lightest most capable backpacking hatchet

This is what I use.

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Mine is made in Sweden. Dont know by who, but I believe it is comparable to this: http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/vaughangrind.html
 
Check in with will nease he makes some pretty insane things and last I saw he was experimenting with laminating thin steels and titanium with g10 I be he would have some neat ideas.
 
The GM Mini is to small and light IMHO, they sure are cute little things though. A nice Bushcrafter knife along with a folding saw would be better. The GB Wildlife is the smallest I would go.
 
If you're going 500 miles then you might be better off not carrying any hatchet at all. Appalachian Trail?

The thing is, if you get too light then there's no point in even bringing it because it's worthless. One way to increase the hitting power of a light hatchet is to haft it on a longer handle. A 1-1/2 pound hatchet on an 18" handle might suffice.

While it's a bit heavier I like to bring a claw hatchet. You've got an axe, you've got a hardened-face hammer and you've got a nail puller. Add a couple duplex nails and you've got handy hooks around camp that can easily move on to the next campsite.
 
Pictured below is my backpacking hatchet. I initially got the even shorter Gerber version which comes in at 8.75 inches. I immediately found that with a handle that short I was often hitting my knuckles on whatever I was chopping so I bought the longer (14 inches overall) version. I've owned this one for about 11 years and when not on the trail it gets used for yard work which is to say that I find it useful even when pack weight isn't an issue. Without the sheath it weighs 537 grams.

edit: Just for info I came to use this one for packing after experimenting with various tomahawks and traditional hatchets and finding them either too heavy or poor choppers or both.

 
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Which trail? As far as I know most people do not carry hatchets on long distance hikes like the AT. I dont think you are even allowed to build fires in most places. Alcohol stove for food prep and a good ultralight/ light sleeping system is probably a better bet. Folding saw for emergencies.
 
I picked up a fiskars hatchet to use as a mold for kydex sheaths. I haven't gotten a chance to use it much yet. Lots of people swear by them , takes a good edge.
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My experience with 100+ mile backpacking is that hikers don't carry big knives or hatchets. They aren't needed. In fact hikers rarely have fires. Stove for food prep.
When I went on shorter weekend trips I would carry a big bowie because I enjoyed it. I would always make a fire. When out for longer trips, weight becomes more of an issue and after hiking all day, building a fire is just more work.
 
If you're doing some long distance backpacking and want/need a hatchet, I might go for a tomahawk. Being friction fit all you'd need is to carry the head with you and fashion your own handle when you're out where you want to be. H&B Forge makes a good 'hawk for a fairly affordable price and from what I've heard the quality can't be beat. You could also go for the Cold Steel like but the blade is a bit thin for splitting etc.
 
Square_peg said:
The thing is, if you get too light then there's no point in even bringing it because it's worthless. One way to increase the hitting power of a light hatchet is to haft it on a longer handle. A 1-1/2 pound hatchet on an 18" handle might suffice.
Click to expand...

This! I'd go with a 1-1/2 pound on an 18" handle. Def not to much for me to take on a long trip with my pack set up...
 
Fiskars also makes an even smaller X5:

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It's got a 390gram head & weighs 480gram incl. the 23cm long handle.

I personally prefer a stout knife & folding saw for longer hikes though, I don't find that I can do much more work with a hatchet that small.
 
GooberBoober said:
Fiskars also makes an even smaller X5:

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It's got a 390gram head & weighs 480gram incl. the 23cm long handle.

I personally prefer a stout knife & folding saw for longer hikes though, I don't find that I can do much more work with a hatchet that small.
Click to expand...

See, this is the model I started out with but found the handle too short to be useful.
 
A hawk may be a fine cutter, but it's a poor splitter.

A folding pruning saw is a more efficient and safer cutter.

The knife you carry may make a separate splitting tool unnecessary.


bj, which model do you mean by "estwing hatchet" ? Estwing makes a range of products. The Sportsman's Hatchet (14" OA) weighs 1.9 lbs with guard. And its head is concave - again not optimal for splitting. Probably could drive over it with a tank and still use it.
 
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