I've now watched ~8 videos on hatchets... I own no property with trees. I don't have a wood burner, fireplace, or outdoor fire pit. Yet, here I am, thoroughly entertained for 35 more minutes on a subject I have no interest in. This is why I keep coming back.

Pocket, ever since you moved (and well before, but I'd like to focus on post-move) you've given me a lot of knowledge and entertainment. I think my favorite bits are when you talk next to the fires you are making. You are an extremely knowledgeable person, but also have a great understanding of how you came to gain that knowledge, and know it is not absolute. You know what you do based on experience, and give that to us in droves. Thank you

Someone told me the proverb "give a wise man 6 hours to cut down a tree, and he'll spend 4 hours sharpening his axe." I would love to get a decent hatchet and turn it into a good one. Might even make my own hatchet from scratch one day...

The Freight store has the same thing in yellow for $6.

Months later and I'm still loving this rabbit hole you've dug with axes. Thank you and I can't wait to see what's next (Axe or not)

Living in Florida, I've never had much use for a hatchet. Indeed, the last time I used one was when I was camping as a teenager, and I remember cutting wood with one being a very arduous task. Watching this one struggle at the beginning made me realize that the hatchets I've used have all been either very dull, or never sharpened more than factory.

Please upload more videos. I finished all your others.

i really enjoy listening to you ramble about stuff. It is like my mind just purchased a speaker.

After viewing only a couple of moments, of what would turn into an all night binge watching event, I came to the conclusion that, 10 year old me, watched the entirety of Inspector Gadget, for nothing much more than to see the face of Dr. Claw. Mystery is enticing. Your numerous charms aside, I find myself intrigued by your way of thinking. I am taken aback by your gentle articulation of ideas, which flow effortlessly into philosophical ramblings. You are a gem in a sea of pride and arrogance that has regrettably become commonplace here on the interwebs. Thank you for sharing your time with us. I can not speak for the rest of your viewers, but, here on my little screen, you are greatly appreciated and your process is fully respected.

Bro. Gr8 stuff! Harbor freight has the same axe in YELLOW, plus with a lifetime (Pittsburg brand) you break it, you get a NEW one (Yes better than SEARS now) and the kicker is $7 out the door after ur 20% off coupon. I left the blunt edge after an arkansas stone session buy am now ready to slim that edge down a bit! thx!!!

Sharpest knife i own i found in the dirt when i was 12 . Was a blade off a broken small chefs type knife, cut a groove in a stick and glued it in, wrapping it in string for support and gluing the string. Drilled 2 holes in a board with hole saws, made a continous wood ring for the handle, attached it the same way. Then took a big screw, let it wait on the railroad tracks. It was not threaded the entire way, so it made a serrated edge and a straight section naturallty. But it was double sided so i cut it in half with a dremel. Then i sharpened it a bit and polished it, cut a groove in the wood ring and added it as a sort of brass knuckes blade type deal. I got the blade good enough to shave with, kept it that way ever since, favorite blade i own.

the edge that little thingy came with looks like a young apprentice went at it with a dull beaver.....or was it a dull apprentice....

Just spend 3x more on a Fiskars and you wont have to spend 2 hours modifying it just so that it works at all. My Fiskars youth axe I found in the woods and it works absolutely great. Never had to sharpen it yet, and the design is really comfortable. Not to mention it won't break.

I was taught an old trick in the Services to mark the edge with a sharpie and that way figure out what area you're honing.

I can really notice how your cinematography skills have improved over the years. Makes the videos really compelling to watch. Keep it up !

oh, beech has awesome nuts! they are tiny, but the taste is marvellous... And it makes for probably the best fire wood, and awesome for furniture too. the short-fibered core wood makes it great for carving too. Not usable for tool handles or other stick applications (due to the same property of short fibres). Careful with the larger trees though, as they only root very superficially making them easy prey for unbroken wind. Also, they don't like direct sunlight on the trunk's bark, so if you cut down a tree next to the beech, check if direct sunlight is introduced and if necessary cover the trunk with woven jute. (I really don't understand why you say that beech is not a pleasant tree, but I'm sure you can tell that it's one of my very favorite ones, hahaha) Oh, and it makes for awesome smoke flavour, both as a general smell when burning it, as for smoke grilling meat and veggies. If you pick up the nuts for consumption, you won't have any saplings stand in the way anymore either XD

A dull blade of any kind is far more dangerous than a sharp one. Good job.

I bought a Husqvarna hatchet for $20 on amazon, I believe I had to pay for shipping though. Hand forged in Sweden, hickory handle, comes with a leather sheath. Couldn't recommend it enough.

With the stock grind I don’t think you can call it chopping. More like beating the limb into submission. 🔨 I can’t help but wonder how many people buy tools like these expecting them to work perfectly out of the box, and being frustrated when they don’t. Or how many people even realize that it is possible to make it better.

came across this because my youtube was on auto play and i didnt pay enough attention to click to anything else. in fact, i already know all this stuff; been sharpening my own knives and axes since i was a kid (ruined a lot of knives during the learning process lol). the reason i stuck around was because i absolutely loved listening to you talk. it was actually really soothing if that makes sense lol

Wranglerstar wants to know your location

I use 3 different hatchets for general cutting and delimbing of trees the reasons for each are the first has a concave cutting profile which is really nice for cutting and splitting wet/funky wood (it doesn't get stuck in the wood as much) the second has a convex edge which I use when working in the rockier areas of my property as when I accidentally drop it on a rock it is much more likely to hold its edge (but it's not half as blunt as most factory edges) and the last has around a 30-35 degree feathered edge(similar to what you sharpened yours too which is a good all around edge and also splits drier wood better than the other 2)... I like your video formatting, pace, and soothing way you describe what you are doing its kinda relaxing (I may actually try one of those cheap hatchets myself as the heads on mine are starting to show their age by the way (they're on their 5th 6th and 7th handles each and all are over 40 yrs old and have been resharpened many many times) keep up the great unbiased videos they're great and it's refreshing to see a different way of how someone else does their edge sharpening (I like to profile edges on a bench grinder with a fine stone to start while keeping from overheating the edges (a trick for this is placing some clay on the very edge as it soaks away the heat and redistributes it along the entire edge while grinding) followed by a single cut metal file that's then followed by fine emery cloth rubber cemented to a steel bar and or ceramic sharpening stone when I sharpen hatchets/axes for friends and family). And to make the honing/fileing effectively more visible on camera you could use a contrasting sharpie or machinest dye (my only dislike of the whole video although you do describe it well is it isn't very easy to see).

A new ax almost never comes with an actual "cutting" edge on it. I think it's a liability issue, especially if it is sold in a local store (not internet), so they manufacture them with a very steep, dull edge.

really liked the double clamp the heatgun to get a stand

Thank you for your always interesting and honest videos!

You forgot the 3rd and 4th uses for a hatchet, injuring ones self and injuring ones enemies....Great video man. Its all about knowledge and skill. Thanks for sharing.

Recently got into being more active and away from my computer, got into gardening, first step was buying an axe and a hatchet to tackle the trees growing through. I knew about sharpening an axe before use (This is the UK, surprised I didn't need a licence to even buy the thing) but I was ignorant to the 'sweet spot', basically I just took a file and gave it a sharp edge, it's chopping well enough, but tomorrow i'll go reshape that edge using your video, thanks!

I have this hatchet and after sharpening the blade a bit I just use it for splitting kindling which it does very well and is basically what it is made for. I have used it for splitting some smaller logs using another small piece of log as a baton and it works well for that also. As far as taking it out and chopping wood with it that thought never crossed my mind as I have a nice camp saw that will do the work in half the time with half the effort.

Thanks for the tip on using dish soap! Great idea. I've never seen anyone else do that.

I just wanted to say how much i appreciate the fact that there isn't an amazon affiliate link in the description.

Great video! Informative and entertaining! I learned quite a bit. I've recently started an interest in small hatchets and processing wood for a small fire pit. I just obtained a few big logs I'm using for a cutting chopping surface. I'm a suburbanite dweller and believe it or not, it was a great feeling to finally aquire my tree stumps. Cutting that wood for kindling as you did in end was really fascinating. You said making toothpicks. I can see the logic in cutting many sizes of kindling to help start the fire. It will also be an enjoyable task. Probably even satisfying and calming. Thanks for your video. I subscribed based on this one video.

I've become a big fan of a smaller, solid metal axe. I at least like a metal handle. I know its heavier than wood but to me it's worth it for a hatchet that I just cant snap. I have snapped two hatchets while camping. Do I need to be easier on my hatchets? Probably lol. But I tend to abuse the crap out of my camping tools. In willing to take some extra weight (and I take a smaller hatchet). I really hate the hollow handle hatchets though. Hollow metal is the worst of both worlds to me. It's all preference though. You just have to find your own personal balance. As long as you aren't throwing axe heads at your friends though

Very helpful...I love my tools Nd take care of them but I still had trouble sharpening my axes and hatchets ...now I know the way to sharpen them appropriately....thank u sir...gr8 video.

What about Fiskar? I have a Fiskar X7 that I sharpened and its an absolute joy to use. And the fiberglass handle is nearly indestructible. I don't have much experience splitting with it, but it's a great chopper for when Im camping.

Hey bud if you want to skip a lot of the uncomfortable feel of pretty much any handle on anything, add athletic tape. Effort amazing feel. I just it on my fiskars hatchet and out of the 4 years I’ve had it I’ve only had to change the tape once. Super easy to do. Thanks for the review. I love finding beaters for all sort of jobs.

Thanks, Pocket. Good solid info, and not just for hatchet modding.

EXCELLENT VID, BROTHER! THANKS! LOVE THE 4-LEAF CLOVER LOGO 83 ON YOUR TABLE!!! NICE SYMMETRY, REVERSIBLE!

Good video. You had me laughing at your comments when you were hacking away at the tree and branches before you re-profiled it. Good stuff.

good review I happen to have very large hands and I use dip it for making the handle a little larger or change the contour. you can buy it anywhere, I even put it on some fishing rod handles,or just pliers and screwdriver handles and color choices too.thanks

I’m really digging your videos in your new location. You seem to really connect with that environment. I was always entertained but that factor just increases.

Beech is good for cooking implements since it is tasteless and smooth. You can eat beechnuts, raw only in small 😨 amount but roasted more, you can get oil out off them too. Use in food like pine nuts. Peel then scald the two nuts for getting rid of inner rind, like almonds but less. If you boil them they discolour. The wood handles for work implements too. Birch is better for axe handles, felling axe with birch handles transport less shock to hand than hickory does. Ash for knife handles or spears. Young beech leaves in sallad like maple and birch too. Sap from maple & birch is sweet.

At least it makes a lovely echo in the woods. On a real note I've found that placing the edge on the wood then tapping the back with a hand sized branch as a hammer works wonders without damage to the axe/hatchet head.

At 23:00 I am glad you stopped hitting the log with the back of the hatchet. The handle is about the same size and shape of your radius. One of the two bones in your forearm. The handle of the hatchet can be seen as an extension of your radius. More hits with that handle may well have produced cracks in your radius just like the observable cracks in the handle. Good job on quitting. The periosteum is a membrane filled with nerve endings over the radius. The pain to the periosteum told you the hard nerveless structure (radius) was about to break. Good job.

Thank you Pocket. For those of us that wish we had your problems, it was enjoyable. Also, I'm glad you were in a good mood and that the comments didn't seem to wind you up.

It's a cool hammer.

Man you make the most quality videos. I love each and everyone of them.

Most in-depth 12$ something review I've ever seen👍

When grinding an edge with power tools I put a wet sponge on the metal near the edge so the temper is not affected so much. Sometimes I cut a strip of sponge to do this. A spray bottle of water can also keep the metal cool.

Great video. The flap discs are ok but they generate so much heat in the workpiece.. really got to keep the workpiece as cool as possible to avoid destroying the temper. Using a file like you do is a great way of doing it,slow and cool the way to go!

10:05 How most Sticker Removals go 1)Carefully start all layers peeling from the surface 2) Yank and it goes to hell

This is actually a really interesting, well-presented video

Man, I saw that golf ball as your file handle that's frickin genius

Alright, so you using liquid soap instead of water got me really interested. I tried it at work today and was baffled by how well it worked. It's also a very easy cleanup and doesn't cause the leftovers to rust on the stone. I'm already using liquid soap to reduce friction where oils cannot be used, so I always have enough of it at hand. I'm sharpening an industrial blade which cuts through kilometres of material every day, and requires constant sharpening. Up until now, I had to use two stones - one wet to sharpen before the blade is used, and one dry to sharpen during use - I have to prevent moisture getting on the materials and cleaning up the blade after every sharpening would not be time efficient. Due to how easy the soap is to clean and how little of it is needed, I think I'll be able to use just one stone with soap. So thanks for the tip :)

I've started referring to this as "The Observer Effect". It is especially pronounced when someone is watching you type. Even when you are not nervous or self conscious it will hit. I've been using Linux professionally for over 20 years, as soon as someone is looking over my shoulder I will mess up typing "ls".

I am not watching your videos because of my mystical axe problems - I do not have any axe problems, I assume I will not have axe problems. I am watching your videos cause your sense of humor and to my liking world view.

Best hand axe I ever had was a HF wood handle. Sharpened it with occasionally with 180 sand paper on a drill, too hard to file. The 180 would make it shave. Held an edge great, the profile was perfect and pretty aggressive. The heat treat was perfect, you could see the right color gradient out of the box.

When you drew on the handle with the pencil it reminded me of blues clues when Steve is drawing in the notebook. "Just like that. There. A rounded corner."

I have a vaughan 22 oz half hatchet and although it needed some modifications I am pleased with the result. I think you might find it to be significantly closer to finished at a higher but still reasonable price. (plus it can drive a nail like nothing else)

The bright green handle prevents use as a boot tomahawk for when I go into MS-13 Isis Crip biker bars to take scalps. I would replace the handle.

hi. great info and good vid. i own an older husky fiberglass core axe. i also had to do all the same mods to my axe as you have shown here. one thing im not sure if you are aware of, but that epoxy plug in the head of your hatchet will fracture and the head WILL come off. that being said when the time comes , either now or after it breaks, i would definitely recommend using a wood and steel wedge set to replace the head. you may want to reshape the inside of your head to exaggerate the the spread of the neck and drive the full wedge in and both steel. after i did this my axe handles better now than when it was new. < this may be due to my personal bias :))

I love what you did to the vice to hold handles. I'm going to copy that for sure! Great video. I think I'll get one of these hatchets. Like I need another project! 😂🤣

You should try using an iron ( like the one you iron clothes with) on the therm. plastic handle. I use that trick to help get scratches smoothed out on some of my kayaks, it should still help

I've got a very similar Pittsburgh hatchet from Harbor Freight that I modified with a longer handle. Cold chisel and a BFH will clear out the eye with a quickness. The polypropylene or whatever doesn't go very far into the eye, just the fiberglass core. It's turned into one of my favorite hatchets. I think I'll pick up one of the newer ones like yours with the super blunt edges. For $6 why not? Also I started using soap on my stone recently, thought it was just me 🤣

Love the Zombie Handle. Nice video, very informative. Turned out to be a decent hatchet for the money.

looks like a functional little hatchet which is all one could ask for. thanks for the great review love the modifications --Rick

Awesome video. Very informative and educational. You seem to be really good at this. Keep up the great videos.

I love chopping wood, did that during some of my summer vaccations when i was young before age 12, also collecting sheep from the mountains aswell as hunting birds and hare at the same time

Excellent video Sir. I learned a lot about shaping the correct profile for a hatchet. You have a new subscriber.

Beautiful furnace. It looks wonderfully toasty.

Thanks, interesting video. I've not seen plastic welding conducted so, but as you say, a useful skill, and I'm always interested in accumulating more of those. Cheers buddy!

Spend the $35 on a Estwing. American made and the entire hatchet is a one piece design from head to handle. It's forged from a solid piece of steel. The handle is a full tang design with a leather grip. It will last a lifetime, literally. I used to be in forestry and would harvest a ton of firewood and it was my "go to" for chopping off tree limbs and didn't want to fire up the chainsaw back in the day.

I keep coming in hope of another reading video.

That clamp trick is very useful. Thank you

That looks pretty cool for a bug out bag. It is small and more concealable.

I'd rename the video to How to regrind a axe. I think more people may find it usefull and it is a great tutorial. I really liked the regrind part and the tips like using dishsoap and keeping the tip cool.

I liked, that you also gave perspective on why you are doing this :D

This video is amazing. I had no idea that 34 minutes had passed.

It might be easier to work the plastic using a spin welding technique. A rod of thermal plastic spins at high RPM, generates friction and melts both pieces of plastic. More commonly used with ABS, but might work with what you have there as well.

I was going to leave a comment about why I like your vids. Then I went on a mental rant that would have been 5 pages long. Take care, looking forward to more. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent video, thanks for sharing! I hope you do a follow-up with the modifications on the original camping axe, as well as a new wood handle on the prototype.

Great video. So many good reasons to use a properly sharpened tool. My only advice would be to limit ones use of any impact tools like this, a hatchet, a hammer & certainly hammer drills/ chippers. As an older guy who used tools like these for decades I'm currently paying the price with near constant elbow pain/ discomfort. I'd recommend using a hatchet or hammer on smaller jobs but for any long term use i'd opt for the power tool equivalent.

chopping morning wood with AxPorn! You guys are tough. lol keep on scratchen

Thanks for the analysis Pocket.

love the belt hook up, I needed that.

If you cut too deep on the nub below the hole there is a cavity inside. A hidden pocket. I called it 83 and filled it with epoxy. Re-shaped it to a rounder handle for axe throwing.

I learned to sharpen real young ....great video

thanks much for your time and hard work !!! this was a real help. blessings !!

Hey speaking of plastic soldering, have you ever considered taking strands of 3d printing filament and using that as a "welding rod" of sorts? They're all by default thermoplastics because that's how they need to be to actually 3d print in the first place, but you also may need to know what plastic your part uses before you go mixing in other plastics like PLA or ABS or PETG or PC etc.

Hockey tape for the bit of the grip that annoys you..works for me. Awesome video, thanks.

One approves of recycling the head of the reversed engineered hatchet, but might not the fibreglass/plastic handle also be given a second life, perhaps after undergoing further reshaping and then being attached to a smaller headed implement? I've never heard anyone singing the praises of plastic handles, but your cheapy seems plenty strong and there might be an application for which it's just what's needed (don't ask me what that application might be - I'm just a conceptualiser). Re-purposing plastic handles - could be the next big thing!

Hultafors are definitely king for budget axes. Come with a very serviceable edge

I'd like to ask you, for someone who really has no experience using hatchets or axes regularly but carries one in their vehicle as a safety precaution (I would be capable of using it to split small amounts of wood in an emergency situation) would you recommend this and if not is there another hatchet or smaller axe you'd suggest instead. I get you're no expert but I really just need something inexpensive that can be tossed in a toolbox as a precautionary tool, no major amazing Gran Force Brooks axe/hatchet or anything fascinating. Just a simple hatchet for emergencies

Fantastic, & oh-so THOROUGH of a video. - Thank you

Great demonstration, thx!

This is a great channel. To me pocket's videos are interesting to watch and hear. Thumbs up. Edit: Also you deserve much more subscribers.

Honest critique/questions: I understand the handle being useful for visibility, but I can't help wonder how quickly it would be damaged to the point of being unusable if dropped in a fire. Wouldn't it melt or become deformed pretty quickly? As opposed to a wood handle, I mean? And also, where do you draw the line between a cost-effective purchase and overspending when you consider the value of your time? Keep in mind these are honest questions as opposed to the usual youtube hate. I love "the freight" store and I get a lot of enjoyment out of DIY activities. Since I don't know much about hatchets I have no idea what $20 -$30 dollars will get you, hence my questions.

Like others, I can't believe I watched this and I will still be watching your next one?

Those plastic or fiberglass handles can be quite slippery when wet or snowy. Especially with most types of gloves. I'd be tempted to do something about it. If it's plastic, grind in some grooves, or melt in some stippling. Grinding fiberglass might be a bad ides. You may reveal frayed fibers that rub into your skin. Maybe wrap some grip tape way at the butt end for a sliding hand to stop against.

Raise the wood with the hatchet when you split small kindling. Keep you from unintentionally removing a finger. Good review of the hatchet.

Wow, 250k plus views already? The “axe demographic” has been good to you! Nice.