Recommend me a hatchet

The Estwings are nice, but if splitting is your primary intended use, something like the Fiskars X11 might work better.

The X7 is smaller, less expensive. It’s more of a true hatchet, also a nice tool.

https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-576926301-13-Wooden-Hatchet/dp/B00HC077GQ

Estwing will last you forever. I’ve got two, different sizes. I’ve also got the baby Gerber which is nice, 9”.

Gerber Hatchet

NO! No Estwing. Get the Gerber X11 splitting hatchet. Thank me later. Also, its soft metal, don’t hit rock or dirt. https://smile.amazon.com/Fiskars-X11-Splitting-Axe-17-Inch/dp/B000AQLUE4/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=gerber+hatchet&qid=1560136082&s=gateway&sr=8-12

In fact the X15 does all that and more. I’ve used all these and more, go with the Fiskars.

For under $40 delivered to USA I just received this German Ochsenkopf from Amazon.de. Not sure how they are viewed over in Europe, but I’m impressed with the quality. Only 5 euros to ship a 1KG hatchet I thought was a good deal.

OX Head OX235E 1002

https://www.amazon.de/OCHSENKOPF-235-1002-Forstbeil-1000/dp/B000UYZI30/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=OX+Head+OX235E+1002&qid=1560136413&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr0

They make a number of different hatchets and axes, some better than others for the purpose of splitting, I suggest you take a look at there whole line.

The Gerber/Fiskars are nice but they’re plastic. They work great and I haven’t had one fail but they are not as solid as the estwing. The weight of the estwing is the tradeoff. When it comes to edge profiles, those can always be tweaked to your preference.

That’s a good looking hatchet.

I have the Estwing and the Husqvarna, really like both of them. My son took the Estwing last time he was home.
I also have the larger Estwing axe and 2 hammers (one of which is older than I am) great products. I’m thinking about trying the “fireside friend” also
for just the purpose you mentioned.

I also purchased a handmade leather sheath by Viking Princess on etsy. Really good quality and quick shipping.

Gerber Hatchet Leather Sheath

Yeah, for splitting already chopped firewood into smaller pieces, this one might be good.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

The Estwing E24A it probably the best ever small hatchet/axe on the market today, & has been for decades. it beats everything regardless of brand & price for durability, holding a sharp edge, balance, quality, etc. I have had many others, including Gerber X11, (which chipped its blade) Fiskars, etc but the Estwing is the one i will grab for if my life depended on it. I had mine for 15 years and its still the best axe/hatchet i ever used, and still its my favorite for our week+ long expeditions and trips.
Personally there is no other small axe/hatchet that even comes close to the Estwing.
>> Amazon.com

Thanks. For splitting already chopped wood specifically though, wouldn’t something wedge shaped, like the Fireside Friend, be better?

True for splitting wood a thicker wedge axe would be better. a few times we carried a full size axe with the handle cut off to hatchet length on our long canoe trips. a shortened heavier, thicker axe head on a short handle will split wood far better than and lighter hatchet of that’s the only purpose you need one for.

Molly

I really hate metal handles on hatchets, hammers and anything else I have to hit with, wooden handles all day everyday. Plastic handles are great for camping or backpacking but are often not replacable. I d never give money to hatchet with metal (steel if it’s half decent) handle. It doesn’t feel nice, it’s cold in wintertime and when it gets bend you’re sol.

I just cut down a few small trees in my yard with a bow saw. I went to the local garden center and got a longer (wooden) handled hatchet (not axe) and it’s been great (much better than my shorter handled hatchet). I’m not splitting wood as you are but the principle is the same.

When my bow saw is slow going due to the weight of the wood, I use the hatchet for a few chops and then go back with the bow saw. Without the hatchet my work would be slow going. The longer handle is much better.

I paid less than $20.

Best axe for the money, without a doubt. Pretty sure this one is made by Hults Bruk in Sweden, excellent steel, cheaper and maybe a little less finished than a Hults Bruk branded one. Other great Swedish axes are Wetterlings, Hultafors, and Gransfors Bruks. Fiskars is very soft steel, avoid.

$90 for a hatchet :person_facepalming: I didn’t pay that much for my hand-forged maul. If you swing that hatchet everyday for 8 h then it might be worth investing $90 in it, but for the occasional chop I’d go for a $30 one. It might be a good idea to buy one localy so you can check that it’s forged symmetrically, it’s a pain and dangerous to chop with an hatchet that is curved to left or right

Also dangerous to chop with a dull hatchet. Should be almost as sharp as a good knife.

If your talking about the Husqvarna for $90 you must have clicked on the link during one of Amazon’s random price jumps for a short time. It’s $36.94 right now.