https://www.estwing.com/collec.../campers-axe-14-blue

I can’t find any pictures but the side view. Is the back side wide enough to be used as a decent hammer?

Looking for something American made that will be a mighty fine axe and hammer that does not break the bank.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Black92LX,

Not that particular one. But I have a couple of eastwings. One I bought the other i inherited. While I like the American made aspect. I own a lot of axes. The eastwings are about as useless of an axe as I own. Fwiw.

buy a Swedish axe like a Gransfros Bruk. Not sure on spelling.

What do you dislike about the Estwings?
I am looking to be under $50 yes I know that is on the lower end but this is going to live it’s life in the back of the truck not a main use tool.
Putting together a bit more gear. Lots of snow and stranded folks here tonight.
My Tundra did beautiful but realized I need a few more things in the truck.

[Edited to clarify]

Had older version similar configuration. While unbreakable
and would take decent edge with enough laboring over the chore, there were couple major flaws.

Too lightweight for decent strike with neither bit nor butt.
Handle too short as well. Worked ok for belt carry or supplemental
tool for cutting up elk.

Their longer mid length model gives better stroke power for camp wood
but still too light. Poor mechanical choice for driving stakes and the striking surface is too small.

Any typical boy scout hatchet or axe head a pound heavier & 4" longer handle will perform better in the woods.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: signewt,

All my axe's are used for firewood chores. I do not like the profile on the eastwings. Hard to sharpen and do not take an edge like I want. Make a fine truck emergency tool. But like signewt say's. Not great for splitting or cutting wood.

I have the long handle version of the campers axe

https://www.estwing.com/collec...pers-axe-long-handle

And really like it. The shorter handle on the one the op listed seemed more of a hatchet to me…

I use mine regularly when on extended overland trips.

I know my Long Handle Axe doesn't... displace enough wood? (don't know what the technical "axe term" would be.) It's light weight and handy, but the thin blade that makes it that way chops poorly. Goes in, gets stuck.

My friend Joe bought the Estwing which is about 16 inch over all length, just because its well made and cool. At the indoor Richwood Flea Market for 25 bucks new. He's never going to use it due to his age, bless his heart. The indoor Vendor sells various brands of tech hammers and hatchets. There remains 1 Estwing camper ax that I know of.

I have both. No comments on quality other than that my gomboy folding saw cuts through wood way faster, but obviously can't be used as a hammer or to split wood:

There's a style of axe head ("Faller's axe or Cruiser's axe) that are thinner & built for actual chopping pieces out of a tree trunk, to cut it down or make a clear mark. There a different ogive that's thicker, that is more for splitting.

There's a wide variety of designs for users with different needs.

Having a $25 Estwing in the boot that will see little use is probably not a bad purchase. You'll have to learn how to make it actually work for your needs though.

I have their tomahawk axe under the seat of my truck.

https://www.estwing.com/collec...tomahawk-axe-leather

I've never used it, hope I don't have to.

Here's my favorite kindly splitting maul:

4# Estwing with a big enough hammer surface to.
Not so good for belt carry but great for 'kindling'.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/e...cab28d8&gclsrc=3p.ds

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
I can’t find any pictures but the side view. Is the back side wide enough to be used as a decent hammer?

Depends on what you want to hammer. If you need to hammer steel nails, then it'll work in a pinch, although the backside is only 3/4" wide.

If you're hammering aluminum or nylon tent stakes, you're likely to break them using something solid steel. You should use something w/ a rubber or nylon face for that. Rubber mallet or dead blow hammer work well.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
https://www.estwing.com/collec.../campers-axe-14-blue

I can’t find any pictures but the side view. Is the back side wide enough to be used as a decent hammer?

There are a few dozen pictures from just about every angle on the webpage you linked to.

quote:

Originally posted by BlackTalonJHP:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
https://www.estwing.com/collec.../campers-axe-14-blue

I can’t find any pictures but the side view. Is the back side wide enough to be used as a decent hammer?

There are a few dozen pictures from just about every angle on the webpage you linked to.

I see that now. I was on my phone looking at the site and there is so sort of little red man icon that floats on the side of the screen and was covering the arrow to see more pictures.

I have had an Estwing hatchet since mid 80,s and it has been through a lot quartering elk and been resharpened so much the leather cover wont stay on anymore .It has been a great tool for me, if you have 2 with you you can split an Elk length wise with them right down the backbone!

I have a long and a short handled Estwing camp axes. They are good for their purpose and you can hammer with them in a pinch but they are not designed to primarily be a hammer. If you want a true hammer side look at the old style shake shingle hammer hatchet with a true hammer head

I have Estwing's longer camper's axe and found those cheaper ones in lawn and garden with conventional heads did a better job and were better tempered. The Estwing I have will chip or dull more quickly.

In kindling hatchets Fiskars makes a great one, I use it with a 2 pound deadblow on the back face splitting walnut for firestarter.

Pioneering tools for bad weather/roads might include a small 16" chainsaw to really work the downed trees, etc. Obviously something not to leave in the truck all the time. The cordless electrics have really stepped up the game in that regard - but are still 1.5X the price.

graniteguy, that is a new one on me. Look pretty good but have no idea how expensive they are or where one would buy?

I would probably throw both my eastwings in the scrap pile for one of those.

literately not found one single thing they (eastwings) are good for other than better than nothing in an emergency. But even then I would be looking for something better to use.

I am not sure where Fiskars are made. But as mentioned they are a fairly good tool. But would not buy if chinese. I think they are American made, but not sure.

quote:

I think they are American made, but not sure.

read the story here:
https://www.thewoodcuttersson....skars-axes-any-good/

I bought a Fiscars Splitting axe a few seasons ago. Best axe I've ever had. It was around $50 IIRC. Not made in China either.