Zen,

I just went to the Gerber website. Here are the specs for the camp axe:
Overall Length: 17.5''
Length of Blade: 3.13''
Weight: 38 oz.
Blade Material: Forged steel
Handle Material: PolyamideT

And for the Sport Axe:
Overall Length: 14.25
Length of Blade: 2.81
Weight: 21.4 oz.
Blade Material: Forged steel
Handle Material: Polyamide

Yes

BTW, you *can* get the nylon sheath for the Fiskars...
Also, Google "Fiskars Axe" and see what axe users say about them. It's not just gardeners using them. I'd bet most gardners never even touch an axe, in fact.

For the record, that line of Gerber axes was/is made by Fiskars in Finland, out of the same materials as Fiskars' own line of axes. If you look at the part that wraps around the head, you'll see the words "Fiskars Finland" molded into the composite material they call "nyglass". Gerber's Gator line of axes (the ones that one with the saw or knife in the handle), however, is made in China and Taiwan.

Thanks for the help! I'm glad I "axed!" I do like the Gerber sheath better. The plastic thing that the Fiskars hatchet comes with looks like part of the packaging. I've been meaning to make a sheath for it. I'll probably sew and rivet one together eventually. I've got an old beat up military assault pack that I can scrounge the fabric from.

What the Fiskars hatchet has is that it is very lightweight. I am a guy who just has to use a hatchet instead of a saw, so I carry one in or on my pack when I'm hiking. Of course I keep it razor sharp so it will double as a large knife.

Being a knife guy I'm not crazy about most grades of stainless steel for blades. I have never had a knife get rusty, even knives that I have had since I was a kid, and stainless just doesn't take an edge like carbon steel will. I love the grade of steel that Fiskars uses, I don't know what it is, but I love it. If it is stainless then it must be one of the newer alloys that holds an edge well.

I was thinking that Gerber must have joined up with Fiskars. The design of the tools were just too similar. Because of the weight I guess I'll stick with my trusty Fiskars blade. It has been a great tool so far.

Thanks again.

The handle with the Gerber is obviously longer, besides that, the Fiskars handle is fiberglass composite while this is glass-filled nylon. This blade is also stainless steel, Fiskars only claims "Drop-forged steel" but no mention of stainless(?). The Gerber's sheath is ballistic nylon, so it will hold up to the ax and rocks, and whatever else. The reviews on Fiskars site start out by saying "What Gardeners are Saying" which tells me it's ok for camping but designed (or marketed) for gardening. Both seem really good, here's the weights: Gerber: Weight: 2 ib. 6 oz., Fiskars: 1.15 lbs. Also, Fiskars is the parent company to Gerber Legendary Blades, Silva compasses, and Buster boats. Ya bettah axe sumbody!

The official weight is 21.1 oz, but from a practical standpoint this is much lighter than a traditional full size axe with wood handle. The all plastic handle makes this much lighter and nice for car camping.

It weighs 21.1 ounces. If you need a tool for cutting logs for a fire I would recommend the Gerber Gator Saw 2, I've used both (friend has the axe I have the saw) and the saw cuts much faster with less effort, and weighs only 7 ounces.