A sturdy, strong, "meant to be beaten", hatchet.

K

kershlack

Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
41
Hello everyone of Bladeforums.com

I am looking for, as I described in the above title, a good hatchet for rough use; one that will last a while. One that has a head so that it will not slide down the handle, but I figure that goes without saying. I figured the good people of this forum would be able to help me in this matter.

Thank you.
~Jeremy
 
Estwing Sportsmans Hatchet, it's all one piece and forged. $30.00 at your local Sears, Lowes, Builders Square, Hardware Shop

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Shall I assume you use such an instrument?

I've just read some reviews that make this seem very laudable in all desirable sense, but a first hand account is valuable to me.
 
i used a nearly antique copy of that very hatchet and found it to work great. the edge is not too thick for chopping, but not too thin so it will survive some hardwood.

the only issue i had with it was that i couldn't choke up under the head for finer chopping/shaping very comfortably.
 
I use a Gerber Sportsman Axe that works fine for me it has very good balance and all the weight is on the axe head.
 
Thank you everyone. I will need to go to cabella's, sears or the like of stores to find one.

thanks again.

~Jeremy
 
The Estwing is tough, a little heavy and a little soft. I have one that I've used for years and it is one of my favorite use-it-and-don't-worry-about-it tools. Once I thinned and convexed the edge it cut and held up better. Look through the pile to find one with the most even grinds, it will save you time later.
 
I was just looking at one of the Estwings like this in the local Sears not 15 minutes ago. Very much a tool. Meant to be used and abused. Something about the feel of it wasn't right for me - at least in the store - but then again, I do like wood handles given the choice. ;) Certainly, the forged is the most maintenance free.

Go have a look! ;)
 
Buy an Estwing, with a blue nylon handle unless you insist on a traditional look. The make a fine small or standard size hatchet, as well as a big hatchet and a light axe. They have a full line of hammers, too. All are excellent tools that will last and last! Ever see a geologist or a paleontologist working in the field in a movie or on TV? Notice that Estwing rock hammer in his hand. Estwing tools aren't toys. They are sold at Home Depot and at Lowes in my city.
 
I prefer a wood handle. Steel might be better for a rock hammer but for chopping wood a hickory handle is the best. We have a winter festival with all the logger comps and the chopping and axe throwing axes all have wood handles. The US forest service has a great axe site. I would recommend a Wetterling or an Iltis/Oxhead.
 
NO F-Bdy Bs said:
I may be wrong, but I think that the Gerbers are just a rebadged Fiskars.
Click to expand...

Some of them are made in the Far East, and have different grinds and very likely materials than the ones made in the Fiskars factory in Finland. IIRC at least the Gator brand models with the textured grips are such. I haven't used one of these, so I can't comment on quality - they haven't been on the market as long as the Finnish-made ones that have a very solid reputation, and I haven't heard any reports either.
 
A beater hatchet/axe has its uses. I've chopped holes in the ice in the north and south for ice fishing, when my auger wasn't available (in storage). I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that to a high end hatchet/axe. Sometimes a decent plain tool will get the bulk of use over its high end precision mate.
 
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