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

I never considered carrying a small hatchet hunting. After reading all the responses it seems like a bloody good idea!

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

yep, I have asked them to temper and square off the poll so it be used to hammer in tent pegs etc. Not sure about the multi tool thing though....

I like that design and will order one just because I like good gear even if I barely get to use it! I have a Tuatahi axe and it is quality... @MSL got me onto them. For camping/hunting does the axe have advantages over a lightweight saw (I have Swedish 3 blade saw)? If you could have one - camp axe or camp saw - for a normal week in the bush, which one would you choose?

Axe every time for me, but a lot depends on your style and how/what you were taught . . . .

Ever tried to knock a possum on the head with a hand saw?


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No but when I used a spirit level it broke in half.

No but I stoned a stoat with a pot coming out of the chicken house.

So the stoat got stoned with your pot? Lucky stoat

Originally Posted by Gruffle

So the stoat got stoned with your pot? Lucky stoat

I’d say his wife was the one who killed the stoat, he’s just using a bit of artistic license to place himself in the role of the victorious hero.


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Surrounded by comedians...

Cindy will hear this and have a buy back for pots

I once smashed a rat with a chair. Killed the rat, but the chair didn't end up too flash either

My mother killed a stoat with a long bit of 4x2 in our yard when I was a wee tackler. The 4x2 at hand was too long to hit it with so she pinned the little buggef to the ground and held it down till it stopped breathing. Gruesome and scarred me for life - to this day I can't stop feeling sorry for stoats

Originally Posted by Gruffle

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

Any updates? I've got a birthday coming up, and wife was just asking what I wanted this year...