I haven't had them that long, Leon - but I'm setting up to do a lot of hatchet tests so I had to get out and do a lot of chopping to get used to the Fiskars. Luckily 5 minutes gets me into the bush, and I can chop as much as I like here. Basically, I'm out with a pack full of hatchets every day after work and I put in much more time on weekends.
So all of the points I brought up were just the obvious ones that a person will run into right away. I actually had trouble buying the Gerbers and Fiskars after seeing them in the store. I collect axe and hatchet heads and use these tools all the time - and the Fiskars/Gerber break all the rules of proper selection! You can imagine my first thoughts, too, when I stopped on the way home from buying them and watched edges deteriorate after one minute's heavy chopping on seasoned wood. So - I figured it better to be a little premature and put up some solutions and ideas - rather than wait until after a month of heavy duty testing against some reground GB's that are about to arrive. I wouldn't see any changes to what I've said in general - people have been using Fiskars up in Alaska for years and haven't had handles fall off in the cold etc.
Where things will get very interesting is with comparative performance. That has to be done by one person at a time, and testing has to involve people with various levels of strength and experience. So it'll take time - and most of the discussion will have to be over at outdoors-magazine because I have to look after things there as well as spend time chopping.. It won't be simply a chop-off, but will involve how to modify the tools that a person has to give optimum performance. I thought I knew all about this as I collect hatchet heads, grind and fit handles - but getting a Vaughan hatchet that was reground by Mike Stewart changed my mind.
I don't see any point to arguments between proponents of different brands. We're lucky with having tools available that of great value for money - even with the more expensive. It's far more important to select a tool that meets a persons needs. As dangerous as they are, hatchets are incredibly effective tools if set up right, and used properly. I've sure had a lot of fun lately with a whole variety!
