Estwing or Fiskars

S

ss Dragonfly

Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
257
Looking for a little advice about these guys' camp axes. I am going to buy one or the other so I'm seeking a little input.

Thanks In Advance

Shane
 
Not a lot of people visit the Axe forum, I think.

I've not handled the Estwing Axe, so no help there, but I own a Gerber/Fiskars sport axe, and it's awesome. VERY lightweight, pretty durable, and SHARP. I convexed the bevel of mine, and now it will shave hair, no kidding. The only negative thing I have to say about the Fiskars is that the handle wraps all the way around the head. While this allegedly makes it more durable, on some of the deeper cuts (such as while felling saplings) the forward edge of the plastic handle material can catch and begin to turn up a little from the steel. I just trimmed this off with a knife, problem solved. It hasn't happened again.

Overall, I'd say the Fiskars is a great axe for not a lot of cash. I'll leave it to someone else to help with the Estwing. You might try posting this in the Wilderness Skills forum, those guys use a lot of axes, and I don't think they would mind helping out.
 
I have an Estwing Sportsman's hatchet and the 26" camp axe.
They are bombproof and indestructible. Of course they'll be heavier than an axe made mostly of plastic.

Either the Fiskars/Gerber or Estwing will need a bit of sharpening and/or reprofiling to get really sharp out of the box. Overall, I prefer the feel of the Estwing better.
 
This is not responsive to your question, but I have the 8" Fiskars hatchet and it is built like a tank. Pretty sharp out of the box, but benefited from more sharpening. Short enough that you can bust your knuckles on the wood being chopped. But my point is that I find find Fiskars to be high quality and not spendy. Light weight as well, and I assume the larger camp axes are the same.
 
My 30-year-old Estwing Sportsman's hatchet has a concave grind to the blade. This makes it pretty poor at splitting wood, and even at splitting chips out of a cut.

I didn't realize why the Estwing was so poor at splitting until I compared it to some smaller, lighter hatchets that did a much better job. I haven't tried a Fiskars, so I can't comment on that one.
 
Not sure of the size you are looking for but I can highly recommend the Snow & Neally Hudson Bay Camp Axe. It is the perfect size IMHO for camping/hunting trips. It has a 24" handle and has performed very well for me. Then again I am partial to classics materials and styles.

You can't go wrong with the Fiskars and they are sold in many shapes and sizes.
 
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