The ATAX and the Uluchet are two lightweight, commercially available
chopping implements.
Ron Hood
designed and markets the ATAX, while P.
J. Turner designed and markets the Uluchet.
Here are the knives in their carrying configurations. Each knife also comes with a sheath for ease of transport. The uluchet comes standard with a leather sheath. I also purchaced the optional kydex sheath and sawed off the belt clip. I usually transport the uluchet in a pack or a pocket, to the clip just adds extra bulk for me.
Here are the knives sheathed in their kydex sheaths.
The uluchet unfolds to a chopping configuration, while the ATAX is designed to accomodate a field-expedient handle. The picture above shows both knives in their chopping configuration.
Both knives worked well chopping ice for the drinking water pot. They also both easily handled small diameter branches.
The ATAX is the more powerful chopper, due to the leverage supplied by the long handle. The downside is that it does take a few minutes to find and attach a handle. That makes it somewhat inconvenient for impromptu chopping jobs. You can chop without affixing a handle, but you run the risk of skinned knuckles. Unless you position your hand well back on the small handle, after the blade passes through the object to be chopped the next thing to hit it is knuckles.
The ATAX design allows considerable downward pressure when cutting, as the hand is directly over the cutting surface. The curved portion of the blade should serve well for skinning, although I have not had a chance to try it out for that yet.
The uluchet excels in ease of use. It only takes a couple of seconds to unfold it from its carrying configuration to its chopping configuration. The patented folding handle design is very sturdy. The uluchet is also designed with a skinning curve to the blade.
I think the ATAX is a good blade to take when hiking in to a camp or for an emergency reserve blade. Once a permanent location is achieved a handle can be affixed and it can be used for hatchet/tomahawk type chores. I find it less convenient on hikes due to the fuss associated with preparing it for chopping. For those types of adventures I prefer a lightweight khukuri or the uluchet, as they can chop without the prep work.
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After I wrote the above, I was able to obtain a Skatchet from a seller on E-bay.
The seller's description said,
"This skatchet was made by Charter Arms Company in the 60's or 70's. It is worn on the belt and when you need to use it you would have to cut a small green tree or tree branch or pick up a stick of some sort for the handle. The whole tool is made of cast steel. Overall length is 6", the blade is 3 5/8" wide. The butt of it has a round hammer end for hammering in tent stakes or anything else you would have to hammer in the woods. There is a 1" diameter threaded hole on the bottom side of the handle. This is for twisting in the piece of wood that you have cut or found for the handle when you want to use it as an ax. There is what looks like a nail puller on the top side of the blade end."
The "nail puller" is in fact a guthook. The skatchet was dull
and slightly rusty when it arrived. All in all it was in good shape
though. I wish I had as little damage from the last 40 years.
The Charter Arms sticker is still present on a recessed portion of the
handle.
I tried to sharpen it up with the file I use on my axes, but the file skated off. Then I tried a coarse diamond hone, but the blade was quite dull and it was going to take a long time. So, cautiously, I took it to the bench grinder. After a few swipes, carefully avoiding overheating the blade, it was pretty sharp. The diamond hones then put the finishing touches on, and the tool is now very sharp. I have not done enough work with the skatchet to dull the edge, but I suspect the cast metal will be inferior in edge holding to the ATAX and the Uluchet.
Here is the skatchet with a handle attached. At first I was suspicious of the attachment method, but now I like it. The handle is from a rosebush I was pruning a few minutes before I took this shot. When I cut the handle I didn't have the skatchet, so I guessed at the diameter of the handle. When first screwing the handle in, it went in easily, as the diameter was slightly smaller than the hole. As I continued screwing the head came to a thicker knot on the branch and snugged down tightly. I find this method of handle attachment to be somewhat easier than the methods used for the ATAX.
The head of the skatchet may loosen with extended chopping, but a twist
or two tightens it back up again.
Here is a comparative shot of the three choppers. They are all comperable in size and weight. The ATAX and the Skatchet work well for light axe types of work. Both require scavanging a handle in the field.
The Uluchet has a slightly different niche. While less powerful,
it deploys quickly. When I go cross country skiing down the old logging
roads by my home, it is the Uluchet I take with me. At lunch or naptime
the Uluchet easily removes boughs for a seat or bed. (Note: boughs
are only harvested where it is legal and ethical to do so.)