A lot of people really like the Fiskars hatchet for an inexpensive hatchet. They are good, I have used them.

Gransfors Bruk or Hults Bruk make great hatchets and axes, but they are spendy and hard to find at the moment.

I haven't used the Estwing.

We have an Estwing axe I bought to replace an el-cheapo axe a friend broke. I think it's this one: Estwing E44A Forged Steel Camp Axe with 14.75-in Steel Handle. I liked it because it's one piece of solid steel from head through handle.

We use it primarily for cutting roots when digging-out large bushes and small trees. That means it gets pretty rough use.

Have had it three years, I think? Edge could use some touching up, but it hasn't chipped or folded on us.

It's well-balanced, feels good in the hand, and doesn't transfer a lot of shock to the user's hand and arm.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
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.

Pretty sure most Fiskars are still made in Finland.
It is on the list but was trying to go American.

I had the longer handled version, with some reprofiling it was a decent tool that I kept in the back of my truck and then gave to my oldest for his car.

Anything a hatchet can do a decent ax can do better....ok, almost everything and it does nt take up that much more space. One more reason for a full sized ax is you have better control over it and it is safer ....the arch of the swing is longer and less likely to come back your way....read that in the ax book and it makes sense.

I have a couple, one I got at TSC that is quite ok a Husqvarna camp ax...nice wood and the handle is thinner than the TSC ax and a Gransfors hatchet that was a gift....very nice but the size as mentioned above makes it handy but not as useful.

Both the Hushy and the TSC ax needed some time with a file to cut better....

I still have an Eastwing Tomahawk and for it's intended purpose....clefting it's damned near indestructible even if a little short and maybe a bit to heavy

I have one that has been mine since the 1950's.

It is, as many have noted, not the best ergonomically or in terms of weight, ability to sharpen, and width of hammer. Still a fun old timey item to have.

(I have always worried about using the hammer side of a small hatchet, as that means the blade is coming upward towards the face on the back stroke. And such hatchets can surprise bounce upward off a very hard surface).

Might be better to buy one of the more modern designs that get all the good reviews... or get a hammer to hammer and an axe to chop wood...

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:
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

Whenever I go into the boonies, I stop at the local hardware stores and look for these.
I have several, in each vehicle, home and so on.

Very convenient for splitting rounds and compact.

https://www.estwing.com/collec...riend-splitting-tool

Pretty much does anything you need done + splitting.

If you decide to go with a Swedish hatchet/axe, look at Husquevarna. Less expensive than Gransfor Bruks.

I've had these 2 for years, so long that Gerber was still made in USA. Eastwing needs a little cosmetic work.

quote:

Originally posted by RoverSig:
I have one that has been mine since the 1950's.

It is, as many have noted, not the best ergonomically or in terms of weight, ability to sharpen, and width of hammer. Still a fun old timey item to have.

(I have always worried about using the hammer side of a small hatchet, as that means the blade is coming upward towards the face on the back stroke. And such hatchets can surprise bounce upward off a very hard surface).

Might be better to buy one of the more modern designs that get all the good reviews... or get a hammer to hammer and an axe to chop wood...

Picked up a Condor tomahawk a while back, it has a long pick opposite the edge and that is what I will do on the backswing, poke myself in the head. Third time I got my bump cap out. Different strokes for different folks, yes, but that 10" spike is longer than I want to get used to. Another issue is the head is offset on a tubular handle, when it strikes it tries to rotate in your grip, it's round, causing a lot of twisting.

I just thought I'd mention it, and now off it goes to the flea market booth.

I have a Husqvarna hatchet. Made in Sweden, not US.

It serves me well.

Husqvarna Hatchet

Have a eastwing camp axe with the 26inch handle and a 4inch cutting edge that dates to the middle 70"s which I picked up while stationed at Ft. Greely, Alaska. Once used it to cut thru major bones while field dressing on a 900lb buffalo with the help of a Alaska Game Warden on the roadside due to compound fractures on 3 legs from a auto accident. Game warden had me stay and help due to the fact that I had shot the buffalo in the head because it was laying in the highway suffering from compound fracture on 3 legs and the highway was open to traffic.. .... drill sgt.

well I did use mine to make cedar shakes in the last couple of days. It did work reasonably well for that.
I have never used one on big game as I use a knife and saw for that. But could see it working in a pinch. But carrying one vs a knife and saw is a no brainer.

How about a hardcore hammers carpenter hatchet?
This seems kind of nice and is American made.
https://www.hardcorehammers.co...mare-Blue-p296161337

I like the burnt orange super naturalist version. They look like a quality tool. going to burn a c-note or better. Could get a good unit for half that. But I am not against supporting an American company. I spent more on the my Swedish forest axe.

Black, not sure if you got what you were looking for? I got the Midway USA flyer. It has some good options in it if still looking.