Keith Lusher 08.08.24
Rising up in Southeast Louisiana, there have been two instruments I used on a weekly foundation: my machete and my hatchet. These instruments had been very important for survival in my world of chopping paths by way of the woods, constructing tree homes, and developing duck blinds. Sadly, the hatchet I owned for over a decade wasn’t of the very best quality. The steel deal with was unfastened, and the blade was boring from years of use, making it barely extra helpful than an outsized butter knife.
Now that I’m older, I’ve realized to spend money on higher instruments. Whereas my days of constructing tree homes are far behind me, I nonetheless want a high quality hatchet.
I lately had the prospect to check out the brand new James Model Hatchet. JBH has teamed up with Adler, who has been making high-quality instruments since 1919. Adler is understood for his or her ergonomic hickory handles coated with non-slip paint, however the brand new James Model Hatchet has a wholly completely different look, with the deal with painted in black non-slip paint and a inexperienced dividing stripe between the deal with and the throat.
I lately put the device to the take a look at as I reduce a path by way of the woods close to my dwelling. My aim was to clear a slender path to my fishing gap, simply large sufficient to stroll by way of. The world stretched about 30 ft from the street to the water and was overgrown with vines, shrubs, and younger timber.
Understand that I had by no means tried out the James Model Hatchet till my path-clearing quest, so my complete assessment is predicated on a brand-new hatchet (which is available in a really elegant wood carrying case). Listed below are just a few takeaways from my path-clearing quest:
Sharpness: The James Model Hatchet was model new after I used it, so it was no shock to see that it was exceptionally sharp. The pinnacle form is what they name a basic German “Rheinland” design, making for a bigger, curved chopping floor. The pinnacle weighs 1.35 kilos and includes a 14-inch deal with. The hatchet made fast work of the shrubs and younger timber in my manner. Whereas the lasting sharpness continues to be a query, I can actually say that the blade by no means dulled after a half-day’s work chopping by way of the woods.
Construct: The James Model Hatchet is made out of US-sourced hickory with a 14-inch deal with. The pinnacle is cast from C60 metal and provides a big curved chopping floor. After my day within the woods, I can report that there was no flex within the hatchet, and the pinnacle remained firmly connected to the deal with.
Grip: I used to be actually impressed with the grip. The underside 4.5 inches is coated with a non-slip water-based lacquer in TJB’s signature black and lime hues, with the EDC model’s basic JAMES° brand etched into one aspect of the deal with’s shaft and Adler’s brand on the opposite.
Look: This can be a lovely device, and it’s handmade, which is sort of refreshing with all the things being mass-produced. The blade comes with a leather-based strap-on cowl that fastens with two separate buttons, making it simple to placed on and take off. The hatchet is available in a gorgeous wood field, which makes for a tremendous reward.
In the long run, the TJB received the job completed, and my path was cleared. Since placing it to the take a look at within the woods, I’ve used the hatchet for chopping firewood and trimming low branches on just a few timber in my yard. The James Model Hatchet seems to be a lifetime device for me and my household. I’d extremely advocate it for these on the lookout for a high quality hatchet, and it makes for a complicated reward with the attractive wood carrying case.
