Does anybody own an Estwing Campers Ax?

Uncle Timbo

Uncle Timbo

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Nov 23, 2005
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I think they're around 26" or so? I know they're not Gransfors Bruks but they don't cost like them either. Would they keep a decent edge? I just wonder if you own one and can speak from experience.
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Yes, I carry one in my truck and have for the last 12 yrs. It holds an edge reasonably well and I have cut through some pretty nasty stuff including metal and all flavors of wood. It does what I need it to do and would buy another one. Cant beat it for the price IMO.

P.S. It was a gift from my best friend in the world who told me to keep it in my truck in the event I ever needed to extract something or someone from a vehicle in an emergency situation, and he was speaking from experience when he cut into a vehicle roof and pulled some people out upon driving up on a accident.

I wouldn't never carry a GB in my truck.
 
I,ve had mine for many years ! A light axe which can be used with one or two hands .Light enough to pack through the woods yet still cut significant thickness. I had been thinking of getting a light axe and looking through some my grandfather's books since he had recently passed away I found a crisp new bill ! Thanks Gramps !
Just one more of my collection , all working tools , of Estwing stuff !
 
Thanks gentlemen. I've had plenty of Estwing hammers over the years. As a matter of fact, I still have them! I always loved the fact that you could beat the heck out of their necks (by accident) and never suffer a broken hammer. Kinda indestructible. I guess I was wondering about the metal and edge holding capabilities. Thank you. I could always keep a small file with me?
 
I had one for many years. It could take an edge like a nice knife, and held that edge well to. It was a wonderful axe for chopping, but the thin head combined with the light weight was not very good for splitting wood.
 
I have one. I don't like it. It has been gathering dust for 20 years.

Too light to split rounds and other tools do a much better job of de-limbing trees/crosscuts.
 
I just bought one and really like it! It's fairly lightweight but very sharp, so its easy to swing fast when you don't have a lot of room. It is by no means a splitting maul, but worked great for chopping through tree roots on a cedar I recently cut down. I bring it with every time we go camping.
 
I'm not a huge fan of the shape of the Estwing's head. Personally, I had some issues with binding and, as mentioned, it's a poor splitter. I've had better luck with Husquvarna for a bit more money or, believe it or not, Fiskars for a bit less. That's just my experience, though, I'm a long way from an expert on axes.

If you want some real help I would ask the guys over on the Axes, Tomahawks and Hatchets subforum.
 
Inspiribomb said:
I just bought one and really like it! It's fairly lightweight but very sharp, so its easy to swing fast when you don't have a lot of room. It is by no means a splitting maul, but worked great for chopping through tree roots on a cedar I recently cut down. I bring it with every time we go camping.
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Yea, I have single and double bladed axes. I also have a slitting maul and a splitting wedge. I prolly should of been more clear. this would be something light weight to take to the woods. As I said before, I love my Estwing hammers and I want this to be the same. From what you've told me, it holds a decent edge. That and take a file with you. :)
 
Sorry I'm late to the party chiming in here.
I have both the Sportsman's Axe and the Camp axe.

They are fantastic, indestructible tools that take and hold a nice keen edge. That said, there is one caveat. Look at the geometry of the head. As opposed to a more traditional style where the head widens fairly quickly as it leads up to the eye where the handle meets up, the Estwing is very narrow since it does not need an eye. That makes it fantastic for penetrating much deeper into a piece of wood than a standard axe. It also makes it a terrible splitter. I have an old Collins that I use when I want to split wood. But for penetrating deep when i need to chop something down, especially across the grain, the Estwing is great. It's a one trick pony, but it happens to do that trick very well.
 
Just ordered the new 14" camp hatchet with the orange grip from Estwing. They're.not available anywhere yet, so you have to order direct from them; $45.00 shipped.
 
I bought a Stihl brand hatchet that is made in Germany by Helco. So far its been a great hatchet for camping and what not. Think it cost around $20 at my local Stihl dealer.

First picture is a stock image & the others are after I sanded the handle down and put some tung oil on it.
 
That's good looking. Especially the head. Kinda unique and at $20 if you lost it you wouldn't cry. That has to be the least expensive thing in the Stihl store!
 
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