Beginners hatchet for under 60

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MAkives

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May 5, 2015
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Hey guys ive been mostly using my bk9 and a tramontina for splitting and chopping but i want to try everything so i want to get a hatchet soon with an overall length of over 15 and under like 20 inch sort of a backpacking/camp hatchrt for medium to light splitting no wood over 6 inches in diameter and for chopping. I would prefer either a full tang or replacable wood handled hatchet.
 
For turn key I would look at Fiskars, Council, Vaughan, and Condor. Fiskars shouldn't need any work out of the box. Council Tools might need a little sharpening but they are one of the few quality American made axe companies left. Vaughan's Hatchets tend to be made in the USA. I have their Mini Sportsman's Axe and it has a nice high centerline and good hard steel. It needed a lot of work to get the bit into working order but in the end was very much worth it. They have one called the Super steel Hatchet that is probably in the realm of what you are looking for. I own one Condor axe and it is very serviceable but far from the best I own.

Vintage is a great route to go, but there is a learning curve to know what's good/salvageable and what is not. Also just because it is vintage does not mean it is a great axe. I have one hatchet in particular that I regret picking up. It is very thick and lost most of its toe to the grinder.
 
I personally didn't have good luck with Fishers. I have the replacement hatchet they sent me after mine broke, but I haven't taken down off the pegboard since I got a GB Wildlife Hatchet.

For an inexpensive hatchet I would find a Council and spend some time getting the edge up to snuff.
 
try looking at some estwings,never break and drop-forged. i still have my first 22oz smooth-faced framing/trim/whatever hammer after 25 years of abuse and their axes and hatchets hold up just as well. plus they won't break the bank. look at the linesman hatchet -2 sizes and 2 finishes at least
 
Ive found out estwings have very soft steel as far as axes go but still the best hammers around. I'd go with a vintage head and re-hang it yourself. Plenty of information out here is you have the tools and a few hours you will have a one of a kind tool that's a pleasure to own, look at and most importantly use. If this interests you just do some research. I recommend just about anything made in America that's in good shape. Check out yester year's website they have loads of info. Hope this helped!
 
Helko North America has a lot of options in your price range. They have some on sale right now with $5 shipping.
 
I'm not offering this as being better, just adding an option to the list. People seem to like the Husqvarna hatchet. Great steel and under your budget.

LukeTheSpook said:
Helko North America has a lot of options in your price range. They have some on sale right now with $5 shipping.
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Be warned, I bought one of their hatchets and it was defective, with hidden filler used to hide a poorly fit head. When I contacted them I had one of the worst customer service experiences of my life. In the end they told me too bad and offered to sell me a replacement handle for like $25-$30. Laughable. I still have the hatchet and will get around to doing a new handle myself.
 
The only one I know for sure that fits your unique length requirements is the council tool Hudson Bay on a short handle(18-19"?). The heads are now two pounds, but the design allows use right next to the head for close work and is usable one handed for me, even with the longer version. The extra weight would be useful in light splitting and chopping duties.
 
Old Plumb hatchets are very nice too, pretty cheap if you do some very light searching.
 
The Condor Greenland is a pretty good choice. The Estwing Camper's axe is another option, although I have not used one enough to have an opinion on it. The Rinaldi Calabria Magnum hand axe meets all of your criteria except for the length, but it would only be a few minutes work to shorten the handle. The handle is a bit different - it is straight like a tomahawk handle, and is triangular shaped with rounded corners.
 
MAkives said:
Hey guys ive been mostly using my bk9 and a tramontina for splitting and chopping but i want to try everything so i want to get a hatchet soon with an overall length of over 15 and under like 20 inch sort of a backpacking/camp hatchrt for medium to light splitting no wood over 6 inches in diameter and for chopping. I would prefer either a full tang or replacable wood handled hatchet.
Click to expand...

Great expectations within a budget of $60!. Do take some time out to meet neighbours at garage sales and do attend some weekend flea markets. Patience and $5-10 will often get you a 'heighday-vintage' domestic-made implement that merely needs TLC and will outperform any manner of lavish or custom 'boutique' item made today.
 
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