Is the Estwing Sportsmans Axe good for the money?

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Noswad0208

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Sep 8, 2014
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I can find the 14 inch version for 31 dollars. Looking for something to take on 2-3 day camping trips.
 
Answer to 'Is an Estwing axe good (value) for the money': absolutely "yes". These things are indestructible. Would I personally buy one for 2-3 camping trips: "no". Outfit yourself with a Japanese-made arborist folding saw. Only thing it won't do faster than 'any hatchet' is pound tent pegs and split firewood/kindling. 'Any hatchet' criteria then drops considerably providing you can somehow figure out how to make (and keep) it sharp.
 
If you like an all steel hatchet and are fine with having to deal with the stacked leather when it eventually goes bad ( in 30 years or more ) then well I've heard nothing but good things about estwings. They're indestructible and in that 30yrs you may have had to replace a hickory handle once or twice.
I you have to have a brand new hatchet I'd Probably go with a council tools hatchet, a marbles hatchet, or a Vaughan hatchet ( they call it a camp axe ). But only because I prefer wood.
 
I'm glad you said, 'in 30 years' because mine is 20 years old and still going strong. It's ok to prefer a wood handle as they do have benefits. But as for replacing the wood handle, by now I would have had to replaced several of them. At a savings enough to have purchased an Estwing. Mine sure cuts & chops well. A good hatchet. DM
 
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But damn if I will ever swing one. There only claim to fame is they are almost indestructible. That's all they do well.
 
I just got an Estwing 14in. Camp hatchet. # E6-25A. With the nylon handle. It come in Orange, Black or Blue. Had to order it direct from estwing.
 
I have the E44 for general camp chores - 3# and 16". E44A was on sale and my wallet won.

What I should have gotten was the --

E3-R Rigger's Hatchet - is nearly 17" long and weighs 3# so it hits very much like the E44A AND it has a dedicated hammer poll for tent/other stake pounding.


Other Estwing options -

If you just want the hatchet for splitting wood, since per your Q in another thread, this is for vehicle camping you could go with::

the E3-FF4 Fireside Splitting Maul is 4# on a 14" handle and can double as a heavy hammer or light sledge.

The lighter hatchets are a better weight compromise for back packing -
E6-25A Blue/ EO-25A Orange/ EB-25A Black (13.5" and 1.5#)
E24A Leather - 14" and 1.9#

Home Depot is your friend price-wise, especially when I get a 10% discount.:D
 
"The lighter hatchets are a better weight compromise for back packing". This was toward my comment. As I've used mine for camping & backpacking. Plus, for everything else are around the home from pruning to kindling and have found it to be a good hatchet. DM
 
I ended up being able to get a GB Small Forest Axe for 27 dollars shipped using a LL Bean coupon and gift card. Thanks for the help everyone.
 
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