I agree that a steel head and a wood or plastic handle would probably make the most sense due to cost and performance but I can buy a small fiskars or gerber hatchet. This is something I want to build. As my original post stated I have the carbon fiber and titanium and know how to work with both materials.

Sure the titanium would be softer than tool steel and the carbon fiber has a chance of breaking due to a miss but who cares? I am not looking to build this to sell. I was just asking if anyone else has ever thought of building or carrying a SUL hatchet.

Edited by Mountainfitter on 01/07/2010 10:54:05 MST.

This may sound crazy, but how about filling the head with water, or maybe sand. If the inherit disadvantage of a lightweight hatchet is that it is light, then adding weight (at the camp site) should be fairly easy. I have no idea if this is practical, but I could see some sort of design involving a hollow head, with a screw on cap. Without anything in it, it would be OK (a little on the light side) but filled with water (or sand) it would be ideal.

With or without the fillable head, I think the general idea is worth pursuing (a lightweight hatchet). Yes, it may be "too light" but that just means that it is bigger. Bigger is better for chopping, right? In other words, if the thing weighs only 10 ounces, it may be the best 10 ounce hatchet around.

What about a Marbles Small Belt Axe (MR000)? Is this just a toy or heavy?

Edited by pappekak on 01/05/2010 22:31:22 MST.

Department stores like Lowes and Home Depot are nice places to find small axes. They have them in the hammer section. Small head, wooden handle.

Lawson, your OP question was "Would you carry a 4-8oz SUL packable backpacking/camp hatchet?" The people who've posted have answered that question; instead of answering with a simple yes or no, they've explained their reasoning. It's just part of normal discussion and idea development. Everyone has been working along with you and trying to help you... no need for a retort such as this.

Hey Brad,

Your right, its normal part of conversation. I wasn't looking for a yes or a no just some actual feedback from someone who's been there and done that or has similar feelings. I guess I was just getting frustrated.

Cheers.

"Would you carry a 4-8oz SUL packable backpacking/camp hatchet?"

No. It just wouldn't be anything that I would find useful as I never build a fire, I rarely even use my knife.

Of course we have all thought of making everyhting lighter. This is a forum on backpackinglight.com BTW.

Do you really have the equipment and know how to shape and heat treat Titanium? You can't just grind a block of titanium into something that resembles an axe head and be done. If you do know how to correctly shape an axe then I suggest you send it off to a proffesional to be heat treated

Also be aware that titanium is brittle, much more than steel. It also has less strength to weight ratio compared to steel.

Joseph

I find the combination of 'hatchet' and UL' to be a little ... silly. (A hatchet *needs* some weight to chop.)

Cheers

Just got this for Christmas:

http://www.gofastandlight.com/Survival-Hatchet/productinfo/TO-R-45/

Haven't used it yet, but it is very well built, light and for under $10.00, i won't feel too bad if it breaks or gets scratched up.

BF