all-metal hatchet?

C

cwdotson

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Jun 8, 2006
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Anyone out there crafting a one-piece hatchet, akin to a Busse Paul's hatchet? Don't mind paying a bit for a first-rate one-looked on website at a Winkler hunting hatchet which looks pretty good. Thanks.cwd
 
cwdotson said:
Anyone out there crafting a one-piece hatchet, akin to a Busse Paul's hatchet? Don't mind paying a bit for a first-rate one-looked on website at a Winkler hunting hatchet which looks pretty good. Thanks.cwd
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What will you be using it for ? Because if you want a real woods tool a traditional hatchet is much better, especially one with a wooden haft as they transmit less shock and have a proper balance. Hatchets made like knives ( hatchet shaped knives ) just don't preform as well as real hatchets and lose the versatility of a large knife.
If you have to have an all steel hatchet you should check out estwing, they're affordable, American made, and known for quality.
 
Yes , I have a bunch of Estwing tools , all very nice .I like the light axe used with one hand or two. They also have a hatchet
 
All metal construction is going to be wonderful (tongue in cheek here!) for your fingers and wrists if you intend to use it a lot and it won't be a joy to hold when it's -20 outdoors nor when the sun has been shining on it on a hot day.
Estwing, on the other hand offers an affordable compromise, and they are durable.
 
Buck and Condor both make all metal hatchets. You can also check the knifemakers for sale section under fixed blades. Some pretty nice stuff pops up there from time to time. The axe and tomahawk for sale subforum is another place to look to get some ideas.
 
Ontario had a "hawk" in their RD fixed blade line (last I knew) that's somewhat similar in design to the Busse Paul's hatchet. I'll also say I like my Estwing hatchets quite a lot.
 
RMJ, TOPS, Winkler, Omnivore Bladeworks, Ben Tendick, Helm Enterprises (me), Park Swan, Grafknives/Melon Tools, Ontario, Gerber, Boker, Benchmade, Schrade, Smith and Wesson, Condor, etc. It's a growing niche of the market. Like any other method of construction, there are tradeoffs where doing one thing better necessarily means it will not do other things as well, but with good design and construction, the concerns mentioned above can be mitigated.

A lot of the above mentioned are geared toward military/tactical/rescue purposes, with varying degrees of woods suitability.

Check out the For Sale: Axes subforum. There are a number of full tang 'hawks listed at the moment.
 
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I like my Estwing hatchet too. It has a stacked leather handle and is comfortable to use. I've been using it for 20 years and no complaints. Plus, made in the U.S.. DM
 
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