I did enjoy this review. I was also not surprised at the results. It was easy to see that the head was quite soft steel from the sharpening sequence. But, that said, it would still make an acceptable camp axe/fireside splitter. I currently use an "old" shingling axe/hammer for that. At under $20, the extra weight in the head "could" be worth it and it does not need to stay raiser sharp for that. Thanks for taking the time.
The review wasn't all that long. Some on RUclips are very long. You covered what needed to be covered and I wasn't bored. I thought it was a good review. I enjoyed it. Thank you.
Hi Cody, I have always sharpened brand new saws and axes. They are dull from the factory. In the early 1970 when I first started building houses we all used stanley rigster hatchets before the onslot of nailguns. I would grind the blade to 3 1/2 inches wide. And put a sharp edge on it. We used the hatchets for everything. Even trimming trees that were in the way. Great video keep up the good work.
This is really interesting and honestly I am pretty surprised. I did a video review of these several years ago and have been using one since. I use it almost daily building log furniture. One of its primary jobs is trimming knots down. I use it in pine, cedar and balsam fir regularly and have never had the edge turn like that. I would like to think that your friend simply got a lemon, but I suspect that in the five or six years since I bought mine they may have started using a lower quality steel.
A lot of posters here are saying "temper it" but for many like myself without the inclination or equipment to do that, I'm glad to see visible evidence of how an axe from the store and sharpened should and shouldn't perform. As always, thank you Mr. W*.
I am indeed a faithful subscriber, and I would like to say I do enjoy these insightful, well made gear review videos. All your videos are amazing! But, sometimes these reviews are just a delightful bonus. Thanks again. I will steer clear from this axe.
I have the 19" Bahco Rucksack model and really like it. Holds a good edge and have never experienced the edge rolling issues. The handle was junk and the head was coming loose after a few swings. Replaced the handle and never had an issue since.......
I have always felt the smooth varnished handles contribute to fatigue and blisters. I feel like a have to grip so much harder to hang on. Could be in my head because I have never heard anyone else express that opinion. I hit all my handles with sandpaper.
I appreciate reviews like this. They are truly beneficial in a society that treasures the "bottom line", over quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction
Excellent review, you have saved a lot of people money. Years ago tools and hardware had to meet certain standards and test before being available for sale. Not today, they can sell any old rubbish, even if it's dangerous.
Excellent review! Solution to the problem is to temper the edge with a torch. You'll end up with a good product by finishing the process of refinements. Sharpening was a good start in refinement. Thanks for the review. Now I know what to look for in unrefinded tools.
I got one of these Bahco axes free when I bought two hand saws. I filed a new bevel on it and finished to 6000 grit. I use it in woodland with birch and pine. I have had no problems with the edge dulling.
I am sorry that it failed also. I purchased one awhile ago & hadn't had the opportu n ity to use it. I apperciate knowing now exactly what I have. Thanks again & God bless!
Good review. Very honest and detailed. It helps those of us who still have faith in manufacturing and who look for quality materials and workmanship. This benefits us all.
I have one just like that, it works ok for what I use it for. Mostly cutting down limbs before they go into the chipper. And cutting dead limbs off our little fir trees. I left the paint on the handle, so I could find it if lost in the woods. Thanks Cody, I know now not to hack on a 5 inch DF limb with the Bahco.
All I have is a Fiskers X7 Hatchet I do not have a lot of money being on Disability I have over the last two years slowly getting equipment to Survive what ever the future my hold for us in the next 20 years. Love your videos and your family you All look like very content and way down to earth family. Peace to you Coty and your Wife and boy.
I agree with a little softer steel to sharpen down side it doesn't hold a edge as well. I learned this with knifes. I still have a couple of Buck Knifes that I love but the steel is so hard that when you need to sharpen them it takes a lot of time.
I really like a review when it's done properly, and you my friend are very good at it. You're observant and honest, even when you want the product to be good you tell it like it is, and don't sugar coat the faults. Keep it up mate.
I got excited after the first video that it might work out....then I saw the edge rolling. Still might pick one up and have it as a designated truck axe.
I have one that is identical and it is made by ox with stihl being the branded name. it's the same axe. I put a very fine razor edge on mine and it has been great. I think there's always a bad apple in a bunch. I bought a wetterlings and had the same problem as that bacho. I reshatpened and haven't had that problem since.
Agree with another comment in this thread, try tempering it in a part 3. I know that could be getting into more work than a 17 dollar hatchet is worth, but all for the good of science and one more video : )
wranglerstar I would agree. I'm thinking about forging my own axe head because I really hate what is out there and don't trust internet pictures as much as I trust looking an item over in person and being able to draw a file over something to see if it is hardened or tempered.
I think your reveiws on any tool or apparatus is very important! It gives the consumer, me an outlook without making the purchase. I to wanted the hatchet to prove itself. I guess there isn't enough people buying tools that take so much energy to complete the task at hand! We have become a disposable nation, I myself have low expectations of qaulity products returning to our shelves .
Heat treatment has been suggested before me, and i think that it could help. The head it should be heated to critical yellow (aka non magnetic) before quenching and then the process repeated two or three times. After the heat treatment the head would likely benefit from tempering to a light blue oxidation state. Good luck
Interesting review, I too have this axe in the UK and yes the steel isn't the greatest however mine hasn't curled like yours and holds a sharp edge for quite a while. Maybe just a bad batch. I use mine for green woodworking on hardwoods. Thanks for the films I enjoy them.
I'm a new subscriber. I have watched a lot of the videos on the channel and I love wranglerstar. Honest and straight forward. That's all I have seen. Hands down favorite channel now. Well done sir. Hopefully one day our paths will cross.
Wow, your right. steel against wood, should never act like that. but Santa would never bring something so un-tempered. Great video watch everything and anything you produce Thanks again Cody...
threeque The temper is the overall hardness and heat treat of the steel, an mostly how hard the steel is. Annealing draws the hardness out of it. Dew is right, that steel is tempered badly.
Cody or anyone else !!! Hey I have some leaf spring pieces off 900 series Army troop transporter trucks. I used them for my kids to shoot BB Guns and 22 at. They sound off a nice ping when hit. So Anyway the short ones have a nice curve to it the same as your dr-barking tool.... Wouldn't they already be heat treated and tempered ?? I'm thinking sharpen one end and weld up a handle on the other end.
I enjoy your style of gear review for two reasons. First, it is a simple test of a tool in the, apparently, intended PoU(Nutnfancy style). Last, the fact that a neighbor brought it to you instead of the company or a retailer. Keep it up and maintain course and speed!
Thank you for putting up this video. I just ordered one of the Husqvarna Traditional Multi-Purpose Forest Axes you mentioned might be a good axe and I was hoping I did not spend too much. I hope it will arrive soon so I can make a proper review video. I have a decent file, but I do not have a stone. Should I spend the extra money for a stone in this case?
I have nothing but happy with my Husqvarna Multi-Purpose axe. I do think that you would be wise to invest in a proper stone. I can put a nice edge with one of the Lansky axe stones then either strop or finish up with a 800 grit diamond stone.
***** I crank out a knife sometimes in my little backyard forge. I like convex (what old timers call axe edges) bevels for their structural strength. I found the best way to get the bevel razor sharp is to epoxy a soft mousepad to a plank of wood, to lay my sandpaper on (800 working up to 1500 grit). It has just enough 'give' to work around that bevel, but not enough to take away from the edge. I put the final edge on my forged axe the same way.
Good job. I found you by accident and I am glad I did. These are interesting videos. I'd sure like to see your methods in person. I use to work for the California conservation Corps and the U.S. Forest Service fighting wildland fires.
Thank you! I do care very much where something is made but I am comfortable with Sweden or Germany or Switzerland or Japan when it comes to high quality knives, hatchets and axes. It saddens me to remember that "high quality" makers marks were associated with products made here in the USA 50 years ago. Thank you for saving me $18 plus tax plus shipping plus extreme frustration. I will gladly continue to pay 6 times what the Bahco costs to know that I am buying a piece of craftsmen's art that my grandchildren will be able to appreciate and depend on.
There are a lot of reviews out there, you're right, but you do a really good job of reviewing. Good information and trustworthy. Also a good demonstration of what you're doing as well as good camera work of exactly what's happening to the axe. I'd thumbs up doing more. :)
I.m personally looking for the right axe. Like you, i thought this one might work but as an ex-snap-on tool dealer i've used the best and expect high performance. I'm quite sure that you have their attention. As Snap-on continues to be a quality tool manufacturor it will endevor to improve their product line.
I like because it saved me money and misplaced hope on getting a good deal with a imported tool. Search out the relics and pay the original price or even double for a better tool than what is on the shelf today, a little time later its bright as new maybe a little pitted but ready to work again.
Cody, great little 2 part review. I was right with you hoping it would turn out great all around but even though it came up short on the most important part I think it might be useful in a couple ways. Like maybe as a first axe for a youngster or a novice so they can learn how to put an edge on an axe without risking messing up a much more expensive one and by them having to keep sharpening it over and over that would help them recognize the quality of the steel in future purchases. Just a thought though and I am by no ways an expert, lol. I still use my dads old craftsmen axe myself from back when they were made in the in the USA cared about their rep. So upsetting seeing companies products and warranties crapping out. Timberland, Craftsmen, and Schwinn to name a few used to be great quality with amazing warranties then the late 80's to 90's came and quality went out the door. Sorry to rant I just miss the old days.
The search for "A Proper Axe Under $20" continues. I was rooting for it. Too bad. I like the product reviews mixed in with your other content. Thanks for sharing.
Dang, I wanted this to turn out to be good. Everything was going good for it up until that edge rolled over. What a bummer! I'd still be pretty pumped up to have an axe that you've put your finishing touches on just to say I've got one. Which makes me think... this youtube thing might just be the start of a future "Wranglerstar" company that produces the best of the best when it comes to hatchets/axes!
I would try putting furnace cement on the blade until it looks where the temper line normally is and use a torch to evenly head the edge part (grind the edge back a little though so it doesn't crack) and quench it in oil. Not much would be lost as you said its only $17.
Hey Cody! I'm with you on that Bahco. I was hoping it would be a good one also. Not everyone can afford a $100.00 Axe. But rolling the edge like that docent even make it a good camp Axe. A dull Axe is a dangerous Axe! Have a Great Day!
I think that this axe would have a place by not sharpening it to a fine edge but use it as a firewood splitting axe. we bought a $7 dollar axe from a hardware store about 7 years ago. I have had to remake a handle a couple of times but never sharpened it to an extreme edge. it works perfectly as our firewood splitting axe
That was too bad...great looking hatchet when you finished but what a disappointing outcome. I just grabbed a hatchet at a flea market for $8 with the same Hudson bay pattern and when I got it home and started cleaning it up, I found out it's hand forged and stamped "made in Sweden". I was very excited.
I have a lovely old Swedish steel hatchet about the same size and took some sharpening by hand and then finished to absolute sharpness perfection on my Tormek T7, an expensive but well deserved top performer, and it has performed way way better than that! You do get what you pay for. Why everyone is not buying up oldies for less than new beats me? The satisfaction of whooping the new with a restored classic never gets less and never ever goes away!. How about we agree on a testing standard so we can compare results? Cuts to sever, blade edge duration, etc? Is there an existing standard to qualify a blade against? Stay safe and regards to you and family.
There is a possibility to temper the steel , just heat it cherry red, and cool it down fast, prefebly in oil,to get it hard outside and strong inside, tempering in water wil work to, but i have the idea it gets to brittle, think if you can harden it a bit more it will work.
Greetings, Perhaps the failure of the Bahco hatchet is improper hardening during manufacture. If you are correct about the carbon content of the steel, you will be able to re-harden the hatchet. Simply heat the unpainted portion of the head to approximately 1600 degrees F. [cherry red] , Then quench in oil, agitating very slowly. If it gets too hard to sharpen then heat to about one half of the above temperature [800-900 degrees F.] and allow to air cool. This will draw some of the hardness out of the steel.
For $20 bucks each at a local vendors mall I just got a double bit bluegrass ax, a true temper pulaski and a artisan single bit. Thats proper! lol Great video as always.
Cody, I like all your videoes, and i watch them all.. But my fav videos is the videos like these, where you build, or make things.. Specially in wood/woodworking.. :)
I own one of them. I have had it for about a year and had the same issues you did. I stripped the paint and heat treated the edge and now works well...not great...but ok
Great review Cody! I was all ready to order a few the way the review was going. I figured they'd make good gifts but now, I would be ashamed to give something like that. I guess I'll stick with hunting out the old heads, clean themm up and give them a new handle and then give them out!
I did enjoy this review. I was also not surprised at the results. It was easy to see that the head was quite soft steel from the sharpening sequence.
But, that said, it would still make an acceptable camp axe/fireside splitter. I currently use an "old" shingling axe/hammer for that. At under $20, the extra weight in the head "could" be worth it and it does not need to stay raiser sharp for that.
Thanks for taking the time.
The review wasn't all that long. Some on RUclips are very long. You covered what needed to be covered and I wasn't bored. I thought it was a good review. I enjoyed it. Thank you.
Hi Cody,
I have always sharpened brand new saws and axes. They are dull from the factory. In the early 1970 when I first started building houses we all used stanley rigster hatchets before the onslot of nailguns. I would grind the blade to 3 1/2 inches wide. And put a sharp edge on it. We used the hatchets for everything. Even trimming trees that were in the way. Great video keep up the good work.
thank you for being so honest and trying to show all of us what is good and what is not in anything you do or care about GOD BLESS
This is really interesting and honestly I am pretty surprised. I did a video review of these several years ago and have been using one since. I use it almost daily building log furniture. One of its primary jobs is trimming knots down. I use it in pine, cedar and balsam fir regularly and have never had the edge turn like that.
I would like to think that your friend simply got a lemon, but I suspect that in the five or six years since I bought mine they may have started using a lower quality steel.
A lot of posters here are saying "temper it" but for many like myself without the inclination or equipment to do that, I'm glad to see visible evidence of how an axe from the store and sharpened should and shouldn't perform. As always, thank you Mr. W*.
I am indeed a faithful subscriber, and I would like to say I do enjoy these insightful, well made gear review videos. All your videos are amazing! But, sometimes these reviews are just a delightful bonus. Thanks again. I will steer clear from this axe.
I have the 19" Bahco Rucksack model and really like it. Holds a good edge and have never experienced the edge rolling issues. The handle was junk and the head was coming loose after a few swings. Replaced the handle and never had an issue since.......
I have always felt the smooth varnished handles contribute to fatigue and blisters. I feel like a have to grip so much harder to hang on. Could be in my head because I have never heard anyone else express that opinion. I hit all my handles with sandpaper.
I appreciate reviews like this. They are truly beneficial in a society that treasures the "bottom line", over quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction
I like it! Short, sweet and too the point - no waffling! You always come through!
Excellent review, you have saved a lot of people money.
Years ago tools and hardware had to meet certain standards and test before being available for sale. Not today, they can sell any old rubbish, even if it's dangerous.
I enjoy your tool reviews, very unbiased and honest.
Excellent review!
Solution to the problem is to temper the edge with a torch. You'll end up with a good product by finishing the process of refinements. Sharpening was a good start in refinement.
Thanks for the review.
Now I know what to look for in unrefinded tools.
There are tons of gear reviews out there. However, yours are one of maybe three I find worth viewing. Thank you and keep up the great work.
I got one of these Bahco axes free when I bought two hand saws. I filed a new bevel on it and finished to 6000 grit. I use it in woodland with birch and pine. I have had no problems with the edge dulling.
I am sorry that it failed also. I purchased one awhile ago & hadn't had the opportu n ity to use it. I apperciate knowing now exactly what I have. Thanks again & God bless!
I do like your gear reviews. It is refreshing to watch an honest perspective in a balanced and fair review. Keep up the great videos.
Good review. Very honest and detailed. It helps those of us who still have faith in manufacturing and who look for quality materials and workmanship. This benefits us all.
I've enjoyed all of your videos, subject matter doesn't concern me as much as the honesty and integrity of the man making them.
Your reviews are the real deal Cody, please keep them up.
Most of the honest reviews are very important in real user form.
It saves the real user money and time keep up the good work..Thank you
I have one just like that, it works ok for what I use it for. Mostly cutting down limbs before they go into the chipper. And cutting dead limbs off our little fir trees. I left the paint on the handle, so I could find it if lost in the woods. Thanks Cody, I know now not to hack on a 5 inch DF limb with the Bahco.
I appreciate the time you dedicate to these reviews....
keep up the reviews, for those of us who don't have ready access to vintage tools, it helps to know what is decent out in the stores...
All I have is a Fiskers X7 Hatchet I do not have a lot of money being on Disability I have over the last two years slowly getting equipment to Survive what ever the future my hold for us in the next 20 years. Love your videos and your family you All look like very content and way down to earth family. Peace to you Coty and your Wife and boy.
I do enjoy the gear reviews. It helps me to not buy junk or to find out about some good stuff.
I agree with a little softer steel to sharpen down side it doesn't hold a edge as well. I learned this with knifes. I still have a couple of Buck Knifes that I love but the steel is so hard that when you need to sharpen them it takes a lot of time.
A good follow up review seems to be, with the hatchets owners approval, to attemp to harden the edge and then retest..... Just a thought.
I really like a review when it's done properly, and you my friend are very good at it. You're observant and honest, even when you want the product to be good you tell it like it is, and don't sugar coat the faults. Keep it up mate.
Well, looks like its a root chopper now. Like you said, proof is in the pudding. Good review Wrangler.
That was a very excellent review you gave that axe a fair chance to succeed.
Jason
I got excited after the first video that it might work out....then I saw the edge rolling. Still might pick one up and have it as a designated truck axe.
I have one that is identical and it is made by ox with stihl being the branded name. it's the same axe. I put a very fine razor edge on mine and it has been great. I think there's always a bad apple in a bunch. I bought a wetterlings and had the same problem as that bacho. I reshatpened and haven't had that problem since.
Outstanding, thanks. You did everything you could for that axe and still, no dice.
Agree with another comment in this thread, try tempering it in a part 3. I know that could be getting into more work than a 17 dollar hatchet is worth, but all for the good of science and one more video : )
My dad always said "if the factory can't put an edge on it.... you won't be able to either"
WOW that is the first time I have ever seen a axe shave! Great video.
Thanks a lot for reviewing our product. We really appreciate that you take your time. Best regards
I don't think Bahco watched this video to the end,
wranglerstar I would agree. I'm thinking about forging my own axe head because I really hate what is out there and don't trust internet pictures as much as I trust looking an item over in person and being able to draw a file over something to see if it is hardened or tempered.
Bahco Did you see the video?
Bahco Did you see the video?
+Bahco Never saw the video. Does Bahco care?!
I think your reveiws on any tool or apparatus is very important! It gives the consumer, me an outlook without making the purchase. I to wanted the hatchet to prove itself. I guess there isn't enough people buying tools that take so much energy to complete the task at hand! We have become a disposable nation, I myself have low expectations of qaulity products returning to our shelves .
Heat treatment has been suggested before me, and i think that it could help. The head it should be heated to critical yellow (aka non magnetic) before quenching and then the process repeated two or three times. After the heat treatment the head would likely benefit from tempering to a light blue oxidation state. Good luck
Interesting review, I too have this axe in the UK and yes the steel isn't the greatest however mine hasn't curled like yours and holds a sharp edge for quite a while. Maybe just a bad batch. I use mine for green woodworking on hardwoods.
Thanks for the films I enjoy them.
I like gear reviews from people who truly know what they are doing such as yourself
I just got my Gransfors Bruk small forest axe. From here on out it's QUALITY, QUALITY QUALITY!
Good video, thank you for doing gear reviews shows us what gear not to buy and teaches us about the gear! God bless
if this is how you are going to do a gear review... amazing! It took time, but you gave awesome substance and diligence. Thanks for all the hard work!
Great review brother. Much better than these table top reviews that seem to flood RUclips. Quality video as always
I'm a new subscriber. I have watched a lot of the videos on the channel and I love wranglerstar. Honest and straight forward. That's all I have seen. Hands down favorite channel now. Well done sir. Hopefully one day our paths will cross.
Now we know why the factory didn´t sharpen the hatchet at all!
Thanks for posting!
Wow, your right. steel against wood, should never act like that. but Santa would never bring something so un-tempered. Great video watch everything and anything you produce Thanks again Cody...
Not actually...
threeque The temper is the overall hardness and heat treat of the steel, an mostly how hard the steel is. Annealing draws the hardness out of it. Dew is right, that steel is tempered badly.
Potato, potatoe...
Ok I stopped this conversation days ago.
Cody or anyone else !!! Hey I have some leaf spring pieces off 900 series Army troop transporter trucks. I used them for my kids to shoot BB Guns and 22 at. They sound off a nice ping when hit. So Anyway the short ones have a nice curve to it the same as your dr-barking tool.... Wouldn't they already be heat treated and tempered ?? I'm thinking sharpen one end and weld up a handle on the other end.
I was all ready to buy one to keep in the back of the land rover! What a shame... good honest review, and it looks better at least!
You have such an entertaining channel, Cody, to be so educational. Keep up the great videos, brother!
I enjoy your style of gear review for two reasons. First, it is a simple test of a tool in the, apparently, intended PoU(Nutnfancy style). Last, the fact that a neighbor brought it to you instead of the company or a retailer. Keep it up and maintain course and speed!
Thank you for putting up this video. I just ordered one of the Husqvarna Traditional Multi-Purpose Forest Axes you mentioned might be a good axe and I was hoping I did not spend too much. I hope it will arrive soon so I can make a proper review video. I have a decent file, but I do not have a stone. Should I spend the extra money for a stone in this case?
I have nothing but happy with my Husqvarna Multi-Purpose axe. I do think that you would be wise to invest in a proper stone. I can put a nice edge with one of the Lansky axe stones then either strop or finish up with a 800 grit diamond stone.
jeremy kebert Thank you for the info. Do you have a good suggestion where to purchase those stones?
SpecificLove Amazon. Look in to his stones
*****
I crank out a knife sometimes in my little backyard forge. I like convex (what old timers call axe edges) bevels for their structural strength. I found the best way to get the bevel razor sharp is to epoxy a soft mousepad to a plank of wood, to lay my sandpaper on (800 working up to 1500 grit). It has just enough 'give' to work around that bevel, but not enough to take away from the edge. I put the final edge on my forged axe the same way.
Justin Vaughn tonkmonster ***** Jesse W
Thank you all for the information, this very helpful.
Good job. I found you by accident and I am glad I did. These are interesting videos. I'd sure like to see your methods in person. I use to work for the California conservation Corps and the U.S. Forest Service fighting wildland fires.
+grumplepig thanks
Thank you! I do care very much where something is made but I am comfortable with Sweden or Germany or Switzerland or Japan when it comes to high quality knives, hatchets and axes. It saddens me to remember that "high quality" makers marks were associated with products made here in the USA 50 years ago. Thank you for saving me $18 plus tax plus shipping plus extreme frustration. I will gladly continue to pay 6 times what the Bahco costs to know that I am buying a piece of craftsmen's art that my grandchildren will be able to appreciate and depend on.
There are a lot of reviews out there, you're right, but you do a really good job of reviewing. Good information and trustworthy. Also a good demonstration of what you're doing as well as good camera work of exactly what's happening to the axe. I'd thumbs up doing more. :)
I.m personally looking for the right axe. Like you, i thought this one might work but as an ex-snap-on tool dealer i've used the best and expect high performance. I'm quite sure that you have their attention. As Snap-on continues to be a quality tool manufacturor it will endevor to improve their product line.
I like because it saved me money and misplaced hope on getting a good deal with a imported tool. Search out the relics and pay the original price or even double for a better tool than what is on the shelf today, a little time later its bright as new maybe a little pitted but ready to work again.
Great video. And lots of info on the hatchet. Thanks and keep up the great videos!
Love the info! I enjoyed the axe comparison you did some time ago that included the estwing!
Occasional reviews is fine!
Cody, great little 2 part review. I was right with you hoping it would turn out great all around but even though it came up short on the most important part I think it might be useful in a couple ways. Like maybe as a first axe for a youngster or a novice so they can learn how to put an edge on an axe without risking messing up a much more expensive one and by them having to keep sharpening it over and over that would help them recognize the quality of the steel in future purchases. Just a thought though and I am by no ways an expert, lol. I still use my dads old craftsmen axe myself from back when they were made in the in the USA cared about their rep. So upsetting seeing companies products and warranties crapping out. Timberland, Craftsmen, and Schwinn to name a few used to be great quality with amazing warranties then the late 80's to 90's came and quality went out the door. Sorry to rant I just miss the old days.
Great video bummer about the outcome
Cody,
Honest reviews aren't always fun to share but they are necessary. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Sammyjs1
The search for "A Proper Axe Under $20" continues. I was rooting for it. Too bad.
I like the product reviews mixed in with your other content. Thanks for sharing.
That's a bummer it didn't hold up but it might be good for a camp hatchet; like you said pounding tent stacks or splitting kindling.
I'm looking for a good hatchet. Thanks for the review.
Dang, I wanted this to turn out to be good. Everything was going good for it up until that edge rolled over. What a bummer! I'd still be pretty pumped up to have an axe that you've put your finishing touches on just to say I've got one. Which makes me think... this youtube thing might just be the start of a future "Wranglerstar" company that produces the best of the best when it comes to hatchets/axes!
I would try putting furnace cement on the blade until it looks where the temper line normally is and use a torch to evenly head the edge part (grind the edge back a little though so it doesn't crack) and quench it in oil. Not much would be lost as you said its only $17.
Thanks for the review I value your opinion and I know your integrity level is high. Thanks.
i think it can be hardened to a better standard. give it a heat cycle and quench it in 150ish degree oil. i like the color on it too.
Hey Cody! I'm with you on that Bahco. I was hoping it would be a good one also. Not everyone can afford a $100.00 Axe. But rolling the edge like that docent even make it a good camp Axe. A dull Axe is a dangerous Axe! Have a Great Day!
Perfect axe for Jack to learn on since he won't fold the steal as much and easy for him to learn to sharpen since it doesn't take much pressure
You can take the handle off and solutionize, quench and temper again to get a better hardness.
I think that this axe would have a place by not sharpening it to a fine edge but use it as a firewood splitting axe. we bought a $7 dollar axe from a hardware store about 7 years ago. I have had to remake a handle a couple of times but never sharpened it to an extreme edge. it works perfectly as our firewood splitting axe
That was too bad...great looking hatchet when you finished but what a disappointing outcome. I just grabbed a hatchet at a flea market for $8 with the same Hudson bay pattern and when I got it home and started cleaning it up, I found out it's hand forged and stamped "made in Sweden". I was very excited.
Great review and the "too good to be true " adage proves itself once again. Thanks for this review!
Awww man! Part 1 had me all excited!
I have a lovely old Swedish steel hatchet about the same size and took some sharpening by hand and then finished to absolute sharpness perfection on my Tormek T7, an expensive but well deserved top performer, and it has performed way way better than that! You do get what you pay for. Why everyone is not buying up oldies for less than new beats me? The satisfaction of whooping the new with a restored classic never gets less and never ever goes away!.
How about we agree on a testing standard so we can compare results? Cuts to sever, blade edge duration, etc? Is there an existing standard to qualify a blade against?
Stay safe and regards to you and family.
I know it might seem a waste of time but maybe in your forge you can heat up the edge and temper it to see if you can get the steel to harden
Can you cherry up and quench the edge? Would make for a fun part 3.
There is a possibility to temper the steel , just heat it cherry red, and cool it down fast, prefebly in oil,to get it hard outside and strong inside, tempering in water wil work to, but i have the idea it gets to brittle, think if you can harden it a bit more it will work.
SO GLADE YOU THREW A COUPLE AXE VIDEOS IN ALL THE GARDENING VIDEOS WAS DROPPING THE TESTOSTERONE LEVEL OF THE CHANNEL JUST KIDDING REALLY ENJOYED IT
Sorry to see the ax didn't hold up but Bacho does make a great folding saw called the laplander.
Greetings, Perhaps the failure of the Bahco hatchet is improper hardening during manufacture. If you are correct about the carbon content of the steel, you will be able to re-harden the hatchet. Simply heat the unpainted portion of the head to approximately 1600 degrees F. [cherry red] , Then quench in oil, agitating very slowly. If it gets too hard to sharpen then heat to about one half of the above temperature [800-900 degrees F.] and allow to air cool. This will draw some of the hardness out of the steel.
Can't wait to see of they respond
Would make a good club...not surprised at all just by looking at it. My gb Scandinavian forest axe is the best hands down..
For $20 bucks each at a local vendors mall I just got a double bit bluegrass ax, a true temper pulaski and a artisan single bit. Thats proper! lol Great video as always.
Thanks for this Cody.
It's got that almost Stihl orange color too!
I could tell from when you filed that it was soft. Lots of particles without much pressure is the giveaway
Cody, I like all your videoes, and i watch them all..
But my fav videos is the videos like these, where you build, or make things..
Specially in wood/woodworking.. :)
I own one of them. I have had it for about a year and had the same issues you did. I stripped the paint and heat treated the edge and now works well...not great...but ok
Did a good job on it, bummer it failed, looked good.
Nice sound editing when you went to fast motion, I love the sound of chopping wood.
I like the tool reviews.
These videos are great, i like the gear test!
Great review Cody! I was all ready to order a few the way the review was going. I figured they'd make good gifts but now, I would be ashamed to give something like that. I guess I'll stick with hunting out the old heads, clean themm up and give them a new handle and then give them out!
Yes, please do more reviews! Maybe a leatherman review or a knife review? Thanks 😃