The Sharpshooter Axe Edge Cover is designed intentionally without a means of attaching it the user’s belt. The reasoning is based in safe ax handling practices.
When putting a knife in a belt sheath, you are in complete control of the knife because you are holding the safe end (handle) while feeding the sharp edge into the sheath..
A hatchet is an entirely different story, it’s upside down compared to a knife. The handle is further from you than the edge when sheathing the ax.
You are holding the dangerous end while trying to feed the safe end into a hole; or worse yet holding the sharp end while you try to feed it into a narrow slot attached to your belt, then hold it in place while you secure it in place.
It’s a poor practice because it’s dangerous. There are too many different ways to have an accident.
The RIGHT WAY is the mask the edge whenever it’s not in use. The sooner the edge is masked the better.
When chopping, burying the edge into a log is protecting you and your fellow campers from the edge and protecting the edge from damage as well.
Carrying the ax is a great argument for the edge cover style of ax sheath. Snapping the edge cover masks the edge so the ax can be carried and stored safely.
The drawback to the belt mounted style of sheath is in addition to the perils of safe sheathing, it encourages carrying the unmasked ax when moving about the campsite. It’s too much hassle to manipulate the ax into the sheath for a short walk so it’s carried unmasked.
The Sharpshooter Axe Edge Cover incorporates the best/safest practices. It’s small enough that it can be slipped into the woodsman’s pocket when he’s chopping and instantly available to mask the razor sharp edge when he’s done or moving to another location.
The new Bark River Custom Camp Axe is supplied with this style cover, as was the latest run of Glen Eagle Hatchets.
The Sharpshooter Axe Edge Cover is as small as possible while providing complete protection for/from the sharp edge. It slips over the edge and locks in place when the cover is snapped down.
The S.A.E.C. can be left in place when using the poll of the axe as a hammer, adding another level of safety.
The ax is then lashed on or slid into the backpack for transport. Therein lies the only drawback, handsfree carry when you aren’t wearing a pack.
The new KSF/Sharpshooter Ax Carrier easily solves the problem.
It’s what I refer to as a head slap item; when you see it you slap your forehead and ask “why didn’t I think of that?”
This is a photo of the final prototype.
The new KSF Axe Carrier is something I’ve been thinking about for a few years waiting for the right design to pop into my head. This is the design I’ve been awaiting. Clean, simple, versatile and safe.
The beauty is in the simplicity of the KSF Axe Carrier. When open it wraps around with your belt or pack strap sandwiched between the strap and the plate.
The handle of your axe slips through the generously sized hole and the strap is brought up and snapped shut. There are two versions, the Standard which will work with most ordinary axes and hatchets and the “F” version which has a different snap location to tighten the carrier slightly for the “One Piece” or “Flat” axes like the Bark River Glen Eagle or Custom Camp Axe.
Some of these axes are shown without edge protectors for clarity of the picture.
YOU MUST USE SOME SORT OF EDGE PROTECTOR WHEN USING THE KSF AXE CARRIER.
The thick head of the Gerber/Fiskars hatchet fits in the “Standard”
as does this large Helko Hunter hatchet
and my custom Bush Axe based on a 1 ½ pound Vaughan Axe.
Type “F” is a bit more snug for the smaller axes and hatchets, like the new Bark River Custom Camp Axe:
the Bark River Mini Axe
the Bark River Glen Eagle Axe
GB Mini Hatchet
and a Nessmuk Style hatchet.
In addition to belt carry, the Axe Carrier will work perfectly with the Sharpshooter Sheath Systems Baldric.
The intent was to create a versatile carrier, providing different ways to carry different tools. I think we accomplished the mission.
The KSF Leather Axe Carrier is available at KnivesShipFree.com.
