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

Originally Posted by 35whelen

Tuatahi have just released a new Camp Axe..... Looks good too!

https://www.tuatahiaxes.com/copy-of-work-axes

I found an Old smaller axe head in the old blacksmiths workshop. Cleaned, hammered,filed and polished it up. fitted a new $40.00 Hickory handle and Voila.
There it was 1 head 1 handle "Great Grandads Axe"....

Yep that's why I started this thread - saw (and put an order in for) that camp axe. But mentioned to them I'd like a smaller and lighter version for carrying in a pack hunting and tramping. They are looking into it..I am trying to set up a group buy if they will make something that suits...

Another old African axe. Marked Sorby #1.

This guy restores axes up Auckland way I think. Currently requesting a buyer for this one once he put handle on. He makes the handles from scratch.

The story of the Finnish hatchet shown is told here, and there is a lot to be learnt from reading it, both in making and the using of such a nice wee beastie

Life in the north: Forging a hatchet.

This is pretty close to the brief also, and fairly modestly priced. I'd say the edge holding and finish on the Tuatahi would be an order of magnitude better though . . .

https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/e...WKS/11327.html

Originally Posted by Tentman

This is pretty close to the brief also, and fairly modestly priced. I'd say the edge holding and finish on the Tuatahi would be an order of magnitude better though . . .

https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/e...WKS/11327.html

yeah quite like the Helko axes, I have seen that one and thought it was pretty close. But as you say Tuatahi will be a much better quality axe and can guarantee will cut better

Good news, Tuatahi told me yesterday they have already started work on the new axe, and have done a forging for it, attached the pic. I've asked them to keep updating me with pics as the process goes on, will be interesting to see how they do it actually. Got to say I'm very impressed with their response, shows a real willingness to listen to customers and make what the market wants

Hmm, it's a PDF with image inside, I'll see if I can split out the pic and attach

OK here we go, just ended up taking a pic of the PDF image on my computer. Not great but you get the idea, they have roughed out the proposed general shape in chalk

Originally Posted by Mauser308

With it, a small beard at the bottom and grind the wings out at the top will be the best way to reduce weight. The camp axe design is slightly heavy, but a similar design with the wings ground out saves approx 300gms which puts it close to weight point.

The other option if you wanted to go that extreme weight loss way is washboard the thing like the Keesteel heads, but that is a bit of a stretch for an outfit like Tuatahi to produce on a limited run in terms of manpower and hours.

I think they should be able to easily make a 1.5lb head, it's a pretty standard size. I did think about asking them to just grind the wings out of the camp axe, but seems like they are quite happy to design a new one from scratch, so all good. The issue with the camp axe, even with wings ground out, is it is still going to have very sharp edges projecting down if you want to grab it behind the head. Someone else on this thread already said he cut himself with the camp axe holding it this way. It's a great axe but not really suitable for a grip like that

Has anyone just made a bearded axe from a small standard el cheapo head cut off half way down the taper and welding on a piece of grouser bar to form the lower half and beard ???

Originally Posted by Gruffle

OK here we go, just ended up taking a pic of the PDF image on my computer. Not great but you get the idea, they have roughed out the proposed general shape in chalk

I like it. Keep them at it. Cheers

As long as the handles jammed in and held tight that shape ill be fine..... sin of sins How about a hollow composite handle. with Flint and fire lighter stuff in it???

Originally Posted by 35whelen

As long as the handles jammed in and held tight that shape ill be fine..... sin of sins How about a hollow composite handle. with Flint and fire lighter stuff in it???

yeah I have had the same thought, like a survival kit. I suspect it would be very difficult to make a composite hollow handle that fulfilled all the other axe handle requirements, strength, weight, shock absorption etc. I bet it's been done though

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.