The Estwing Sportsmans axe (aka, E24A)... when was it first made by them?

Very cool info. I have used their rock and other hammers for years. May get one of their tomahawks, but would prefer a hammer end on one side rather than a spike.
 
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Yeah, maybe if they see the tomahawk fad sticking around as strong as it's been, they may grow their Black Eagle line. Don't know if they'd go with a hammer instead of spike... but ya never know ;)
I ended up buying the spike version w/leather grip. Btw, the Eagle on the head is just a sticker... but gotta say, the stickers used by Estwing are a pain in the arse. They leave behind a bunch of sticky stuff.. ugh! But, a bit of oil and a paper towel will remove it. Still, wish they'd get better stickers! lol! ;)

The finish is a powder coat... it's okay, but because most of the forging is left almost in raw form, the crude unfinished surface imperfections are left to be seen. A good sand blasting or bead blasting before applying the powder coat, would go far in making these hawks look better. Better yet, a phosphate (parkerizing) would add that military ready look to it as well.... bead/sand blasted or not :)

These Black Eagle hawks are made of one piece drop forged 1055 steel.... they should wind up being as tough as any other Estwing tool :)

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I got a feeling that Estwing will do pretty well overall with their new Black Eagle tomahawk offerings. And again, if the tomahawk craze stays alive for awhile, I could see them expanding the line. This is a great thing for Estwing, staying viable in an ever changing world where so many tools purchased by Americans are foreign made. I do buy foreign items, but I also still make sure I support the American firms when I can, and when they are well made and competetive in pricing (a little more for American made is okay by me) :)

I gots to admit, I would never have guessed that Estwing would have gotten themselves into the "tactical" tomahawk thing... but am certainly glad they did :)
Love that they offer them with their nostalgic leather handles as one of their options, because many old school guys, like myself, love that sorta thing. Kudos to Estwing for thinking outside the box by offering tomahawks :)

Btw, I think the Estwing Black Eagle tomahawk makes a cool collectible item. Why?...

It's made using American steel

It's forged by American workers and done in the USA by an American firm

The company is less than a decade away from hitting the 100 year mark

The company is as American as apple pie (Estwing tools are popular items)

These Black Eagle tomahawks are a first for them, even if they continue with more offerings of tomahawks, these first will be just that... the first

With the leather handled Black Eagle, they may be the only "tactical" tomahawk currently available using the stacked leather handle design

Maybe other reasons that, imo, make the Estwing tomahawks collectible... but they being plain ole cool, should be enough of a reason :)

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From old catalog pages I have seen here and there online of early Estwing "camp size" one handed hatchets, their model included the number 24, and the current Estwing Sportsmans Axe still includes this number in it's model designation (E24A). I am guessing that the number 24 was used then, and now, for the listed 24 ounces that a Sportsmans axe weighs. The big difference I see in the older ones pictured and todays versions, is that the older ones all seemed to have the notch in the blade for nail pulling, where as the new versions do not.

If any of you guys have an old version, say 70 or more years old, pictures, and better yet, a side by side comparison with a current version beside it, would be awesome! :)
 
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Well, since I recently added the Estwing Campers Axe to my collection of "Man Gadgets", and also already having their Black Eagle series Tomahawk... I could not resist getting their Black Eagle Double Bit Axe. Just another gadget that makes me smile :)

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Btw, I believe I already mentioned that the stickers that Estwing places on their products are a PITA. They leave behind a bunch of their sticky stuff... No biggy, but what a pain, lol! ;)
I forget what the specs are in weight, but definitely has a much heftier feel than their Tomahawk. Their tag on this axe lists it as being good for military use as an extrication tool... and though this could also be used as a weapon in a last ditch scenerio, it surely would be slow in handling (but OUCH if one is on the receiving end of it, lol!)... Estwing is best known for being a hand held impact tool maker. That being the case, making things pretty is not their forte. But, though these are not beautiful in the traditional meaning of that word, they have a rugged handsomeness about them (especially with the old school leather stacked handle and satin polished Estwing logo)... that pretty much sums up Estwing tools in general, imo :)
 
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On a related note... I had seen & handled Estwing products before during my 48 years of being on Earth... But, it's only more recently that my growing nostalgic side sees companies like Queen Cutlery, Buck, Ontario Knife, Case Cutlery, and Estwing, as amazing surviving American made products that hold so much American history. They are here for now, but am no longer taking that for granted. Here now, gone tomorrow... we've seen so much of that in the past, and am now trying to not only help keep these firms alive by buying their products, but also enjoying a whole new hobby in collecting such nostalgic items. Hence my naming my eclectic collection my "Man Gadget Collection". I am very glad to see Estwing get into their new Black Eagle series of tomahawks & axes using stacked leather handles as part of their options... I mean, though they are fairly new in their line up, they really fit right in with my nostalgic interests. They being U.S. made, forged from durable and well tempered U.S. steel, stacked leather handles, and 90+ year history... yup, fun and interesting stuff, for sure! :)

Btw, I think I may need to add Estwing's E24A little brother (the E14A) to my collection at some point soon... the little guy kinda calls out to me ;)

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I have an old Estwing hatchet at home that has a brass butt plate. Does this date it in anyway?--KV
 
I'm curious to see if somebody has an answer to your question, since I thought that butt-cap was always made of steel :)
 
While I have one of the large campers axes (E45A) I have several of the smaller hatchets as pictured (E24A), Including one bought by my grand-father in the late 1930's, I also Have his Estwing 16oz finishing hammer. and to my knowledge I have never passed up anything Estwing tools at garage sales or flea markets.

Interestingly, they have expanded beyond things that are strictly tools into things that are unambiguously weapons, like their "Black Eagle line" that includes a Tomahawk (EBTA)..

And one of my most used tools my 12oz ball peen, sadly my brother borrowed my big Engineers hammer (E6-48E) and never returned it, but my newest is an EDBA black eagle double bit axe (leather handle), I personally draw the line well short of throwing a $50 tool, I don't like "throwing" my weapons, I believe they hit harder when My 275ln of meat & bone is driving that edge

But next on my list is an EBTA Tomahawk
 
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I bought both the "Black Eagle" double Bit Axe (With Leather Handle) and the Tomahawl in Rubber several weeks later, because I noticed one glaring omission on the leather handled version, There is no hole for a lanyard, and once you get sweat (or I suppose blood) on your hand the smooth varnish coated leather gets slippery.

Now I wonder is that bottom plate on the handle really that thick? if so It could be drilled and tapped for "small" (#10) machine screw threads and a short "QD sling swivel base" installed to facilitate attachment of a wrist strap or lanyard.
 
kvaughn said:
I have an old Estwing hatchet at home that has a brass butt plate. Does this date it in anyway?--KV
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I discovered this also today. I see there was no answer given. Anyone have any info about the brass plate. Thanks in advance.
 
When did they stop putting the nail notch on the hatchets? I pick up Estwing's for $5-$10 at yard sales and the flea market and about half of what I find have nail notches. Today's find was a 14a for $5.
 
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