How is the steel on Estwing Hatchets and Axes?

S

Soilarch

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Oct 15, 2007
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The little hatchets have always caught my eye...and I finally saw their full-size axe in store the other day. Not sure how I feel about that handle on the axe...but how/what is the steel they use.

Or is the same old cheap head with a steel haft and Estwing handle?
 
no problems here , either with my leather handled Sportsman hatchet, or my large forest ax. Both are used commercially and recreationally.
 
I've heard very good things about Estwing hatchets, but have no personal experience.

I love their hammers though, and they're regarded pretty highly as a tool maker.
 
According to their website, they are made of one peice forged tool steel. All I know is that for years and years I worked in construction with their tools and I absolutely love them. I never had a failure or was disappointed with the products. IMHO, they are superior tools for the money. BTW, I proudly own the 14" Sportsman's Axe.

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Estwing Manufacturing, was founded in 1923 by Ernest O. Estwing. Ernest was an immigrant from Sweden and settled in Rockford with many other Swedes. Estwing Manufacturing Company is headquartered in Rockford, IL, manufactures "striking and struck tools" consisting of hammers, axes, specialty tools and pry bars. Estwing is proud to be an American company and does everything in its power to hold true to its American roots. Estwing Manufacturing Company produces what many will argue are the finest handtools on the planet. They are constructed of one solid piece of steel giving them their extreme strength. While they may cost a bit more than the competition, the Estwing will tool is almost always of higher quality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estwing
 
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I've been eyeing the Roofers Rigger's Axe; it looks like a really useful tool.

Glad to hear the good reports on Estwing.
 
I have several. The steel is not as hard as a GB but easier to sharpen and less likely to chip if you make a mistake and strike something harder. They don't rust as quickly as a GB and it's easier to get the corrosion off when they do develop some.

Estwings perform adequately. A good choice if others may be using your axe and you don't want them to mess up a GB. And I do love the looks of the stacked leather handles on the smaller models.

DancesWithKnives
 
I have various Estwing tools and they all perform well. My latest is their Geo/Paleo tool which is a reduced size mattock. As an added bonus there is a little sticker on the tools "Made in USA " !!
 
WHen I was a brick mason we all used Estwing brick hammers.:thumbup: The ones with wooden handles broke, the one piece Estwings didn't. I could throw a rock and hit one of their facilities from where I work now in Rockford. Not sure if it's their main location or not though.

edit: just looked at their website and it is their main location. Who knew?:)
 
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I've got an Estwing hammer with a blue rubber grip my Dad bought in the 1930s or 40s. Still works just fine. Looks just like a new one but the rubber has faded to very light blue, and of course the steel is a rusty brown now.
Based on this hammer, if I needed a hatchet or any other similar tool, I'd get an Estwing.
http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=200
 
Ive got an old Estwing hatchet that I got for 2$ at a flea market with a rotten leather handle over 25 years ago. I wrapped a 550 cord handle on it and convexed the edge. Its still one of my favorite chopping tools.Get one!--KV
 
I have half a dozen Estwing tools including the hatchet, ax, drywall and framing hammers. All perfect.
 
I love their framing hammer(both leather and vinyl handle), but I had no chance to use their hatchet yet, feels pretty dang solid though, I actually forgot that I have one.

Peter
 
I've used Estwing hammers & hatchets in work & around the house,most my life.They're quality,reliable tools.The only problem I had ,with the all steel construction,is that it doesn't absorb any impact.All that vibration goes strait into your hand,arm,wrist & elbow.It's not much of a problem if you use it once in a while.However if you use one everyday for years,it could pose a problem.After 10yrs using an Estwing,I start getting a really sharp pain in my elbow area with every swing.I went out & got a graphite handled hammer & the pain went away.
The steel is very good.I never had a problem with it chipping or anything.
 
mete said:
I have various Estwing tools and they all perform well. My latest is their Geo/Paleo tool which is a reduced size mattock. As an added bonus there is a little sticker on the tools "Made in USA " !!
Click to expand...

That little sticker is all the difference in the world. That's why I add a "Made in USA " sticker to everything I own.
 
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Interesting thread--I have seen their products on knifecenter.com but didn't know much about the products or company. It would be nice to have an ID of the steel beyond 'tool steel.'

I think if the company would do some marketing to the knife community it would pay off greatly for them.
 
I have a number of their tools. I have been more than pleased with all of them. My only gripe, and it is not their fault, is that in my high humidity, the leather handles actually got moldy. On one of there hammers that I had, the peened over "rivets" that hold the leather washers on gave up, and fell off, but the fix was an easy one.
Dave.
 
I emailed Estwing to find out what the steel is and they answered me! the following is their answer

"Dear Jason,

Our tools are manufactured from 1055 carbon steel, special bar quality, and
heat treated to ASME safety requirements, which is 45-60 Rockwell standard.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further questions.

Sincerely;
Yolanda Moline"

So there we have it. I'm sure the HRC qoute of 45-60 runs the full spectrum of their line. from 45HRC for there hammers and axes, to the 60HRC for their geological picks.

I just ordered a 40oz (2 1/2 pound) cross peen from them for forge work! (about $30.00)
 
I use their hammers, rock picks, sledges, hatchets and axes both commercially and rec use. High quality product, bulletproof no questions asked warranty, and a great bunch of people at the company.

nuff said
 
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