Gerber 22-41420 Gator Combo Axe II
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List Price: Our Price: $30.22 You Save: $34.58 (53%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Gerber 22-41420 Gator Combo Axe II
Customer Review: Axe strong and useful
Summary: 4 Stars
At my place in SE Texas plants in my yard grow very well and this light weight, well balanced hand axe works well. I've as yet to sharpen it therefore haven't a clue as to how well it resharpens.Customer Review: Decent Buy, A Couple Flaws
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this based off of all the other reviews I saw on here. Let me start off by saying that for the price, I think it is a decent buy. It feels great in your hand (handle was the perfect size, and there is non slip material at the bottom of the shaft). It feels well balanced.
First thing I noticed when I took it out of the box: How do you get the sheath over the head of the axe? This is the first thing I would change on this thing. You have to slide the axe in, handle first, through the sheath. Thus, when you want to pull the axe out, you have to push it from the bottom, up through the sheath. This can be challanging if you are wearing it on a belt.
Second thing I noticed: Man, this thing is dull. It needs major sharpening before you even think about using it.
Third thing I noticed: The axe head aint pretty. This means nothing in terms of function, but it is not finished like some others. (This I could care less about as long as it works)
I put this thing through the ringer the day after I got it, chopping kindling and whatnot, and it works very well once it is sharpened. The hand saw is very useful, and is nice to have right in the handle (If it would stay after hard use). The hand saw is only secured in the handle by a weak magnet (and some retention at first as it fits perfectly in the handle). After a couple hours of chopping, it was rattling around inside the handle and fell out a couple times. In other words, it's good for storage, but take it out before you start using the axe.
All in all, it is a functional tool, and I'm sure I will continue to use it in the future. However, there are some flaws that could be worked out in future versions of the product.
Customer Review: Do not buy if you intend to use it
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this product hoping for a quality item that was light weight. In the past I have always bought Estwing but thought I would give the Gerber a try. I liked the way it felt in my hand but noticed right off the bat that the magnets that keep the saw in place did not work well and I was always having to be aware of it falling out. After about a month of use the handle snapped completly off right below the head. I will stick with my USA made metal handled Estwing.Customer Review: Exactly what I was looking for
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, first, I was impressed with AMAZON because the item came very fast. Quicker than they had suggested. Secondly, the hatchet also included a sheath, which was not referenced on the description. Another bonus.
As far as the use of the tool, I can not say. I have not taken it out hiking/camping yet, so the test will be in the woods. I will say that I purchased it for extended canoe trips where something light, simple, and effective is needed. I like that it is not fancy.
Customer Review: Featherweight Champion
Summary: 5 Stars
The Gerber 22-41420 Gator Combo Axe II is overqualified for its job. My regular hand axe weighs just under 2 pounds; at just over 1 pound the Gerber performed just as well and was easier to control. Out of the box it was almost sharp enough to shave hair off the arm, and after 30 minutes of use it cleaned up in under two minutes with a paper towel, nylon brush (for the saw teeth), and a few sprays of Rem Oil.
I try to test survival-type equipment at about 40% of regular "power" to simulate fatigue/injury/exposure. Test cuts conducted on 6, 8, and 10 inch diameter rounds of seasoned Alder (cut to a 14" length) resulted in four rounds quickly reduced to kindling. Six and eight inch rounds were split completely through with one strike while the 10 inch round took 3 strikes to split completely (it also had a 1 1/2" knot dead center). Cross-grain cuts were almost as easy as cuts made with-the-grain. Knots in the wood had to be worked around instead of powered through but I feel the added finesse of the Gerber more than makes up for the extra few seconds this takes. I was easily able to use the axe to make fine shavings for tinder as well.
The both the axe and the hideaway saw were tested on unseasoned Douglas Fir. With the same 40% effort the saw went through a 2" branch in 8 seconds; at about 75% effort it made the same cut in 5 seconds. The axe powered through everything thrown at it in just a few easy whacks. The reverse of the axe head was used to drive several nails of various length and diameter into a 2x4, and while it took longer and required more effort than a standard hammer it was easier than using my other hand axe. The Gerber should handle tent stakes like a pro.
As noted in other reviews the saw is held in the handle via magnets and friction, so as a precaution against wear on the friction surfaces I removed it and set it aside whenever I was using the axe. I don't know if this was needed as the saw seems to be comfortably snug when stowed. The axe has to be removed from the sheath in order to be used as a hammer so it requires additional caution. The sheath seems like it would be easy enough to modify for any DIY types if that's a big concern.
Overall, this is an extremely well designed and crafted product. I'd give it six stars if I could. I cannot recommend it enough!