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

I clipped a stoat with my ute once and finished it off with my hammer. I rang a couple of trout fishing mates and no one wanted the fur so I chucked it down a post hole in a retaining wall . There was a hold up getting the concrete and the post hole caved in a bit and I had to clean it out.
Being down a post hole headfirst with a decomposing stoat in February is not something I ever want to do again.

There's a feed pad on a farm near Norsewood with what was left of my first deer in it's foundation. The concrete truck turned up and I was too lazy to dig a separate hole.

Originally Posted by mimms2

As above... beard doesn't seem very useful to me, I've no problem hewing with a conventional head. It's not the size it's how you use it.... my current hatchet is a rather curvy 3" or so (similar to RH in norsks #13)... but I could shave with it.

Nail puller, and decent back end (hammer) on the head would be nice features. And a bottle opener
A good carry method, also. A belt-looped head pouch is fine for around camp but tends to be a pain if on the move. I suppose you could put it in the middle of your back but then I think it would attack the knees...

Ideal length for a 'hawk is from web of your thumb to the crook of your elbow, plus your hand width. (This is human mechanics - the most leverage you can reasonably put on it as an extension of your arm) for me that's about 20".

I also like a shapely handle like Norsks post #14 or sarvos....

The "all in one" is a nice idea, but I don't think very practical. I use a pocket knife to hoof-and-claw game. Can't see myself ever skinning with an axe (and mine is sharp enough I could) and the only time I would use an axe/slasher in butchery would be breaking down a cow hung out the back of a truck. if I was in a hurry. Which I'm not.

"the right tool for the job" - Keep the axe for axe duty.

I would be interested to know if tutahi cast their own heads or what...

They don’t cast them, they get in steel to their own recipe from Europe, they cut chunks off then forge them with power hammers to shape, grind out the wings if requested, then heat treat and temper in house, they get in American hickory and shape the handles and hang them themselves, this way they can get the grain oriented property, finally they sharpen them and pin them, this seems and tad odd until you imagine a few lads weighing a good hundred kgs swinging razor sharp axes in front of crowds of people as they do axe sports…what could possibly go wrong…

I’ll keep watching with interest, I was about to order the camp axe but I’ll hold off.
I do like the concept and the design, just not sure it’s a survival axe, seems a wee hawk would be a better option, you could just carry the head, which would make a nice if awkward knife and then grab a branch and use the head to shape it for the handle.

@Gruffle any updates from Tuatahi on how these are progressing?

Originally Posted by PaulNZ

@Gruffle any updates from Tuatahi on how these are progressing?

Patience is a virtue.... So I have been told. The axes I have ordered have been 2-3months, when ordering it says it could be longer. They are worth the wait

Originally Posted by 223nut

Patience is a virtue.... So I have been told. The axes I have ordered have been 2-3months, when ordering it says it could be longer. They are worth the wait

Oh I don't mind the wait, just nice to know whether they're progressing the idea or if they decide not to pursue it.

Originally Posted by PaulNZ

Oh I don't mind the wait, just nice to know whether they're progressing the idea or if they decide not to pursue it.

Valid point...

Just logged in planning to post an update, sorry about the wait... I asked Tuatahi last week if any updates. The answer was, no updates yet...
They got onto doing the first casting really quickly so it seemed they were going to push it through quickly, but maybe not.
Anyway, I'll keep onto them and let them know we have some keen buyers, including me...

They need to make a decision one way or the other, I’m holding off buying one of their camp axes on the basis I may prefer this..l

@Shelley just get them both... You know you want to!!

Originally Posted by Gruffle

Anyway, I'll keep onto them and let them know we have some keen buyers, including me...

Hope we will get some updates soon. Ive registered here because of that Axe lol.
You can count me in for one. Going to order full "set" of axes so hoping this one will be avaible for sale soon also.
Going to buy Work axe (with wings), Camp axe and M tooth Work Saw. So I hope this Hatchet will be for sale soon so I can fill up my Tuatahi family.

Originally Posted by h7per

Hope we will get some updates soon. Ive registered here because of that Axe lol.
You can count me in for one. Going to order full "set" of axes so hoping this one will be avaible for sale soon also.
Going to buy Work axe (with wings), Camp axe and M tooth Work Saw. So I hope this Hatchet will be for sale soon so I can fill up my Tuatahi family.

Welcome to the forum. You must really rate their gear - I imagine shipping cost isn't small!

Originally Posted by PaulNZ

Welcome to the forum. You must really rate their gear - I imagine shipping cost isn't small!

Thanks! yeah shipping cost isnt cheap, last time ive talked with them for work axe order, shipping estimate cost was around 150 USD to my place, if I remember right. but Hey its freakin Tuatahi, name itself says number one, and in my opinion they work is best on the market and its worth to pay exta $$ for that quality stuff.
Now Im looking to make big order of Work axe, camp axe, their special covers and M tooth work saw, want to combaine shipping and if there will be hatchet Im gonna wait for it and make one big order..
For quality tools Im used to pay one time and that tool will do work for generations.

@Gruffle any progress yet?