USA made hatchet?

jeremy1517 · Apr 2, 2014

Who makes the best USA made hatchet? Custom or mass prod....

Something GB wildlife size

Square_peg · Apr 4, 2014

I think Vaughan still makes some hatchets.

Double Ott · Apr 4, 2014

Council Tool.

Tom

Operator1975 · Apr 6, 2014

This needs to be a sticky too

Square_peg · Apr 7, 2014

Wall Street has done it's best to see that no hatchets are made in the U.S. anymore. Thankfully a few companies didn't get the memo.

barber · Apr 7, 2014

H & B Forge Company has been making tomahawks and axes for 49 years. 100 % American made. NOTHING comes from outside the US not even our boxes!
Mary

Fox940 · Apr 7, 2014

Good to see H&B Forge.

Estwing axes/hatchets are USA made.

SC T100 · Apr 8, 2014

Just FYI - I picked up a hatchet from Northern Tool very recently. The head was stamped "U.S." and after a little digging, it appeared to be a True Temper hatchet rebranded as Roughneck (has also been re-branded as a Razorback I believe, and I think Woodtrekker did a review a few years ago). However, it looked cast, the edge was ground differently on each side making the edge very odd-shaped, and a few chops on some spare wood and I took a small ship out of the edge. I don't know if the head was actually made here in the U.S. with typical U.S. quality steel, but it was not a good hatchet (even for $18) and it was returned quickly. If it's something to leave in the truck I am sure it could be "ok", but it would take a lot of work to get it sharp and correctly shaped, and I wouldn't trust it to hold a good hard edge. And FYI - the Woodtrekker review wasn't very good either.

jkulysses · May 7, 2014

barber said:
H & B Forge Company has been making tomahawks and axes for 49 years. 100 % American made. NOTHING comes from outside the US not even our boxes!
Mary

I like that & after looking at your site I'm really liking your polled camping ax as well. What steel is used?

barber · May 7, 2014

We use 1095 for the bit and 1019 for the wrap. They hold an edge very well and can easily be resharpened.

jkulysses · May 8, 2014

barber said:
We use 1095 for the bit and 1019 for the wrap. They hold an edge very well and can easily be resharpened.

Very cool! You will be hearing from me soon. I gotta get my wedding paid for next month or I would be placing my order now.

jw2n · May 8, 2014

I would say Reeves makes some of the best customs. I have both the single and double. His single is closer to a GB mini in size than the Wildlife. You are going to wait for 12-18 months unless his backlog has changed.

willis · May 8, 2014

The 25$ hunters axe from Council Tool I have is great,so I would think the premium line they make would be worth a look.Council Tool with home made mask at to and Husqvarna hatchet with home made mask bottom.

tiguy7 · May 8, 2014

Check out the McGowan Firestone Belt Axe.

Acetylene · May 10, 2014

SC T100 said:
Just FYI - I picked up a hatchet from Northern Tool very recently. The head was stamped "U.S." and after a little digging, it appeared to be a True Temper hatchet rebranded as Roughneck (h also been re-branded as a Razorback I believe, and I think Woodtrekker did a review a few years ago). However, it looked cast, the edge was ground differently on each side making the edge very odd-shaped, and a few chops on some spare wood and I took a small ship out of the edge. I don't know if the head was actually made here in the U.S. with typical U.S. quality steel, but it was not a good hatchet (even for $18) and it was returned quickly. If it's something to leave in the truck I am sure it could be "ok", but it would take a lot of work to get it sharp and correctly shaped, and I wouldn't trust it to hold a good hard edge. And FYI - the Woodtrekker review wasn't very good either.

I'm surprised to read this. After watching Woodtrekker's blogspot and his excellent review, as well as excellent follow up review, I decided to give it a try. The "camp axe" was shipped to my door for $17.58. It had a sticker on it stating it was drop forged, heat treated, and had a hickory handle. The hickory was straight grained and the head was free of rough marks or pits. The grind was even on both sides and is well balanced. It was in need of sharpening, but not a full reprofile. I have used it heavily and it has far exceeded expectations. I no longer have a need to purchase a GB after using this durable, balanced, affordable tool that holds an edge pretty well.

SC T100 · May 12, 2014

Acetylene said:
I'm surprised to read this. After watching Woodtrekker's blogspot and his excellent review, as well as excellent follow up review, I decided to give it a try. The "camp axe" was shipped to my door for $17.58. It had a sticker on it stating it was drop forged, heat treated, and had a hickory handle. The hickory was straight grained and the head was free of rough marks or pits. The grind was even on both sides and is well balanced. It was in need of sharpening, but not a full reprofile. I have used it heavily and it has far exceeded expectations. I no longer have a need to purchase a GB after using this durable, balanced, affordable tool that holds an edge pretty well.

Now I'm curious again! Which excellent review? Can you post a link or point me in the right direction on his page? I thought the review about the Razorback (looks identical to the Northern Tool Roughneck) was not flattering. And the examples I saw were pretty rough around the edges. The one I had was the best of the lot, and needed a lot of edge work to get it right. Interesting that there is such a wide range of quality. Maybe I looked at a Friday afternoon batch?