Looking for a decent field axe/hatchet

s500yards

s500yards

Joined
Jan 6, 2009
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Carried a Gerber Gator Axe for awhile and the shaft actually ended up cracking near the head. It was great while it lasted, but needless to say their axe line is somewhat tainted to me now. So no more Gerbers. Looking for something fully forged and sub 2.5 lbs. if possible. It will primarly be used for backpacking long distances. Any suggestions? Thanks!
 
As far as hatchets go... I have an Estwing with leather wrapped handle... It's a great little hatchet and you don't have to worry about broken handles cause Estwings have a one piece metal shaft. I think they make a rubber handled one... but I thought the leather was attractive... I hear after years it wll rot and crack though.
 
I just took a look at their website. They look of decent quality. USA made and a nice lookin sheath. The leather stacked handle one looks like it could be a winner. Thanks
 
s500yards said:
Carried a Gerber Gator Axe for awhile and the shaft actually ended up cracking near the head. It was great while it lasted, but needless to say their axe line is somewhat tainted to me now. So no more Gerbers. Looking for something fully forged and sub 2.5 lbs. if possible. It will primarly be used for backpacking long distances. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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For long distance hikes, weight obviously plays a big factor. I got the chance to play with a friend's Gransfors Mini hatchet, it's a pretty impressive chopper for the size. Veeery sharp and lots of control. Of course not big enough for real splitting, unless you baton it. But then, this is true of many hatchets.
 
s500yards said:
Carried a Gerber Gator Axe for awhile and the shaft actually ended up cracking near the head. It was great while it lasted, but needless to say their axe line is somewhat tainted to me now. So no more Gerbers. Looking for something fully forged and sub 2.5 lbs. if possible. It will primarly be used for backpacking long distances. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I just took my Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe on a hike this past weekend. It is a great hatchet/small Axe that is around/just under 2.5 lbs and was right around your high price point. It is small enough to handle with one hand(19") and long enough to do some serious work. I found a large 8-10" diameter recently fallen oak. Cutting it up was a pleasure and very fast. My friend had a similar sized Gerber and there was no comparison. He is looking for one now too.
 
For right at about your price limit I would highly recommend the Gransfors Bruks wildlife hatchet. I'm still amazed at how sharp mine is. Weighs in at about 1.5lbs.
 
Steel-Junky said:
As far as hatchets go... I have an Estwing with leather wrapped handle... It's a great little hatchet and you don't have to worry about broken handles cause Estwings have a one piece metal shaft. I think they make a rubber handled one... but I thought the leather was attractive... I hear after years it wll rot and crack though.
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I agree with steel junky on this one. You can get one at Home Depot for right around $32 with a leather belt sheath. They would be a great choice. I just got one myself a month or so ago. Doug
 
..the Gransfors Bruk axes look nice, but they're a little pricey for me.. ..how do the wetterlings compare? They're about half the price of a Gransfors..
 
Any thing from the wetterlings, and S&N line, brian Andrews makes some sweet mods to the Snow & Nelly.
A weetterlings large hunter axe pictured here, 19" handle, forge carbon steel head and Hickory handle.
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Here is the Estwing I picked up, as you can see I had to use it even before pictures. Doug

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Steel-Junky said:
As far as hatchets go... I have an Estwing with leather wrapped handle... It's a great little hatchet and you don't have to worry about broken handles cause Estwings have a one piece metal shaft. I think they make a rubber handled one... but I thought the leather was attractive... I hear after years it wll rot and crack though.
Click to expand...

GReat lil' axe/hatchet,I have had mine for 20+ years and leather is still there
 
IMO if you want something around 100 bucks and under 2 lbs the best choice is the Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet.

I've played with lots of hatchets but I'd have to say it is one of the most aggressive choppers of any hatchet of that size.

Two smaller but more expensive hatchets are the GB Mini and the Marbles #5 HERE are some comparitive pics of the Mini and the #5 and some chopping pics that gives you and idea of the size wood they are capable of chopping.

However the Wildlife could probably chop up to 8" in a pinch.
 
HD- Have you done any splitting (within reasonable size) with the wildlife? Still on the fence on that vs the S&N equiv.
 
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