MarblesOutdoors Knives 700DB Double Bit Axe with American Hickory Handles

I took the risk on this sucker even with the bad reviews. I was pleasantly surprised. Let's get into it.The head:The dimensions given are exactly correct. It's 5 1/2" long and has 2 1/2" edges. The head is maybe 16 ounces but 12 ounce weight wouldn't surprise me. One side is slightly thicker than the other. It will be good for the rooting/splitting side of the head. I wouldn't count on it on every sample, because it looks like an irregularity. The edges are present, but are not sharp. The steel seems decently hard and should be pretty good in the field. Update: after sharpening, the steel is softer than I like. However, it is a pocket/bag axe that costs $30, so 55+ rockwell is probably too much to ask.Handle:The grain is perpendicular the the cutting edges. While not ideal, I don't see myself generating enough force to delaminate the fibers. The overall shape is nice. It has a slight palm swell at the bottom and a swell at the shoulder. The overall feel is one of an old ball pien hammer I have. Oval, slim but enough mass to hold on to.Fit and finish:Surprisingly there is absolutely no gap in the head to handle fit. The wedge looks like walnut, but is probably a dark tropical wood. It even has a tiny safety wedge to firmly set the head.The head is left in the forged finish and has a few grind marks on it. It does seem to have a lacquer coating on it that, while making it shiny, will be removed.Overall a nice little belt axe. While not up to Nessmuk's quality, it is good enough for this tenderfoot. Would recommend.

Was looking for a “Nessmuck” style saddle axe. And this looks like it would fit the bill. Then it came, and first, was the wrong model…. The 700DB is supposed to have a longer handle and a slightly bigger head. This is more like the Marbles DB7, but with a smaller head…The tool itself is TINY. TOO SMALL to be functional. The handle is a thin, dried out piece of wood that although properly splined, looks like it won’t last more than one outing.The head is TOO SMALL to be functional. Too light to have any striking power, and both bits were too dull to be functional in any meaningful way.Best you could do with this, as is, is re-profile the bits, add an 18” handle that’s THICK ENOUGH TO USE, and use it as a “toy” or “training” axe for a younger boy…Was sorely disappointed. On paper, it seems like the perfect “Nessie” axe.And at that price, I EXPECTED TO HAVE TO TOUCH IT UP A BIT. RE-do the grind angles and sharpen, wrap the handle throat, etc., etc.But you would have to basically use just the undersized head, and replace the rest of the axe.So too much work for too little return.I sent it back. Looks like I’m going to have to search out an old saddle axe head, and put a handle on myself, Only one other company offers a 2-bit axe for pack use, and sorry, but WHO CAN AFFORD to drop $200+ on a VelviCut!?

Poor quality. Misrepresented description. Very cute!

Yes, its small. Think "Nessmuk." A lot of lesser than satisfied reviews out there, but READ the dimensions as they are listed, and comprehend what you are getting first. It's a little heavy hitter, and practical for its intended purpose. It's become my favorite compact hand axe (read, hatchet). You won't build a log cabin with it, but it certainly processes anything I throw at it from hardwoods to heavy root systems while doing woodcraft out in the back 40. I'm sure excellent for heavier animal pelvic regions during processing of game, which I will be testing. I reworked the blades, and the carbon steel is now razor sharp, and takes an easy re-touch in the field. But, reshaping and/or sharpening is also to be expected when purchased new. Companies don't often sell hatchets razor sharp if they go to a retailer, also known as 'hardware store hatchets'. The last thing they need is for a noob or a child to pick this thing up and start playing with it. It's a tool, treat it as such.

This axe is tiny, adorable, cute - but useful.I bought this along with a slightly larger axe for my son who will be turning 4 soon. He loves to "shop" wood, and wants to be big like Paul Bunyan. I wanted to compare the two axes for size and give him the one that seemed the most appropriate (as far as "appropriate" can be used in the context of giving a 4 year old a double bit axe).This is way too small. If I had a 2 year old and I wanted them to be able to go outside and chop wood with me - this would be the right size. However - I may be an awesome parent (by kid standards) or a dangerous parent (by other parents standards) - but I'm not that awesome. Yet.I don't want to return it though. It's too cute. This will be great for making kindling, tinder, shaving sticks, whatever you want to do - tiny stuff. Anything a big knife could do, this could do. I would not take this hiking or camping. It's too small to be worth the effort. I will likely hang it up near the wood stove.If you like your cutting tools sharp - plan to sharpen this. You will not be impressed with the edge on it.It's inexpensive, cute……and man, did I mention it's tiny?

Made cheap. Handle looks weak

The only axes that are sold razor sharp are the ones that cost hundreds of dollars. This little double bit is just as dull as any other axe you're going to pick up in a retail store. Spent a couple hours reprofiling one edge to be thinner, and sharpened up the other edge as is. Both are now hair shaving sharp. Pretty great steel for the price. The grain orientation in the handle was perfect, and I like the fact that it was unfinished. It's no Council Tools Velvicut saddle axe, but for $30 bucks and a few hours of elbow grease, you can't do any better.

Handle broke very quickly and edges were not that sharp but still like it