Square_peg
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- Feb 1, 2012
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I recently received a pair of Vaughan mini hatchets. I've resisted buying these in the past, recognizing that they are more ornamental than functional just because of their meager size. But also recognizing that they likely won't be around (at least made in USA) for long I pulled the trigger. These are the 1/2-pound Subzero Sportsman Axe and the 3/4-pound Oyster Hatchet.
http://www.vaughanmfg.com/shopping/Products/12-Sub-zero-Sportsmans-Axe__ZS-1-fslsh-2.aspx
http://www.vaughanmfg.com/shopping/Products/Oyster-Hatchet__2-fslsh-0.aspx
As you can see they're both only about 12" long. I'm guessing that these are forged not cast as there are some slight defects in the overall shape of the pieces.
The hafts are well-shaped - no doubt originating from Vaughan & Bushnell's own handle plant in Arkansas. The fawnsfoot on the Sprotsman's Axe is unclipped. It's grain is about 25° off vertical. The Oyster Hatchet's grain is almost horizontal. But neither has any runout at all and let's face it - at this weight grain orientation surely makes no difference. I don't expect either will ever fail except under abuse.
The total weights were surprisingly similar given the advertised difference of 1/4-pound. The Oyster Hatchet came it at 369 grams. The Sportsman's Axe came in just 16 grams less at 353 grams. Weighing a similar sized haft with no head on it I came up with an approximate handle weight of 160 grams. So I think the actual weight of the Oyster Hatchet is something less than advertised. I would guess that each is forged from the same half-pound billet and that additional grinding on the Sportsmans Axe reduces its weight somewhat.
Each had only a rudimentary edge ground on them and needed some file work before honing. The file revealed them to be well hardened - I would guess mid-50's RC hardness. They were filable with some difficulty. But being so small is was no big deal to re-profile the edges. Each took less than 15 minutes to file and hone to shaving sharp.
So how do they perform? Surprisingly these little toys actually chop OK for their weight. They could be useful for light bushcraft or carving work. I sharpened some pegs and chopped thru a few small knots. Then I made some shavings. They were both fine at these tasks. After this work I gave each of these a dozen hard whacks at 90° into a piece of dry Douglas Fir. Both of the edges were unaffected and still shaved hairs off my arm with equal ease as before I used them.
The Oyster Hatchet seemed to chop better for me and the shape is more what I like for light carving work. It's my favorite of the two. With the notably lower price the Oyster is the bargain here. I consider both of these too light to really be anything more than a gimmick. But they are cute as hell and something fun to add to the collection and play with. They're very reasonably priced for a USA product made with quality steel.
http://www.vaughanmfg.com/shopping/Products/12-Sub-zero-Sportsmans-Axe__ZS-1-fslsh-2.aspx
http://www.vaughanmfg.com/shopping/Products/Oyster-Hatchet__2-fslsh-0.aspx
As you can see they're both only about 12" long. I'm guessing that these are forged not cast as there are some slight defects in the overall shape of the pieces.
The hafts are well-shaped - no doubt originating from Vaughan & Bushnell's own handle plant in Arkansas. The fawnsfoot on the Sprotsman's Axe is unclipped. It's grain is about 25° off vertical. The Oyster Hatchet's grain is almost horizontal. But neither has any runout at all and let's face it - at this weight grain orientation surely makes no difference. I don't expect either will ever fail except under abuse.
The total weights were surprisingly similar given the advertised difference of 1/4-pound. The Oyster Hatchet came it at 369 grams. The Sportsman's Axe came in just 16 grams less at 353 grams. Weighing a similar sized haft with no head on it I came up with an approximate handle weight of 160 grams. So I think the actual weight of the Oyster Hatchet is something less than advertised. I would guess that each is forged from the same half-pound billet and that additional grinding on the Sportsmans Axe reduces its weight somewhat.
Each had only a rudimentary edge ground on them and needed some file work before honing. The file revealed them to be well hardened - I would guess mid-50's RC hardness. They were filable with some difficulty. But being so small is was no big deal to re-profile the edges. Each took less than 15 minutes to file and hone to shaving sharp.
So how do they perform? Surprisingly these little toys actually chop OK for their weight. They could be useful for light bushcraft or carving work. I sharpened some pegs and chopped thru a few small knots. Then I made some shavings. They were both fine at these tasks. After this work I gave each of these a dozen hard whacks at 90° into a piece of dry Douglas Fir. Both of the edges were unaffected and still shaved hairs off my arm with equal ease as before I used them.
The Oyster Hatchet seemed to chop better for me and the shape is more what I like for light carving work. It's my favorite of the two. With the notably lower price the Oyster is the bargain here. I consider both of these too light to really be anything more than a gimmick. But they are cute as hell and something fun to add to the collection and play with. They're very reasonably priced for a USA product made with quality steel.
