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First Hatchet

My first one was a little Norlund hatchet about 40 years ago. Wish I still had the original one my Dad got for me, but I lost it while checking traps about 25 years ago. I do have a nice replacement that looks good hanging on the wall.
 
If you look through some of the axe threads, there are a lot on vintage pieces with some hatchets mixed in. Look at those and consider shopping for a nice head that you and the boy can restore. You didn't say he is your son, but doesn't have to be to work on such a project together.
 
Gransfors Bruks are deffinitley the best. They are going for around $110 which is ridiculous. For your price range try a Husqvarna or Wetterlings. You will probably have to order on line as I have yet to find a dealer of fine axes anywhere in my area either.
 
I would suggest you don't order a Husqvarna or Wetterlings online. From what I've seen on different forums, their quality is hit and miss. If you have to drive 45 mins out of your way, do it.
 
My first hatchet was a Boysout "Bridgeport" hatchet - darn near indestructible, great steel and heat treat. Steel core for the handle handle slabs and just checking on ebay will run anywhere from $10 - $50. When I was nine years old I think I carried that thing 1,200 miles!
RMJ
 
Council Tool Hunters Axe (hatchet) is a good one. 1.25 lb. head and 14" handle.
 
Hey tentmaker, I went through the same thing with my stepson. Kids tend to screw up and have accidents, meaning chipped blades, etc, so I wouldn't advise buying something for more than $40.

Whatever you get him, make sure it has a sheath. This being said, I don't think you'll find a better hatchet for the money than a Fiskars made Gerber 14" Sport Axe (hatchet). It has a sheath, comes sharp and with a good profile, no alignment or grain issues with the synthetic handle, made in Finland and has a lifetime warranty.

The recent Wetterlings and Wetterlings made Husky hatchets don't have metal wedges and aside from my bad experience, many others are also having problems with the heads coming loose because of this.

You could buy a Husky Hatchet and get a 15. cent metal pin wedge from Ace Hardware like I did and hammer it into the haft. Mine was coming loose but since putting the metal pin in it's super tight even after hard use. It's a Wetterlings Wildlife Hatchet for only $39.95, so it is a good deal if you don't mind securing the head yourself.

Here's mine with the Ace Hardware pin....
IMG_9178.jpg
 
echoscout said:
Council Tool Hunters Axe (hatchet) is a good one. 1.25 lb. head and 14" handle.
Click to expand...

Yes, I forgot to add US maker Council Tool, though one must have some skill sharpening an axe if buying one, as they don't come very sharp. That said, they are great axes with great stock profiles (I own three of them). Probably the toughest axes I've laid hands on as well. They don't sharpen their axes like Gransfors because most of their customers are US Forest Service and loggers, and those folks like to sharpen their own axes. They are easy to sharpen though because the edges are thin and they have good profiles, and will get scary razor sharp if you know how to do it right. My big 3.5lb 32" Jersey Axe by Council Tool is sharp enough to push cut through paper like my Mora knife and will also dry shave the hair off of my arm :)
 
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Well, when I was a kid in the Scouts, the big thing to have was an Estwing Sportsman's hatchet -- the one with the stacked leather handle. It's indestructible enough that I still have it.

Other than that, I've seen some good quality hatchets from Collins at my local Ace Hardware. Good grain alignment, the one I bought sharpened up really well, and I hate to admit it, but it's probably one of the best hatchets I have. For all of $8. Downside is, it does not have a sheath, and the little rubber blade cover breaks the second time you use it.

You can also find some good deals on old Norland or Plumb hatchets on eBay or at flea markets and yard sales.
 
I myself am partial to the older USA made hatchets. I would agree as stated earlier, make sure it has a sheath. The first assumption I would make is that if he is like any younger boy, he is probably gonna beat it all the heck, so just how much money do I want to put into this first one? Will it technically be worth it? Do I want to go an buy an older hatchet, say like a Kelly Works, only to have him basically destroy it? Of course, if he does, then you could say you got every penny out of it. All depends I guess. I would probably go with a clean up flea market purchase, and if he continues to use it and eventually needs a new one, then make the investment to a better product.
 
The $80 price range isn't really tangible. I definitely don't want a fancy hatchet: he has to know that it's a tool, not artwork. Something strong that he can beat up and not care too much about.
 
For a first hatchet you can't go wrong with a Fiskars but more importantly than which hatchet is teaching the boy proper technique and safety.
 
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