Good hiking/backpacking hatchet

freq18hz

freq18hz

Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
1,093
Hi,

I already have a good survival knife to baton with, the Fallkniven F1.

Instead of getting a larger knife to chop with though, I think it would make more sense to carry a small hatchet or axe.

Does anyone have a recommendation?


Looking for something high quality that is light, with excellent chopping capabilities.

-Freq
 
i love my sfa but if you concerned about weight i would suggest a cold steel rifleman hawk and cut off the hammer poll it will be lighter than a decent axe and a lot cheaper as well
 
Calebklyne said:
i love my sfa but if you concerned about weight i would suggest a cold steel rifleman hawk and cut off the hammer poll it will be lighter than a decent axe and a lot cheaper as well
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The SFA weighs in at a 2lbs. 2oz., the Trailhawk weighs 1lb. 3oz.

I argue that for the performance of the SFA, it is well worth its weight. I use my axe (currently using a SFA while hiking) far more than any of my knives. The SFA has amazed me with its cutting efficiency and as long as you cut wood only, it keeps its edge for a darn long time. As far as survival goes, I don't see myself using anything more than a pocket knife or Mora for survival (which to me is staying alive and trying to get to help, not surviving Zombie attacks), so 2 lbs. of food would be worth a lot more than any axe to me.
 
I really love my Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet. Lightweight, superb quality, and shaving sharp.
 
michaelmcgo said:
The SFA weighs in at a 2lbs. 2oz., the Trailhawk weighs 1lb. 3oz.

I argue that for the performance of the SFA, it is well worth its weight. I use my axe (currently using a SFA while hiking) far more than any of my knives. The SFA has amazed me with its cutting efficiency and as long as you cut wood only, it keeps its edge for a darn long time. As far as survival goes, I don't see myself using anything more than a pocket knife or Mora for survival (which to me is staying alive and trying to get to help, not surviving Zombie attacks), so 2 lbs. of food would be worth a lot more than any axe to me.
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I feel the same as you but if you wanted something lighter then a rifleman hawk is going to perform as well or better than a hatchet of similar wieght but by far I would rather have my sfa and an extra pound on me
 
For shear weight and efficiency out of the box, Fiskars 14in hatchet, available on the net for from Sears for 25 bucks.
 
I like the Fiskars 14" too. The updated Frontier Hawk from Cold Steel looks good. It's not out yet though.
 
A fiskers or Collin's hatchet is what I would go with if you are looking for a traditional hatchet. If you are open to more, check out the Medium and Large French hawks from Keith Johnson at Great River Forge. Out of the 4 hawks I have, it's my most used one, it even gets used more then my hatchets.

Heber
 
I carry an Eastwing hatchet. It works great for me. Plus, you don't have to worry about the handle coming off in the woods.
 
freq18hz said:
Instead of getting a larger knife to chop with though, I think it would make more sense to carry a small hatchet or axe.

Looking for something high quality that is light, with excellent chopping capabilities.
Click to expand...

I noticed your post where you described using the F1 for batoning, and suggest that you think about the primary use for the axe. If you intend to split wood (as you mentioned doing in your other post) and chop, then you can accomplish more with a larger axe. Weight and leverage are key to splitting, and important in chopping. It appears you would like to carry the axe when backpacking, so size and weight can't be ignored.

A 19'' Gransfors (small forest axe) or Wetterling would be a nice choice for splitting and chopping. If you can tolerate the additional weight (less than one pound over a 13'' hatchet), the added size of the axe would pay dividends in performance. On the other hand if you are minimalist when backpacking, then try a lighter axe, such as one of the fiberglass handled ones suggested above.
 
IMO the best performance for a hatchet comes in at the 18-19" range. The GB Small Forest Axe, Hunter's Axe, Wetterlings Hunting Axe, or the Snow & Neally Penobscot Bay Kindling Axe would be my top picks.

That size gives you enough reach and oomph to get some serious work done, and yet easy to choke up on, and I don't consider their weight to be onerous.

If you're willing to go up in size to a 24-25" Axe, something like the GB Scandinavian Forest Axe, Wetterlings Forest Axe, or the Snow and Neally Hudson Bay Axe are good choices.
 
Buck makes a very good polymer handled hatchet at a very resonable price. i own the short handled gerber and the handle's too short, my son's Buck is much easier to handle and its pretty tough.
 
if u want ligter then a cs rifleman with better chopping, do what i did, i went with a cs trailhawk, all the bonus of a hawk and chops like a light hachet..
 
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