Best Hatchet for the money

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Bonescraper

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Hello all, Never owned a goot Hatchet before. Not looking to spend hundreds but , Maybe a little over 100$. Don't know much about em or any good brands/makers. Got a month long camping trip in the woods coming soon and need me a good one!!! Please fill me in on what to get!!:o THANKS!
 
A couple of hand forged options are Gransfors Bruks and Wetterlings. Both are very good. The Gransfors are finished better, but as a user the Wetterlings hold an edge well and come with a quality handle.

Some US options are Snow & Nealley and Council Tool. They are drop forged but use quality steel.

Itlis also makes a quality product. Look for Itlis' Oxhead axes.

You requested recommendations for hatchets, so I assume you are looking for one of traditional length and all of the above manufacturers make such models.
 
Has anyone tried the current offering from Buck?
I was thinking of picking one up but if it does not measure up to the european offerings I will look elsewhere.
 
:thumbup:Estwing. It's a little heavy but you'll never have to re-handle it!--KV
 
my estwing, which i just picked up at a 2nd hand tool shop, under a pile of rusty maul heads and sockets, needs a rehandle badly.
the leather shrunk and cracked and is missing insections.
i will either rehandle in wrapped leather, cord or fabricate a new wooden version.
i am grinding it into a lighter configuration headwise.
best buy at $2.00.
 
I bought a Wetterlings widlife hatchet at far less than the cost of a Gransfors Bruks, then sent it off to Mike Stewart at Bark River Knives plus $20 & return shipping for his unbeatable custom treatment. I'm totally satisfied.
 
Got the Buck, Wetterlings, Cold Steel , and Estwing.

Estwing is still my Favorite,and lightest next to the Buck.
 
Sorry, but all of you are way off. The man mentioned spending a $100, or a bit more. The only piece that fits even close is a Reeves. I own all the recommended choices in this thread, and none of them even come close to the Reeves, and that includes the GB mini.
 
shermanwaring said:
I bought a Wetterlings widlife hatchet at far less than the cost of a Gransfors Bruks, then sent it off to Mike Stewart at Bark River Knives plus $20 & return shipping for his unbeatable custom treatment. I'm totally satisfied.
Click to expand...

id like to see a pic of that.
 
If you have the time, hit the flea markets and pick up an old branded head like Plumb or similar. Rehandle and sharpen and you'll have an excellent axe and will have had some practice rehandling. Eventually all axes need rehandling sooner or later, and speaking from experience, you will break your first handle without too much trouble eventually, everyone does. Besides, there is little more satisfying than giving an old tool a new life.
 
My vote goes for the GB Wildlife. The Reeves is the only one that comes close in quality (possibly better) IMHO but it is quite a bit smaller/lighter AND the wait time is over a year I believe. I have the Wetterlings (small and medium), several GB's (including the wildlife and mini), Reeves belt and Nessmuk, Snow and Nealy, Rosselli (I think it is) and the Eswing along with a few other less expensive and yard sale finds. For a very good quality "hatchet" I say the GB wildlife. If you want smaller then yes the Reeves is awesome and if bigger then a larger GB. Just my $.02 worth...;)
 
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