Good hatchet for camping?

A

agoutihead

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May 5, 2007
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Suggestions for a good, high quality, light weight hatchet for camping?

I dont have many preferences really other than on of this indestuctable plastic handles. I seen a history channel special the other day on swords, axes and knives and they drove a HUGE truck over the handle of a fiskers maybe I think and it just flexed a little. Pretty impressive.

I'm not set on any brand, just want quality & light weight for camping.

I don't have any idea on how much this would cost. Can I get what I'm looking for with $50 or less?

Thanks.
 
Seeing what the experts say. I don't know fiskers from anything else, just seen it on tv the other day.

I want the flat back/hammer and also a nice sheath, maybe kydex?
 
I would take an Estwing over the fiskars. It has a better grind with alot less "meat" behind the edge. I don't think it will cost you much more, either. What's more, you can get it in your local hardware store, with a choice of handles. I prefer the stacked leather.

Also, don't use your hatchet as a hammer, unless all you are doing is tapping on tent stakes.
 
Well, if you like the plastic handle on a Fiskars, it's pretty much the only game in town, especially at your price.

The all-steel Estwings, their stacked leather 14" and their blue shock-handled 16" are not plastic, but more indestructible, IMO with better steel and edge holding. They'll also hold up to more pounding with the poll, though no axe, short of a carpenter's hatchet, has a poll made for extensive pounding. All of the above Estwings are in your price range.

If you really want light weight, try a tomahawk. Cold steel makes anyh number of them under $50. You'll have to do some sharpening on them, and most of the handles are wood, but being a hawk, the hafts are easy to replace. The Trail hawk is light and has a hammer poll, the Pipe Hawk is heavier and has a hammer poll, the Frontier hawk is lighter than both, but no hammer poll.

Both Ft. Turner and H&B Forge make tomahawks with usable hammer polls and are close to your price cap.

I don't know of *ANY* axe or hawk that comes with a nice kydex sheath -- many don't even come with nice sheaths -- but there's no doubt plenty of kydex folders on the forum that will be happy to help.
 
Check out Ross' blog. He reviews a bunch of hatchets and axes. He reviews fiskars, husqvarna, GB, and others. Click on "Axes" on the top left, then make sure you click on "older posts" when you get to the bottom of the page.

I have the Fiskars. It's nice.

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/
 
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Hmm I took a look at the Fiskars, Estwings more & also reviewed that blog.

The Fiskar hatchet actaully got really good reviews.

I honestly like everything about it, price, looks, durability etc.

Except the hole in the bottom of the handle in the Fiskars. I agree with Ross about the dirt & I was already leaning away from it because of that before I read his blog.

Surprisingly, the Estwings got a bad review by him. That sucks because when I looked at the them I really liked both models, the blue & leather one. And normally I'm not one for leather handles, but I was really thinking about getting that one.

I really dont want a wooden handled one, no matter how well they preform. I want a synthetic handle usually with a full tang, but I would have been ok with the Fiskars with no tang.

Are there any other suggestions for camping hatchets along the lines of the Fiskars or Estwing, but that perform better? Better blade edge design & grind etc.

I'd also really prefer one to be as razor sharp out of the box then having to grind it at first.
 
just curious, but what don't you like about a wooden handle?

also, which part of the axe is the "tang"?
 
agoutihead said:
...The Fiskar hatchet actaully got really good reviews.
I honestly like everything about it, price, looks, durability etc.
Except the hole in the bottom of the handle in the Fiskars...
Click to expand...

You might be interested in this Gerber product (same company as Fiskars) which plugs the hole with a saw. Costs under $35 shipped. I've also read on this forum of someone who puts a survival kit in the handle of a Fiskars and seals it with a carved plug (I think).

Gerber 22-41420 Gator Combo Axe II
31%2BqYidB4OL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
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ac1d0v3r1d3 said:
just curious, but what don't you like about a wooden handle?

also, which part of the axe is the "tang"?
Click to expand...

The fact that they can break & split eventually.

Uhh I dunno, the metal part that goes from the head to the handle? I just figured the blade lingo was the same.

Steve Tall said:
You might be interested in this Gerber product (same company as Fiskars) which plugs the hole with a saw. Costs under $35 shipped. I've also read on this forum of someone who puts a survival kit in the handle of a Fiskars and seals it with a carved plug (I think).

Gerber 22-41420 Gator Combo Axe II
31%2BqYidB4OL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Click to expand...

Thats actually perfect! I was planning on getting a folding saw for camping anyways and this is a perfect combo. I look that up.

Is it exactly the same as the Fiskars to where its a great chopper/cutter? Does it come razor sharp out of the box?

I like that sheath WAY better than the Fiskers too.

How does that saw compare to a larger folding saw?
 
I've read some reports where people say you need to remove the saw before chopping?

While others say no?

Do those magnets really hold it in there very securely?

Are there any other Ax/saw handle combos out there like this?

I do like this buck, they were smart by putting a hole in the head for the plastic to mold through making it more secure for a longer lifetime of use:

http://www.great-lakes.org/graphics-2/Buck Knives/rev-04-23-07/757RD.jpg

But really like the combo a bit more.
 
The only real issue I have seen with the Gerber/Fiskars hatchets is that wood works it's way under the edge of the plastic surounding the bit, and eventually it breaks away. I have seen it happen more than once. The steel in the bit seems to have a decent temper.
 
in regards to the OP's question.. i was wondering ..

If you can get a Gransfors Bruks for 110$.. what axe quality you are going to get at around 50$ ?.. does it worth the push to just get a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe (world of difference between a 50$ axe vs a small forest axe) ?
 
G8R8U2 said:
Personally, I like the Estwing camper's axe that is the tweener, 26" with a leather sheath. It's not as long as a traditional axe, not as short as a hatchet; but will fit in my smaller camp box and will be around long after I'm gone. I think the item # is E45A.

http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1200
Click to expand...

Biggest issue I have with the Estwing axes is their metal necks prevent you from comfortably choking up on the handle. You pretty much need to hold them at the handle. Not a real big deal, but something to note (FWIW...I think that Leather Sportsman Axe is beautiful and I'd be proud to own one, but it's simply not in the cards right now for me).


DocBurN said:
in regards to the OP's question.. i was wondering ..

If you can get a Gransfors Bruks for 110$.. what axe quality you are going to get at around 50$ ?
Click to expand...

A very nice quality instrument, that's what. The Fiskars/Gerber stuff is very nice and a nice value in the $25 to $35 range. Heck, for $110, you could buy 3 Gerber/Fiskars axes. Ain't knocking the GB stuff, just saying they come at a premium price.
 
I'd vote for anything other than an Estwing all metal and stacked leather hatchet. The Kobalt hatchet at lowes seems pretty good, I like the grind a lot more too than the Estwing. Fiskars seems like a good way to go. Admittedly after getting my Gransfors Bruks axe, I'd love one of their hatchets or a Wetterlings or even the Husqvarna.

It is true they do come at a premium, though the one I have is fantastico. The Fiskar/Gerber products would probably be my second choice though. Some of the cheaper brands that I can even remember that Lowes/Home Depot sell seem to be pretty good actually...minus that they don't come sharp.
 
Here's my two cents worth. If you're not in a big hurry look at yard sales and junk shops for a Great hatchet. I have at least 10 axes and hatchets that are very high quality that I have purchased for under $10.00 each. Got a really nice true temper black prince
(made in Canada) hatchet head for a buck just last week and the edge is very well heat treated.

Best regards

Robin
 
I actually like the Estwings a lot, sucks they aren't the best choppers. I mean how do you make a hatchet and it doesn't chop well?! I do really like the leather handled one too.

Are the Gerber handles made from the same indestructible plastic that the Fiskars are?

The Bucks seem pretty nice, although I do like the ax/saw combo the Gerber comes in. I just hope it's a solid mating between the two pieces.

Yard sales are a good idea, but I really only need one hatchet for camping.

I won't be usin or abusing the hatchet much, so mine will probably last a lot longer than most.

Do those Gerber Gator II's come very sharp out or the box?

Is there any maitenence to do with the head so it won't rust? Is it carbon or a SS?
 
I have both the Fiskars plastic handle and I have a Estwing leather handled hatchet that is 40+ years old. I probabley use both equally. I carry the Fiskars primarily when weight is an issue. In fact I've nicknamed it my "airplane axe" because I have traveled with it in my checked luggage when camping in different provinces.:p I'd say get what you can afford and what you think will work best. Two things to keep in mind:

1. Most cutting tools and esp. axes/hatchets, even brand new, will need a bit of edge work. Be prepared to do a bit of maintenance on the edge. A sharp axe is a safe axe.

2. Be extremely careful if you have limited experience using a hatchet. It is not the same as an axe. You have a relatively short handle, light weight but lots of speed, combined with a sharp edge. Go slow and watch your fingers/toes!
 
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