"Good" or "Best" Under $50?

afishhunter

afishhunter

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What would be a "Good" or the "Best" hatchet or belt axe, single or double bit, for a "Nessmuk Trio" that retails for under $50?

I know Mr. Nessmuk used a double bit, but I'd be good with a single bit.

Are the Estwing belt axes still a good product?
(I remember when I was a wee lad 55 plus years ago, they had a good reputation.)
 
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afishhunter said:
What would be a "Good" or the "Best" hatchet or belt axe, single or double bit, for a "Nessmuk Trio" that retails for under $50?

I know Mr. Nessmuk used a double bit, but I'd be good with a single bit.

Are the Easwing belt axes still a good product?
(I remember when I was a wee lad 55 plus years ago, they had a good reputation.)
Click to expand...
If you search through the first few pages of this forum you'll find the exact topic discussed at some length!
I'll second 42blades recommendation of the council tools flying fox. I have one and it's hard to beat it's quality and features for under 40 bucks.
 
If you want a DB check out the marbles made by Imicasa in El Salvador.
Here's mine

And here's a stock photo


The steel is pretty good, The handle is nicer feeling than I've seen on any hatchet you can buy new across the board. The bit profiles are better than any other affordable DB hatchet out there. All other I've seen including the made China or Pakistan Marbles DB hatchet are extremely fat I profile.


For a single bit I'd probably go vintage because you can get a good vintage hatchet for pretty cheap and it will absolutely be better than any hatchet you can buy today.

If it has to be new the standard $20 Vaughan half hatchet or $20 camp hatchet are the best value going.
They may not be finely polished or anything and they don't come shape but the steel is great and most affordable hatchets don't come very sharp anyways.
 
Fmont said:
I'd still get something vintage. But if there's not a lot of time or will, the Flying Fox is pretty good.
Click to expand...

I gotta go with Fmont. Any good vintage hatchet that isn't badly worn and has a high centerline will make a great woodsman's hatchet.

But also consider a vintage claw hatchet. Great bit shape for bushcraft, a hardened poll for hammering work and a very functional claw/nail puller. Put it on a rigger axe haft and you've got a helluva multi-function bushcraft tool.
 
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