GamalielWould you elaborate? Why do you feel so negatively about this?
EDIT: Nevermind, comments below answered my questions. Thanks all for the helpful reviews and criticism of the shoddy marketing masquerading and patriotism.
MassdropSkepticHere's a pic to go along with my previous comments. I hadn't even taken it off the cardboard backer and the head was already loose.
The specs all over the internet say it weighs 10.3 oz. and I bought it primarily cuz I hoping to cut some weight from my pack. I don't know why I thought a suitable axe could weigh only 10.3 oz...but it doesn't. That must just be the weight of the head. It's not that much lighter than my Woods Chogan. And it's much crappier.
Don't waste your money.
ChicagoWayThanks, I watched that review and read several others before buying. I was hoping I'd get lucky and get one with a properly fitted head. I enjoy doing a little work on my blades, so I love products that are a little cheaper but require some work (like this and Condor products). I reprofile most of my blades on a Worksharp. And I refinished the handle on my Woods Chogan (a replacement handle cuz the factory press-fits the head on so hard they ruin the original handle). But I didn't want this thing when the handle wasn't even shaped properly...not taking the risk that the head might fly off.
GamalielYou could of course do the fix that Scout suggested in his video or just fit it to a new handle. CRKT has a video on rehandling it. Can't imagine why. I looked at lots of reviews and saw this issue. Think I will stick to GB.
ChicagoWayYeah...I have no hope that a replacement handle with be a better fit than the factory one. I just don't think CRKT has done a good job with their manufacturing in this hatchet. I'll stick with my hawk. And I like the friction fit of the hawk...there's no way for the head to fly off that thing. And if you have a GB, there's no point in even considering this thing.
Ultimately I found a different way to cut weight from my pack...bought a Condor Mini Duku parang. It weighs about 1.5 lbs WITH the sheath, compared to the Woods Chogan, which weighs 2 lbs without any kind of sheath or mask. Might not do everything an axe can do but it should suffice...and I think its a good tradeoff for a half-pound of weight savings.
GamalielI have the GB scandinavian (if I recall the name). I have it for a loghouse building class I want to take soon. Was looking for something smaller but not sure I wanted to pay another $125. IMO the smaller the axe the more dangerous it is. You might want to consider something like the woodsman's friend if the price is an issue. Or perhaps a large knife like the esee junglas. I have one but don't generally carry something so big.
kalieaireYeh. I like my Scandinavian Forest axe. Think I am going to get the small forest or wetterlings bushman (mixed reviews on that one) for my second. There is always Huskivarna which I hear is a bargain for the money.
EDIT: Nevermind, comments below answered my questions. Thanks all for the helpful reviews and criticism of the shoddy marketing masquerading and patriotism.
The specs all over the internet say it weighs 10.3 oz. and I bought it primarily cuz I hoping to cut some weight from my pack. I don't know why I thought a suitable axe could weigh only 10.3 oz...but it doesn't. That must just be the weight of the head. It's not that much lighter than my Woods Chogan. And it's much crappier.
Don't waste your money.
Ultimately I found a different way to cut weight from my pack...bought a Condor Mini Duku parang. It weighs about 1.5 lbs WITH the sheath, compared to the Woods Chogan, which weighs 2 lbs without any kind of sheath or mask. Might not do everything an axe can do but it should suffice...and I think its a good tradeoff for a half-pound of weight savings.