I probably have not touched a hatchet since I was a kid. I have never owned one as an adult. This will be a light duty tool, since I do live in Florida after all. I need it to split the occasional piece of wood for the outdoor fire pit. And then I can take it when we do our vacation to the cabin in NC / GA in case I need to spilt a piece of wood or two for the fireplace. Is there a particular brand that SigForum prefers?

Estwing. USA made!

Gränsfors Bruk large carving hatchet

I have the Gränsfors Bruk small forest axe (hatchet) :

https://www.gransforsbruk.com/...rs-small-forest-axe/

I am very pleased with this axe (hatchet).

I was just looking at Hatchets myself.
Was looking at Fiskars and Estwing.
They are like $60
This is a piece that will be kept in the truck for clearing something on the trail I come across.

quote:

Originally posted by BlackTalonJHP:
Gränsfors Bruk large carving hatchet

Help me understand what makes these $225?

Estwing are good and made in USA.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Estwi...el-Handle/1000382001

A few years ago, I was considering a Gränsfors Bruk hatchet. I decided on a Husqvarna hatchet and it serves me well.

I have a Gransfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet. I don't think you can ask for better quality.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by BlackTalonJHP:
Gränsfors Bruk large carving hatchet

Help me understand what makes these $225?

I have the same question. I was thinking on the cheap end a hatchet would be $20, something mid level for $40, higher end for $70-$90. Never occurred to me they could go up over $200.

I’m a Council Tool fan.

I like the Estwing, it has one piece construction and the handle never can come loose.

Don't use it much lately but when I did it held up.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
I like the Estwing, it has one piece construction and the handle never can come loose.

Don't use it much lately but when I did it held up.

Yes, Eastwing does produce good stuff. And at a fairly reasonable price.

Fiskars X7 camping hatchet

https://amzn.to/2Sih5qm

I have fiskars models for throwing in the truck, wheeler, etc.

On my person, when hiking or when quality and performance matters...I carry a Gransfors Bruk. My hiking model is the small forest axe.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

Help me understand what makes these $225?

You can save some kronor and get a simpler handled hatchet, but the handle on this is carved for a better grip. The last thing you want is your hatchet flying out of your hand or the head coming off accidentally.
Deuteronomy 19:5

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Estwing. USA made!

Concur. I have a leather handle one my dad bought in the 1960s when we used to camp a lot in the Rockies.

You can’t break the handle on an Estwing.

I think the most bang for the buck is the Estwing. I’ve had one a few years and it is great for light duty use.

After having gone round and round myself on this topic let me suggest that you actually upgrade to a light axe. Most hatchets are too light to do any small log splitting etc.

I have had this Estwing for several years in my camper and use it all the time.

https://www.amazon.com/Estwing...%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-16

You really can't go wrong with the Estwing, especially for how often you will use it. I have many hammers of all types of theirs, and their funky light axe, good stuff. If you're making firewood, a one handed splitting maul would be money well spent as well.

I have a Fiskars hatchet that I bought cheap from a hardware store going out of business. While I haven't beat on it, mostly used it to split and quarter game, it surprised me with the quality.

(I have a Gransfors Bruk mini hatchet, you don't need spend that kind of money for what you're after, unless you will get pleasure from owning it, old world craftsmanship sort of thing)

I have a Fiscars that is better than anything else I've owned.