_800x597_zpsdqweawia.jpg


Here's a couple of hand forged German axe heads (these are all small, probably 1 1/2 pounds or less). The scythe marked one with the characteristic squiggle marks is thin and light,and unfortunately needs to have it's poll forged back out, as it's pounded in pretty bad. I'll eventually make myself a drift the right shape to work it back out.
Axte2%20001_800x597_zpsspaarl3u.jpg


And, as was stated, you can make a dandy little light woodsrunning belt axe with the ubiquitous shingle/lathe/carpenter/half hatchet. Cut/grind out the nail notch, and there ya go.
axe1_800x597_zpsa97b9e92.jpg

Something like this comes close to Kephart's Colclesser tomahawk of a hundred years ago.

colclesser_800x533_zpsapqwkvnz.jpg


(not my picture... stolen from the internet)

I really like Jersey/Kentucky-Baltimore/Rockaway pattern axes, but you're not likely to find one in a smaller belt axe size. These styles essentially go well back into the 18th century.

Of course, the plain old Dayton/Connecticut/Michigan/Yankee axe designs go way back too... but they're pretty dang boring. :grin:
 
I'm an axe fanatic... I've got a bunch of 'em. None are real expensive, but if I run across something interesting, I gotta have it.

Part of the reason why I'm broke all the time. :haha:
 
Stophel, really like the way you cleaned up the carpenter hatchet by getting rid of the nail notch. I have a couple laying around and never considered modifying one in that way. When I get back on my feet, I'll modify mine as I need a good camp hatchet.
 
I've often wondered if the old time practice of forge welding a steel bit in place was actually a superior construction method- you could temper the bit pretty hard (summer time chopping) and the head would stay soft.
I have a "summer time" small camp axe that I really thinned down the blade. It cuts deep into soft green wood but I wouldn't use it on frozen winter wood.
 
H&B Forge still makes them that way. I have one of their medium camp axes and you can faintly see the line of the welded bit vs the mild steel body.
 
crockett said:
I've often wondered if the old time practice of forge welding a steel bit in place was actually a superior construction method- you could temper the bit pretty hard (summer time chopping) and the head would stay soft.
I have a "summer time" small camp axe that I really thinned down the blade. It cuts deep into soft green wood but I wouldn't use it on frozen winter wood.

The general consensus from those that chime in on knife making forums is no. At least not in this day and time. 200+ y ago, it maximized the use of available materials, so back then it was probably the most economical use of materials to accomplish the necessary goals.
 
I bought a few of the Swedish made axes because I had to have them. No photos, but I have a Hults Bruk single bit(older, used), but would have to check the size and weight. The latest and most $$ was the HB carpenter's axe. The lesser $$ that I bought were marketed by Husqvarna. One of them had the SAW logo in addition to Huaqvarna on the handle, so was a Wetterlings at bargain (less than half) price. Unfortunately, someone with sticky fingers took a liking to that one (had a belt sheath), so my remaining Husqvarna is a light forest axe or some such.

Gransfor Bruk are $$! I've seen mention of Stihl axes, and the ones that I have are best suited for driving wedges for felling trees. The edges are not nearly hard enough. :cursing:

IMO, the bargains of hand forged are the Husqvarna axes, and you can buy them from your Husqvarna dealer or online.

I also have a small bearded axe head in need of a handle. Its obviously hand forged and was sourced online from Bulgaria.
 
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