Best hatchet for small jobs?

[johnnyKnives]

I don't know much about hatchets but I'm looking for a good camping and smaller branch wood cutting one. I know they all may fit into that broad category, I just don't know where to start. There's more out there on knives than hatchets. I didn't want the cheapo one. I saw Estwing has them. I love their hammers. What do you think about the hatchet? Gerber knives don't seem to get a good review here but what about their hatchets?
Thank you.

 

[Dusty One]

Couple to check out:
Snow and Neally
Gransfors Bruks

 

[babakanoosh45]

Try the small Gerber. It comes with a paring size utility knife that fits in the handle, that's why there is tape around the bottom. It helps prevent losing the knife. Comes with a nylon sheath as well.

 

[KuRUpTD]

Look at the Wetterlings hatchet, but if you want the best then it's a Gransfors Bruks .

If you're budget conscious consider a Fiskars.

 

[Murphyslaw]

Look at the Wetterlings hatchet, but if you want the best then it's a Gransfors Bruks .

If you're budget conscious consider a Fiskars.

Another option would be a Husqvarna hatchet. I've heard that they are made by Wetterlings, but go for less money.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

The perfect hatchet for that is the Gransfors Bruks Mini. It's an amazingly capable little tool, and chops well beyond it's weight. It's also very manageable for very fine tasks.

 

[tltt]

The 14 inch Fiskars is one of the nicest little ones I've seen.

 

[jw2n]

I own probably 30 hatchets (and still searching for the perfect one) and the 14" Fiskars has got to be one of the very best. I like traditional carbon steel heads and wooden handles, as this is what I grew up using. I carry a small backpack on a daily basis and in it is a Reeves single-bit. Previous to the Reeves, I carried the Fiskars. The damn thing is light, tough, cheap, and performs way out of proportion to it's cost. As much as I would hate to admit it, it would be one of my very first choices given the option of only one. In addition, when I bought it, the cashier manually entered the price and put it in as $12 instead of $21. I did'nt even notice until days later when looking at the receipt. I own the backpack model, and after "overshooting" what I was chopping (twice), I received a very nasty finger smashing due to the shortness of the handle, it does not get used much.

 

[BryFry]

I also have several hatchets and my gerber/fiskars would be my first choice to carry with me hiking. -as stated it's very light and very durable, cuts amazingly well, especially if you convex the edge a bit.

 

[Calebklyne]

the gerber pack axe is pretty useless but the knife in it is not to bad, but the gator axe with the saw is pretty decent if you want cheap

 

[einsteinjon]

I have the Estwing 16" Camper's Axe. I don't know if this size is good for you or if you're looking for more of a 13" or so hatchet, but I highly recommend it. The edge retention is great and it is pretty simple to sharpen. I like the cushioned handle for when I'm really laying into bigger branches. It's much more comfortable than a wood handle in my opinion. I've read people saying they think the steel shaft of the Estwing actually may be weaker than a wood hatchet, but I don't buy that. It flares/thickens to the center of the shaft, effectively giving it much, much more strength than at first glance. You said you like Estwing hammers, so I am assuming you know what I mean...they use a similar design for those too. If not, I can clarify.

Other factors that may or may not be on your list...I liked that it is made in the USA. Also after use, it seems to be very rust resistant. I haven't seen even a hint of corrosion yet (I even left it laying in the grass overnight one time). The sheath, while not made in the USA, is far superior to the Wetterlings sheath (I used to own one but sold it). It has 2 snaps as opposed to 1, and the Wetterlings retention strap had to be just so in order to stay on. My only complaint - and this goes for both sheaths - is they aren't comfortable to wear on the belt. I got a hammer loop from Sears and just hang the axe in there. Works great for just a couple dollars.

Also, again comparing to the Wetterlings, the Estwing's steel is very smooth, which allows it to drive through wood more easily and cleanly. To be fair, I never used the Wetterlings, but the finish of the steel was very rough and seemed as though it could easily catch and drag in wood.

The one complaint I have about the Estwing axe itself is it didn't come very sharp. However, if you plan on using it extensively, you're gonna have to sharpen it eventually anyway.

Bottom line is you really can't go wrong with the $40-$50 price tag of the Estwing.

 

[C Bryant]

If you want to go small the estwing and the little gerber's are nice. I have a pack axe and it is not my favorite, but is perfect for small branches and camp chores like you are looking for.

A little bit more expensive, but there are makers here on the forum who makes some damn fine hatchets. I have two that I really love. One is from Stephen Osborne (stephen5)

My personal favorite is from John Kiedaisch (stomper).

Here is a good thread with a lot of smaller hatchets:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=671332

If you use ebay keep your eyes out for a good Norlund or Plumb hatchet. Those are hard to beat and can be got for a reasonable price. I'm quite partial to the Norlund hatchets.

 

[DWK2]

Chris was kind enough to let me try the above-pictured Stomper axe and it is very nice. I think it is a bit heavier than my GB Mini but the full-tang steel haft probably makes it stronger.

I also have several Estwings, including one of the smaller hatchets with the pretty stacked leather handle. They work fine but the steel is softer and you will be sharpening a bit more often. One advantage of the Estwings is that if you are in a group camp you can let others use it (whereas I wouldn't let the average guy borrow a GB or Stomper hatchet).

DancesWithKnives

 

[johnnyKnives]

I have the Estwing 16" Camper's Axe. I don't know if this size is good for you or if you're looking for more of a 13" or so hatchet, but I highly recommend it. The edge retention is great and it is pretty simple to sharpen. I like the cushioned handle for when I'm really laying into bigger branches. It's much more comfortable than a wood handle in my opinion. I've read people saying they think the steel shaft of the Estwing actually may be weaker than a wood hatchet, but I don't buy that. It flares/thickens to the center of the shaft, effectively giving it much, much more strength than at first glance. You said you like Estwing hammers, so I am assuming you know what I mean...they use a similar design for those too. If not, I can clarify.

Other factors that may or may not be on your list...I liked that it is made in the USA. Also after use, it seems to be very rust resistant. I haven't seen even a hint of corrosion yet (I even left it laying in the grass overnight one time). The sheath, while not made in the USA, is far superior to the Wetterlings sheath (I used to own one but sold it). It has 2 snaps as opposed to 1, and the Wetterlings retention strap had to be just so in order to stay on. My only complaint - and this goes for both sheaths - is they aren't comfortable to wear on the belt. I got a hammer loop from Sears and just hang the axe in there. Works great for just a couple dollars.

Also, again comparing to the Wetterlings, the Estwing's steel is very smooth, which allows it to drive through wood more easily and cleanly. To be fair, I never used the Wetterlings, but the finish of the steel was very rough and seemed as though it could easily catch and drag in wood.

The one complaint I have about the Estwing axe itself is it didn't come very sharp. However, if you plan on using it extensively, you're gonna have to sharpen it eventually anyway.

Bottom line is you really can't go wrong with the $40-$50 price tag of the Estwing.

What did you use to sharpen it?

 

[Jagged]

I have a lot of hatchets and axes (not 30 though!). My nicest is a Lee Reeves; but few people really really use an expensive knife or hatchet. The 14?" Fiskars is probably the best bang for the buck. The little 12?" Buck is a surprisingly handy little hatchet. I used to have an Estwing with the leather wrapped handle. Still have that somewhere probably; but I wouldn't consider it as good as either the Fiskars or the Buck. If you go with the Fiskars (and I probably would), grind the hammer poll portion flat to reduce the risk of it glancing off something you are pounding.

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

Another option would be a Husqvarna hatchet. I've heard that they are made by Wetterlings, but go for less money.

I have 3 wetterlings and 4 husqvarna's and the husqvarna have the wetterlings saw stamp, they are a great buy. makes it hard to justify gransfors.

 

[Merik]

I have 3 wetterlings and 4 husqvarna's and the husqvarna have the wetterlings saw stamp, they are a great buy. makes it hard to justify gransfors.

From what i understand there is quite a big difference between GBA and wetterlings over there. Here in Sweden the difference isnt that big, although GB axes are slightly more expensive.
Since I dont own any wetterlings Im not sure if there is a quality difference, but GB started the trend over here with the "back to the roots" axes, ie unpolished and unpainted axes of high quality.
Before GBA started making these axes it was very difficult to get a quality axe here, I actually got a few old GBA axes from the 60s and 70s, and although 2 of them are really good, there is also two in my collection that are of poor quality and got very little in common with a modern GBA axe.

Anyway, over here GBA axes are regarded as the original and thus got a better reputation than similar axes from Wetterlings and Hultafors, so I guess thats why they cost a little more.

I think you are right about that Wetterlings make the Husqvarna axes these days, so that is probably a great buy. I own 2 old Husqvarna axes (probably from the 60s) and they are just stamped with Husqvarnas logotype, but I think they had their own production of axes back then.

By the way, not all of the Wetterling axes are comparable to GBA quality, they also make axes that are not handforged. You can get a cheap, not handforged Wetterlings over here for 15-20 USD.

 

[cegga]

Wetterling and Gränsfors are almost the same company today same man thats own both.
forge in same steel and forge in same machine not in the same place. But yes there are some differents most I say on surface and grinding .And the Husqvarna last axes are forge in Hults Bruk and some in Kina. And on the back to the roots axes you have to do some research on where the roots where from the start.I now that this statement have been up on court with GB and a other axe maker and what i heard or see on a movie the roots dident come from GB.
I think now i am guessing that the modell on the sweden axes today are influence of the US axes.Nothing wrong with that, if you look on some old swedish axe you can see what I mean.
But I think GB put some more work on there axes most on the grinding part other wise I think a wetterling that you regrind are a equivalent .
This I don´t say to bring the status away on the GB they are great axes and they have realy good blacksmith´s there.
But I know that there are some realy good blacksmith on the other swedish axe plant to so I say that the different´s on the axes are not so big and they all buy there handle from the same company so not so big different there in quality on hickory more on design.
And all the company is not working on the same market thats why not all axes are so you can shave you with them.
Some don´t like the shaving edge .Thats fairly new invention not that the axe are sharp but so thin .I say that it´s more like a knife now.
it´s okey to have that I do that often mysef on my axes, but it´s depends on what you will use the axe for.
So what the best axe for small job I say buy the axe for the job you want it to do. Otherwise go custom and say how you want it and get the axe you design your self not so much more money on that.
Cegga

 

[bigbob68]

Got a pick of the Fiskars? I like these.

 

[jw2n]

I see that a lot of people, in addition to myself, like the 14" Fiskars. One thing I forgot to mention in my post, was that you can pack a lot of small items in the handle. I have played hell in retrieving some of them, and am thinking of a better way to get them out. For right now, I have found it the perfect place to carry my titanium silverware.