Hand ax/hatchet reviews.

[danez71]

This post is just to give some feed back for others from someone that doesn't have a lot of knowledge of blades and axes. I'm not well versed in this stuff and may use wrong terminology.

To keep this on topic, all of these could be used as a weapon

Links are for reference only.


About 2-3 yrs , I asked about a small hand axe and more specifically about a Estwing because of the comments here. I was looking for ideas to give the wife for Christmas presents.

Sam Cade gave me some good details with his input as well as some others (btw, what happened to Sam Cade? Its be over a year since his last post. I hope he's well.)


I ended up not getting an ax that Christmas... the wife didn't take that suggestion.

But with gift cards, I ended up, a few months later, getting a............


Schrade Extreme Survival Hatchet.

http://taylorbrandsllc.com/products/schrade-survival-hatchet-black-handle

Titanium Coated 3Cr13 Stainless Steel Head with Hammer Pommel, Black Glass Fiber Filled PA Handle with Ergonomic Black TPR Rubber Grip, Extra Large Ferro Rod with Lanyard Stores Inside Handle,
Blade Length: 3.8 inch (9.6 cm)
Handle Length: 5.2 inch (13.2 cm)
Overall Length: 11.8 inch (30.0 cm)
Weight: 1.37 lb

Thermoplastic Belt Sheath that snaps shut.

They also offer this same ax with a longer handle - about 4" longer

Ive never been much for the curved handles... an opinion based on pretty much nothing. But when I grabbed it at Bass Pro, it spoke to me. It balanced well and has a nice (what I call) forward swing.

I also wasn't sure about the blade shape, but again, it spoke to me. It felt comfortable. Nice swing. The handle lent itself well to choking up on it for carving tent stakes or making kindling and tinder shavings.

Ive used if for a variety of tasks; mostly in the back yard chopping roots, small branches and also for turning smaller pre-split logs into smaller pieces for camp fires and a back yard wood stove.

It came sharp... sharper than any new ax/hatchet I have ever felt.

I like it. It chops like the dickens! I think I got it for about $30. Its been very versatile. I think the curved shape of the blade has lent itself to its versatility, but I cant articulate exactly why.

The ferro rod works but its a bit awkward using the ax head as the striker. A knife spine or other striker would be better to use.



Soon afterwards, I got bitten by the camp ax bug. I needed on for the truck and the backyard, I rationalized


One day when I was on a weekend out of town trip with the wife up in a mountain/ski town, I spotted this at a tiny outdoors shop I like to visit when I'm there.

Its the Mora camp axe.

http://axeing.org/morakniv-boron-steel-camping-axe-review/

https://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Bor...dp/B00H1SVMOW?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Brand: MoraKniv
Model: Boron Steel Camping Axe
Overall Length: 12.6”
Blade Length: 4.5”
Black Thickness: 0.24”
Steel Material: Boron
Handle Material: Reinforced plastic
Overall Weight: 17.6 oz.
Sheath: Genuine Leather Slipcover (snaps shut)

This is smaller and much lighter in weight and, imo, would make a good back pack hatchet. It fits easily in a book bag type back pack and doesn't weigh it down. Its great for cutting (what I call) tree sucker sprouts, making kindling, carving etc.

Really nice forward swing on this too. This one is like an extension of my hand. Its a light weight tool but it feels of quality. It also came very sharp.

At $50, I debated getting it but I justified it by saying I like to support the local small private shops there and it matches my Mora 2000 and Mora 'light my fire(?)" with the build in fire stick in the handle.

I bought a couple other doodads and they gave me 5% off everything since the guy recognized me as an out of towner that shops there a few time a year.




Then, the next Christmas came... and I got the Estwing with the leather handle I wanted a year ago. Which was a god send because the Mora wasn't what I was looking for in a truck hatchet


I think I got this one (or maybe the 14" model)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-12-in-Sportsman-s-Axe-with-Leather-Grip-E14A/203075835

The thing is study, for sure! Its on the heavier side and a little difficult to manage for anything but chopping (not that versatile). But the extra weight sure make a difference for chopping.

The swing is not a forward swing in the least.

Came pretty sharp. The handle is beautiful and I could run it over with a tank and it'd survive.





Okay.......... this is getting a little embarrassing


Then... I got a different Schrade that was on clearance or super sale with some more Bass Pro gift cards from a birthday or something. I got it for under $25.


http://taylorbrandsllc.com/products/schrade-full-tang-hatchet


Schrade Full Tang Hatchet, Powder Coated 3Cr13 Stainless Steel Head with Hammer Pommel, Black TPR Rubber Wrapped Handle with Lanyard,

Blade Length: 3.55 inch (9.02 cm)
Handle Length: 5.91 inch (15.01 cm)
Overall Length: 11.08 inch (28.14 cm)
Weight: 1.37 lb

Thermoplastic Belt Sheath snaps shut


This is like a mini Estwing. The handle doesn't lend itself too well to carving but if you grab even higher up on the head and handle at the same time it works fair enough. better than the Estwing. imo

I haven't used it that much as I just recently got it. Its tough though. Solid steel throughout just like the Estwing, but scaled down. The handle is on the skinny side and the over all size would do very well for a kids camp ax or a garden ax on steroids . I'll probably add some shrink tubing or something to fatten up the handle.

The swing and balance are pretty good. Id say better than the Estwing but its scaled down so its hard to directly compare the two.



But wait.... there's more.... OCD had set in.

A sporting good chain store is going out of business and got this for 50% off (about $25) about 2 wks ago.

CRKT Woods Chogan

http://www.crkt.com/woods-chogan-thawk-axe-2730

Dimensions
Open Overall Length 19.13 inches
Weight 2 lbs. 1.4 ounces


Blade
Length 4.21 inches
Thickness 0.52 inches
Material 1055 Carbon Steel
Blade-HRC 50-55
Finish Hammer Finish
Grind Flat
Style Front: Axe Back: Hammer

Handle
Material Tennessee Hickory

Sheath(?): sucks

The handle was a little loose and I couldn't get it tighter banging upside down. I left it alone for about a week and the wood must of swelled because its tight now. Maybe the air conditioned store building shrank dried the handle and now being in my non A/C garage, it swelled back up nice and firm.

I haven't "used" it yet... only have played around with it. But, I thought it was a good deal and everyone should have a hickory handled camp/hand ax... right? Well, that's what I convinced myself of.


The handle is a bit longer than the others and would allow for chopping while standing, but bent over quite a bit, if needed where the other are too short and would require kneeling.

Its not as sharp as any of the others above. The handle is nice hickory and a good diameter. The head is beefy. Ultimately, I think its the most unwieldy for smaller fine work tasks of the bunch. But its also the biggest and heaviest of them all; so it stands to reason.

Its handle in the most 'in between length' of them all in terms of a hatchet and an ax. And, in theory that should give the best versatility of the bunch in the 'truck ax/hatchet' role.

They also make this with a spike on the back side instead of a hammer, which would be good for digging in rocky earth before shoveling, if that's the terrain in your area.


The thermo plastic sheath/display hanger of the CRKT is the worst of them all (very flimsy and is easily knocked off) and it has the highest msrp.

I see leather sheaths on-line for a little less than I paid for it... So I may have to jerry rig something myself unless someone here has one to donate to me.



So there you have it. Sorry if its a bit rambling and not as nice of a write up as from those more experience and knowledgeable members. But I wanted to give you my thoughts that stand out.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Nice write up ! I've long been hearing great stuff about the Fiskars hatchet, that (last i checked) runs around $25 from Home Depot's website. I believe they also have a lifetime guarantee.
But, while ax shopping a few years ago, I ended up going with the Estwing, largely for the bullet-proof design. Plus, I didn't have to order it, they're in-stock at Sears, and at about the same price.
But still, I'll probably grab one of these lighter-weight Fiskars one of these days, I just think they're cool !

 

[C0untZer0]

I've got the 26" Estwing Camper's Axe and I love it. I used it along with a Gerber Gator machete to clear brush and mulberry trees, used the axe on the thicker stuff, including chopping the roots.

I can't even get all the dirt out of my axe, and I scrubbed it with one of those green kitchen scrubbing pads and motor oil. Even though I didn't get all the dirt out, it hasn't rusted.

I've tried to use it to chop logs but the vibration is too much. The steel handle transmits the shock right into you. I can feel it in my wrists, elbows and shoulders, I didn't even make it through one decent sized log. I can chop a lot longer with a fiberglass or hickory handle.

The axe is fairly light weight, I can wield it with one hand and the length is perfect distance for putting someone down without them getting close enough to bite you, I'm just saying...

 

[danez71]

The friskars seems like it would be a pretty good bargain. I almost bought it but considered it too close to the 1st Schade above. I think that has a very hollow handle??? and didnt balance as well... if I remember right.


That 26" Estwing.... I think you've posted that before and kinda scared me off a little.

I have a full length ax with a 34" handle too.

This. .. http://forresttoolco.com/the_max.html

I've had this since around 1989. It's been very good to me.

 

[C0untZer0]

Have you actually used the pick on the Max MultiPurpose Tool ?

Usually you use a pick because you're into soil that isn't easy to excavate with a shovel. I think the cotter pin would shear - not with heavy use but just with normal use for jobs that require a pick to begin with.

 

[Fiv3r]

I'm a bargain-budget hatchet/tomahawk junkie.

The Estwing tactical hawk is my favorite truck beater. However, Colt had a one piece hawk made in El Salvador with a pole that was basically a knife blade. I ground off that part so that it was more of a traditional hatchet shape.

I did cut down a Fiskers hatchet to fit in my back up tool box. Makes for a nice little Ulu/push blade, and I can still use the back of the head as a light hammer.

I still need to pick up a Estwing hatchet for my truck, and I think the 26" campers axe is on my list for cabin duty.

 

[danez71]

Have you actually used the pick on the Max MultiPurpose Tool ?

Usually you use a pick because you're into soil that isn't easy to excavate with a shovel. I think the cotter pin would shear - not with heavy use but just with normal use for jobs that require a pick to begin with.

Yes I have, numerous times in rocky earth.

There is no force on the cotter pin. You'd have to actually break the pick itself.

The cotter pin only keeps the pick attachment from falling out. Same with the other attachments, no force is applied to the cotter pin except maybe gravity.



It was originally designed with the US forest service in mind but the military now issues it too under NSN 5120-01-416-8568 for vehicle recovery.(same thing, different color, and about $10 more on amazon)


That's the reason I bought it. I used to do a lot of off-roading. I take it every time I go on an out of town driving trip.

But you don't always want to be swinging big picks and sharp things around your tire if you need to dig out so I always kept a hand shovel and pick in my truck too. And now, a hand ax too!


The Max Ax is about $100 more now than when I bought mine around 1989. I about choked as I was paying for it back then but Ive never regretted it and really value it.




I have no experience with this http://www.hi-lift.com/handle-all/ but I am with the company. The company makes very few, but really good, products. At about 1/2 the price, it would be worth looking into if you were interested in something like this.

They also make this http://www.hi-lift.com/slide-n-lock/index.html which I bought in 1994. Ive removed and reinstalled the same unit on every truck since then.

 

[redneck]

I'm a bargain-budget hatchet/tomahawk junkie.

The Estwing tactical hawk is my favorite truck beater. However, Colt had a one piece hawk made in El Salvador with a pole that was basically a knife blade. I ground off that part so that it was more of a traditional hatchet shape.

I did cut down a Fiskers hatchet to fit in my back up tool box. Makes for a nice little Ulu/push blade, and I can still use the back of the head as a light hammer.

I still need to pick up a Estwing hatchet for my truck, and I think the 26" campers axe is on my list for cabin duty.

For the campers axe, I have the 26 inch estwing and I like it great for medium chopping, I have used it to cut down trees up to about a 6 inch trunk and it does a surprisingly good job. Its great for clearing shooting lanes when setting up tree stands or clearing trails.

If your needs for a camp axe require more splitting than anything else for kindling or what not than I would pick something different. The estwing camp axe has a very thin head and relatively little weight for splitting and the curve of the cutting edge makes it walk its way out of the log so that you end up with the handle in the cut. With a little practice you can make it work, but its not great for splitting.

 

[Water-Man]

I can give very high recommendations for Gransfors Bruks products.

 

[Elkins45]

I have my dad's leather handled Estwing hatchet. He kept it behind the seat of his truck and it was literally razor sharp. Great steel and a great thin edge profile make for a fantastic chopper, and if you aren't careful with the edge it's a great slicer too.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I am a fan of the husqvarna hatchet the head is made by hultafors burk, hasn't failed me yet

 

[Steve Cover]

Very informative thread.

I’ve been in the market for a couple of light weight hatchets for some time.
One for in my jeep and one for our BOB.
This report has given me some good ideas.

Here is a somewhat off the wall Survival tool that I got in a trade last year.
You can use it both as a knife and as an ax.

It was designed by survival instructor Ron Hood. (Hoods Woods)

It is called the ATAX


The blade is quite sharp and has several survival related features.

1. The scales are held on by screws and can be removed to allow the ATAX to be latched to a fabricated handle using the slots on the back of the blade and used as an ax.
Only a shallow notch for the cross piece is required because the ATAX straddles the handle when so configured.
This makes a solid ax handle configuration.
2. There is a small space under the scales where small survival items (needles, fish hooks, etc.) can be stored.
3. Forward of the handle is a depression that can be used as the top bearing of a fire bow.
4. There is a groove that can be used to hook the bail on a pot suspended over a fire without burning youself.
5. It has a skinning knife contour for when it is used as a knife.


6. Centered on the blade are marks that can be used with a plumb line to estimate slope or help estimate the height of objects and has several other uses.


7. the lower part of the blade opened up to use as a range finder or very crude wrench,




It comes with a strong Kydex sheath that mounts to the belt horizontally.

It also comes with a DVD that demonstrates its many uses.

It currently sits in my BOB, but I’m really more interested in a more conventional hatchet.

Steve

 

[C0untZer0]

Very informative thread.



I’ve been in the market for a couple of light weight hatchets for some time.

One for in my jeep and one for our BOB.

This report has given me some good ideas.



Here is a somewhat off the wall Survival tool that I got in a trade last year.

You can use it both as a knife and as an ax.



It was designed by survival instructor Ron Hood. (Hoods Woods)



It is called the ATAX





The blade is quite sharp and has several survival related features.



1. The scales are held on by screws and can be removed to allow the ATAX to be latched to a fabricated handle using the slots on the back of the blade and used as an ax.

Only a shallow notch for the cross piece is required because the ATAX straddles the handle when so configured.

This makes a solid ax handle configuration.

2. There is a small space under the scales where small survival items (needles, fish hooks, etc.) can be stored.

3. Forward of the handle is a depression that can be used as the top bearing of a fire bow.

4. There is a groove that can be used to hook the bail on a pot suspended over a fire without burning youself.

5. It has a skinning knife contour for when it is used as a knife.





6. Centered on the blade are marks that can be used with a plumb line to estimate slope or help estimate the height of objects and has several other uses.





7. the lower part of the blade opened up to use as a range finder or very crude wrench,









It comes with a strong plastic sheath that mounts to the belt horizontally.



It also comes with a DVD that demonstrates its many uses.



It currently sits in my BOB, but I’m really more interested in a more conventional hatchet.



Steve

Do you have a handle for it packed in your BOB? And just some clarification, you'd have to lash the ATAX to a handle using cordage ?


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[FireInCairo]

Maybe you should change your username to Gimli?

I have a medium and small Estwing with the blue rubber handles. Excellent tools.

I also bought a large Fiskar's with a splitter head. It makes splinters of logs quick!

Axe technology has really come a long way. Always hated those old style with the wonky heads that come off easy.

 

[Steve Cover]

Do you have a handle for it packed in your BOB? And just some clarification, you'd have to lash the ATAX to a handle using cordage ?


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Handle in the BOB? ... No.
Since I live in the woods, handle material is readily available.

Lashing it to the handle is the idea.
The three elongated slots on the back of the blade will accommodate parachute cord.

Steve

 

[FireInCairo]

That Schrade Scaxe10 hatchet looks like a winner considering the cost and features. I may have to retire my tiny, cheapo camp hatchet.

 

[C0untZer0]

Have you used that Guardian Survival Gear 3 Function Hatchet ?

At 10 bucks I'd be afraid that its made out of ZAMAK.

 

[Jackal]

The Husqvarna traditional style hatchet is the best on the market for it's price ($40 ish). Made by Hultafors/Hults Bruks in Sweden. The steel and wood quality are leagues above most modern domestic made axes. I use mine for carving. After I got it, I sold my Gransfors, since the Hultafors is just as good.

As for the CKRT Chogan, the thin kydex sheath it comes with can be tightened up easily with a little heat.

 

[C.R.]

I got a quality roofers hatchet and it makes a dandy tomahawk.

 

[X-Rap]

Lashing it to the handle is the idea.
The three elongated slots on the back of the blade will accommodate parachute cord.

I'd really try that before you need it in direct comparison to a hatchet with handle mounted through the head. I don't believe you will be able to get paracord to tighten up enough to make a usable tool.

 

[Steve Cover]

I'd really try that before you need it in direct comparison to a hatchet with handle mounted through the head. I don't believe you will be able to get paracord to tighten up enough to make a usable tool.

If you mean just strapping it to the side of the handle, or in a split branch, I fully agree.
But Ron designed this as a survival tool with multi function ability.
Using it as an ax would be superior to chopping with a hunting knife.
Cutting a notch (not splitting it) in an improvised handle to accommodate the small cross piece allows the handle to be mounted inside the opening and not twist in use.
The blade would be snugged up against the solid handle for a firm cutting blow.
I doubt that he intended it to be competitive with a real ax in a non survival scenario.

In a survival situation, usually the only equipment you have access to is what you are carrying.
This carries like a knife and is more likely to be on your person when a true survival situation actually happens.

Unique knives are interesting to me and getting this in a trade was great.

I'm showing a unique tool, not pushing it as a panacea for wilderness use.

Steve

 

[C0untZer0]

Id want it just for dicing vegetables in the kitchen


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[X-Rap]

It might be a fine tool, but like many so called survival multi tools it might not be very good at anything.
You said it's in your BOB so I'd just encourage you to prove it out before you count on something that may not be suited to your needs.
We all have that drawer or box with the greatest knife, fishing lure, tool, holster or whatever gadget at least I do.

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[C0untZer0]

We all have that drawer or box with the greatest knife, fishing lure, tool, holster or whatever gadget at least I do.

My box has the Gerber Shard and the Gerber Artifact sitting in it, as well as a broken $9.00 Tac-Force knock-off of the CRKT M16. I bought a Tac-Force 803 based on this YouTube review, saying it was a good deal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9ew5JZP8GI

The reviewer was completely wrong. After about 4 minutes of me practicing (playing) with it, the thing loosened up so much it was ready to fall apart. I wasn't sure what I was going to do about it loosening up, I tightened up the screws with my torx screwdrivers, I was thinking of putting Loctite on it but the fifth day I had it the spring snapped.

I have a loosey goosey spring assisted knife with no spring that costs more to ship back than the knife itself costs.

I almost added a Irwin 6LN VISE-GRIP Locking "Multi"-Pliers tool to the box but I had the common sense to just take it back to Menards and get a refund.

 

[Steve Cover]

Id want it just for dicing vegetables in the kitchen


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It does look like an Ulu on steroids doesn't it?

Steve