Need to buy a good hatchet

[Steve]

My grandson is getting more and more into camping and wilderness survival. He is begging for a good quality hatchet that will last and hold a good edge. Something that he will have for years. Must have a good sheath and a flat backside for tent stake pounding. Price should be a consideration as Grandpa is frugal (cheap). Any and all recommendations are appreciated.

 

[snapping turtle]

East wing. Lowes ect. (Nice )
Harbor freight (nice but made of Chineseiusm)

 

[Cavman]

Fiskers makes nice one. As well as axes Made in Sweden. Stihl has some super nice axes made in Germany

 

[Ruger_Ronin]

Marbles hatchets are great for beginners and young campers.

Marbles Camp Axe

www.smkw.com

 

[Cameramonkey]

Fiskers makes nice one. As well as axes Made in Sweden. Stihl has some super nice axes made in Germany

Avoid the fiskars if you want to use it to pound. They put a bend in the end of the handle that makes it VERY ergonomic to chop wood, but it wants to pull out of your hand if you turn it around and use it like a hammer. The first time I tried it literally pried itself out of my grip because I wasnt expecting it.

Thats the only beef I have with those.

Edit: Its not so much a bend as a birdshead at the end. That pointed tip is GREAT for helping your fingers not slide off the end. But that point will drive past the meat of your palm and try to peel it past your thumb if you dont choke up on the handle about halfway. (so you lose a lot of swing power)

 

[jsharmon7]

My vote is Estwing. Razor sharp, solid steel design, and several different sizes. There are some high-end brands out there (Gransfors Bruks), but the Estwing would be perfect for a beginner. They’re sold on Amazon, or at any Lowe’s/Home Depot/etc.

 

[Cavman]

Avoid the fiskars if you want to use it to pound. They put a bend in the end of the handle that makes it VERY ergonomic to chop wood, but it wants to pull out of your hand if you turn it around and use it like a hammer. The first time I tried it literally pried itself out of my grip because I wasnt expecting it.

Thats the only beef I have with those.

Edit: Its not so much a bend as a birdshead at the end. That pointed tip is GREAT for helping your fingers not slide off the end. But that point will drive past the meat of your palm and try to peel it past your thumb if you dont choke up on the handle about halfway. (so you lose a lot of swing power)

Good point i keep mine in ranger just for small stuff. Never seen extensive use

 

[jbombelli]

Another vote for Estwing here. They make good stuff for the price point.

 

[Ingomike]

The eastwings all have curves to them as well. Any of these will be fine…

 

[Jaybird1980]

The Marbles mentioned up thread or the Snow & Nealley young campers belt axe

Amazon product ASIN B000LG4DS8

 

[indyblue]

Love my Estwing. A well made top of the line tools.

I've got one of these

 

[bdybdall]

Estwing it is. I bought my son one for Christmas years ago and although he abused it it is still going strong. Like the photo in the previous post shows, they are made in the USA. They also very pretty! Get him a made in the USA Buck knife to go with it.

 

[pewpew2232]

I would go for a council tool belt hatchet, they have better steel than most and USA made. Last I checked they were about 35 bucks sheath will be a bit extra.

 

[BE Mike]

I have one of these. Looks like it would fit the bill. https://www.lowes.com/pd/VAUGHAN-Ca...rC38-j9Wl-6yJJ2tqh8aApTcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[pitbulld45]

My vote is Vaughn, made in America, good quality and not expensive. Found at Menards etc...

 

[Leo]

I have one of these. Looks like it would fit the bill. https://www.lowes.com/pd/VAUGHAN-Ca...rC38-j9Wl-6yJJ2tqh8aApTcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I remember a lot of old guys using that kind for shingle jobs before air nailers got common. They trimmed the end shingles as they went without ever switching tools.

 

[indyblue]

I would go for a council tool belt hatchet, they have better steel than most and USA made. Last I checked they were about 35 bucks sheath will be a bit extra

My Estwing was $35 with sheath

 

[teddy12b]

If you want traditional looking and affordable, the husqvarna hatchet is pretty nice. I've got one and for all practical purposes it'll do anything I need done. Amazon product ASIN B00HC077GQ
If you want heirloom quality for a bit more that someday he'll pass on to his sons or grandson along with a story of when he was given it then I'd say grandsfors bruks. I've never owned one, but the reputation is solid.

Something else to consider that any young man would love and absolutely get in trouble with, check out H&B Forge medium polled axe camp hawk. I have one and I like it a lot: https://hbforge.com/polled-axes/medium-camp-axe/

I like the estwings as a tool, but they just don't have that feel to them that I like.

 

[Butch627]

I have one of these. Looks like it would fit the bill. https://www.lowes.com/pd/VAUGHAN-Ca...rC38-j9Wl-6yJJ2tqh8aApTcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yea as someone else already mentioned that was commonly used by roofers, not the best choice for splitting wood or traditional hatchet chores. Great for shingling but I prefer the style with the holes in it for aligning the reveal.

 

[bdybdall]

My vote is Vaughn, made in America, good quality and not expensive. Found at Menards etc...

I've had Vaughn framing hammers, very nice, so I bet their hatchets would be a good bet also. Is it a regular hatchet or a rigger's hatchet?