Estwing Carpenters Hatchet for a hard use survival Hatchet?

Grizzlyman89701 · Mar 21, 2015

Does anyone here own the Estwing carpenters hatchet with the shorter handle and blue vinyl grip? If so could you send some pics of of the blade geometry? Also what do you guys think of it for a hard use survival hatchet? Thanks in advance.

Square_peg · Mar 21, 2015

The Estwings have thin bits that are fine for shaving a peg but don't do as well at chopping or splitting. They're certainly durable. It would be a decent choice for you BOB. But I think a vintage camp hatchet or claw hatchet is a better choice.

300Six · Mar 21, 2015

You'll be hard pressed to break one! On canoe trips I carried around an Estwing shingling hatchet (with the blue grip!) for awhile 35 years ago but they're very much on the light side for any sort of efficient chopping and splitting. But as a survival tool in an emergency roadside kit one of these sure beats going forward with nothing but a tire iron or a scissor jack.

Snakebreaker · Mar 21, 2015

I have one with the stacked leather handle, not the blue. Same hatchet though. Tough as can be and will likely never fail. You could do a lot worse. I've beaten on mine for many years now. The balance isn't bad either.

Snakebreaker · Mar 21, 2015

Snakebreaker · Mar 21, 2015

300Six · Mar 21, 2015

I don't think that one is a carpenters hatchet, more likely a camper model. But ya that'd work.

Hacked · Mar 21, 2015

Can we clarify what a "hard use survival hatchet" is? What will the intended uses will be?

I think it was intended for what could be considered hard use, but the same could be said for most any hatchet. Personally the handle and head would have me looking elsewhere. It doesn't look like much of a splitter, and you wouldn't be able to choke up on the handle with any sort of comfort. For what I think your looking for I would probably look at the Fiskars X7.

Grizzlyman89701 · Mar 21, 2015

Hacked said:
Can we clarify what a "hard use survival hatchet" is? What will the intended uses will be?

I think it was intended for what could be considered hard use, but the same could be said for most any hatchet. Personally the handle and head would have me looking elsewhere. It doesn't look like much of a splitter, and you wouldn't be able to choke up on the handle with any sort of comfort. For what I think your looking for I would probably look at the Fiskars X7.

By hard use survival hatchet i would like it to be able to chop,split,smash things,work as a improvised weapon, require minimal maintenance. I like the look of the leather handled sportsman's hatchet made by estwing except rubber requires less maintenance so the carpenters hatchet looked ideal. I would like this tool to last a lifetime

Snakebreaker · Mar 21, 2015

In the pics I have, the stacked leather handle, I sprayed over a number of times with bed liner. Much better grip.

Ugaldie · Mar 22, 2015

I'm not a big fan of any metal handled percussion tool, they transmit and amplify vibrations through it. You can avoid part of the problem with a big shock absorving handle end like Westwing uses, but the problem is there. This type of axe is also a big heat sink when you hold it near the head, this really is a big problem in cold weather. This axe type is not a natural evolution, the reason someboy began to produce them was the ease of fabrication. The industrial process was there, they tried it and it seems some people liked it, this doesn't make them good axes.

If you want a cheap little survival axe take the Council Tool hunter axe, if you can afford it and you have room for it, purchase the Velvicut Boy's axe.

Hacked · Mar 22, 2015

Grizzlyman89701 said:
By hard use survival hatchet i would like it to be able to chop,split,smash things,work as a improvised weapon, require minimal maintenance. I like the look of the leather handled sportsman's hatchet made by estwing except rubber requires less maintenance so the carpenters hatchet looked ideal. I would like this tool to last a lifetime

In that case I stand by my recommendation for a Fiskars X7. It should do a better job at just about everything you are asking of it including lasting a lifetime.

Ugaldie · Mar 22, 2015

Fiskars is not a good option, it's a good splitter, but a bad chopper, its steel uses to be soft and if you have any problem with the handle you are screwed.

Hacked · Mar 22, 2015

Ugaldie said:
Fiskars is not a good option, it's a good splitter, but a bad chopper, its steel uses to be soft and if you have any problem with the handle you are screwed.

Ugaldie, normally I would agree with you, but I believe the OP is not looking for a traditional wood handled hatchet. I recommended it because it seemed to fit his requirements. To be honest though I don't own one personally so my opinion of them is based on what I've been told by others who own them. That said your opinion my hold more value than my own.

Grizzlyman89701 · Mar 22, 2015

I would mostly like to know if it will just hold up as a multi purpose survival tool in the woods. I own a Estwing hatchet with a leather grip and i love that little hatchet. The reason i was looking at the carpenter's hatchet was because of the rubber handle, which i believe will last longer in the woods and require less maintenance than the leather.

Square_peg · Mar 22, 2015

How long would you be required to rely on this tool without any maintenance? If you don't anticipate the survival situation to be lifelong then a wood handled tool may be more suitable. An expertly hung hatchet, well finished and cared for will last for many many years.

If you feel you need a breaching tool then add a specialized breaching tool to your kit rather than rely on a hatchet as a breaching tool.

300Six · Mar 22, 2015

Grizzlyman89701 said:
I would mostly like to know if it will just hold up as a multi purpose survival tool in the woods. I own a Estwing hatchet with a leather grip and i love that little hatchet. The reason i was looking at the carpenter's hatchet was because of the rubber handle, which i believe will last longer in the woods and require less maintenance than the leather.

I have a leather gripped Estwing hammer that has lived in an outdoor tool box since the mid 1970s. I've never done anything to the leather. The decorative factory varnish on it wore off decades ago. These can get wet every now and again without ill effects. Just don't soak the leather repeatedly nor leave it out in the blazing sun all the time, nor leave it where a salt hungry porcupine can find it.
The overwhelming benefit to a steel shaft tool is durability, if you whack away with one for hours at a time and days on end your wrists and arms will suffer (carpal tunnel syndrome?) from the vibrational shock that is transferred by a metal handle.
There was a movement afoot years ago by US legislators to ban the sale of integral metal handled striking tools but Estwing had a huge amount of political clout based on sales and ultimately prevailed.

Grizzlyman89701 · Mar 22, 2015

Square_peg said:
How long would you be required to rely on this tool without any maintenance? If you don't anticipate the survival situation to be lifelong then a wood handled tool may be more suitable. An expertly hung hatchet, well finished and cared for will last for many many years.

If you feel you need a breaching tool then add a specialized breaching tool to your kit rather than rely on a hatchet as a breaching tool.

I would like this tool to last a lifetime in a survival situation.

quinton · Mar 22, 2015

300Six said:
I have a leather gripped Estwing hammer that has lived in an outdoor tool box since the mid 1970s. I've never done anything to the leather. The decorative factory varnish on it wore off decades ago. These can get wet every now and again without ill effects. Just don't soak the leather repeatedly nor leave it out in the blazing sun all the time, nor leave it where a salt hungry porcupine can find it.
The overwhelming benefit to a steel shaft tool is durability, if you whack away with one for hours at a time and days on end your wrists and arms will suffer (carpal tunnel syndrome?) from the vibrational shock that is transferred by a metal handle.
There was a movement afoot years ago by US legislators to ban the sale of integral metal handled striking tools but Estwing had a huge amount of political clout based on sales and ultimately prevailed.

I've had a rubber handled 20 oz. Estwing hammer since the early 80's. It's still going strong also!

JJ_Colt45 · Mar 22, 2015

I have an Estwing Carpenters axe and just my opinion its a bit light and short handled for much heavy splitting. As far as the blue handle material its been good I have one of the medium length (I believe 24") handled Estwings with the blue handle and have used it exstensively and the handle is about as it was the day I bought it. I did convex the edge a bit better on both of the Estwings and they cut well. But Id prefer a folding saw over the Carpenters axe just because its a bit lightweight to me for real heavy use. all just my opinion ... but they are very sturdy.