A trio of fighters - Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works

[shane45-1911]

I had these 3 stashed away in a drawer and almost forgot I had them, until I came across them today. After not seeing them for a couple of years, I am still impressed with them.

The handle profile fits my hand perfectly. I do not have any blades that fit my hand or are as comfortable as these, although the big Beckers come close.

These things slice amazingly well. I especially love the tanto for its slicing ability, as it is hollow ground (sort of a rarity on tantos in particular, and fighters in general). They take - and hold - a wickedly sharp edge.

All parkerized, all 5160.

 

[d762nato]

Pretty Awesome, I had a friend years ago that bought a bowie from the same guy at a gun show in 5160, it had a 12" blade. That was a very tough knife with a micarta handle, I believe it was around 1990 when he purchased it. It was a beast over a 1/4" thick but he used to throw it and hack about everything and it held up just fine. Congrats nice blades.

 

[shane45-1911]

That was a very tough knife with a micarta handle, I believe it was around 1990 when he purchased it. It was a beast over a 1/4" thick but he used to throw it and hack about everything and it held up just fine.

Tough describes them well. While 5160 is old school, if you can find someone that has their heat treat down pat (as MMHW does), this steel does amazingly well with most tasks.

I am not sure if Ted still mans the helm at MMHW, but he sure knew how to build solid, working knives. I would put any of his blades up against anything else I own (premium/super-steels included) and be suitably impressed.

 

[abcdef]

I have one of their really small models. It's surprising we don't see more about MM on BF.

 

[shane45-1911]

It's surprising we don't see more about MM on BF.

I have wondered this several times over the years on this forum.

 

[d762nato]

Maybe at Teds price point and materials most are using and abusing them instead of selling them. I haven't seen my friend in years, but I'd guess he still has that tough old knife. Congrats on your knives nice group of blades.

 

[coolbreezy37]

I really like rugged, utilitarian survival aspect of MMHW knives. 2 big Bowies caught my eye, now I just have to figure out which one.

 

[justjed]

I've had one of their axes for about 30 years. This one was not ground by Ted, but by a guy who went by Lyzard, who was grinding for them early on. I've even seen a couple of Lyzard marked axes in the MM style, but that was a long time ago. I would put Ted's heat treatment protocol in a better-than-good category, quite excellent for hard-work tools. Differentially-hardened with a blow torch and a hot oil quench, MM's 5160 is my personal benchmark for tough. They're overbuilt, heavy, tho well balanced, and they ain't pretty. They're solid working tools, and I'd recommend them to anyone.