Estwing manufacturing technique similar to GB!

P

Plainsman

Joined
Apr 5, 1999
Messages
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I watched an episode of "How's It Made" last night and they had a segment on Estwing. I was mildly surprised to see that they FORGE a single billet of steel into a hatchet/axe/etc. much in the same way that Gransfors Bruks does!! :o Of course, Estwing is automated and the hot billet is moved through the steps via robots, but they are using 'molds' and power hammers to form the tool like GB does. The handles are mounted by a human operated press and all finishing is done by hand on belt sanders.

My opinion on Estwing went up considerably after watching that episode! I have a trimming axe and will now look at purchasing either a hatchet or see what else they have for choppers. I like my Estwing, but felt like I should have a more "traditional" axe as well...Seems they are pretty much "traditional" in their manufacture methods, not just ground out of a block of steel or cast as I had originally pictured!
 
Their stuff is not bad especially for the price. They sell a tool steel hatchet with a nice leather handle for about 40 bucs.
 
Estwing always slips under the radar of tool snobs. Their manufacturing process has not changed since they started the factory from the beginning. Estwings are solid performers, be it their hammers or axes.

I rock one for delimbing trees and driving home felling wedges when out on the cutblock
 
There are 3 in my Dad's garage. Great grandfathers handed down, grandfathers handed down, and his.
Great grandfathers and my grandfathers have a bit of patina on them but they still function as designed. Dad's still gets used regularly.
I just got one a year or so ago of the same design for Christmas.

They make good tools in my experience. (Have some hammers around as well)
 
Always loved my Estwing hammers and mallets. I wish they made an axe in the 20" range like the smaller hatchet.
 
I got one of the leather handle ones for Christmas, love it, I've used it to cut through some ridiculously thick logs. It's aso nice and light for hiking. And the best thing is, I'll never have to rehandle it.
 
I watched a TV program on www.counciltool.com and was similarly impressed with the manufacturing and quality control process. Also American made.

I have the larger of the two leather-handled Estwing hatchets and the largest rubber handled model. I really enjoy the leather handle.

DancesWithKnives
 
:thumbup: Estwing makes a good product, I love there hammers and currently own one of there Camping Hatchets and it has yet to fail... Great product for 20 bucks IMO
 
My only hammer for many years. Nothing really compares to it. Love that thing.
 
my father has an old estwing framing hammer that is so used and old the grip is smoooooth.
 
it's good to see quality made on this continent!

,my est leather handle hammer fell apart though, and the vibration is kinda horrible, i'm addicted to the fglass handles now
 
I've been happy with my Estwing hammer, so I picked up the 16" rubber handle Campers Axe recently. Thought it was more of a hatchet, but it's a little bigger than I expected, more of a two handed short axe. I was getting it for the trunk of the car so I figured I'd keep it. Will probably pick up the smaller hatchet too. At these prices, why not ?
 
Their E44A axe is right at 19" and is fairly available. Since someone above was wanting one that size.

It surprises me that so many folks here didn't know they are a forged tool. Their products are very well made and very high quality. They have proved themselves to be tough as nails many times.
 
I admit than an Estwing seems stronger than traditional axes.
My hand only likes high quality wooden handles, though.
 
I have a small Estwing hatchet (smaller than the ones I usually see around here) that my dad gave me at age 11 or 12. I'm now 55. The poor thing looks pretty rough. I carried it on all kinds of adventures as a kid. I'm on my third sheath, a lovely piece of leatherwork made by an aging shoemaker in my small town. This little tool is light and the steel is wonderful tool stock. I've looked at some of the tiny wonder hatchest from Sweden (and I love their larger axes) but I just can't imagine a better small tool than my small Estwing.

I also own one of the Camp Axe size Estwings. It's certainly break proof. But it's also heavy and, as others have noted elsewhere, it's steel haft transmits enough vibration to rattle one's teeth. Mine doesn't get used much anymore in favor of some of those "Swedish" tools.

PC
 
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