Estwing Axes

These seem like good designs, and I like the one-piece construction of all steel. Pretty good prices aswell. However, I've never heard of them spoken of here, and I have no idea how they perform.

So, does anyone have any experience or opinions of Estwing axes/hatchets? I would love to know what steel is used too, as that is a major factor.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, here are two links to some basic info on Estwing axes for anyone interested:

http://www.estwing.com/axes.htm

http://www.frogstickers.com/cgi-bin/frogstickers/scan/fi=products/st=db/co=1/sf=category/se=Estwing/op=eq/nu=0/bs=1/sf=description/op=rm/nu=0/bs=1/ml=4/tf=sku/to=x.html


[This message has been edited by Andrew Lynch (edited 06-01-2001).]
 
Great topic Andrew.
As a mineral collector I have had one of their rock hammers for years. Great tool that has stood up to digging up an unknown number of quartz cluster specimens and other hard rocks and minerals. (Not to mention a few home repair tasks) as well as an "adjustment tool" for an old camping/get me to whitewater van.

I wounder if there cutting and chopping implements are as good.

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
Hey Andrew,

I love my Estwing hatchet. I bought it to take camping. Takes and holds a very decent edge. The only thing I would do differently is buy the one with the rubber handle! I bought the leather handled one and regret it.
I'd like to get the camp axe soon for larger camp chores and to keep in my vehicle.
I personally think it's money well spent!


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A Paladin in Hell
 
I've owned Estwing products for many years, hammers, hatchets and axes. I don't know the steel composition, but all of them have performed very well. I especially like the camp axe. Great weight to function ratio, and it is nearly indestructable. The composite handle does not seem to wear at all. The steel is soft enough to put on a razor edge, but not chip easily (they will chip and roll if you hit rocks). There are better axe heads, but for overall toughness and value, I think Estwing is a winner.
 
Estwing makes a good product. We used to carry an Estwing camp axe coon hunting on mules. Its primary advantages were its lightweight and the fact that you couldn't break the handle out of it because of the all steel construction.
I have chopped down several trees with an Estwing axe, and the biggest drawback was the aforementioned advantage--light weight. It was nice to carry but a heavier axe chopped better. Like many things, it was a tradeoff. When we hunted on foot, I carried a regular axe. I still hunt coon, but I live in Kansas and there aren't enough trees to be cutting old snags down for a coon.
 
I just called Estwing Axes and they say that they use 1055 "common grade" steel. I don't know much about that steel, though. Do you guys know anything about it?
 
When in relatively dry areas (like the Sierra) I take a Gransfors axe that is about 27 inches (I think they call it the Scandinavian model, or something like that). However, I take a similar size Estwing to Alaska and other wet environments. The Granfors has much better steel, but it rusts like a SOB. The Estwing has acceptable cutting capability and is much more corrosion resistant.

I should note that the rust on the Gransfors is mainly an annoyance and probably doesn't do significant damage. If you cut regularly with the axe, the edge stays cleaned. Nonetheless, the routine of constantly cleaning off rust and treating the axe head is really aggravating to me, so I go with the Estwing in wet climates.

DPD.
 
I've had the large camp model for 10 years now. The steel seems soft and doesn't hold an edge long, but I've never had a problem with chipping on knots, nails, etc. The current models have a different handle material than mine. The new stuff feels like an open cell foam whereas mine has a much more smooth texture.
I beleive Cliff Stamp has performed some tests on an Estwing axe some time ago. As I recall his gripe was poor edge holding.
 
The smaller hatchet cuts about as well as an 8" camp knife. I have given up on them and now use the camp knife in place of a hatchet. A camp knife has much better steel, are easier to carry, and provide much more versatility.

The Estwing Camp axe is an entirely different story. I take one canoe camping all of the time and it's up to any task you are willing to throw at it.
 
I have an Estwing hatchet that has been in the family since at least the early 1960s. I've lugged the thing all over the place, and used it REAL hard, and it has stood the test of time. It has a stacked leather washer handle, and the only real damage it has sustained is the loss of one of the handle washers, which I repaired by wrapping the empty space with wire.
 
I've carried and used the Camp Axe for 14 years - very pleased with it.

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Pete
 
ditto to everything X39 said 'cept never hurt the handle, the hatchet has been around the family homes longer than I can recall.. but have read where some do not like the all metal 'cause if it ever does break you have zilch whereas you could fashion a handle if you broke a traditional model..
 
For those of you that like to throw things, and possibly like to hang out in the Throwing or Tomahawk Forums, the Estwing is about the best Hatchet you can get for the money.

A Shingler's Hatchet is basically a Tomahawk, in fact, during the U.S. Civil War, they were called "Boarding Hatchets."

The Estwing Shingler's Hatchet and Camping Hatchet that I bought back in 1993 when I first started throwing Hatchets/Tomahawks are about the best buys on the market, throwing or camping.

They take a beating and I have thunked mine enough times to know.

I don't know what you would have to do to break them.

They're both completely legal in a State Park here as well, where the 'Hawk would get some looks because it is a [insert whine here] "weapon."

They are easy to sharpen and hold the edge for quite some time going through kindling, chopping light to medium thickness firewood, etc.

You can usually get them for about $35.00 at Home Depot, last time I checked and they are a steal for the Throwers/Campers.

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Usual Suspect, Electromagnet for Trolls and Manipulator of Sharp Things... Some of my Knives and other neat things
 
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