"Budget" axe/hatchet recommendation please

S

Samot

Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
103
I think the Winkler axes and hatchets are beautiful, yet they are considerably out of my price range considering my every day needs. I'm hoping someone here can suggest something similar with a lower price. I don't really know what my budget is yet, it depends a lot on how much I love the thing, but ideally I'd like to spend less than $200.

Here's a picture in case anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about.



Thanks for the help
 
I understand I'm asking a lot, but the look of the condor is nothing like the Winklers. I'm sure it's an excellent quality hatchet, but I'm looking for something more beautiful. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
You are probably not going to find an axe as beautiful as the Winklers, unless you buy a Winkler! But for a blade and a pick the Ontario Ranger RD-Hawk is a good one. It even made the cover of the February 2012 BLADE magazine! Here's a stock photo;

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And one of mine beating up on a water heater;

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Thats a lot more like what I want. I understand if I want a winkler, I should buy one, but this isnt bad. I'll check it out. Thanks.
 
Estwing Rigger's Axe. It may have a hammer face rather than a spike, but it's a heck of an axe for the money. Doesn't look quite the same, but figured I'd toss it out there.
 
Cold Steel has a line of tomahawks that are cheap and although there not as pretty as a winkler you can have a lot of fun modding it. Take a look at the axe, tomahawk and hatchet forum, the first sticky in there has a great project.
 
I love Winkler axes---all of them. The Ontario would be a great choice, they also make it without the spike. You could probably find something suitable at your local home improvement store, but may not be made in the USA. I have a Cold Steel Trail Hawk, Spike Hawk, Trench Hawk, a home improvement store hatchet, hardware store double bit axe. I like them all. They all work well. Find something you like, in your price range, buy it, & do a review on it.
 
jimmyd1982 said:
Cold Steel has a line of tomahawks that are cheap and although there not as pretty as a winkler you can have a lot of fun modding it. Take a look at the axe, tomahawk and hatchet forum, the first sticky in there has a great project.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry. I didn't even realize there was an axe forum until you posted this. Maybe this should be moved.

Aside from that, thank you all for the suggestions so far. I'm finding quite a few more possibilities and I've actually started looking at a design for modifying a chinese knock off of a gil hibben throwing axe I have. If I go through with it and it turns out well (I do all my work on a belt grinder) I'll post some pictures.

The Ontario is still probably the front runner. Partly because I know from personal experience they make good products, and also because I've seen ones I like for less than $100.

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming!
 
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