Harbor Freight Hatchet! TESTING And Tuned! Worth $12?

[@SkogKniv]

For $12 it meets and exceeds its cost with value.

[@KillingerUSA]

True

[@NagashiChidorii]

Just picked it up for 8.99 ITC member

[@Apalm12]

I stripped the coating off mine soaked in in vinegar for two days and changed the grind and sanded the handle down a lot and I have a lot of nice expensive axes and hatchet and I swear to you this is the best limbing hatchet I have and gets sharper than any other I have trust me that thing is well worth the money if you put the time in it it’s great takes most limbs in one to two strikes at most

[@KillingerUSA]

It's a great profile. That's for sure

[@TheHallbjorn]

What does the soaking in vinegar do, and does that swell the hickory?

[@escapetherace1943]

@@TheHallbjorn nothing he was just removing the black finish.. personally i'd leave it, protects versus rust

[@moshpitmachine]

So I took it out as is and took down a few small trees in my yard. For a 13 dollar axe it's great. One tree about 4 inches thick and another one about thigh thickness. Took about 7 minutes for the big one and about 3 for the small. It cuts great, burrows deep, only thing I can see to really fix is the blade geometry but a good bastard file and patience can handle that

[@lukebrown3390]

My Boy Scout troop bought multiple of these. Aside from one or two scouts chopping up some kindling we mostly use them for teaching the younger scouts how to use a hatchet

[@KillingerUSA]

Good tool for that!

[@paulanderson388]

It's a $12 hatchet. What did you expect? For $12 it is more than capable of doing the job and with a little work on it (which most of us like to do) it is a great performer all for $12. It is a bargain in my book.

[@KillingerUSA]

Um... I think that's what I said?

[@johnnysparkleface3096]

Dude, I'm getting one because $12.99 is a good deal. Once I get mine home, I'm going to replace the handle. The head isn't the best, so I'm going to replace that too. Thanks for the heads up!

[@KillingerUSA]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ku7p]

My thoughts

[@LosDoyerss]

No need to replace the handle. The American hickory is very good, you can just reshape the existing handle.

[@alexrandell9199]

Axe of Theseus

[@Wheelman151]

Amen. Just did that on my new one. 30-60 minutes to get it comfy for my hand, clean up the blade, burnish & put boiled liinseed oil on the handle, and teach a grandson a bit about tool care and thrift.

[@in2thepickers888]

Looks like for about a half an hour you have a good hatchet nice work thats a winner in my book

[@felixbinette9752]

I bought one of those 2 years ago played with rasps and files took all the paint off changed the handle profile. Just learned how to work the handle and the edge.

[@KillingerUSA]

Nice

[@jamesgroves5294]

Good information Chris. I agree with you about finding a vintage head for 10 bucks. Hey, nice feather sticks. How about a Killinger bush craft video😊

[@KillingerUSA]

Been a long time since I shot one of those.

[@michaelprue9024]

I bought one. Then I bought some sharpening stones and sharpened it. This little hatchet is awesome. It does everything I need it to do, especially splitting kindling. Makes the job enjoyable.

[@KillingerUSA]

That's great!

[@contemporaryprimitiveman3469]

A hatchet I could leave next to the kindling pile in that public campground and not worry about it walking off. My vintage Coleman stove and lantern, vintage cast iron, and vintage axe all get locked up out of sight.

[@KillingerUSA]

100%

[@pellcio]

I bought one a couple years ago. Didn't do anything to it until I saw some vids on how to improve it. I am in NO way a conoisseur of axes and hatchets, as you are, but I was able to make it much better. Useful enough for my needs, and better than it was

[@KillingerUSA]

That's fantastic!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Finding a good 1.25lb hatchet head isn't easy in many areas and even a new one (say the Husqvarna) is either heavier or lighter. The lighter Husqvarna hatchet is next to useless and the heavier one begs for a longer haft. I don't think I myself would bother with this one in particular but I have taken and improved inexpensive hardware store hatchets and axes in the past.

[@BasilFawlty64]

Nice review - you were fair. I have a few, great for the price, but they do benefit from a little upgrading =)

[@Brian2bears]

Chipmunk @ 13:37. Excellent production Mr. K. " I cringe when someone throws vintage" was very funny to me. Nice display of skills, I thought for a moment you would break out a flint & steel or a ferro rod, no joke, very enjoyable....64 likes, I pegged my limit....

[@KillingerUSA]

I definitely thought about the flint and steel but couldn't remember where I put it. Some day I'll have all my gear organized for a quick grab. Haha

[@kipheiny6672]

I must have gotten lucky, there was no gap in the head on mine, the grind is straight but the blade is very thick

[@KillingerUSA]

Definitely lucky

[@justinweaver8787]

U know ur stuff buddy 4aure i got a couple heads 1day i hope 2 get done right by someone who knows there stuff hope u have a good weekend and are enjoying this beautiful weather.

[@KillingerUSA]

Thank you! Looks like the weather is going to change

[@justinweaver8787]

@@KillingerUSA thats true its comin fast

[@aldredske6197]

Good morning Chris!!😀😀 It looks like typical Harbor Freight quality. LOL!! Sometimes you get a good one and sometimes you don't. Take care my friend!!😀😀👍👍

[@KillingerUSA]

Take care Al

[@jeffgrier8488]

I almost bought one of those the last time i was at harbor freight, but never did. But now i might just to mess with it, it would be good to have around if somebody wanted to borrow a hatchet, then i wouldn't have to give them one of my good ones!

[@KillingerUSA]

Definitely!

[@josezavalapina7392]

great vid on this....I kind of want to buy one just to have it in case....I mean definitely there are better ones out there...would be pretty awesome if you can do a video out in the wild using this and applying practical application and see how it does.....subbed...keep them vids coming!!

[@KillingerUSA]

Appreciate it!

[@russellpsi]

Perfect video. Picked up this as well...new to axes and hatchets....great to practice some mods on. My grind also was also asymmetric.

[@KillingerUSA]

Thank you!

[@nickjhonson9053]

So I've had mine a while re did the edge and I've tortured it in the woods lol I'm surprised it's held on but it's going strong still 🤷‍♂️

[@KillingerUSA]

That's great!

[@felixbinette9752]

Good fun watching you.

[@KillingerUSA]

Appreciate it

[@alessandrovalbonesi5933]

Thanks for the review. Always on the fence with Harbor Freight, hard to beat $12 tho, plus more convenient than going to flea market. By the way where did you get your drawers under your work counter?

[@KillingerUSA]

Ebay score years ago. Best ebay purchase ever!

[@moshpitmachine]

Oh definitely go through them, significant difference in handles

[@KillingerUSA]

Yep

[@biglemms]

What? No hand made leather sheath for that razor sharp hatchet? (commented b4 closing) Liked and waiting

[@KillingerUSA]

🤣🤣🤣

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Umm Hmm Good Beginner Hatchet, Slicked 'Er Up Good With That Snake Juice, Thanks Chris ! ATB T God Bless

[@KillingerUSA]

Turned out pretty OK

[@BUZZKILLJRJR]

The heads on there I don't know what steel they use but it's freaking awesome they take a beating some of the Hammers do too I used them for years and they didn't wear out as quickly as some of the other brands I don't know like I said what steal it is but it's hard and it doesn't just mushroom out like a lot of Steel does

[@heidigib01]

Can’t you fill in the gap with wood putty, remove the varnish and oil the handle and sharpen the blade? For $12 for occasional use, seems like a pretty ok deal. Btw I have looked at estate sales and garage sales and have very seldom seen any hatchet, let alone one with intact head at $12.

[@KillingerUSA]

Yes

[@takenusername]

I’m thinking about snagging one this weekend using the 20% coupon. If I don’t get around to it, I’ll get one next time they offer 30% off anything under $20.

[@KillingerUSA]

It's a good time to grab one.

[@willajeankelley5735]

It's made of mild steel. Great to loan out to your son in law or the so called buddy who's bad with tools. Me I would use it when going camping or put behind the truck seat. Just me two cents.

[@KillingerUSA]

Good call

[@felixbinette9752]

And you make all that look easy.

[@KillingerUSA]

Done it a couple times

[@escapetherace1943]

the grip is great dude not even tuned the thing was delimbing huge branches like a knife through butter. I'm gonna touch up the edge though cause I liked it so much

[@hpgdawnpatrol9456]

Spend 5 minutes on sharpening the edge with the coarse belt on a work sharp. Strip the finish with a pocket knife, sand and soak the handle in BLO amd you are left with an excellent camp axe. I got a "good" one at HF but like you had to go through about 10 of them to find one hang decent and with a pretty grain. 30 minutes of time is all it takes and you have a decent enough hatchet to throw in a pack or vehicle for emergency use. I think its worth every bit of 12 bucks.

[@KillingerUSA]

Definitely

[@JohnDoe-cd6ro]

I'm a newb. How do I know if I find one with a decent hang to buy?What do I look for?

[@brucearney9536]

Awesome !

[@KillingerUSA]

Thanks!

[@bsd9230]

What type of file? What wax did you put on the leather strap?

[@KillingerUSA]

That file is actually called an axe file. Got it on Amazon. If your talking about the leather strop, it's green polishing compound.

[@edoellien239]

Its great for what its meant for. My dad leaves his laying by the wood splitter. He uses it to cut apart stringy pieces, breaking off small branches, twigs random pokeys....he doesnt care even the slightest about it. Its simply a sharp club to whack random crap. Oh no! I hit the steel wedge of the splitter? Who cares? Oh no! It got left out on the ground/splitter/table? So what? That bark is all full of sand and dirt? Use the hatchet. Its dull? Run it across the bench grinder. It probably gets used more than all his other hatchets.

[@SlushMowerThe3rd]

What tool did you use to strip the varnish?

[@KillingerUSA]

Scraper

[@aussiehardwood6196]

Good video.

[@KillingerUSA]

Thank you

[@lemoneez4485]

the newer ones of these at harbor freight have been upgraded

[@lemoneez4485]

at least as what ive seen

[@IndianaDoug]

This is a really good video. Lots to learn from this.

[@KillingerUSA]

Thanks Doug

[@jeffreyrubish347]

I'd probably put some wood glue in the gap around the head for a budget fix.

[@KillingerUSA]

Good idea

[@77grintchkick]

For a backpacking hatchet I'd use 2-3 times a year...it's a steal!

[@greedog47]

What was the leather pad he used to make it razor sharp?

[@KillingerUSA]

That is a large strop I made

[@ralfrufus6573]

I like your watch strap!

[@KillingerUSA]

Thanks! Works great!

[@ralfrufus6573]

@@KillingerUSA Looks like Nato, Zulu, something...

[@kyplummer3657]

A lot of the handles are different on each one of the harbor, freight hatchet

[@KillingerUSA]

Yes

[@fuelmanjoe8639]

NICE VIDEO

[@KillingerUSA]

Thank you

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Good, honest review, but you didn’t run up a mountain with it in your backpack and then give it a good review 😉…so 👎 jk,jk Good stuff as always, and good point about the thin profile.

[@KillingerUSA]

I'd wager there was way more action in this video than the one that went up a "mountain ". Haha!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

☺️😉🤫

[@axemonkey]

That damn thing out of the box is good for nothing but grub work. If you do all the other stuff to it, then it can become a fairly useful tool. I'm sure you would agree. No the steel is not going to be anywhere close to what a Plumb or a Stanley, and damn sure not a Gransfors. It can definitely be a good tool in a pinch if you needed it to be. Also a great example of a tool to teach kids about how axes work as well as care for the tool. At least you won't cry about it too much if they screw it up to the point where you don't want to even try to fix it. Lol

[@KillingerUSA]

All true

[@hpgdawnpatrol9456]

Comparing a china made 12 dollar hatchet to a Gransfors? Lol

[@frankgulla8782]

My hf hatchet is hung perfectly with no gaps.of course I scraped it, treated with BLO and re-profiled the head with a file. For 13 bucks you can't go wrong.

[@KillingerUSA]

Nice

[@petehendry4756]

I was the 69th like so looks like you're making a sheath Killer .

[@KillingerUSA]

You are correct. Coming soon

[@LukeMcMullin]

It would make a good chicken chopper. haha

[@KillingerUSA]

Yes

[@SOHN32]

That knife looked all full dull. Must been sharpen on a tri stone sharpener. Lol

[@KillingerUSA]

Wouldn't cut butter

[@SOHN32]

@@KillingerUSA did you use your stone. Or the band sharpener. Or both.

[@KillingerUSA]

@@SOHN32 the knife? Used stones.

[@alanreynolds2125]

there's 51 chris!!!

[@KillingerUSA]

51?

[@alanreynolds2125]

@@KillingerUSA 51 views 👀

[@KillingerUSA]

@@alanreynolds2125 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I totally forgot what I said! Ok, video soon!

[@mrblaxto]

I've never once in my life saw a nice antique ax in that price range, so 🤷

[@mattheweasley6291]

People really do just steal other people videos.

[@KillingerUSA]

What in the world are you talking about?

[@demetriusmartinez9902]

He took this from Wrangler star

[@drunclereb6394]

Even I can do this? But, I’m a complete moron and couldn’t possibly fathom such a complex process…

[@KillingerUSA]

Weird

[@drunclereb6394]

@@KillingerUSA indeed you are

[@bikerush1]

They are no longer 12.99.......14.99 in California

[@KillingerUSA]

Well shoot

[@jordesign]

Still cheaper than a cheeseburger in CA....

[@TomeOfKnowledge74]

Still $12.99 in Florida

[@NagashiChidorii]

nope just picked it up for 8.99 today with my ITC membership

[@RR137G]

Use a file and cat eye it.

[@eddyarundale1566]

👋

[@KillingerUSA]

🤛

[@lucasceglinski2352]

@@KillingerUSA 🤜 Eddy left you hanging. Lol

[@KillingerUSA]

@@lucasceglinski2352 haha!

[@felixbinette9752]

Now it's worth 2 dollars

[@KillingerUSA]

Yup

[@scottjohnson9225]

Just like, no knife comes sharp (except hi end), no hatchet comes beveled and sharp. You have to know. Not hard.

[@SOHN32]

Ah man that did it give you 9.99 now. You put a hole in that handle. For a cheap axe don't care looks like you did something with it. Where the oak at.

[@KillingerUSA]

Haha!

[@hippietwocams]

if you spent as much time on cleanup around your shed, you wouldn't have as big a snake and scorpion home as you have

[@KillingerUSA]

Haha! I'm in Ohio. We dont have scorpions and snakes are rare. What you see in the video is some old metal roofing that was stacked neatly next to the shed. It fell down and I just haven't bothered to stack it back up. I can see this video has made it's way to the KZbin homepage. Thanks for commenting and letting me know.

[@elisabattle8456]

Why are we anguishing over the value of a 12$ hatchet? What the heck were you expecting? For small jobs around the house/garden what the hell--it will do the job.--mike

[@KillingerUSA]

Gave you something to watch ..

[@mattheweasley6291]

Lol enable the thumbs-up button but disable the thumbs down button. 👎

[@KillingerUSA]

I have nothing to do with the thumbs button. You will have to contact KZbin about that one.

[@felixbinette9752]

And cheated alot with power toils

[@KillingerUSA]

Yup