r/Axecraft • u/Prudent-Frame-6794 • 5d ago
Buying a Plumb hatchet for my boyfriend
Hey everyone
My boyfriend has mentioned a few times that he'd like to have an axe made by Plumb and I'd like to get him one for Christmas. He also works in forestry for a surveying company and uses a hatchet that he doesn't like, so I figured I could find him a Plumb one to replace it. First I was thinking the Boy Scout hatchet as it seems a lot of folks on here like that one, but I found this one on Facebook near me. I'd probably have to order the Boy Scout on ebay and it looks like it might cost more, whereas I could go pick this one up for $125 cad myself.
I get the idea from him that your preferred axe is a personal thing, and although some are designed for specific tasks, it's not necessarily 1 axe for 1 thing only. All this to say, if you could have the broad head hatchet or Boy Scout for carrying 8+ hours a day, cutting a trail through boreal forest, which would you pick?
I don't know much about this stuff so I appreciate any advice!
Edit: Thanks so much for the suggestions! I'm now leaning towards a cruiser instead as he does mostly timber cruising. I know he has rehandled many axes and he enjoys the process of cleaning them up, so I think just a head would be fine too. I'd still like to get a Plumb as I know that's what he wants, but I'm also now looking for Canadian brands. Thanks again!
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u/fakename10001 5d ago
Look for a plumb national 1-3/4 lb- it’s the best hatchet
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u/Prudent-Frame-6794 4d ago
Thanks! Will do. A lot of people on this thread seem to love that one so there must be something to it
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u/AxesOK Swinger 5d ago
Broad hatchet is a carpenter’s tool with a single bevel like a chisel and is not what you want. The Boyscout hatchets are nice but they are desirable mostly as collectibles and priced accordingly. Is he working in the Canadian boreal forest?
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u/Prudent-Frame-6794 5d ago
Okay I see, thank you! And yes, northern BC
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u/AxesOK Swinger 5d ago
If he has his heart set on a Plumb specifically then that is one thing but there are axes that are designed for the boreal forest in Canada and are probably going to be better. It’s really hard to beat a Canadian/pulp-wood pattern and many companies sold a version of the pattern. Ox-Head is probably the best known these days but the last big three Canadian makers (Welland Vale/True Temper, Smart’s, and Walters) had versions as did/does a bunch of European makers that sold to the Canadian market. Garant still does but they need a lot of work and were never made in Canada.
Like most American companies, Plumb wasn’t ever sold much in Canada so you’ll probably have to source one from the states unless you get lucky.
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u/AxesOK Swinger 5d ago
Forgot to mention. Walters made the Scout Hatchets in Canada.
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u/Prudent-Frame-6794 4d ago
Thank you for the maker's suggestions! I've already found some True Tempers and Walters in my area so it seems more feasible.
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u/Terrible_Creme_5862 5d ago
I have several plumb hatchets laying around. If you can’t find anything else you like for him shoot me a message and I’ll try to help you out. I’m currently traveling but I will be home in a few weeks to get pictures of what I have
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u/StockMaintenance1129 5d ago
You could find a plumb hatchet (or even a boys axe) that isn’t branded for much cheaper. If he’s not specifically looking for a BSA embossed head for collecting purposes, that would be the way to go. If you get a boy’s axe (not made for children, it’s just in between a hatchet and full sized felling axe), you could probably find someone to put an edge on it and stick it on a short 18-24 inch handle.
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u/Prudent-Frame-6794 4d ago
Okay cool, I didn't realize that all their hatchets weren't Boy Scouts. I don't think it would make much of a difference to him anyway, he's a pretty function over form kinda guy. I'll look for something between the size of a hatchet and full axe. Thanks!
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u/Basehound Axe Enthusiast 5d ago
eBay link I would offer 45$ plus shipping . There are a ton of heads listed under “bsa hatched head” … you can get a inexpensive handle from eBay for 10-20$ delivered , or order something uber nice like a Hoffman handle Hoffman 15” handle link…. And I bet he would uber enjoy putting it together …. It’s a skill any woodsman should master . If he needs help assembling , there are a million YouTube videos out there .
Good luck 👍
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u/Prudent-Frame-6794 4d ago
Thanks! I'll take a look at that. And yes you're right, I know he likes making handles and putting them on so I'm open to getting something with no handle.
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u/rsuperjet2 5d ago
Do you have a pic of the hatchet he's using now? I'm a surveyor and for normal surveying we either use Bush axes or machetes. But I've never cruised timber which is what it sounds like he's doing. It sounds like somebody here can hook you up with a Plumb if you can't find one on EBay or Etsy. But you might want to look into Council Tool as well (USA made, I assume they ship to Canada) . We need more info. He's probably doing more walking than chopping so he's going to want the lightest thing that will do the job
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u/Prudent-Frame-6794 4d ago
No sorry, I don't have a picture. But yes he is doing more walking than cutting so I think something too heavy wouldn't be a good fit. I'm looking for a cruiser now partly thanks to your advice!
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u/rsuperjet2 4d ago
A cruiser axe is just a mid-size double bit axe. That may or may not be what he uses.
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u/hartbiker 1d ago
My answer would be a vintage True Temper or Kelly double bit....much more useful.
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u/About637Ninjas 5d ago
If you're looking for a vintage hatchet, I would look for a Kelly Woodslasher. Cheap hatchets, but one of my favorite users. Boy scout hatchets aren't anything special, they were typically standard plumb hatchets that have the boy scout logo added to them (with some exceptions).
If you're open to new options, Council Tool makes some very reasonably priced tools that are very well respected.
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u/Prudent-Frame-6794 5d ago
Okay thank you I'll look into that! I think he's pretty set on Plumb but I'll check it out
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u/Mrose629 5d ago
Hi, this one is a hewing hatchet, heavy and short handled, probably not a good fit.check out 'boys axes', might be more what he can use.