While camping, hiking, survival or front and backyard use owning a good Axe or Hatchet is one of the best tool purchase you can make. Here, we review certain top of the line models.
Here is our review on Schrade (Old Timer, Taylor Brands) Axe W/Firestarter Model: SCAXE2:
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Mailing Address |
Taylor Brands LLC1043 Fordtown Rd. Kingsport, TN 37663 |
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Phone Numbers |
1-800-251-0254 |
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Web Site: |
http://www.taylorbrandsllc.com/
In July 2004, The Schrade name was purchased by Taylor Brands LLC, who manufacture Schrade, Old Timer, Imperial, Uncle Henry and Smith & Wesson knives |
The first thing we checked on this is the black sheath that comes with the axe. The sheath is black hard nylon plastic that has a belt loop. The one thing that is nice, is when you unsnap the side of the sheath you take the axe out vertically from the "top" of the sheath, while the sheath itself stay secure on your belt. We really like that feature.. some axes just come out from the side of the sheath.
Next, we took a look at the axe head and the edge of the the metal. The metal that the axe head is made out of is 3Cr13 stainless steel which is about equal to 440A stainless steel. From our research, there is also a "Titanium Nitrate" coating on the axe as well, which looks really nice and should protect the metal. The edge of the axe is wickedly sharp! That was a very nice surprise as the majority of axes out there for sale, come unsharpened.
We took some swings at some scrap wood and logs.. and the axe just cuts right through. Also, the "hammer" part on the back of the axe is very nice.. you can drive stakes into the ground or pound nails with ease.
The handle grip is a is rubber with a curled like grip, very easy on the hands. The weight of the axe is center towards the front of the head of the axe, which is proper for maximum weight and power of each chop. There is also a firestarter stick in the handle that pulls out with a string attached. We were able to get some nice sparks off of it. That is such an awesome idea, and something that my team has been talking about, never seen that yet in an axe.
In closing, this axe is really tough, and the firestarter in the handle is a great idea for survival. There are a lot of axes, hatchets and tomahawks that cost "way" more in price than this axe, but this axe has the "same" over all quality.
We highly recommend to anyone, to buy this axe!
- Tom
Here is our review on Schrade Old Timer (Taylor Brands) , 241OT Camper Combo Kit:
Even though this is a combo item and comes in one package, on this review we focusing just on the Hatchet, please see our Gut Knife Review in regards to the Gut Knife, in the picture above.
First, we start at the combo sheath.. all of the stitching is good. Velcro flaps and straps seem durable.
Main metal parts are matte gray. We thought the metal may be carbon, but from our research it is 7Cr17 stainless steel which is equal to 440A stainless steel. The main hatchet edge is very sharp. The rubber green handle has nice grips and will not slip in your hand. There is a hole in the hatchet so you can hang it on a wall. There is also a laynard hole in the back of the handle of the hatchet that you can put paracord or other type of cord thru it.
The hatchet alone is small and the whole sheath unit could easlisy slip into a small backpack or other bag. We really like the hatchet becasue of its size and matte finish. We tested the tool out of scrap wood and even a few small logs. No issues to report and also no "bending" of the edge. A nice small "rock soild" hatchet.
This is a very nice tool combo to have. We have also noticed some customer reviews around certain web sites that are saying for the money, this combo pack is awesome and holds up well when working in the woods...we agree 100%.
Remember, please see our Gut Knife Review, on the hatchet from this combo, the link is now posted from our main page. -Tom
Axe and Hatchets
KAI USA LTD.
18600 SW Teton Avenue
Tualatin, Oregon 97062
Hours Mon - Fri 8AM - 4:30PM (PST)
Phone 1.800.325.2891
toll free or 503.682.1966 locally
Web: http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/
FAX 503.682.7168
Email Info@kai-usa.com
Kershaw was founded in 1974 to design and manufacture tools that knife users would be proud to own, carry, and use. This has meant that every Kershaw knife must be of the highest quality. Whether it’s a hardworking pocketknife, a special collectors’ edition, or a precision kitchen knife, Kershaw always chooses appropriate, high-quality materials and is dedicated to intensive craftsmanship. Along with extremely tight tolerances and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, this ensures that Kershaw knives provide a lifetime of performance.
Here is our review, on the Kershaw Knife Camp Axe Model: 1018
The first thing we checked is the black sheath that comes with the axe. The sheath is black hard nylon plastic that has a belt loop. When you unsnap the side of the sheath, you take the axe out vertically from the "top" of the sheath, while the sheath itself stay secure on your belt. We like that feature as some axes just come out from the side of the sheath. This "open on the top" feature makes the Camp Axe easier to handle.
The Camp Axe is "one piece" of drop forged high carbon steel, the bit or "edge" of the Camp Axe is razor sharp and we were happy to see this as most Axes are dull when you first buy them.
The rubber handle is nicely checked for a frim hand grip. There is also nice back part of the axe head which you can drive stakes into the ground, hit nails into wood ect.
The weight of the axe is lighter than most, this is "perfect" for carrying in even a small back bag or bag.
We were able to chop scrap wood and also some small logs with no problems. We checked the bit or edge and we see "no" bending.. or "folding" of metal.. at all. This is a really nice and small camp axe. If you need portablity and performance, this is it, Outstanding! -Tom
In ancient Greece, a "tekton" was an artisan, a builder, a doer. Sound familiar?
Whatever comes along, your instinct is to take it on. There's a job to do, and you're going to do it right and without spending more than you have to.
As a family-owned company, we share your practical, get-it-done attitude. TEKTON hand tools are made for the serious tool user, who takes on life's projects with gusto, but without an unlimited budget. Our tools are reliable. They hold up. They are made of good materials. And they don't have unnecessary features you don't want to pay for. What's more, we work hard every day to listen to your feedback and keep improving.
When you choose TEKTON, you will get more than you bargained for. That's our philosophy. And if a TEKTON tool ever lets you down, let us know. We will make it right, right away.
Build it, fix it, remodel it, or restore it – whatever there is to do, pick up TEKTON and Take It On.
3707 Roger B. Chaffee Drive SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Telephone: 616.243.2443
Toll-Free: 888.648.8665
Fax: 616.243.6648
Web: http://www.tektontools.com/
Support: http://www.tektontools.com/support.php
Here is our review, on the TEKTON 20 oz. Fiberglass Axe Model: 3284
First we looked at the handle. The handle is fiberglass with a nice rubber grip. The weatherproof handle won’t shrink or crack like wood. There are also an outer poly "jacket" that protects it from damage caused by missed strikes. The handle is very easy on the hands and provides a very nice grip. There is no laynard hole. Next, we look at the head of the axe. Like most axes, the edge comes dull.. this is norm. I was able to put a pretty good sharp edge on the axe in 30 mins using a flat file and also a medium grit sharpening stone.. all done by hand, not that bad at all. This axe is very nice for the price, I was able to chop wood into kindling with no issues. The only thing the axe does not come with is a sheath for the axe head, it does come with a rubber edge guard.
This is one of those tools that a person should have in there car if a person lives in a storm prone area. When it is just you out there, having an axe like this in your car could make all of the difference when you come across a down tree across the road.. and there no one else out there. Endless applications...
Also as we have said in other reviews, TEKTON is a very great company with great customer service and they do stand behind there products. Very happy to use this axe! - Tom
