Ordered this a while back and forgot about it. It oughta be downright handy helping to process those BTU's! OK, so it's not very practical! I just had to have one and used two excuses: Good for bushcrafting and will fit in my bug out bag...plus...just look at it! USA Made even!
I had one similar only with a fiberglass handle. (which I soon broke ) But the sheath ended up being destroyed by one of my neighbors who was trying to help. He used the hatchet with the sheath on! How does one not notice the sheath? BTW, very nice USA made hatchet indeed! We need more US companies to start making the things we use, instead of farming out to all these other countries to make our goods.
WHOA! I generally think I'm a reasonable person, and I have swung a hatchet with the sheath on... twice... Not proud, but, just saying it can happen. That said, if they were my neighbor's, I would have replaced them.
Well, he's 75, so I just make sure anytime I'm over there lending a hand, that there are no sheaths installed on anything. That's hatchets, axes, and chainsaws. I also tell him and have him feel that whatever is razor sharp. (here, check out the edge on this hatchet! or axe, or chain) Really, I prefer no one touch the tools I will be working with. I have them with me for a reason, and it's not for someone else to use wherever. On the other hand, if I'm working with someone and they didn't bring all of the appropriate tools, I will share. But my needs take priority.
I strongly recommend a good file like this 10" Mill Bastard Cut File without Handle (Carded) to refine the edge of just about any commercial axe or hatchet. Almost all of them come with way too thick and blunt of a tip and cheeks. Only the high-end, i.e. Granfors Bruks, Wetterlings, and some Council axes, etc come with an appropriately included angle grind (<=20 degrees). The commercial axes all have higher angles for edge retention even if abused and way to thick of primary grinds. Go ahead and file a nice, thin primary and secondary bevel onto that axe and you will be pleasantly surprised by how much better it performs.
I have a Nicholson 10" axe specific file en route. Also bought a round stone. Have not really scrutinized the grind on it yet. I did note that it was at least uniform. I need to make a bevel template.
I have been very happy with my Nicholson Bastard Mill File and went with a Lansky puck, as well. Let us know how that turns out after you go to it with the file.
We actually sell Nicholson brand (APEX) here at my work...just didn't have any of the Axe files. I will admit that I buy my chain files from another supplier. I find that the Nicholsons clog up easily. The rest of their files are good stuff from my experience. I prefer Pferd classic cut for my chains.
One company you might want to check out: Council Tools, of Lake Waccamaw NC. They specialized for some time in professional tools for law enforcement and forestry/fire-fighting. For a few years now they've been making hand tools many of us fuel-processors would have a prime interest in, with some of them presentation-quality and some seriously blue-collar workaday. I've a 3.5 lb axe and a 6 lb maul of the latter category gotten from Bailey's for under $30 each, made by Council, and they make some other folks' prices look crazy. In either case, a couple minutes attention with flat file or Dremel and they're fully ready for service. Among my favorites.
That might make for an interesting thread of it's own! "Your favorite tools - whatcha got and whatcha use em for?"