Hatchet handle length

[Ole WV Coot]

I found an old hatchet head I had when I was a kid well over 50yrs old. It has a very light head, lighter after the angle grinder & belt sander getting down to the steel. I got a hickory log out of the woodpile and for the sake of carrying what would you folks think would be the shortest handle I could get away with? Either in a pack or on a 4 wheeler rack. 3 1/4 " head, an old boy scout hatchet.

[beerrunner13]

Coot I think your gonna find this is like a knife question, it would depend an what you want to do, remember the shorted the handle the less leverage you are going to get and how will a very short handle affect your balance.

[crashdive123]

I agree with beerrunner on that. How much leverage you need for the size of the task is going to be a determining factor. Probably in the 14" to 20" range. I'm cutting down an old head now and am planning on putting a 12" to 14" handle on it.

[canid]

depending on what you're gonna cut, a lighter head likes a somewhat longer handle, for better leverage and increased force for chopping and splitting.

my personal recommendation would be 10-14". i certainly wouldn't go any shorter than the 10.

[Stony]

to make full use of a 3 1/4 head, nothing shorter than 18 inches,
24 would be better.
a longer handle gives you more and better control of the hatchet, a 24 inch handle makes it possible to use it as light ax and it ballances better.

[beerrunner13]

Well there ya go the expert has imparted his wisdom, go ahead and close the thread.

[canid]

you do understand that a longer handle gives you less percision right?

[awfoxden]

i just bought a wetterlings wildlife hatchet that is 12.5 inches overall. it is a great size for me and is very controlable, and very packable. i do think you would probably have a much higher level of lbs per square inch delivered to a log with a longer handle. i think i read somewhere that for every inch you add to the handle you add around 200lbs delivered. (don't quote me on this its just what i recall seeing some where - but it makes sense you would increase power with a longer handle)

by the way the wetterling hatchet is a great axe and only cost $30 with shipping. best deal ive seen in a while.

[canid]

i paid about that out the door for my estwing sportsman's hatchet. 14" overall, 3 1/4" head. it's a bit heavy for my taste in a hatchet, but meh, better splitting of larger wood.

[Sourdough]

Let's hi-jack this thread and talk about the proper temperature to drink beer. I say it depends on if the beer is for "PRE" Breakfast or served with Breakfast. And remember beer is not just for breakfast anymore. Now when your practicing quick draw with live ammo, you should set your beer down, or just guzzle it. If you spill the beer when shooting, but a red cone over the spill. Remember safety first, when shooting and drinking. Spills can be slippery, so if your walking in a spill area hold the trigger firmly, and keep the gun pointed at your "NON-BEER" DRINKING HAND. This hand is sometimes called the OFF-HAND. Which means if you have to shoot one of your hands, shoot the "OFF" HAND.

[klkak]

Coot, I carry a hatchet with me everywhere I go. I like my handles to be about 12in. My favorite hatchet is made by "Knives of Alaska" its their "Hunters Hatchet"

[Ole WV Coot]

I guess for carrying I best go with 12". Got good straight grain hickory so I think I will start there and choke it down until I lose leverage. The longer the better I know but I have plenty of steel so I may cut a few more ounces off with the angle grinder. Thanks for everyone's input.

[beerrunner13]

Let's hi-jack this thread and talk about the proper temperature to drink beer. I say it depends on if the beer is for "PRE" Breakfast or served with Breakfast. And remember beer is not just for breakfast anymore. Now when your practicing quick draw with live ammo, you should set your beer down, or just guzzle it. If you spill the beer when shooting, but a red cone over the spill. Remember safety first, when shooting and drinking. Spills can be slippery, so if your walking in a spill area hold the trigger firmly, and keep the gun pointed at your "NON-BEER" DRINKING HAND. This hand is sometimes called the OFF-HAND. Which means if you have to shoot one of your hands, shoot the "OFF" HAND.

I knew that about the off hand already ,but not the hold trigger firmly part, as for the proper temp I think it my vary unless you are a chugger as it would stay cooler in your neck of the woods then in mine. As for the pre breakfast part I have found if one is going to be useing handguns a couple shots of Wild Turkey seem to prime the pump. Thread hi jacked

[Sourdough]

So Stony, what do you drink befor and while shooting. If I have more than 8 or 10 drinks befor shooting my score drops way off. But say 3 to 5 befor kind of takes the edge off. Thing are a little blurred, but if you experience double vision try aiming between both targets. This is harder than it sounds when "QUICK-DRAWING" with a mild glow on.

[Sourdough]

Now when you get "GOOD". Then you combine Drinking, Shooting and driving air craft. The FAA is very narrow minded about flying with a mild glow'on. If you are the pilot beer is not a good choice, This is most true when piloting the great PA-18-150. If you have everclear onboard and you incurred a head wind and run low on Av-Gas you can dump a few quarts of everclear in the tank and your good to go, Save two fingers for the pilot.

[Ridge Wolf]

to make full use of a 3 1/4 head, nothing shorter than 18 inches,
24 would be better.
a longer handle gives you more and better control of the hatchet, a 24 inch handle makes it possible to use it as light ax and it ballances better.

You might want to put some finger knurls on the grip end of it too.. or something non-slip. You don't want that light head glancing off anything. I agree with Stony.

[awfoxden]

ok guys, its all been fun but it seams that we are getting a bit too far off track if you please.

i like to wrap 550 cord around the handle and make a lanyard on the end witch aids in grip and controlability of the hatchet as well as giving you a good bit of extra cord available for your outdoor experience.

[Ridge Wolf]

Let's hi-jack this thread and talk about the proper temperature to drink beer. I say it depends on if the beer is for "PRE" Breakfast or served with Breakfast. And remember beer is not just for breakfast anymore. Now when your practicing quick draw with live ammo, you should set your beer down, or just guzzle it. If you spill the beer when shooting, but a red cone over the spill. Remember safety first, when shooting and drinking. Spills can be slippery, so if your walking in a spill area hold the trigger firmly, and keep the gun pointed at your "NON-BEER" DRINKING HAND. This hand is sometimes called the OFF-HAND. Which means if you have to shoot one of your hands, shoot the "OFF" HAND.

ROFLMAO!!!!

[Sourdough]

What is it with wrapping everything with 550 cord.......? It seem people wrap everything with cord. Why not just have 30' in every pocket. Or 300' in your pack....???

[awfoxden]

personally i think it adds grip, feels good in the hand, reduces what i have to pack, looks good, and no i don't wrap everything but i have a few things that i use whenever i'm hunting or camping and the best part is i don't even notice its there until i need it.