What are everyone's thoughts on Estwing?

T

Tony Nguyen

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Messages
494
I own two estwing hatchets (the leather handled camp hatchet 14" and the rubber handled 16") and I love them. I also own a GB wild life hatchet.

After all my camping I am having trouble justifying the cost of GB. I'm not trashing them. They make a great axe. But after hitting my estwing with a belt sander it chops and splits just as well (if not better) than the GB.

I'm just wondering what everyone thinks about the quality of estwing vs. their price point.

What do you guys think about the mileage you can get out of estwing vs. GB? I've had my 16" estwing since I was 16 and it hasn't failed me yet.

Does anyone know of estwing product failures? What are the likely failure points?

Has anyone ever had a problem with the GB wooden hafts (breakages)?

I'm not as familiar with axes as I'd like to be and I've been looking at how helpful this forum is so I'm just looking to share in some of your knowledge.

Thanks guys,

Tony
 
I would love to try and Estwing, but I don't have a belt grinder and the ones I picket up at Lowes were pretty dull. My GB small forest came razor sharp out of the box, and I love it.
 
ive had an estwing 45 Oz for about 10 years, it holds an ok edge, and i find it useful for just about anything other than splitting firewood

mike
 
In my experience they transfer significantly more shock to your hands than a wood haft. I also find that splitting is a huge pain and they tend to stick frequently. Overall, I think they are quite good, though.

Matt
 
I love estwing for the price point and relative indestructibility.
I've never been able to justify to myself spending more than $50 for an axe or hatchet, so I've never owned a GB.
My personal favorite belt axe is an old Plumb hatchet I picked up at a farm auction.
 
I have a couple of Estwings and I love them. I also have some Firestone hatchets, and I love them even more. The Firestones are more elegant, more expensive, more corrosion resistant (stainless steel), and more versatile (they double as a ULU).
 
I have had their leather handle hatchet since I was 12 (40 years) still have it still use it and so do my sons. I also have their camp axe ( 10 years old) love them both and for the price I think they are excellent.
 
for the money I cant complain at all about my leather handle one. its been a great hatchet.
 
The customized Estwing looks delicious. You couldn't go wrong with the full tang and rubber handle.

Had seen a proto from RMJ-Estwing collab. Stout design.
 
Thanks guys! This is the reason I like this forum so much. Good information from knowledgeable sources.

Thanks again,

Tony
 
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