Handle Length

You will notice that tactical hatchets have different handle lengths and you will want to pick out an item that has the proper handle length for your needs. Some people will want to have a hatchet that has a longer handle so that they can use the ax for chopping of prying while other people may want a smaller hatcher that so can be easily stored in a backpack. Most of the time the length of the handle will be between 8-20 inches. You may find that it is hard to use the hatchet if you pick one that has a handle that is too short. You may find that it is hard to use the hatchet if you pick one that has a handle that is too short. On the contrary, if you have a handle that is too long then the hatchet will use more room in your gear while also adding additional weight.

Hatchets that have a long handle will provide you with more force when you are swinging t. The additional length of the handle will give you with more leverage and weight and this translates into more force than what you would have with a hatchet that has a short handle. Furthermore, you will find the longer length to be useful when you are using the hatchet for prying as once again the additional length will turn into a much-needed force. This makes long handle hatchets useful for a number of different purposes.

For example, you can use such hatchets for tasks such as splitting wood or chopping down trees. Many people who are camping outdoors will find this useful for when they need firewood to build a fire. Butchering animals is another useful application for a long-handled hatchet. For example, if a hunter kills a large animal then he or she may need to cut the animal up into pieces in order to carry it from the wilderness. A hatcher that has a long handle will make it easier for the hunter to cut through bones or other hard tissue on the animal. This can also make it easier for the hunter to pry apart joints on the animal as well.

Rescue operations are another category where long-handled hatchets are a useful tool. For example, if you need to quickly remove a car accident victim from a crashed vehicle, then you can use the hatchet to break glass or sheet metal. You may need to break open a lock on a building in order to rescue a victim as well in which case this would be a useful tool for such as task. You can use a largely handled hatchet for any job where you need to cut, break, or pry apart large and difficult items.

Short handled hatchets are smaller and compact. They also weigh less than hatchets that have long handles as well. This makes them useful for backpacking and hiking where you need to be more conscious about your gear. Since these hatchets have shorter handles, you can use them for things such as more precise chopping. This makes this style of hatchet useful for cutting small branches and brush and even for cutting up a small animal.

Self-defense and throwing are two other reasons that you may want to own a hatchet that has a small handle rather than a long handle. Since these hatchets weigh less, it is much easier to throw a hatchet that has a small handle. It is also more likely that the hatchet will be designed for throwing and therefore it may be better balanced as well. If you find that you need to defend yourself at close quarters, then a hatchet with a small handle will be easier to use since you can maneuver it more easily. This can be useful if you find the need to protect yourself from aggressive wild animals and you do not have a gun with you.

You should keep in mind that when you have a hatchet that has a short handle, you will need to swing harder. This is because the handle does not have a much weight and there is less force due to the shorter handle length. If you need to cut large pieces of wood or game, you will need to work much harder than what you would otherwise. As always, you will need to balances the advantages and disadvantages of both kinds of hatchets when you are picking one out. If you find that you are going to building a lot of campfires while you are in the wilderness and can live with the extra bulk and weight, then you may want to pick out a hatchet that has a longer handle. On the other hand, you may decide that the smaller size of a short-handled hatchet is better suited for your needs.

Cutting Edge

The cutting-edge found on the head of the hatchet will play an important role in making sure that the hatchet is able to cut what you need it to cut. You will want to take a look at the length of the cutting edge as well as the spine and beard on the hatchet head. Longer cutting edges will make it easier to cut larger items such as large branches or bones, while smaller cutting edges will allow for more precision cuts and a lighter weight. You may also want to check if the spine and beard are sharpened as this will provide you with additional cutting capabilities.

There are times where you will want to look for a hatcher that has a large cutting edge. For example, if you plan on cutting large branches or pieces of wood, then you will want to have a large cutting edge. Likewise, bones, sheet metal, doors, and other heavy-duty items will be easier cut with a large cutting edge. A larger cutting edge will add more surface area to the blade of the ax and it will also provide you with more weight. This will turn into the added force for you so that you will not need to work as hard to cut through hard items.

On the other hand, you may want to make your cuts more precise. Narrow cutting edges focus the force of your strike more precisely which allows them to pierce deeper when you are chopping. It also means that the hatchet will weight less due to the reduced size of the blade which makes it easier for you to control your strike. Some of the use cases for a short cutting blade would be piercing heavy metal such as when you are extracting someone from a vehicle. You may also want the extra precision when you are butching smaller animals or cutting small branches. The smaller cutting edge will also mean reduced weight which can be helpful when you are carrying your gear on your back.

The spine is the top part of the hatchet head and you can purchase hatchets that have a sharpened spine. This will provide you with an additional cutting edge on the top of the hatcher which you may find to be useful. For example, if you find that you are trying to cut through something but are unable to swing the hatcher normally, then you might be able to use the cutting edge on the spine as a way to punch your way through the item that you are cutting. This may be helpful if you are digging a hole and need to cut through a root. Combat and ax throwing are two other examples of where a sharpened spine may be worthwhile as it provides the hatchet with an additional sharp surface.

The beard is located on the opposite side of the spine on the same side of the handle as the cutting edge. Many hatchers are now offering sharpened beards which can be great for when you need to hook onto something and grab it. The beard will start to cut into the item and create an incision where the hatchet can latch onto the item. This will allow you to pull the item towards you. This can be useful in rescue situations where you need to pull things apart in order to create an opening. Of course, it is also another sharp surface that you can use in survival situations in case you have to fight off an aggressive animal.

Just like the cutting edge of the hatchet, the spine and the beard surfaces can also come in different lengths. A larger beard and spine will provide you with a larger surface area that you can use to cut with the spine or grab onto with the beard. Of course, it will also mean that you are adding additional weight to the hatchet. On the other hand, you may want to go for smaller cutting surfaces that will save on the weight and can also offer you additional precession. Naturally, a smaller beard edge will not be able to catch as large of an object as a larger beard, but you can hook onto items more precisely with it.

You will want to consider the size of the cutting edges when you are picking out a tactical hatchet. Some hatchets have large cutting edges which make it easier for you to cut hard objects with less effort. Other times you may want to purchase a hatchet that has a smaller cutting edge so that you can cut stuff more precisely. You may also want to look for sharpened beards and spines as this will provide you with additional cutting edges. The cutting edges will ultimately determine what you can cut with the hatchet so this is an important consideration. You should always try and match the hatchet to your needs when you are picking one out.

Back of the Head

Tactical hatchets can be used for more applications than just chopping items. You can also use them for tasks such as hammering nails or piercing glass or metal. The rear side of the hatchet, called the poll or the butt, can either be flat, rounded, or it may have a sharp spike. Differently shaped polls are used for different things so you will want to look at the poll when you are purchasing a hatchet and make sure that it has the proper shape for your needs. For example, you would not want to get a hatchet that has a spiked poll if your plan is to use the back of the hatchet as a hammer. Likewise, if you want to pry apart a joint on large game, then you will not want a rounded poll on your hatchet. You will need to match the poll of the hatchet to your particular needs.

Flat polls are found on many tactical hatchets and are used when you wish to apply blunt force. For example, if you want to pound a nail into a deer stand using your hatchet, then you will want to make sure that the poll if flat. This will provide you with a surface area that will strike the head of the nail properly. You may also want to have a flat poll when you need to open a door with brute force. If you use the cutting edge, then you may start to cut into the door when you really wanted to force it open. Flatheads are useful for when you need to break locks off of a door as well.

You may also want to own a hatchet with a flat or round poll for safety reasons as well. Having such a surface means that there is one less cutting edge on the hatchet. If you were to drop the hatchet or fall on it, then you have less risk of falling on a sharp surface of the hatchet which may reduce your chances of injury. It can also mean that the hatchet is less likely to damage gear if it is packed in with your other gear rather than being carried externally on Molle webbing or on your belt. If you feel there is no reason to have a sharp edge in the poll of your hatchet, then you can reduce your chance of injury.

Of course, there are plenty of reasons why you would want the poll to have a spike rather than a flat or round edge. For example, a spike on the hatchet can be used in any situation where you need to pierce something. The spike will provide you with a sharp surface that will make it easy for you to penetrate metal, wood, or bone. You can also use a spike if you need to pry something apart like joints on a large animal that you are cutting up to take out of the woods.

Of course, self-defense is a very important reason to choose a spike rather than a flat or round edge. If you have to defend yourself, the spike can be extremely intimidating to an opponent due to its ability to cause extreme injury. A spike will create a deep puncture wound which can lead to large amounts of pain, blood loss, and even loss of life. This makes a spike formidable in combat situations. It also makes the hatchet more dangerous to carry and you will need to treat it with additional care if you choose to get a hatchet that has a spike.

For example, falling on the spiked edge of your hatchet can cause all of the same injuries previously mentioned. The spike is capable of piercing deep into your body and can place you at extreme risk if you are in the wilderness and cannot reach a hospital quickly. The spike may also puncture your gear if you are storing the hatchet with other items and you do not pack the hatchet properly. If your hatchet has a spike on the poll, then you will also want to make sure it is in its sheath when you are not using the hatchet for safety reasons.

Hatchets can have a few different surfaces on the rear of the hatchet, which is also known as the butt or the poll. Many hatchets have a flat or round surface on the poll which is useful whenever you need to apply brute force to an object. This allows you to use the hatchet as a hammer. If you need to pry or pierce something, then you will want to look for a spike in the poll. A spike will allow you to penetrate hard surfaces and it can also be used to pry apart objects due to its narrow length. You will need to consider the rear of the hatchet and make sure that its surface is what you need when you purchase a hatchet.

Sheath

The most basic function of the sheath is to protect the hatchet when it is not being used. You should always put the hatchet in the sheath when you are not using the hatchet because the sheath will help keep the cutting edge sharp. It will also help protect the ax head from moisture which could cause the head to rust. There are a couple of things that you should look at when you are examining the sheath for your tactical hatchet. For example, you should look at what kind of material was used to make the sheath and if it is thick enough to protect the hatchet. You may also want to look at any features that the sheath may have as well as how it closes around your hatchet. The quality of the sheath will make a large difference in how you can carry, store, and protect your hatchet.

One of the things that you should look at when you are purchasing a hatchet is what kind of material was used to make the sheath. You will want to make sure that the sheath is made from a material that is strong and at least water resistant. You don’t want to have the sharp edges of the ax pierce the sheath and you definitely do not want the sheath to hold water against the head of the ax. If the material absorbs too much water, then you could end up having a rusted ax head the next time you take the hatchet out of the sheath. You can check if the material resists water by pouring a little bit of water against it and seeing if the water beads up or gets absorbed by the sheath.

The thickness of the material is also important and you should look at it as well. Hatchets can get heavy and if the sheath is not strong enough to support the weight of the hatchet then it could break. Thin material may also end up getting cut by the hatchet’s cutting edges or the sharp points on the hatchet such as a spike on the poll side. You will want to make sure that the material is thick and strong on the sheath in order to avoid these sort of issues. Otherwise, you may end up with a sheath that isn’t able to support and protect the hatchet properly.

Once you have looked at the type of material used to make the sheath, you should move onto to check how the sheath closes around the hatchet. Many hatchet sheaths will close around the ax portion of the hatchet with button snaps. You should make sure that these snaps close tightly and that the sheath does not accidentally open up due to bouncing or vibration. The snap buttons should be secured to the sheath tightly so that they do not separate from either the flap or the sheath itself.

It is possible that you may see zippers or regular buttons. In the case of zippers, you should make sure that the zipper moves freely and it does not get caught when you zip or unzip the sheath. The zipper should be made from metal rather than plastic as this will mean that the zipper will last longer. If the sheath uses buttons to close, then you should make sure that the button holes are reinforced and unlikely to tear. The buttons should also be secured to the sheath as well so that they do not detach from the sheath and start to fail.

Once you have looked at how the hatchet is secured in the sheath, you should look at any features on the sheath. For example, many hatchet sheaths can be attached to your belt. This allows you to carry the hatchet around your waist and keep it accessible for when you need it. Backpackers may favor a sheath that is compatible with Molle webbing. Molle webbing is found on many different brands of outdoor backpacks and they allow you to carry gear on the exterior side of the backpack. If your hatchet sheath is compatible with Molle webbing, then you can put your hatchet on the backpack’s exterior so that you have more room inside of the backpack.

You should always take the time to look at the sheath that comes with the hatchet. The sheath performs the job of holding and protecting the hatchet while it is not in use. You should always make sure that the sheath has a high-quality construction that will hold the hatchet in a secure fashion and protect it from moisture. In addition to holding and protecting the sheath, you will want to make sure it has features such as the ability to attach it to your belt or Molle webbing. This will make it much easier for you to carry and store the backpack.

Quality

The overall quality of the hatchet should also be a consideration. A hatchet that is of low quality can perform poorly and also turn into a safety hazard if it breaks apart while you are using it. Low-quality hatchets can end up costing you more in the long run since you may end up spending more to continuously replace the hatchet or sharpen it. They are also less likely to perform when you need them to perform as well. You should also be on the lookout for signs of low quality and look for hatchets that are well made and will last you for a long time. Some of the areas that you can look at the handle, the cutting edge, the sheath, and the steel used in the head of the hatchet.

The handle is one of the areas of the hatchet that is most prone to breakage. Whenever you are cutting with the hatchet, the handle is getting stressed by the impact. It has to absorb both the shock and the vibrations of each strike of the hatchet. Due to the nature of the forces that are placed on the handle, it is the most likely area to fail. At a minimum, the handle may develop cracks through the shaft of the handle. In extreme cases, the handle may break completely and cause the head of the hatchet to go flying away from your control. This can lead to serious injury if the head of the hatchet strikes another person.

You should start by looking at the sort of materials that are used to make the hatchet. Many lower priced hatchets will use nylon that is reinforced with fiberglass. These handles are lightweight and reduce shock and vibrations to your arms, but they are not as strong as handles that are made from metal. You will need to inspect these handles for any cracks in the handle and you should also look at how the head of the hatchet has been secured to the handle. If there are any cracks in the handle or the hatchet head feels loose, then you must not use the hatchet for any reason as it is close to breaking.

You may see hatchets that have handles that are made from metal or wood. Metal is the heaviest material used for hatchet handles but it is also the most durable. In most cases, a metal handle will double as a pry bar. Wood handles are lighter but they can splinter or break like composite handles that are made from fiberglass and nylon. If the handle is made from wood, you should once again check if for splinters and make sure that the head is secured. A metal handle should be coated to protect it from rust and it should be strong enough not to bend. As always, you should make sure that the head is secured to the handle tightly.

Sometimes hatchet handles have a grip material on them. The grip can help with reducing shocks and vibrations that your hands may feel while you are using the hatchet. However, sometimes the grip material can fail prematurely and fall off of the handle. For example, many hatchet handles are wrapped with paracord as a way to provide you with a grip on the handle and many times the paracord unravels and falls off of the handle. You should look for a grip that fits tightly around the handle of the hatchet and feels comfortable while you are gripping it with your hands. The grip should be soft enough to reduce shock and vibration but it also needs to be strong enough so that it does not fail early either.

The hatchet head is the other important part of the hatchet. You should make sure that it is made from a high-quality steel so that it is long lasting. A quality hatchet head will maintain a sharp edge on the cutting edge so that you do not have to keep having the hatchet sharpened repeatedly. It should also be coated so that it is protected against rust and corrosion. Some hatchet heads are made of stainless steel as a way to protect against rust while other heads are treated. Either way, you will want to make sure that your ax does not rust easily.

The overall quality of the hatchet is something that you should also be concerned about when you are purchasing a hatchet. You will want to get a hatchet that has a strong handle that secures the head of the hatchet to the handle. This is important for safety as the hatchet head could go flying should it detach from the handle in any fashion. The head of the hatchet should also be protected against rust and the grip should be well made also. You can trust that a quality made hatchet will perform when you need it to so it’s worth your while to make sure you get a good hatchet.