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 have been important for survival in my world of reducing paths by way of the woods, constructing tree homes, and establishing duck blinds. Sadly, the hatchet I owned for over a decade wasn’t of the highest quality. The metallic deal with was free, and the blade was uninteresting from years of use, making it barely extra helpful than an outsized butter knife.
Now that I’m older, I’ve realized to put money into higher instruments. Whereas my days of constructing tree homes are far behind me, I nonetheless want a high quality hatchet.
I not too long ago had the possibility 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 thought 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 not too long ago put the instrument to the take a look at as I minimize a path by way of the woods close to my house. My aim was to clear a slim path to my fishing gap, simply extensive sufficient to stroll by way of. The world stretched about 30 toes from the highway to the water and was overgrown with vines, shrubs, and younger timber.
Remember the fact that I had by no means tried out the James Model Hatchet till my path-clearing quest, so my total evaluate relies on a brand-new hatchet (which is available in a really elegant picket carrying case). Listed here are just a few takeaways from my path-clearing quest:
Sharpness: The James Model Hatchet was model new once 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 reducing 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 method. Whereas the lasting sharpness remains to be a query, I can actually say that the blade by no means dulled after a half-day’s work reducing by way of the woods.
Construct: The James Model Hatchet is created from US-sourced hickory with a 14-inch deal with. The pinnacle is cast from C60 metal and affords a big curved reducing 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 facet of the deal with’s shaft and Adler’s brand on the opposite.
Look: This can be a stunning instrument, and it’s handmade, which is sort of refreshing with the whole lot 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 ravishing picket field, which makes for an incredible present.
Ultimately, the TJB obtained the job carried out, 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 appears to be like to be a lifetime instrument for me and my household. I’d extremely suggest it for these in search of a high quality hatchet, and it makes for a complicated present with the gorgeous picket carrying case.
