Estwing E24A Sportsman's Hatchet vs Husqvarna 13 in. Hatchet?

J

JDX

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Mar 2, 2014
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For the longest time, I've thought that I could use fixed blades to chop and baton, and recently I bought a kabar bk7, and it does the job, just not as efficiently as a hatchet would. And I'm not looking to spend more than $50.
The two hatchets I'm looking at today are the estwing as mentioned in the title, and the Husqvarna 586926401 13 inch curved handle hatchet. I'm not an expert in hatchets, as I only deal in knives, so if someone can give me advice or point me in the right direction, is appreciate it.
 
With the Estwing, it is indestructible and also un-modify-able, with the Husky (if this gizmo has a wood handle) then you really can make it your very own by practicing and learning about making new handles. A forum member here has recently 'fixed' his. But this amateurish chop and baton business suggests to me that the Estwing is your best bet. Poll (the square end) is hardened on these (Estwings) and can take all kinds of abuse.
Or you could go practical and buy a bona-fide Pulaski tool and then really go to town. No more pretend-wood processing and no more need for a baton with one of those! Immediately you get to make real campfires and generate measurable productivity.
More and more I tire of what the youthful tomahawk crowd and other pretend-woodsmen are doing to the outdoors; chipping up small trees, beating on brush and branches and gnawing away at big trees. Our forests can do without eager-beaver weekend warriors.
I've never carried a hatchet in my kit and I wouldn't even trust one to cleanly sever the head off a farm chicken. Too short and too light if by chance a real axe is nearby!
 
If only we could all be REAL woodsmen like 300six! Alas! :rolleyes:

I have heard that the current Husqvarna has a very thick bit and needs significant reprofiling and the Estwing profile is notorious for binding. I would recommend you look into the Fiskars hatchet. I know the non-traditional look is a little unappealing, but it's actually a great hatchet. I've also been using the Council Tool hatchet (I think it's called the hunter's axe). If you get it from Omaha Knife, they'll get it razor sharp before sending it to you (can get a woodtrekker discount as well). I've been using it to cut down the forests one tiny, inefficient chip at a time for the past year or so.
 
If it were my $50, I would hit ebay and buy a nice vintage hatchet like Plumb, Collins, Norland, True Temper
 
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I've owned an Estwing for 20 or so years and as mentioned above it can take all kinds of abuse. My preference though is for a wood handled hatchet, both for the reduced weight and what I feel is better balance. The Estwing got relegated to my vehicle trunk for emergency use. Also as already mentioned, $50 can go a long way on ebay towards a good vintage hatchet or, if you would prefer something new in-the-box, this "hunters axe" from Council Tool wouldn't be a bad choice.
 
I would definitely get the Estwing hatchet....I have the Estwing 26 inch Axe and it's good for the price, I'm planning on getting the hatchet and tomahawk made by Estwing next.
 
@JDX, why not get both the Estwing hatchet and another hatchet with a wooden handle?

I would recommend the Council Tool Hunter's Hatchet.
 
The Estwings are thin-cheeked and don't make good choppers or splitters. But they're tough and they work OK and will last forever. The Husky looks better to me. I prefer the wooden handle. But it still looks a little thin in the cheeks.

smith357 said:
If it were my $50, I would hit ebay and buy a nice vintage hatchet like Plumb, Collins, Norland, True Temper
Click to expand...

Yeah, no doubt a good vintage hatchet will outperform either of those choices. Just find one that isn't worn out. Rehang if necessary. A basic camp hatchet or boy scout hatchet is great. An old claw hatchet is pretty handy around camp, too. Or even a riggers hatchet.
 
If you can find the early version of the Husky its a good hatchet.I had one that I regret selling..Basically a rebadged wetterlings so Im told.
 
I have several of the Estwing 24A hatchets with the leather handles. I have one or two with the rubber handles. Great for cutting, not so much for splitting, unless the wood is small and dry. One hatchet, which I seldom see mentioned, is the Estwing 14A. Now this is a sweet hatchet! It's like a mini Estwing. I have a couple of these too and is now my preferred hatchet. I followed the crowd to Wetterlings, and GB and all of the "must have" hatchets and axes. And while they were all great tools, I sold them all and now just use one of my 14A hatchets. I also have a couple of their longer axes, and I'd say that they are good tools also. The newer ones don't have quite as good of a "feel" as the older ones. I think they did some "improvements" to it. My preferred tool when I have any serious chopping to do is a double bit Norlund cruiser. But for any hiking, trapping, general use carry, I'd look at the 14A.
 
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