Hatchets, Tomahawks, & small Axes: How are they different ?

Pointshoot777 · Mar 25, 2007

Hi guys - - I'm thinking about getting a hatchet for use while backpacking, should be good for cutting small dry limbs and splitting smaller chunks of firewood - as well as pounding tent spikes occasionally. I did a little reading here, so am considering a Gransfors Bruks Wildlife hatchet. - - I did a little more reading here - and noticed that it seems that guys are also using various Tomahawks for some of the same applications that I mentioned. So how are hatchets & tomahawks different from one another ? Where is one better than the other ? Thanks for your input. Best regards, - -
P.S. - - Now I'm wondering "Why a GB hatchet over a Fort Turner tomahawk?"

Edit: I shoulda phrased the question a little better. I can see the differences in terms of the weight & shape of typical hatchets versus tomahawks - - but just am wondering why guys might choose one over the other when used for camping chores ? Thanks again & hope this makes my question a little more clear.

Pointshoot777 · Mar 28, 2007

Hmmmm - I'm really surprised someone didn't post on this. Maybe the hatchet vs tomahawk question comes down only to personal preference ? Other than throwing a tomahawk (which I don't see myself doing) I wonder why guys get them over a hatchet ? - - -

Brody R. · Mar 28, 2007

I've always been more a fan of the tomahawk but that could be partly because I've never had a really good hatchet (just hardware store ones) while I have a lot of tomahawks. Just kinda prefer the look and feel of them. Also it's much easier to switch a handle on a tomahawk since you don't have to deal with wedges or anything. Like you said tho guess it mostly comes down to personal preference, you can never go wrong with Gransfors Bruks tho, I don't have any hatchets of theirs but the double bit felling axe and bearded axe are great so I imagine the wildlife hatchet is top notch.

iamonespfn · Mar 28, 2007

I think the main difference between a hatchet and tomahawk would be chopping and spliting performance. For a good chopping and splitting tool you can't beat a good hatchet. They're designed to chop and split so the beefiness of the bit allows for better woodworking with little binding.

I like a tomahawk though because I do a lot of backpacking and I feel its lighter and a little more versatile since you can replace the handle easily (better for survival/bushcraft purposes) with any good limb or stick (within reason of course). I also like throwing a tomahawk around for fun and in a self defense situation (man or beast) I would definitely rather have a tomahawk. But for specific camping and chopping chores I would take a hatchet.

Like you said, it really depends on personal preference and what you intend to use it for.

-Ron

Pointshoot777 · Mar 28, 2007

Hmm - interesting. I hadn't thought a whole lot about the ease of replacing the handle on a tomahawk before. I could see the advantage of that in an outdoor emergency situation. - -

Brody R. · Mar 28, 2007

yea I agree that a good hatchet like a gransfors or something would probably out chop something like a fort turner but tomahawks in general are lighter (at least from what i've handled) and throwing them adds some good recreation to a camping trip and if you crack a handle no big deal. Maybe try one of each and see what you like.

Pointshoot777 · Mar 28, 2007

Brody R. said:
yea I agree that a good hatchet like a gransfors or something would probably out chop something like a fort turner but tomahawks in general are lighter (at least from what i've handled) and throwing them adds some good recreation to a camping trip and if you crack a handle no big deal. Maybe try one of each and see what you like.

That's a good idea. The GB is a bit spendy, but the Fort Turner is priced pretty low. No reason not to try them both and see what I think. Thanks for the suggestion and to all who have posted on this. Best regards, - -

rat-7 · Mar 31, 2007

I've had a few tomahawks and for some reason didn't care for the for one reason or another, then I was camping and met a fellow trekker who carried a Granfors. After looking at it, feeling it out and a few practice swings I decided to get one. I got the wilderness hatchet (57$) and was instantly blown away of the far greater quality then the 40$ toms I'd owned, and the thing was shave sharp right out of the box. Great handle, very comfortable, sheath wasn't the greatest, but you can't have everything. I'm expecting the arrival of my new Granfors mini hatchet(99$) today which will be my new EDC. I'm sure there are many great Toms out there as my experiance with them was limited, but I'm a Granfors man for life now.

TealWater · Apr 2, 2007

have to agree on the gransfors suggestion, they are just wicked quality and a treat to use. I am tending towards quality items now. I've been a cheapskate and tried some other cheaper axes, including another "supposedly" good brands new lightweight handy camp axe and it wasn't even sharp coming out of the package, you could see the dull spots, a real nightmare. gransfors all the way!