My first hatchet/axe/tomahawk?

[RogueBowie]

Hey guys. I am new to this sub-forum, so please forgive me if this is a thread that has been done ad nauseum but I would like a specific recommendation from you all if anyone has any info to share with me. I am not new to knives, or even big knives. I have owned machetes, large bowies, actually just bought a Becker BK-9, but I am ready to move into the level of bushcraft/wood skills that would require something more than a 'knife'. With a few camping/backpacking trips on my horizon I am starting to look into buying something specifically made for what I want to do. Hoping you all could steer me in the right direction. I only vaguely know the difference between a hatchet/hawk and others. SO...with the following uses in mind, what would you suggest for me to start looking into? Not just what genre of axe, what brands or models?

Primary Uses:
Wood processing
Large scale 'carving'
And I'm sure many other things I haven't thought you could use an axe for

Criteria:
No bank breaking please, I would like to keep it at $100 or less (sorry if this is laughable, but I am on a budget)
Keep it light in size/weight, would like to be able to strap it to a day hike bag without dragging me down
Nothing too hard to sharpen/maintain. I have never sharpened/owned a tool like this so I am definitely a beginner.

Thanks in advance for first taking the time to read this and then taking the time to respond to me.

 

[cattledog]

Primary Uses:
Wood processing
Large scale 'carving'
And I'm sure many other things I haven't thought you could use an axe for

Criteria:
No bank breaking please, I would like to keep it at $100 or less
Keep it light in size/weight, would like to be able to strap it to a day hike bag without dragging me down
Nothing too hard to sharpen/maintain. I have never sharpened/owned a tool like this so I am definitely a beginner.

Thanks in advance for first taking the time to read this and then taking the time to respond to me.

Welcome to the ax forum
Regarding your list I think a quality bushcraft ax would fit your needs. A lot depends on your definition of large scale carving. Some of the carpenter axes might be better suited for you. My take would be a good all arounder for your first axe then you can specialize after that.

Using your criteria above a hawk wouldn't be my first choice for those activities.

If you want a specific brand name I would recommend a wetterlings large hunter hand ax I think its called 19 inch handle,$80 for a hatchet a husqvarna hatchet $40 is very reasonably priced and quality made. Adding a small saw will help you process more wood. If your a crazy carver then a carpenters ax might be the ticket. They seem very popular lately.

There is also the restore route which is a fun thing to do but will end up costing you as much or more as a decent new one if your just starting out.
Shop around and come back with some styles or choices and the fellow ax heads will chip in.
Forgot to say: If you can sharpen a knife you can sharpen an axe not hard to do at all.

 

[Square_peg]

Welcome aboard, RB.

Sounds like a good sharp hatchet or 'boys' axe would fit the bill for you well. A good hatchet will do plenty of wood processing and still be light enough for skilled bushcraft work. A carpenter's hatchet is probably where I'd start my search. But a camp hatchet would do fine as well. Additionally, if you plan to fell small trees regularly then you might want to step up to a boys axe. I've said it before and I'll say it again, there's no shame in a man using a boys axe. They're a handy size and great choppers.

Another option is a Hudson's Bay axe. It's similar in size to a boys axe. The axe head design allows you to choke up a little further for detailed bushcraft work. The short eye makes them a little less durable than a boys axe when it comes to heavy chopping or felling.

Tomahawks are more 'weapon' than 'tool' and won't be as good at processing wood. However some tactical tomahawks can help get you out of a mess - hence they're carried by some first responders and folks in the military.

Whatever you get you'll need to get a good file and get comfortable using it on your axe. Most axes need to have the edge refined a bit. You'll also need a two-sided whetstone like a Landsky puck or a round Norton stone. With just those two tools sharpening an axe is pretty easy. If you can sharpen knives then you'll have no trouble sharpening an axe.

 

[screened porch]

Council Tools always springs to my mind as a new using axe. I believe their miner's axe is between hatchet and boy's axe size.
Condor makes some hatchets/ small axes that would let you grip more up behind the edge.

 

[RogueBowie]

Thanks guys, never heard of a 'boy's axe' before, that warrants looking into!!

 

[Square_peg]

Council Tools always springs to my mind as a new using axe. I believe their miner's axe is between hatchet and boy's axe size.

You're right about a miner's axe as far as handle length goes. But miners' axes tend to be heavier than a boys axe. Council's is 3-1/2 pounds, probably a little too heavy for bushcraft unless you have Popeye forearms.

 

[screened porch]

You're right about a miner's axe as far as handle length goes. But miners' axes tend to be heavier than a boys axe. Council's is 3-1/2 pounds, probably a little too heavy for bushcraft unless you have Popeye forearms.

Or want to develop Popeye forearms.
Otherwise I guess you're right.