Thoughts on Hardcore Hammer Survivalist Hatchet?

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d.weglarz13

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
1,944
So, carrying a small axe in the woods for years has me thinking it may be time to try a hatchet for general camping and hiking. I like the idea of a hammer poll for driving stakes, but would primarily be a chopping tool for firewood. I usually carry a small Council Boy's Axe with a 28 inch handle, and although I swear I would never be without it every time I'm in the woods, the other side of me keeps saying it's still just a bit too large for hiking with a heavy pack.

Does anyone have experience with Hardcore Hammers Survivalist? I keep coming across an ad for them, and I must admit I'm kind of drawn to them. I mean, they seem like more of a gimmick than anything else to me, with the curved handle, waffle pattern poll, doesn't seem to chop all that well from the one video I've seen that seemed like a paid review, but I'm still kind of liking the look. I admit I dig the curved bit, shape of the beard, collar, and even the curved handle haha.

I'm thinking with a nice reprofiled edge this may be a nice little chopper, and a nice camp tool overall, but unless I'm missing something I can't understand why they seem to be charging 135 bucks for it. Please, someone talk me out of it. I've been looking for a nice vintage carpenters hatchet head that catches my eye, but so far haven't found "the one." But the HH survivalist keeps coming across my feed and I'm very curious to see if anyone has any experience with them, or are they just a gimmick. They are made in the USA at least so there's that.

Thanks for any opinions. I really don't want a 135 dollar hatchet. Or do I?
 
Oh lord they sure look purty but they sure seem to be hiding some ugly facts under the purty.

Maybe look at a few more brands before you buy. The price is high so you'll find a lot of options.

I use a Winkler Camping ax in the woods.
 
Find an old claw hatchet. You'll be much happier. The Survivalist comes with a worn out toe. And it's made 'ordnance steel' which is marketing department jargon for plain ol' 4140. Anyone that advertises 'ordnance steel' is a huckster. It's fine, even very good for hammers. But it's too low carbon for an axe or hatchet. You'd rather see 1055, 1060 or a higher carbon plain steel. Or 5160.
 
I've seen this thing before and it's always baffled me. I guess the idea behind grinding it so far back is to aid with splitting. I've got to wonder who whose ideas went into the thing to make it a "survival hatchet."
 
d.weglarz13 said:
I can't understand why they seem to be charging 135 bucks for it. Please, someone talk me out of it.
Thanks for any opinions. I really don't want a 135 dollar hatchet. Or do I?
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OMG(Just checked their line of products), why would anybody design brand new axe with already worn toe. I am speechless.....................

Hmmm, for $135 I can get 5 Craftsman half hatchets (Made in USA in Vaughan factory) and bunch of longer replacement handles . Decisions, decisions.....

prod_19504802012

Edit
I have just found this thread..... real fun to read :)
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...hardcore-hammers-survivalist-hatchet.1523578/

I had second thoughts about the design (maybe I was missing something) and looked for NOS Finnish hatchets.
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I would say, even crazy curved haft would not make up for deficient design.
 
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Ha, thanks guys for confirming what I originally thought. I guess I was hoping for something I may have missed that sets this apart, or at least in the $100+ range. Oh well. And forgot to add, that toe has been bugging me, a lot. Again, I'm still unsure why I'm so drawn to it, but 4140 steel, ah...no. Thanks for clearing that up guys. Now if I found one used for like 30 bucks, i'd probably have a go at it just to see, but doesn't seem like that is happening. In fact, I'm not even sure how many have sold because any time I search eBay for one, there's only one listing and that is by HH themselves.
 
Yup. I didn't even just contact them once, but multiple times, and gave them very detailed explanations of why those issues mattered. Myself and MANY other axe enthusiasts have contacted them directly about their fundamental design issues and they've steadfastly ignored the input. I honestly give up on them.
 
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