Let's talk hatchets

[ndcowboy]

Last week I went out in the tree row to chop a few branches to smoke some ribs and found my old hatchet is in pretty tough shape. So I've been looking at new hatchets and there are about a million different ones ranging from $10 to big bucks.
I'd like to find a really good one - something that my kids and grandkids could still have around when I'm gone. I don't mind spending a few bucks for a good one. Any suggestions.

 

[wheelgun1958]

Estwing.

 

[GunnyGene]

Get a woodsman pal > http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Tool-Industries-Woodmans-Classic/dp/B0009DV5SE

 

[WAYNO]

I have a Woodsman Pal also that never leaves my pickup. For light limb cutting, or for bigger emergencies, it's great. But if I have to cut more than a few "real" branches, it's a lot of work. Just not quite heavy enough. It's close to a machete.

And for this reason, I've been thinking of getting a tomahawk. So just a couple days ago I ordered two of them from Ruger.

WAYNO.

 

[JohnBoy]

Gransfors Bruks Outdoor Axe - offered by Duluth Pack - as well as others. Comes with a 20 year warranty. Great tool - and heirloom! Stay safe with whatever you choose!

 

[Jeepnik]

I'll third the Woodsman's Pal. But the Gransfors products are very good indeed. The Eastwing is good, but not quite up to the quality of the Gransfors.

I carry both the Woodman's Pal and an Eastwing hatchet in my Jeep. Sometimes the full size axe is just too big.

 

[SAJohn]

Mine is a long shafted Estwing. Quality.

 

[GunnyGene]

I have a Woodsman Pal also that never leaves my pickup. For light limb cutting, or for bigger emergencies, it's great. But if I have to cut more than a few "real" branches, it's a lot of work. Just not quite heavy enough. It's close to a machete.

And for this reason, I've been thinking of getting a tomahawk. So just a couple days ago I ordered two of them from Ruger.

WAYNO.

There is a 3rd option. Get something custom made for your needs, instead of off the shelf. Support your local blade maker.

 

[The Preacher]

A second vote for Gransfors Bruks!

The Preacher

 

[toysoldier]

Nothing sold at a big box retailer. Everything I've seen there is poorly-shaped and poorly-finished cast steel, with fancy synthetic handles that can't be replaced when they break.

For many years, I've been buying every axe and hatchet head I found at yard sales and flea markets, with or without handle, that is of good quality and condition (and under $4). I now have about 20 hatchets/small axes and over a dozen axes. All are better than the current offering.

Look online for the names others have recommended. There are some good ones from Sweden, too. They're not cheap, but they will last at least one lifetime.

 

[trapperon]

Estwing. It will for sure still be around and very serviceable for future family generations. The handle will never break, and you can get one with a stacked leather washer handle if you prefer. American made and top quality. Probably $50

I have my dads, and am not afraid to use it, but with a wooden handle one I know I would be paranoid I would split the handle and feel bad--hence would probably just stash it and not actually use it! It's in the same class as his guns that I have--just irreplaceable.

I applaud your heirloom thinking--every time I use or even look at my dads old hatchet it takes me right back to the deer woods and visions of he and I building our deer blinds together!

Ron

 

[gramps]

wow, you guys must be rich. I still have a hatchet from when I was a kid. it gets dull at times, and I sharpen it with a file every 10 years or so. I also have a machete (16 inch blade slightly curved) billed as a coconut machete, that is great for the small chores, and a longer machete for even heavier tasks. I find the 2 handled loppers work great for cutting wood for the smoker. Good luck.
gramps

 

[WAYNO]

There is a 3rd option. Get something custom made for your needs, instead of off the shelf. Support your local blade maker.

Any suggestions?

WAYNO.

 

[mike7mm08]

Last week I went out in the tree row to chop a few branches to smoke some ribs and found my old hatchet is in pretty tough shape. So I've been looking at new hatchets and there are about a million different ones ranging from $10 to big bucks.
I'd like to find a really good one - something that my kids and grandkids could still have around when I'm gone. I don't mind spending a few bucks for a good one. Any suggestions.

Did you move? Never thought someone from North Dakota would need an ax. Thought the couple dozen trees in the state were protected. :lol:

 

[Old Judge Creek]

No hatchet here. I replaced mine with a Woodmans Pal in 1959 or 1960 and I've been well served ever since.

I replaced my Estwing axe with a Fiskers axe about 15 years back. That's worked out ok as well, but truthfully I don't do as much serious axe work as I used too in younger days.

And I'd be lost without my Woodmans Pal!

 

[powder smoke]

I have two of these, mine are antique unsure of the age but they are survivors.
I use one quite often to chop kindling they are great and been around for some time.

Big enough and small enough to carry, Snow & Neely.

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/Products.asp?mi=25191&title=Snow%20&%20Nealley%20Hudson%20Bay%20Camping%20Axe&itemnum=33085

 

[ndcowboy]

Last week I went out in the tree row to chop a few branches to smoke some ribs and found my old hatchet is in pretty tough shape. So I've been looking at new hatchets and there are about a million different ones ranging from $10 to big bucks.
I'd like to find a really good one - something that my kids and grandkids could still have around when I'm gone. I don't mind spending a few bucks for a good one. Any suggestions.

Did you move? Never thought someone from North Dakota would need an ax. Thought the couple dozen trees in the state were protected. :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Nope, I didn't move. And you are right that we certainly don't live in a forest here, but sometimes I leave the state for a few days and have to fight off Montana's attack trees.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I've been doing a lot of "googling" the hatchets you've mentioned.

 

[Mobuck]

I prefer a "boy's axe" to a hatchet. Longer handle makes for easier chopping of bigger stuff w/o being too much to use one-handed. For really light cutting, I use a Cold Steel two handed machete. Great for cleaning up multi-flora rose and blackberriy vines. Perfect for cutting willow stakes for traps and cleaning out under electric fences(small brush/big weeds not grass).

 

[TinkerDave]

Collins used to be a good name for American made axes - I have one to their hatchets and works well for me. Check your flea markets & yard sales. TD

 

[Cooperhawk]

Nope, I didn't move. And you are right that we certainly don't live in a forest here, but sometimes I leave the state for a few days and have to fight off Montana's attack trees.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I've been doing a lot of "googling" the hatchets you've mentioned.

You'd have to travel quite a ways into Montana to find trees as well. I'll bet you're over in Minnesoioooota poaching trees. Ain't ya. :roll:

 

[smoke-eater]

Mine is a long shafted Estwing. Quality.

+1. My son and I both keep Estwing Camper's axes in our Jeeps. I also have the shorter, leather-gripped one that belonged to my late father for many years.

 

[ndcowboy]

Nope, I didn't move. And you are right that we certainly don't live in a forest here, but sometimes I leave the state for a few days and have to fight off Montana's attack trees.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I've been doing a lot of "googling" the hatchets you've mentioned.

You'd have to travel quite a ways into Montana to find trees as well. I'll bet you're over in Minnesoioooota poaching trees. Ain't ya. :roll:

Naw. You guys don't let me carry my concealed weapon over there in Minnesoioooota, so I go west or south. :wink:

 

[Cooperhawk]

Naw. You guys don't let me carry my concealed weapon over there in Minnesoioooota, so I go west or south. :wink:

Really? I thought we had reciprocity. :roll:

 

[ndcowboy]

Naw. You guys don't let me carry my concealed weapon over there in Minnesoioooota, so I go west or south. :wink:

Really? I thought we had reciprocity. :roll:

Nope, we don't. We have reciprocity with SD and MT, but not MN.

 

[WAYNO]

I prefer a "boy's axe" to a hatchet. Longer handle makes for easier chopping of bigger stuff w/o being too much to use one-handed.

I also agree with this. Didn't reply as such because I would have called it a small ax and folks might think a small ax is just a hatchet.

I normally don't lose tools, but over the years I've always had a small ax (boys ax :mrgreen: ), a full size ax, a splitting maul and a couple of hatchets. Other than the splitting maul, I don't know where any of them are, as in they've disappeared. I guess whoever borrowed my axes didn't want the work involved with a splitting maul. So I'm in the market to replace all of them. I keep my axes in the same shed as my chain saws. Wonder why they didn't borrow the chainsaws, too??

WAYNO.

 

[Arctos]

In my opinion, for good quality tools made in the USA and sold at reasonable prices, Council Tool is hard to beat. I've been very pleased with their standard axes, but if you want a premium product at a premium price, they also have their Velvicut line (with a limited offering).

Council Tool has a hunter's axe, which is about like a hatchet: http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=125HU

Two online retailers I've used for Council Tools are Bailey's and Omaha Knife:

http://www.baileysonline.com/Forest...Tool-1-25-lbs-Hunter-s-Axe-with-14-Handle.axd

http://omahaknife.com/index.php?id_product=55&controller=product

 

[Mobuck]

Bailey's had some fair prices on ax type tools a while back but the good ones are still expensive. I haven't seen a "good" ax in a store for a long time. The stuff I've seen is more akin to a "thin edged pounding tool" than a real cutting tool.
I was raised with an ax in my hand but I'm losing the control needed to make one work like it should. I turned down a chance to show off doing some competition style chopping last fall because I was a little afraid I'd whack off part of my foot.

 

[bearman49709]

I have three full size and one camp axe, a hatchet, a stihl chainsaw and a machete. I use the machete more than all the rest combined, any tree up to 8" I can usually cut down faster with a machete than someone with a axe.

 

[Lucky Joe]

Hatchets you say.
Off Topic Remove if needed.

(5 deg. outside, wind blowing snow around, I had some time on my hands. )

The "Hatchets" are here:

 

[Salmoneye]

Snow & Nealley

http://www.cspoutdoors.com/snow-nealley-axes/

I have had this one for over 20 years:

http://www.cspoutdoors.com/snow-nealley-hudson-bay-camping-axe-012s/