New Belt Axe Give Away from G. Fred & Teresa Asbell

[Roadkill]

Big enough to do the job, light enough not-2-forgotten when packing up.  Concept is solid

[U.a.horribilis]

I know you want to keep weight down but a wide-flat enough poll/butt to hammer a tent stake or small nail, maybe leather handle scales held on with Chicago screws, leather would never break and the screws would make handle replacement or upgrade easy. For the sheath make sure it could be attached to a pack as well as a belt, so maybe small loops at the top. Great idea can't wait to see what you come up with

[Outwest]

I have used one similar to that for quartering elk. Cut a heavy limb to use as a hammer to strike the back of the axe to split all of the way down the spine and through the pelvis.

[Stumpkiller]

Very nice - looks handy.

I would suggest a bit of a curve and smooth edges on the poll as the used may be more choked up on the top using just the head like an ulu than as a stake or nail driver.  You don't want "hot spots" in your palm.

[hunting badger]

I had one similar when I was a kid. They are a very useful item for the hunting pack!

[Sockrsblur]

Thanks for the chance, very generous!!!
What about handle material or wood options like available with custom knives? Seems simple enough and doable:)

[Deno]

Great idea.  I would carry it in a sheath mounted horizontally on the back of my waist so as not to have another shoulder strap to contend with and out of the way of my back quiver and under my waist pack.

Deno

[Gil]

I would like the handle to be almost up to the axe head for finer cutting work with the axe.

[Sota]

Very nice!

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

A man can never have to many axes or knives....

,,,Sam,,,

[Terry Lightle]

Would be very handy around camp!

[nipperlud]

look good in my bag..How about sheath with bungee on so it cam hook to outside pack.

[bobreeks]

Looks great. Very generous of you.

[fisherick]

Great looking belt axe, thanks for the chance.
May I suggest a 8/32 tapped hole in the head to help in the removal of field points or broadheads from trees or for sharpening purposes.

[mangonboat]

I had the same thought about skeletonizing the handle, and that would also provide an attachment point for a wrist lanyard. I would go one step farther: flare the ends of the wooden grip and then wrap it with paracord. That would provide a better grip surface, the paracord grip can be easily replaced or removed, and you would also have a quick supply of line to use as a tether when you are using the axe up in a tree stand or on a ladder ,clearing shooting lanes,etc.

I thought about adding a nail-pry at the top of the blade in line with the handle, but that would stick out of a sheath and adds significantly to cost due to lost material in cutting out that shape. A pry/chisel could be easily added to the base of the handle but that would be an issue when using the axe unless it was covered, and that get's you into more complicated design and manufacturing processes, like a removable protective butt cap on the handle: a fancy threaded/knurled cap or a simple cap that slides on over the prybar and is secured by a brass machine screw threaded into the prybar section, maybe a knurled head / coin-slot screw like was used by Bear with the original screw-on bow quiver....Hey, maybe I should make an axe!

[Ray Lyon]

Will the hammer side of the blade hold up if Roger 'Sledge' Norris needs to open a paddle-lock at Shrewhaven Camp?    

[ranger 3]

Looks nice! I like the idea of a shoulder strap sheath too.

[Diane.A]

Looks Nice, could used one last year as my Knife didn't win the battle with a small ash tree.

[Charlie Lamb]

Chet Stevenson carried something similar. Great idea.

[yleecoyote23]

Very nice and a great gesture!!

I would like to have the sheath made to attach to a pack or a belt.

This one looks like it will handle tons of camp chores as mentioned!