I just ran across this hatchet (what's the difference between a hatchet and an axe? It's the same size as the Gerber Gator Axe.) and was wondering if anyone had seen or used one.

http://www.timberlineknives.com/timberline/pdf/6013KomHatchet.pdf

I tend to thing that an axe is built to be a two-hander and a hatchet is built to be a one-hander.

First time I've seen this item -- looks interesting, might be a good acquisition for the bob. Not too expensive either, 44.95 at knifecenter.

A hatchet actually has a hammer head on the side opposite the blade and a notched place on the under side of the blade for pulling nails. Used by roofers of old mostly.

Hatchet derives from hachette, the diminutive of hache, what a frenchman of old would use vs a axe by an englishman, hopefully not on each other. As posted, a hatchet is a one handed tool, often with a hammer head developed for various woodworking as opposed to wood procuring duties. They are popular survival items because of the reduced wieght and bulk vs a true axe (note the old Alaska and Canadian flying survival kit regs specified a full axe.) Their close proximity to the body call for added caution in use- by french or english.

Wow, that looks like an excellent unit. Thanks for the info.

That thing looks like it has a secondary bevel on the edge...
That would tend to destroy its efficiency when chopping.

WAY too heavy too...
Take a look at the little Bark River mini-axe... http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/biggame/mini-axe.html
It is TINY

But it is capable of BIG jobs...
It was used(with wooden wedges) to split THIS <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />



You can read a review and the splitting story HERE.
I have one, and it is an amazing little axe.

That little honey is just plain cool. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

For the extra 8oz, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with a steel handle over a wooden one.

the Bark River is twice as expensive as the Timberline and larger, even though lighter in weight, it is still too big in my opinion. I don't have either one, but would lean towards the Timberline if choosing between the two. JMHO