What is the most optimal camping hatchet weight?

M

Mac from the shack

Joined
Aug 3, 2019
Messages
5
So I just joined bladeforums, looks like a pretty hefty community full of experience and information to share.I am here to ask what in your opinion is the best weight for a hatchet when trekking through miles of forest keeping in mind fatigue and other crap you have to carry around in your backpack while not ruining the effectiveness of the hatchet itself.
Thanks in advance.
 
Welcome Mac!

I’m sure many have more experience and better answers than I do but I’ll offer my opinion to get the ball rolling.
Sounds like you don’t want to carry much more than a small hatchet in the 1lb to 1.5lb range.
Since I’m into vintage axes I might suggest something like a True-Temper Tommy Axe with its hardened poll you could pound some stakes. Or a little Norlund like the Voyageur is easy to pack with its barely 12” handle.
 
Yeah that Tommy Axe is a beauty ,and you are right about being into vintage axes, you know what it's like out there especially on the internet even experienced guys could be fooled by those damn china knockoffs.There's still lots of tools made even 100 years ago in my recreational house, they don't make em like that no more.Honesty would just trade ban all things shipping from Asia but that's another story.
I'm kind of based in Poland for future reference.
What about this one?
https://allegro.pl/oferta/hultafors-h006-siekiera-podreczna-600g-375mm-6598014601
 
It took me a minute to find out what they were saying, but a 1 7/8 lb overall weight and about a 14 inch haft seems to be a good hatchet size. I'm currently on vacation, or else I would post a pic of my favorite hatchet, which has similar specs. Mine's a GBA on an approx 14 inch haft, give or take a little bit, with about the same weight and it's worked fine for me. Anything it can't handle generally is big enough that a fullsize axe has to be called in.
 
Mac from the shack said:
So I just joined bladeforums, looks like a pretty hefty community full of experience and information to share.I am here to ask what in your opinion is the best weight for a hatchet when trekking through miles of forest keeping in mind fatigue and other crap you have to carry around in your backpack while not ruining the effectiveness of the hatchet itself.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Welcome to Bladeforums
What kind of gear do you use? Tent, hammock, or just tarp and wool blanket? Do you rely on fire to keep you warm? Do you hike alone or group of people? What time of year? What kind of knife do you usually carry(full tang, or maybe Leatherman multi-tool)?
In some cases you might be better off with just folding saw and knife or even( for weight consideration) just knife, short bow saw replacement blade, two nails, and 2 pieces of twine.
 
Last edited:
A standard camp hatchet as Hickory & Steel suggest is a great choice. There's a reason they've been so popular for 100 years. If you're hiking a good distance (backpacking) then you might want something a little lighter. I've found the Fiskars X7 is about as light as I can go and still have a functioning hatchet.

If I feel like carrying a little more weight I'll bring a vintage claw hatchet re-hung on a longer riggers axe handle. It's a super useful tool. Good carver, splits kindling better than I expected and adds the utility of a hardened hammer poll plus a claw for extracting nails.
 
crbnSteeladdict said:
Welcome to Bladeforums
What kind of gear do you use? Tent, hammock, or just tarp and wool blanket? Do you rely on fire to keep you warm? Do you hike alone or group of people? What time of year? What kind of knife do you usually carry(full tang, or maybe Leatherman multi-tool)?
In some cases you might be better off with just folding saw and knife or even( for weight consideration) just short bow saw replacement blade, two nails, and 2 pieces of twine.
Click to expand...
I usually go out looking for mushrooms and herbs, picking the hell out of berry bushes sometimes, harvesting some birch twigs and bark for that unique tea taste.I carry a blanket in the backpack and only start a fire if I know it's safe and some wind won't burn me to bacon when it spreads into the forest .Alone, not really a peoples person. Used to carry a small Gerlach kitchen knife (haha real funny) now I got a Walther Black Tac.
Yeah maybe not a folding saw, in my eyes a hatchet with a wooden grip and a high quality axe head is a must.
 
Also, what does the symbol on the head indicate?
image;s=1000x700
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top