New Axe or Hatchet

[theotherwaldo]

This is the time of year that I usually buy an axe, hatchet, bolo, machete, or other wood-splitting tool, at least partially to celebrate the fact that I no longer have to cut wood in order to keep my family warm.

Over the last four years I have bought a machete, a small broadaxe, a Cold Steel heavy bolo, and a Chinese heavy splitting axe. I think that I'll add a hatchet to the rotation.

Problem is, which one?

I've been looking at the following hatchets, old and new:
-Norlunds
-Estwings
-Collins
-Kellys
-and a number of smith-made antiques.

The hatchet will be for general use, occasional rough carving in mesquite wood, and camping duty. I don't mind reconditioning the heads or replacing handles.

So which hatchet do you think I should select - one of the ones mentioned above or some other favorite of yours?

 

[06]

Eastwings are hard to beat. Hatchets and machetes are very dangerous tools. I recommend using a bow saw if possible. Will cut small stuff faster and you only lose parts of fingers instead of hands and feet.

 

[messerist]

I like these. "]http://www.gransfors.us/axes.html"]Of course I'm biased because of my Scandinavian blood.

 

[Cosmoline]

I also love the Gransfors. Who better to buy axes from than a bunch of Vikings?

 

[Henry-Krinkle]

You might want to look into Wetterlings axes too. I have the small forest axe and I love it. It's cheaper than gransfors too.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Yep, gotta agree with 06. Hatchets are dangerous tools, and I've got the most amazing array of scars on my left pointer finger to prove it. Splitting kindling in the dark with a dull blade can be bloody work.

Part of what the purchase is celebrating is that I no longer have to split kindling unless I want... .

 

[WatongaJim]

I love my Estwing but I've been looking at some of the Gerber hatchets. I like the Gator model that has a knife in the handle. The Gerber hatchet was used in the recent move "A Perfect Getaway", which is a pretty good suspense movie for those that haven't seen it.

 

[highorder]

I have a Gerber Sport axe.

I can't say enough good things about it. It's been everywhere with me; Gila Wilderness, Red River Gorge, Manistee National Forrest, Adirondack Park, the Appalachian Trail in Berkshire County...

It's great. An occasional touch-up on the slack belt and it's good to go.

 

[offroaddiver]

gerber/fishkars axes are my favorite. Mine are extremely easy to keep scary sharp.

 

[chris26]

I have a Hunter's Axe from Gransfor and could not be happier. Have used it on both wood and deer to great effect with nary a scratch. Then again I have not tried to cut kindling in the dark with it......but Gransfors are expensive. No doubt you have found, as I have, that you get what you pay for! Chris

 

[jcjacobvt]

For made in the USA Snow & Nealley hand tools.
see http://www.snowandnealley.com/
at http://www.labonville.com/

 

[mp510]

I have a stacked leather Estwing. It is a very good quality, durable hatchet that I truly enjoy owning and using. The only down side is that with the stacked leather handle (which looks andholds awsome), you eventually do feel the vibration- if you chop with it for too long.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I really like the new Fiskars products. I bought one of their felling axes for tree work and really fell in love with the whole package.

Their hatchets have a polymer handle that wraps around the head. The handle won't break and the head is, as mentioned, easy to keep scary sharp.

For a non-working nostalgia hatchet that will just sit around and look good, I give another nod to gransfor and also would mention that you can buy some older used but very good heads on eBay for cheap and re-handle them to get a nice old school "used" hatchet with very high quality steel.

 

[Todd A]

I am very happy with my Wetterlings. Mine is the smallest they offer, 10".It will take (and keep) a hair shaving edge with just sandpaper and a foam pad.





It doesn't just look good.It works too.









I used it and a Mora to throw a quickie emergency shelter together on Friday,just for practice.

 

[Mp7]

depends on wether u like the look ...

Fiskars

 

[millertyme]

Fiskars also makes the Gerber axes and hatchets without the orange end. My brother likes the orange since helps him find out where his son left his axe. I have the all black Gerber in a 14" with the saw in the handle. I think the saw is novel, but nearly worthless despite its quality. But I do love the hatchet and carry it on my side when out in the woods. Lifetime warranty on the composite and head.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I also love the Gransfors.

+1. Wildlife Hatchet is a nice and handy little tool.

 

[Coyote3855]

I have Estwings, Gransfor Bruks (felling axe, wildlife hatchet and mini hatchet), and one Wetterling (medium sized hatchet). I love the GBs, but I think the Weterling is just as good. The Wetterling lives by the woodstove and is used regularly to split kindling.

My 12 year old nephew was watching and said "Isn't that very dangerous?" So I showed him precautions... heavy leather welding glove on left hand. Hold the wood on the side, not on top (!), make sure my legs are not in the arc of the swing, don't work if distracted, over tired, after adult beveages, etc. I didn't mention keeping the hatchet sharp.

BTW, I'm jealous you are finished with wood heat for the winter. I figure 3-4 more cords before spring.

 

[dagger dog]

Snow and Nealy 1 3/4 pound Hudsons Bay Axe 20" long 4" bit 2 3/4" poll.
weight comparable to most hachets and is easy to swing one handed because of the light weight, but can do a lot better job of felling when needed, a little harder to pack, but can strap it to the side of your ruck sack-pack.

Very good high carbon steel need to keep it waxed ( rust), I put the high polish on mine makes it turn loose of the chips and really blows out the chunks. Does a fair job as a kindling axe, but the blade is just a little too thin for splitting.

I have this, an old Eastwood 3/4 size axe ,the cheaper one with the blue plastic handle but man what a blade, for limbing you can't find a better design the blade is razor thin and hard as diamond holds an edge for ever.
It rides on the front bumper of my Massey tractor, and I've given up trying to keep it polished!

 

[rcmodel]

For shear uniqueness & a bit of history you should look at the Marbles #5 Safety Ax with the folding guard.

http://www.uparchery.com/product_info.php?products_id=201

I think they have discontinued them again, and will soon become a collectable.

rc

 

[Winston_Smith]

+1 for Gransfors. I have a wildlife hatchet and love it.

 

[MikeJackmin]

+1 on the Wetterlings. (In all fairness, I haven't tried most of the others).

 

[theotherwaldo]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I like the look of the Fiskars and I'll probably get one later.
For now, though, I'm picking up an old Norlund.

It's a pattern that I've never had, and the shape and proportions intrigue me.

As soon as it comes in I'll get to work cleaning it up and trying it out on the shrubbery that's trying to take over my back fenceline.

Report to follow.

 

[ilbob]

I could never understand the attraction of hatchets, or hand axes. I have had a couple and I always found that it was far less work to use a saw to cut, and they are not all that great for splitting either. I am just not sure what they are really good for.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

kindling and assailants, felling small trees (like a christmas tree), pruning hardwoods and conifers, shaping wood for artistic and functional reasons, and other tasks I'm sure I've failed to mention.

Cherokee artists in this region use hatchets to shape wood masks.