Vaughan RB 28-Ounce Rig Builders Hatchet, Hickory Handle for heavy construction, 17-Inch Long.

tough product ,built to last, will take some effort to get combat sharp, but was purchased to add to bugout gear,,,the handle has a plastic flag wrap and a sticker

Only gripe is the nail puller has been removed from the side of the axe head.Other than that typical Vaughn Axe.

I did not know at first the extent of this hammer for framing. Come to find out, it was the original primary framing hammer. Of course, people appear afraid because of the axe function of the tool. However, it is the most well-balanced hammer I've ever had. It is heavy enough to pound nails, and yet feels light enough with the right amount of balance. I love this hammer and thankful that it is still being produced. I will use this hammer as my primary hammer for framing.

This is a fine hammer if all you need is a heavy hammer, but the axe bit is ridiculous. It came with a 45 degree bevel, the edge was thick at the heel and became very thin at the toe. Behind the edge the cheeks were actually concave, thinning out to about 1/8" at the toe. Also the alignment from poll to edge is actually curved. In essence, the hatchet side is useless; even re-beveling the edge would still leave you with a very poor cutting tool. Vaughn has obviously changed the manufacturing of this tool as evidenced by the discrepancy in the photos showing a nail notch when there isn't one. The quality of the tool I received is on the level of a department store, not a professional tool. I would give it zero stars because it does not meet the definition of the tool they are advertising and anyone buying this will be disappointed upon initial visual contact, even if you are just buying it for a hammer.

Great bushcraft hatchet. It came dull as expected. I reprofiled it to a thick knife edge to suit its job. It can cut, split , carve and shave the hair off your arm. I made a sheath for it and a drop holster so I have somewhere to put it while I carry firewood. It cost me 24 bucks. Can't beat that. Even compared to my council tool velvicut boys axe and Hudson Bay axe @ over $135 a piece it still holds its own. Yes! You have to sharpen it yourself ! Get over it. Good job Vaughn!

This should make a great bushcraft camp axe. The hickory handle is high quality and perfectly hung. The palm swell in the middle is very comfortable and leaves enough room behind for two handed blows. Of course, you will need to sand the varnish off of the handle and the blade. I used 320 grit sand paper and then applied a protective coating of Renaissance Wax 200ml. The edge will need to be sharpened. I wish it could have been ordered with a sheath.

This is somewhere between an axe and a hatchet, which is exactly what I wanted for processing fire wood, and handling odd jobs for camping.The blade was disappointingly blunt out of the box, so you’ll have to use a dremel, file or grinding wheel to put an edge on it. Overall, happy with the design.

Nice tool, sturdily constructed, excellent, well-fitted handle. Factory edge is a little haphazard but a few minutes with a bastard file and a sharpening puck takes care of that in short order.