B.O.B. Hatchet?

mctrinket

mctrinket

Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
616
I'm curious if anyone who frequents this form could recommend good quality hatchet for a bug-out bag. Thank you.
 
Fiskars is an excellent choice.
I had one of these awhile ago it got stolen but I really liked it.http://estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1600
I would go with the Estwing. Just my choice though.There are downsides with it long term. What type of situation are you talking about? For when a natural disaster strikes like a hurricane or something worse? Might have to pick up another one.
 
If you're willing to get something a bit more spendthrift you could check out the JKknives subforum and look at some of his work.
 
Either Fiskars (lightweight!) or an Estwing Rigger's Axe. Functions as a hatchet, hammer, and nail puller.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Either Fiskars (lightweight!) or an Estwing Rigger's Axe. Functions as a hatchet, hammer, and nail puller.
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I just checked out the Estwing Riggers axe I like it. Multifunctional. I change my vote to it. I think in a bad situation your tool needs to be versatile.
Good thread I am going to work on my hurricane ditch bag today.
 
Yeah I LOVE the Estwing. The nail puller notch can be used for pulling/dragging/breaking wire fencing as well. For more general hooking and dragging the underside of the beard at the junction of the bit and the haft works nicely as well. The neck has a nice spring temper so it can flex and bounce back.
 
Any feelings about the Estwing Carpenters hatchet? 6" shorter OA, edge 3/8" shorter than the Riggers- it would fit in a smaller bug-out bag, and be lighter to carry.
 
It's a great little piece of work and would do well for that purpose. It's very small, in fact, and I could probably carry one comfortably in a cargo pocket as long as I didn't mind the handle sticking out a little. Doesn't chop like the Rigger's though! :D
 
I carry a Fiskars X7 14 inch hatchet strapped to my pack for any time I go in the woods.I also carry a large chopper with an 8 inch blade. Living up here the ability to make fire and shelter in a blizzard may very well save your life. I have set up an lean to shelter before to wait out a storm.
 
scrteened porch said:
Any feelings about the Estwing Carpenters hatchet? 6" shorter OA, edge 3/8" shorter than the Riggers- it would fit in a smaller bug-out bag, and be lighter to carry.
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I think that's a good choice. Good size, good functionality.

The largest drawback to one-piece axes/handles is that the neck eventually warps or bends if it's used to pry sideways as when pulling a nail or twisting open a split in a piece of firewood. But it takes a year of everyday use in carpentry for this to happen. For a BOB it's not a concern at all. The shorter the neck the less they bend so I'd choose the Carpenters over the Riggers.
 
Depends on if your doing more chopping/hammering vs. prying. :)
 
The one disadvantage of Estwings not mentioned by any of you is the wear and tear on your elbows and shoulders. They do not absorb shock like a wood handle will. All of the carpenters I know use the Estwings for some tasks that generally result in a broken handle, but not for the majority of their task to save their elbows and shoulders. You have to weigh the long term survivability of the axe versus the possibility of disabling you during a survival situation. I have never used one for extended periods, but my son-in-law, a journey man union carpenter, has and will not use one except for certain task.
 
HandAxeProMan said:
The one disadvantage of Estwings not mentioned by any of you is the wear and tear on your elbows and shoulders. They do not absorb shock like a wood handle will. All of the carpenters I know use the Estwings for some tasks that generally result in a broken handle, but not for the majority of their task to save their elbows and shoulders. You have to weigh the long term survivability of the axe versus the possibility of disabling you during a survival situation. I have never used one for extended periods, but my son-in-law, a journey man union carpenter, has and will not use one except for certain task.
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That's an interesting perspective. I would still go with the riggers. It would probably take awhile for soreness to sink in on my body. What I like about it is it's nearly indestructable so in a situation say with fire it will survive. You can build stuff with it and rip thru stuff. I suppose you can do all that with a wooden handle but I would have more confidence with the steel one. The practical application I consider it for is in a hurricane preparedness kit. That is a real possibility where I live. I would also pack a full size ax. Trees are downed travel is difficult and a quick hammering sometimes does wonders.

I don't exactly understand a complete bug out kit because lets face it can someone define the scenario?
I will stand my ground unless there is no alternative for survival then flee. So I guess that's a BOB
A lot of people would head for the hills if the hills are still there. Me I would head for an Island with lots of wood, fish women and retire. lol
So if that is the one disadvantage that's not to bad.
 
The difference between a survival situation and being a journeyman carpenter is that in a survival situation you don't have to worry about long-term issues like repetitive strain injuries. THAT'S likely why he doesn't use an Estwing all the time. If you're constantly using the tool day in, day out, it's going to possibly open you up to injuries over time, much like a long distance runner getting shin splints from running on pavement constantly. In a survival situation I just don't see that happening.
 
The riggers axe definitely gets my vote, I have one in my truck, one in my boat, one in with my tool box and one on the tool belt and a couple more just laying around. I have always like the weight and feel of the vaughn riggers axe. Estwings might take more abuse (debatable) but if you really bend the crap out of it its junk. You can always re-haft a vaughn or such with whatever wood is available. I have never been a fan of the rubber handles either. Wood just seems to feel better. Just my opinion though.
 
I love my wetterlings. I have heard husqvarna are the same product but at a cheaper price, and from the looks of the items, it appears to be true.
 
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