Best hand axe value for $50 or less

sleepyone · Apr 18, 2013

Looking for something I can carry in my hunting back pack either on the outside or in the main storage compartment. Don't really want to carry it on my belt as I will have my hunting sidearm and a pocket knife on the right side and my rifle on my left shoulder left shoulder. Would like it to come with a sheath. My back pack is a Tactical 5.11 Rush 24.

Gordon · Apr 18, 2013

Gerber has shorter hatchets, but this one actually cuts trees and is light!
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/573982

sleepyone · Apr 18, 2013

Gordon, saw this one on Midway last night before I created this thread! Looked like a good value. Thanks for the reference. I have an old Gerber lock blade knife from 25 years ago back when they were made in U.S. The nylon belt holster still has the Made in U.S.A tag. Been a great knife, but I have been buying Kershaws the past few years. Even some of my Kershaws are Chinese made though. Have you noticed a decline in quality since Gerber was outsourced to China?

Just measured out 17 1/2" on my desk. That is pretty long, but the price is right and it is lightweight. Can you think of anything shorter but still a substantial axe?

Gordon · Apr 18, 2013

Like I said Fiskars and Gerber (look the same) have shorter ones but IMHO that is the shortest/lightest one that really will cut wood around camp easily.

sleepyone · Apr 18, 2013

I have used Fiskars loppers for years and they have great warranties. I have broken a pair, and all they required for a free replacement was a picture of the broken pieces. An exact replacement was shipped free of charge that same week.

Unistat · Apr 18, 2013

Estwing Campers Axe

This the 16" model. They also have a 26" version, both under $50. Also comes with a sheath.

Shanghai McCoy · Apr 18, 2013

The Eastwing is a classic. Solid and pretty much "sailor proof"...
You might want to look for an older Plumb Boy Scout hatchet if you have a used tool and antique store around. I have a couple and they are great little hatchets.

saltydog452 · Apr 18, 2013

Best to W.E.B.Griffin, Mac.

Whatever happened to McCoy?

When camping up on the Sulphur River, we used to carry an Eastwing Goegolist's Hammer in an improvised thick Copper wire hammer carrier.

Lots of fossils and such up there.

salty

DDeegs · Apr 18, 2013

Timberline "Kommer Bush pilot survival hatchet" 9" OAL
knifecenter has them for $40
I own one, works well for camping, chopping up wrist thick and smaller limbs.

Dan

rcmodel · Apr 18, 2013

Woodmans Pal
Better then a hand ax for hunters brush clearing.

http://www.woodmanspal.com/categories/woodmans-pal-military-premium-model-284

rc

messerist · Apr 18, 2013

RC and Unistat both made excellent suggestions. Can't go wrong with either I think.

sleepyone · Apr 18, 2013

So far I like the Kommer Bush pilot survival hatchet 9" best for its small footprint. Seems like a perfect hatchet for my hunting backpack. I like the Estwing 16" Camper's Ax for its value being an all-steel hatchet and I like the Gerber/Fiskars for their size yet still being lightweight. I've also been needing to get a hatchet for camping trips that can chop some larger limbs than the Kommer is probably capable of doing. The Estwing or Gerber might be the ticket. Thanks for your suggestions.

RC, I'm sure the one you recommended is fine, but my pricepoint was $50 or less.

P.B.Walsh · Apr 18, 2013

Estwing is made in the U.S.A., the Gerber is not, that should indicate which one to purchase.

Unistat · Apr 18, 2013

I actually use the Estwing Rigbuilders' Axe. It doesn't come with a sheath though, I had to make my own. It's also a little more expensive.

True story: When I pulled it out of the box when it arrived my two year-old said "Don't smash the baby!" (referring to the 7 month-old.) And so it was christened.

The shorter version is the Carpenters' Hatchet.

Carpenters' Hatchet

heron · Apr 18, 2013

I've got an Estwing in my truck bag; it looks like the model in post #6. I wanted something that I couldn't break. One-piece forging -- Dennis the Menace couldn't break that thing. It's sharp, too.

Sam Cade · Apr 18, 2013

P.B.Walsh said:
Estwing is made in the U.S.A., the Gerber is not, that should indicate which one to purchase.

I've got both and like the Gerber better.

I have no problem buying products from a Finnish company that employs twice as many Americans as Estwing does.

sleepyone · Apr 18, 2013

Just ordered the Estwing E44A 16-Inch Steel Campers Axe for $39.99 with free S/H from Amazon and the Russ Kommer Timberline Bush Pilot 9" Survival Hatchet for $44.99 with free S/H from Midway USA. It was a hard choice between the Estwing and the Gerber/Fiskars, but the Estwing will be strictly a camping hatchet whereas the Russ Kommer will be carried in my hunting pack. Thanks for the recommendations everyone!

One more question. What is a good sharpener to carry with me?

P.B.Walsh · Apr 18, 2013

Gerber is Finnish.... learn something new every day!

Gordon · Apr 18, 2013

All good choices and I have a wonderful OLD Eastwing with a leather handle in my jeep. But the combination of the very light weight with the long handle (which fits in a Harley Roadking saddle bag FWIW) which allows real two handed chopping just isn't available anywhere else .Mine will stay attached to the side of my trekking pack.

Sam Cade · Apr 18, 2013

P.B.Walsh said:
Gerber is Finnish.... learn something new every day!

Fiskars bought them in the late '80s.

edit: Wiki says 1987.

rio nueces · Apr 19, 2013

http://www.amazon.com/Timberline-6013-Kommer-Survival-Hatchet/dp/B001E8B920
I had to see it. I think it's too short. But I'd have to handle it to be fair.

I have a Gerber, but the Estwing Camper seems better, with the one piece construction.

Brian Williams · Apr 19, 2013

Norlunds camp axe or hatchet.

BLB68 · Apr 19, 2013

The OP has already made a purchase, but I'll throw another name out there: Condor Knife and Tool has some nice looking axes and hatchets that I've read positive reviews on.

bubba in ca · Apr 20, 2013

Eastwing is a tough old beater, but might be a little heavy for backpacking. A good hickory handle is lighter.

Ames All American and Condor are not chicom and have traditional models with hickory handles. From what I see on the net, anything under 50 bucks will need some carefull sharpening to be useable, and many over 50 bucks aren`t any better!.

Certaindeaf · Apr 22, 2013

I see you've made a choice already.
I've always had an Estwing. Great but a tad heavy for hiking.
A sleeper for around $45 is a 15" Husqvarna at 1.2 pounds.

http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-Hatchet-1-2-lbs-Handle/dp/B004VLKLJE/ref=sr_1_37?ie=UTF8&qid=1366681269&sr=8-37&keywords=wetterling

Best hand axe value for $50 or less

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