14-19" axe/hatchet

O

olddogrib

Joined
Apr 18, 2011
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In the market for a 14 to 19" all-around small axe/ hatchet for camping and hunting. Like the looks of the Wetterlings Small Hunting Axe and the Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet. I like the GB Hunter's Axe also, but it's a bit pricey and I don't want to go much over $100. Uses will be priamrily camp firewood prep and occasional game processing. Somewhere I read Wetterlings and GB had merged (or one had bought out the other), so I assume quality is comparable if not their price. Any competitive USA offerings considered also.
 
If you like the hunters axe, it's a no brainer, the small forest axe is incredibly popular, and only 120. (well, it's only 20 over your budget.
The wildlife hatchet is I think right at your price point though, but it seems you want something a little longer.
 
Here's one around 15" (the one I bought was 15-1/2"), head weight feels like a 1-1/2 pounds, maybe more. Made in Switzerland (or Sweden, depending on which ad you read). Good quality, unused condition, and can be found for under $20.

"Military hand hatchet":
images


Peter Vido tells me that he bought several of them and was favorably impressed. He put them on a shelf next to his wood stove, expecting the heads to loosen due to the wood shrinking, and they are still tight as can be. They have a wooden wedge only, no metal wedges.

The downside, for what it's worth, is that the handle grain can be in any direction, and there is some variation in the grinding from head to head.
 
Wetterlings 15 inch hunting axe or the 19 inch bushcraft axe are well within your budget:)
Here's mine...love it.
 
Have you checked out the Condor Greenland Pattern Axe? If you are looking at double bits as well, Condor has one of those for well under $100 also.
 
I have the 15" Wetterlings, and it's a great small axe, fairly compact but heavy enough for splitting kindling and some chopping. If you want something reasonably priced and made in the USA, Council Tool makes good ones. You can find them at SMKW and Forestry Suppliers.
 
You should check out the Husqvarna Hatchet. Only $40, Hand Forged, made in Sweden, Hickory Handle.

I just bought the Husqvarna Hatchet and I love it. Granted, I've never handled a Wetterlings or a Grans Fors Bruks so I wouldn't know what to compare the Husqvarna with. I did read that Husqvarna has their Hatchets made by Hultifors Bruks in Sweden though.

Give it a shot and let us know your thoughts.
 
I mentioned the Condor axes and others have been mentioned as well. This gives you a good basis to do your search since the is no single axe for everyone. You have to evaluate each for value and your budget. All of those mentioned are of excellent quality. My personal favorite is the Wetterlings Large Hunting axe and the Small Hunting axe a close second. I like the longer haft of the Large which facilitates easier use with two hands
 
The Swiss Kitchen Hatchet is indeed a fine tool. I've been using mine alot. Steel is great, head profile is great... I do believe the head weighs about 1.5 lb, about the weight of most 20 inchers, though it is on a 15 inch haft. I'm considering re-hanging mine on a 20 inch. It's not a GB or a Wetterlings, but for the price range it's a fantastic tool. The grinding on mine is quite perfect-alot of attention to detail-very symmetrical. My end grain is pretty diagonal :/
I know a source that sells nice Sandvik 20 inchers as well. Head's a bit on the heavy side...
 
For the money and size the Council Tool Hunter's Axe(hatchet) is very good. If you want a step up in size I have another vote for the Wetterlings Large Hunters Axe. Those are the only two I have personal experiene with but both have been very good.
 
Forged from a series of firms Wetterlings, Husqvarna, Hultafors and GB -identical. For the price, I would choose Husqvarna 15".
Just be careful with Wetterlings, Hultafors and Husqvarna are cheap series of mechanical assembly and hand forged series with hand assembly- talk about luxury
 
Turbo4x4 said:
Forged from a series of firms Wetterlings, Husqvarna, Hultafors and GB -identical.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you are saying here, I know GB bought Wetterlings, and that wetterlings makes Husqvarna axes for them, I believe, but there is a big difference between the two companies products still. I think I just lost something in the translation, lol. :)
 
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