Woodsman's Gear of the 20th Century Part 3

Description

The Bridgeport Hatchet was the Standard for the BSA for many years and used by Scouts and Woodsman Alike

https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-36cfcb18

http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com

Check us out on Instagram at- https://www.instagram.com/pathfindersurvival/

We have a large Discussion Group for Learning on FB at-https://www.facebook.com/groups/178558438998777/

Check us out on FB at-

https://www.facebook.com/woodlandbushcraft/

https://www.facebook.com/pathfinderschoolllc/

https://www.facebook.com/vikingbushcraft/

For a full media kit or further questions contact me direct at

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tags: Bushcraft,Survival,David Canterbury,Dave Canterbury,Pathfinder,The Pathfinder School,Archery,Hunting,Fishing,Camping,Primitive Skills,Fire,Water,Shelter,Navigation,First Aid,Search and Rescue,Signaling,Prepper,Preparedness,Self Reliance,Survivability,The 10 C's,Knives,Axes,Saws,Bow Drill,Ferrocerium Rod,Ferro Rod,Tarp,Hammock,Canteen,Cooking,Longhunter,Trapping

Video Transcription

back in the woods [Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

morning folks I'm Dave Canterbury with self-reliance outfitters in the pathfinder school back in another of our series on gear of the 20th century woodsman and today we're going to talk about the Bridgeport hatchet the majority of these Bridgeport hatchets that you find on the market have a Boy Scouts of America logo on the blade and the reason for that is they were the official acts of the Boy Scouts of America for a long period of time now the pattern for this axe was approved in November of 1951 and it was under the Bridgeport manufacturing company name and Bridgeport manufacturing if you're in manufacturing or around machining at all you understand that Bridgeport makes large machines like mills and lathes and those machines are still in use today in many factors so that tells you how long that Bridgeport name has been around and how long those type machines have been around as well and speaks to the quality of that company now what I found unique about this is not the fact that it has a metal handle that really wasn't the invention of Bridgeport marbles had a metal handle axe long before the Bridgeport was patented what I thought was cool about this axe not only the fact that it was a Boy Scouts of America type hatchet for a long period of time and was licensed to be stamped the Boy Scouts of America but also that it had Eyebeam construction so if you look at this it's thinner here in the center and it has like an i-beam on both sides of it and that continues all the way down the handle if you take these wooden handle scales off it actually has a skeletonized IBM inside to lighten the weight of the handle and make it more heavy with weight forward toward the head and I think that's a very unique part of the engineering of this axe as well as that I beam style construction obviously you're not going to hurt this axe if you over swing it you don't have to worry about breaking a wooden handle or anything like that I think that if this weren't full-sized axe it may be a little cumbersome but for a hatchet to have that metal constructed handle on it is not necessarily a bad thing and these hatchets are still available you can find them on ebay and other sites like that all they're fairly expensive to find one in this condition with good solid wood handles on it you're talking upwards of close to $100 in 1951 this Bridgeport hatchets sold for four dollars and twenty-five cents in today's money using an inflation calculator that is a little over 75 dollars so you can pick this axe up for close to that money today in good condition so it shows that the axes number one held its value over time but it's also comparable in quality too many hatchets on the market today and falls in that same price range okay guys well I appreciate you join me today for this short video on the Bridgeport hatchet unfortunately there's not a whole lot more to talk about with this hatchet this hatchet was kind of Bridgeport's claim to fame when it comes to the outdoor world this was the only tool that they really made they made lots and lots of other hand tools and larger machines like Bridgeport ladies and Mills but this was their contribution to the outdoors it's kind of an obscure axe you do see them every one so on you can find him if you're looking for them but some people have probably never seen them I appreciate your views I appreciate your support I thank you for everything you do for our school for our family and for business or our sponsored instructors affiliates and friends don't forget to hit the subscribe button don't forget to hit your notification bell and don't forget to check out my other instructors that have YouTube channels as well I have a corporal's corner which is Sean Kelly blackout bushcraft Matt Mercer also Josh and you're the great bearded green beret all of those gentlemen worked for me here at the Pathfinder school teaching class then they'll have great YouTube channels as well