In need of a hatchet. Suggestions?

A

ahmukilu

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Sep 7, 2011
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I am in need of a decent hatchet for hiking/backpacking. It needs to be relatively small but still able to split wood and do basic chores around camp. I also have a budget of $50 or less. If you guys could give me a hand it would be great.
 
Maybe an Estwing? Are you open to a forged hawk? If you can re-hang one, maybe find a good used head somewhere?
 
I'm sorry but I'm going to need this translated into layman's terms. I am pretty new to hatchets :)
 
Your safest bets, at that price range, are probably the Estwing Leather stacked Sportsman's Axe (14"), or their Camper's Axe (17.5")-- although I do not really care for the bit profile of the latter.

Maybe one of the new Condor axes and sharpen it up yourself. ?
 
Estwing is a company that makes hammers, hatchets, etc..check Home Depot.
A hawk, or tomahawk can chop wood, but is attached without a wedge, and is usually lighter(great for backpacking)
Some estate sales, online auction sites etc, will have an old used hatchets, it may need a new handle, aka "re-hung, or to hang the head on a new haft)
 
Ok thank you I was a little confused on the "re hung" part. Any decent tomahawks for a cheap price?
 
The Cold Steel hawks are pretty decent for about $25. They come with an edge that will cut, but you can sharpen them to a really good cutting edge. The Trail Hawk is light for packing and is fair at chopping. The Pipe Hawk is heavier and a better chopper. The Pipe Hawk is also more expensive, about $35. The Condor Greenland Pattern is a good chopper after sharpening and cost in the low $40s. The CS Trail Boss is an axe with about a 21 inch handle. It is light enough for packing but has a longer handle. It cost in the low $30s.
 
don't waste your time with the Estwing, it is too heavy, great little tool but not for back packing
i'd find a small hatchet at an estate sale or on line.
forget the hawks also.

buzz
 
If splitting wood is part of the duty of the hatchet I would go with the link below. I have it and it performs. The bit is heavy enough and the eye wide enough for splitting. It is great as a chopper as well since it has a long bit. If you go smaller than 18" its easier to carry but it will have much less versatility for camp chores. Belt axes and Tomahawks tended to have 18"-20" handles. IMO the Hudson Bay belt axe is the best blend of desirable features for a woodsman's uses: heavy head and wide eye for splitting, long enough handle to get some power behind it and yet be carried on the belt, a stout wood handle that you can choke up on and grip well for fitting and shaping, a wide bit and poll profile that serves well as a carpenter's hatchet. The Hudson Bay profile was a blend of the hawk and the axe that many woodsmen preferred. In an axe larger than a Boy's axe I prefer one of the more traditional head profiles, but for a belt axe I think the profile is without peer.
http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=17HBS18
 
thunderstick said:
If splitting wood is part of the duty of the hatchet I would go with the link below. I have it and it performs. The bit is heavy enough and the eye wide enough for splitting. It is great as a chopper as well since it has a long bit. If you go smaller than 18" its easier to carry but it will have much less versatility for camp chores. Belt axes and Tomahawks tended to have 18"-20" handles. IMO the Hudson Bay belt axe is the best blend of desirable features for a woodsman's uses: heavy head and wide eye for splitting, long enough handle to get some power behind it and yet be carried on the belt, a stout wood handle that you can choke up on and grip well for fitting and shaping, a wide bit and poll profile that serves well as a carpenter's hatchet. The Hudson Bay profile was a blend of the hawk and the axe that many woodsmen preferred. In an axe larger than a Boy's axe I prefer one of the more traditional head profiles, but for a belt axe I think the profile is without peer.
http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=17HBS18
Click to expand...

ive got one of those minus the sheath (which i need to make one for it) i really like it as well... i bought it primarily for splitting kindling for my wood stove and it has preformed well...
 
Square_peg said:
Wow! An American made hatchet for $17!?!

Grab it!
Click to expand...

The Yo-Ho tool company website sells them direct for $13. They also have a 28", 2.5# "Boys Axe" for $18.

If these are Made-in-USA, and not sourced elsewhere, then it's great news. Anybody want to be get one and do a review?
 
Well it seems crazy to suggest anything else at that price!

But I'm gonna recommend trying to track down a second hand plumb hatchet. The one I'm currently restoring is gonna be difficult to give back!

For a new hatchet, I'd try and score a small Bahco offering at that price.
 
I never heard of the Yo-Ho Company before but I can't hardly see how there could be much differential heat treat in the bit for that price ... though I will say I have good True Temper camp axe I picked up at Lowes for $15 when they were still made in USA. I picked thru a stack of about 15 at 2 stores and found one for my son and I with perfect grain and head fitting. I don't know the heat treat on the True Tempers either but they hold edges fairly well.
 
Steve Tall said:
The Yo-Ho tool company website sells them direct for $13. They also have a 28", 2.5# "Boys Axe" for $18.

If these are Made-in-USA, and not sourced elsewhere, then it's great news. Anybody want to be get one and do a review?
Click to expand...

I ordered a boys axe from jacks a couple days ago. I was looking for a decent 2.5 lb head axe for general chores. When it comes in I'll give my shot at a review.
The factory charges shipping almost equal to the price of the ax. From Jacks store there is only a $5 shipping charge. I hope it is good with a good edge. I'll give it to a landscaper friend if I don't like it.
 
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