Looking for a decent field axe/hatchet

hollowdweller said:
Out of stock.

For me the most useful hatchets are the really small ones cause I like to take them backpacking, or the big ones because weight is not a factor.

The Eastwings have that metal shaft so that makes them too heavy. Also transmits more shock to your hand.

The Wetterlings ones are nice for the $$
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yeah see the small hatchets don't do anything for me... My Busse Battle Mistress will outdo most small hatchets in chopping and all around cutting tasks... and it can also lend itself to many more tasks if need be... Now the Estwing I have can outchop my BM because of the heft of it... so it's one of those trade of things... Power is often attached to weight. length also has a great deal to do with it. Which is why in an Axe... not a hatchet... I like'em long. But I have to say... that GB Wildlife looks mighty nice... Perhaps when I have some extra cash that is just burning a hole in my pocket I'll give one a try... but more than likely if I'm gonna spend that kind of money I'll just buy a large one.
 
Steel-Junky said:
yeah see the small hatchets don't do anything for me... My Busse Battle Mistress will outdo most small hatchets in chopping and all around cutting tasks... and it can also lend itself to many more tasks if need be... Now the Estwing I have can outchop my BM because of the heft of it... so it's one of those trade of things... Power is often attached to weight. length also has a great deal to do with it. Which is why in an Axe... not a hatchet... I like'em long. But I have to say... that GB Wildlife looks mighty nice... Perhaps when I have some extra cash that is just burning a hole in my pocket I'll give one a try... but more than likely if I'm gonna spend that kind of money I'll just buy a large one.
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My experience has been the same as yours. A hatchet will outchop a knife of the same weight. But a knife you have the option of using more like a machete.

But I'm not sure that a Battle Mistress and a GB mini are comparable. What does a Battle Mistress weigh?? Aren't they like a quarter inch thick steel???

A GB mini is only around 10" and 10 oz. I've tried one against a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp and it both cuts and chops better than one of those, and it will out cut my BAD and Game Warden because the edge is so much better on the GB.
 
Steel-Junky said:
Here we go... http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerc...earchText=gransfors bruks&Mode=Text&SKU=GB430 This looks like a trail axe I can get behind.

Just long enough to be useful and heavy enough to get some work done... I'd like it to have a 3lbs head... but two will pack more punch than the hunters axe or which ever model was 19 inches and like a pound and a half... price ain't terrible either... Might have to try one out.
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I have a hunters axe. I'd prefer the one you linked to above rather than the Hunters.

IMO the handle is too long on the Hunters axe to chop well with one hand and not long enough for a real two hand swing.

The Wildlife on the other hand is a devastating chopper and is great with one hand.
 
hollowdweller said:
My experience has been the same as yours. A hatchet will outchop a knife of the same weight. But a knife you have the option of using more like a machete.

But I'm not sure that a Battle Mistress and a GB mini are comparable. What does a Battle Mistress weigh?? Aren't they like a quarter inch thick steel???

A GB mini is only around 10" and 10 oz. I've tried one against a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp and it both cuts and chops better than one of those, and it will out cut my BAD and Game Warden because the edge is so much better on the GB.
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Don't know the weight of the BM... it ain't light LOL. Just as far as the Mini Hatchets go... I prefer a large knife instead. We get into a 14 or 15 inch hatchet that weighs a pound at the head... then there probably aren't many knives that can keep up... I did have an HI Kuk a while back... I swear that thing was a Half inch thick... wood exploded when that thing hit it... but it was a rediculous knife to carry LOL.
 
Runsalone said:
If you outline what your normal hatchety type chores would be while backpacking it would probably yeild more finely tuned responses;):)
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Sorry... I'm bored at work and went off an a tangent... didn't mean to hijack the thread... I'm still of the opinion that the Estwing hatchet is a wonderful tool and a great value... I would lean into the GB hatchets only if I had extra money to spend on the best and just truly needed to know I had the best on me. But the Estwing chops... and it'll get the chores done.
 
Steel-Junky said:
Don't know the weight of the BM... it ain't light LOL. Just as far as the Mini Hatchets go... I prefer a large knife instead. We get into a 14 or 15 inch hatchet that weighs a pound at the head... then there probably aren't many knives that can keep up....
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For me backpacking around 12" and 1 lb is about right. The mini is cool but you are really cutting down on your chopping power when you get that small.

I think the GB Wildlife is 14" and pound and a half. Easy to carry in the woods on your belt but too big for backpacking.

You mentioned khukuris. Also too heavy for backpacking but for hiking my ideal one is 17" and 23 to 25oz.
 
Maybe you should take a look at a CS tomahawk. Not much for splitting, but they chop pretty well, and take a nice edge.
 
IMO if you want something around 100 bucks and under 2 lbs the best choice is the Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet.
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I own most of the axes mentioned in this thread...and a few dozen others. Here on our timbered working ranch, we use 'em too throughout the year. Needless to say, a lot of comparison goes on between the axes in terms of quality, design, chopping characteristics, etc., etc.

When it comes to tools, I try to purchase the best tools I can afford so that no regrets appear later down the road. I know guys that can get by just fine with cheap or inexpensive tools, but I am not one of those. When it comes to something like a quality Gransfors axe price - this family spends more at the grocery store each week. So, the GB's are not outside of my working budget. And, in the end, a good GB saves me money, time, and with its efficient designs and materials, it saves some needless labor in terms of chopping and sharpening.

I don't carry an axe when backpacking long distance (much prefer a small saw), but if I was forced into it and wanted the most efficient hatchet, it would be the GB Wildlife suggested by Hollowdweller. Though I like the durable Estwing axes and tools (have many of them), their axes just simply won't keep up with the Gransfors, Wetterlings (a few others) in edge-holding and chopping efficiency.

*Keep those Estwing leather handles treated with a mixture (50/50) of pure Neatsfoot oil and pure beeswax (no petroleum products). My handles still look new after many, many years of use.
 
Yeah but the FFBM is .32" thick I think... Mine is a FBM and is just .25" thick. Big difference in weight I'm guessing. And my sheath only weighs a few ounces I think.

I carry a large back pack when in the woods so strapping on a full sized axe isn't a problem.
 
I have very little "axperience" (yuk-yuk) and will probably get laughed at for this but has anyone tried the Fox Knives Roman Style Hunters Axe?

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It's less than a pound and that blade looks like it might glance or twist when chopping... At the price they want for it I think an Estwing would be better... And if you're willing to spend just a little more like some here have said the GB Wilderness axe is a fine tool.
 
theonew said:
I have very little "axperience" (yuk-yuk) and will probably get laughed at for this but has anyone tried the Fox Knives Roman Style Hunters Axe?

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Think of it as an Ulu on a stick. Mine is a bit brittle and chips quite easily when treated like an axe. It is a good tool for the hunting pack, when you migh trim a few limbs or skin a varmint, but it is not for hacking and whacking.
 
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