Ames True Temper Axe

I have a Fiskars hatchet but I think the handle is hollow.

I would think a solid handle would be more durable.
 
I saw these. They don't look like anything special and the edge grind is like 45 degrees. The black paint on the wooden handle only serves to hide the grain so you can't pick out the best one. I'll take a Fiskars.
 
I would save up for a wetterlings or a GBs if you want a solid - hickory handle.
 
matthewdanger-- No, I didn't break the handle on my Fiskars. Just looking for the most durable hatchet handle material I can find. Most of my chopping is done in the wilderness. If I break a handle the hatchet will probably be useless, at least for chopping. I've replaced wood handles before and often they are a bear to remove, even at home with all the tools I need.

Marcelo Cantu-- These have fiberglass handles, not wood.

kgd-- I don't want a wood handle. I've broken too many of them. That's why I'm interested in the fiberglass handle.
 
Mtn Hawk said:
kgd-- I don't want a wood handle. I've broken too many of them. That's why I'm interested in the fiberglass handle.
Click to expand...

Maybe you should try hitting the wood with the axe head instead of the handle :D:D:D:D

Just kidding there. I've had wood handles come loose and had to give them a linseed oil bath, but never had one break.
 
I def think fiskars will be way more durabloe than any other handle material you can find and you are not going to break one.
:D

and that hatchet looks like the standard cheap hardware store hatchet to me at least.
:D
JMO though.
 
Mtn Hawk said:
matthewdanger-- No, I didn't break the handle on my Fiskars. Just looking for the most durable hatchet handle material I can find. Most of my chopping is done in the wilderness. If I break a handle the hatchet will probably be useless, at least for chopping. I've replaced wood handles before and often they are a bear to remove, even at home with all the tools I need.

Marcelo Cantu-- These have fiberglass handles, not wood.

kgd-- I don't want a wood handle. I've broken too many of them. That's why I'm interested in the fiberglass handle.
Click to expand...

Oh maybe I got it confused with another one. :o
 
kgd-- I don't break handles every day but over the years there's been a few. Too many to trust wood in a worst-case, wilderness survival situation. That's why I'm always interested in an alternate type of handle material. If I break a tool handle at home, it's no big deal.

eatingmuchface--
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540558

The Ames hatchet looked and felt like it was well-built, and everything I've bought from Lowe's has been good quality. If it looked cheap I wouldn't be interested in it. But, of course, the proof of a tool is found by using it.

Marcelo Cantu-- No problem. :)
 
The ones I saw at Lowes were really nothing special. The edges need lots of work. From the ones I saw, you'd be lucky if they were 45 degrees.

Honestly, the $6 fiberglass hatchet I got from harbor freight is just as good. Cheap and indestructable fiberglass handled model. It does have a heavier head, which makes it a noticeably better chopper, but a bigger pain if you wanted to carry it.

Lowes also had these kinda neat red hatchets with a neat plastic sheath and a sharpening stone built into it. Unfortunately, the edge was about 1/2" thick, about 45 degrees. At least the grind was clean and sharp. :p
ETA: This is the one.
 
Thanks to everyone who replied. I'll give the manufacturer a call and find out about the handle.

shecky-- I don't expect much from factory edges. I usually plan on spending some time with a new knife, hatchet, tomahawk, or whatever, thinning the edge and re-sharpening.

Thanks for the info about the Harbor Freight hatchet. I need to keep the weight down for carrying but it won't hurt to check it out.

I saw the red hatchet you mentioned. The nail puller put me off as I don't have a use for it, but I'll take another look at it next time I'm in Lowe's.

Bare Rib-- Estwings are on the heavy side for what I'm looking for, but you are certainly right about the construction. I was planning to buy one a few years ago but couldn't find one with the shock reduction handle like they use on many of their other tools. I don't care much for leather handles.
 
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