Excuse me if someone has already posted something similar to this, but...
Although I do have various saws, I like the design of the Fiskars (Gerber) hatchet I've had for a while and it dawned on me the other day that the 12 in. hallow handle could be used to squirrel away a few extras. A disposible poncho, generic space blanket or trash bag for emergency shelter, length of para-cord, matches or whatever based on preference.
Thing is, if you cram something in it that fits snuggly, a piece of cord tied to it would be needed to facilitate removal.
Now, I'm not suggesting to use this as a primary survival tool. "Redundancy" just seems to be a popular word here.
Just an idea...

I'm not familiar with the space in the hollow handle but I think I would put a small file in it for sharpening the hatchet. Whatever you do you don't want to throw the balance off too much, any any rattle will irritate you. I would probably stuff it with a file, a firemaker, and some decent tinder (vaseline soaked cotton) and leave it at that. Mac

it sounds like a great idea i wish i would have known about it before i broke my gerber hatchet. it broke rite on the holo handle mabey if it was stuffed with somthing like a poncho the cracking blow would not have had as much effect as it did <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Doubtful, adding a few loose objects would have done little to strengthen the handle structurally.

If anything, you've provided an argument for why you wouldn't want to have one of these things. A solid handle is far more useful if it means the thing doesn't break in the long run! <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

yea i guess you are right. im just think that anything would have been better then nothng to absorb the impact. well i still have it i just need to get a new better handle for it

Actually, I would like to know how that handle got broke.
After reading that reply I went out and did everything short of smashing the handle with a sledge or bending it in a vise.
It's sure as heck tougher than any wooden handled hatchet I've ever used.
How in the world did you manage to even damage it, let alone break it?
Let me guess, you were throwing it Davy Crockett style?

lmao no i was choping with it. but i will tell you this my friends call me "breako" becuas if there is even a small chance that the item im holding(must be owned by me) can be broken i will breake it! now there is always the chance that i got a lemon. there could have been an air bubble or some other defect in the molding of the handle. i dont know for sure but i broke it on the back upper side of the handle. i could have been doing something i was not suposed to be doing with it at the time it broke. but its been at least a year since i broke it and i dont remember how i did it. from the looks of it i was using the back of the head as a hammer cuz its all beatup. and the blade is all chipped up as well. i dont think i ever tossed it at anything( i cant toss a hatchet for my life) but i did use it to dig trenches and chop roots and stuff.

Gerber Sport Axe
05/28/02 08:42 PM Edit Reply



Picked up a Gerber (Fiskars) "Sport Axe" on sale at the local Gander Mountain this weekend and thrashed, er, tested, it pretty heavily as we were limbing out a big 99% dead ash tree prepartory to dropping it next weekend. I really like it! I have some minor concern about the handle being potentially slippery and am idly considering putting some 3M stuff on it - probably the thin textured rubber anti-skid applique, as I have some of that and the supplemental adhesive on hand.

Andy C. - is it you who has one of these (or the Back Paxe version)? Whomever, any comments on handle gripability in nasty conditions?

Sure, this is no Granfors Bruks hand-forged axe, but it sure is sweet for a mass-produced hand axe. It chops well in both semi-green and seasoned ash and mulberry. I could easily skin bark off without damage to the poles, and it takes knots off like they were planed off. Chops as well (better) than any one-hand axe I remember using. I was a little disappointed at first when I took it out of the package, as there was a wire edge on it. I was going to take it off, then thought, "Nah! Use it the way it came out of the box - see how it does." So I just used it, and from the first swing it bit in like only a sharp axe can. Wire edge is gone - as is the PTFE coating on the edge bevel. No nicks or dings, and I think a little touch with the axe stone will make it super-sharp.

Easy to control, interesting (nice) balance, great at suitable tasks - I'd have to rate this a very good value in a one-hand axe! Too heavy for routine "Be Prepared" day pack for me, but I think this will be on my regular pack from now on.

Regards,

I have the "Sport Axe" - quite the tool for the money. Andy C's Back Pax eloquence plus a sale price I couldn't pass up... My experience with it was similar to yours except the ash tree was already down.

It has chopped and split just fine - no gripes from me. I have not had any trouble with the grip but I would be concerned with a wool or synthetic palm in the winter - it works fine with leather-palmed mitts and gloves (bare handed has not been a problem wet or dry). YMMV

Errr, I DO keep it in my "Be-Prepared" pack... Another place, another time, a machete - but around here, the hand axe is more useful. I think it's a great tool for the money, but I'd not choose it for a long trip where it saw daily use - concerned that IF I break the handle, there does not appear to be a good way to carve and install a replacement handle.

HTH,

Tom