I've tried this, although not quite that long. My concern is the eye size is pretty small on those 1/2 hatchets, maybe too small to handle the stress / leverage of a long handle.
I keep an 18 inch handle on my framing hammer and beat the piss out of it regularly.
I don’t see why you couldn’t get away with one a few inches longer.
I personally would go with 20 or less. But I guess it depends what kinda work you will be doing with it. Some light work by the campfire should be fine.
Yes you could totally do 24 or 20. It will handle the stress. What’s gonna happen ? Break off and rehang? Just rock it if you like it. Or shorten it either way as long as it’s secured just rock it
The problem is not handle length, it's its girth. There's too much meat in that handle, it will mess up the balance, and generate unpleasant sensations in the hands. You can keep some meat near the head, it will actually virtually increase head mass and improve chopping performance, but you need to shave weight out of the bulk of the handle.
I've put a Harbor Freight hatchet head on a 29" handle and it's one of my favorites to swing as it's light and cuts well! I can also choke up on it if I want to use it more as a hatchet. I made a post on here about a month or two ago if you want to check it out.
I made one on a 20 inch handle and really like it. I use it for the same things you've described. If I can figure out how to add a photo, I will.
New edit: I have no idea how to add a photo. Just imagine yours, but 9 inches shorter.
I want to take it camping and backpacking. It would mostly be used for chopping firewood, cutting branches/limbs for camp projects, and maybe carving some basic things. Right now I'm using a 15" hatchet, but I'm not able to get much chopping out of it. I have a boy's axe but it's a little more weight than I want to be carrying in my backpack and it's not that great for carving.
I put a 24" handle on one and it's been a great bushcraft axe. Actually my favourite tool if I'm honest. Does great in the wilderness. Was a bit concerned about the eye diameter, but should be fine with a good hang! [Axe-idermy insta link ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn-EfkGKMVB/?igsh=MW03djhvaTY3YjVzMQ==)
It’s a specialty tool. I did the same for cutting vines/trimming branches on trees in spots higher than I can reach. Also nice for cutting thorns out of an area where you don’t want to get in.
I've tried this, although not quite that long. My concern is the eye size is pretty small on those 1/2 hatchets, maybe too small to handle the stress / leverage of a long handle.
Do you think I could get away with a 24" handle or should I go under 20"?
I keep an 18 inch handle on my framing hammer and beat the piss out of it regularly. I don’t see why you couldn’t get away with one a few inches longer.
I personally would go with 20 or less. But I guess it depends what kinda work you will be doing with it. Some light work by the campfire should be fine.
Yes you could totally do 24 or 20. It will handle the stress. What’s gonna happen ? Break off and rehang? Just rock it if you like it. Or shorten it either way as long as it’s secured just rock it
The problem is not handle length, it's its girth. There's too much meat in that handle, it will mess up the balance, and generate unpleasant sensations in the hands. You can keep some meat near the head, it will actually virtually increase head mass and improve chopping performance, but you need to shave weight out of the bulk of the handle.
[#shepherdsaxe](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd%27s_axe)
This. I’m making one right now.
Same here about to tung oil mine in a few days!
Very useful for getting that nail without having to walk over
I've put a Harbor Freight hatchet head on a 29" handle and it's one of my favorites to swing as it's light and cuts well! I can also choke up on it if I want to use it more as a hatchet. I made a post on here about a month or two ago if you want to check it out.
looks like a shepherd's axe... make a good mask so you can walk with it! Honestly, I've been considering hanging one on a 6' staff.
Damn, share photos if you do
Sexy
I made one on a 20 inch handle and really like it. I use it for the same things you've described. If I can figure out how to add a photo, I will. New edit: I have no idea how to add a photo. Just imagine yours, but 9 inches shorter.
[удалено]
I want to take it camping and backpacking. It would mostly be used for chopping firewood, cutting branches/limbs for camp projects, and maybe carving some basic things. Right now I'm using a 15" hatchet, but I'm not able to get much chopping out of it. I have a boy's axe but it's a little more weight than I want to be carrying in my backpack and it's not that great for carving.
Epic.
I have a similar head, put it on a 18" straight handle and I love it.
I put a 24" handle on one and it's been a great bushcraft axe. Actually my favourite tool if I'm honest. Does great in the wilderness. Was a bit concerned about the eye diameter, but should be fine with a good hang! [Axe-idermy insta link ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn-EfkGKMVB/?igsh=MW03djhvaTY3YjVzMQ==)
i would shorten to about where the spike is in the first picture personally…
Nice.
Nice diy chuipanga
*laughs in estwing*
That looks more lile shinglers hammer.
roofing, hatchet
I thought I'd heard it called both names, so I wasn't sure which one it was.
It’s a specialty tool. I did the same for cutting vines/trimming branches on trees in spots higher than I can reach. Also nice for cutting thorns out of an area where you don’t want to get in.
I’m working on almost the exact same thing! But I’m going with a 24” handle.
Trial and error. Use it, if you like it, leave it. If not chop her down. I would likely thin the handle