Actually it's a
very good little axe for a lot more than is being charged!
I bought a 'couple' to put into my teaching collection and my hardness files suggest an RC of around 58-59, which is a tad harder than my GB axes. I sliced a bit off one to try breaking it (I put it under my large flypress with a 1" rod across it), it bent to about 30 degrees before snapping under several tonnes of pressure: the grain structure was very fine
The handles are well fitted (clear epoxy, wooden and round metal wedges) and straight bits of hickory. The blades are a little thicker than a GB wildlife hatchet, but thinner than a Wetterling.
The only down sides to them are the varnished handle (easily scraped off), slightly ropey edge (that is better than most factory made hatchets to be honest) that is easily dealt with and the naff black paint on the head.
I reground one to the same cross section as a double bevelled GB carving axe (so quite fine) and then chopped a 2" thick bit of seasoned hawthorn into little pieces. Basically I whittled it into 1"-2" long chunks for the full 4 feet of the branch. It didn't roll, chip or dull through that little lot, even the Granny B axes normally don't like that punishment!
All in all, I would say if you have a free couple of hours to play at tarting it up, this is an exceptional axe, irrespective of the price! :wow1:
