Thread: Tuatahi axe project - small axe / hatchet for hunting, tramping, fishing etc

Originally Posted by norsk

I think there is too much "eye and not enough blade on that Tuatahi design.

It might not be too good for splitting wood,but limbing and chopping it would be nice.

I asked them to make a prototype, so there will be room for changes. Basic brief is head weight 1.5lb approx, (660gm), 19" handle about another 1lb (440g) total around 2.5lb (1-1.1kg).
In a 15" handle as a hatchet it would be a bit lighter, but still balanced.
I think just enough beard to keep within that weight range and keep a useable amount of cutting edge. Bearded designs of course allow greater cutting length edge while still keeping weight down.
I don't have any concerns about there being enough meat in the blade for strength, it's a 1kg axe / hatchet so nobody is going to be trying to do heavy work like splitting 12" hard wood rounds. 4-6" max I would think, just for a campfire and general purpose jobs and can also take over the role of a large knife
Certainly not useful for splitting anything bigger than arm thickness dead wood for camp fires, that is its intended purpose, has to be light and handy enough to carry in the bush.
For heavier duty work they have their "camp axe", with a 1.5kg head, that will make short work of most stuff, including splitting, but too heavy to carry in the bush at just over 2kg, 23" handle