View Full Version : Hatchet Thread (The)
I have had this hatchet for about four years. My Grandpa bought it at a garage sale for $1. It was covered in rust, dull, and the stacked-leather handle of this 40+ year old Estwing was rotted through. I cleaned all the rust off, primer/painted the handle, had it professionally sharpened, then wrapped the handle. I used a smaller diameter kernmantle rope on the inside and para cord over top.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/Hatchet2.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/Hatchet3.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/Hatchet4.jpg
I'm currently using a newer leather Estwing sheath, but thinking of having a custom Kydex sheath made for it.
Anyone keep a hatchet* handy in their survival stash?
*Please keep the topic on hatchets.
I just bought one at a garage sale Friday for, you guessed it: $1.00! I plan on sharpening it myself but how much did your guy charge for the sharpening he did?
I love the paracord wrap on the handle.
.... I plan on sharpening it myself but how much did your guy charge for the sharpening he did?
I brought it to a guy that has a business sharpening lawnmower and chainsaw blades. He did a great job for $7.
I don't have a hatchet in my gear (need to get one), but I do have this that I bought many many years ago on ebay. Its stainless and the old handle was cheap and coming apart so I recently gave it a complete makeover with baked on paint and a paracord wrap (my first attempt at wrapping). I've used this for all sorts of things over the years before I bought a real axe and hatchet to put in my yard tools.
old
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk133/ssracer77/b9dbfebf.jpg
now
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk133/ssracer77/8534a12a.jpg
I had a very nice old Plum hatchet for a long time as a faithful camp companion, but it was stolen. :(
I broke out some $ a couple of years ago and picked up a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe. Couldn't be happier. Handy size and this sucker cuts. Picture is when it was new.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/forestaxe_2.jpg
I broke out some $ a couple of years ago and picked up a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe. Couldn't be happier.
Very nice, I have one of those on my short list.
I hope that isn't too much of a deviation from a hatchet. The small axe is on a 19" handle and isn't too much larger then a conventional hatchet.
I got one of the Estwing hatchets RMJ modified into a tomahawk last year. It's a wicked cutter as well. They gave it a custom kydex sheath too.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/estwing_1.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/estwing_3.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/estwing_2.jpg
I've since painted it and wrapped the handle with McNet camo form tape (also used the tape on the axe handle).
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/camo_hawk_2.jpg
mrbieler,
That Estwing is f#$%ing badass man. Well played.
Thanks. I really need to get off my butt and pick up another older one that that beauty you've got. The old ones are just nice and generally clean up well.
I have a full sized Gerber axe and a miniature hiker. The full sized axe doesn't get much use. The miniature one has been with me over hill and dale.
I have a full sized Gerber axe and a miniature hiker....
How durable are the Gerber/Fiskars axe (and hatchet) line? I like the weight for a backpack, but the plastic design worries me.
Thomas M-4
07-25-11, 11:56
How durable are the Gerber/Fiskars axe (and hatchet) line? I like the weight for a backpack, but the plastic design worries me.
I have a Fiskars axe. I don't have a tremendous amount of use with it yet. I have only fallen two trees with it both wear in the 2ft Dia range.
The factory edge is good but I did go over it with course DMT block. I did not change the angle. The only thing I did was just to clean up the factory edge I spent maybe 15 min doing this and now you can actually shave with it. In both trees it sent chips flying through the entire falling process. With out needing to be resharpened.
The steel used in the head seams to be very good compared to what you normally see in the hardware store axes. The polymer handle also seems the very well made. When I store it I put a coat of CLP on the head just in-case but I have found that CLP does a fairly decent job of removing tree sap as well.
Thomas M-4
07-25-11, 12:04
I hope that isn't too much of a deviation from a hatchet. The small axe is on a 19" handle and isn't too much larger then a conventional hatchet.
I got one of the Estwing hatchets RMJ modified into a tomahawk last year. It's a wicked cutter as well. They gave it a custom kydex sheath too.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/estwing_1.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/estwing_3.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/estwing_2.jpg
I've since painted it and wrapped the handle with McNet camo form tape (also used the tape on the axe handle).
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/camo_hawk_2.jpg
That is damn nice!
I have been eying a eastwing hatchet for a long time it never crossed me to turn into a tomahawk.
K.L. Davis
07-25-11, 12:59
I have a couple of Boy's Axes (basically a long handled hatchet)... one of the best tools ever.
That is damn nice!
I have been eying a eastwing hatchet for a long time it never crossed me to turn into a tomahawk.
It appears they had to weld a piece on to the back side to make that spike. Can anyone confirm?
Thomas M-4
07-25-11, 13:58
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k158/mrbieler/estwing_3.jpg
By the looks of this pic I don't think its welded on.
If I had to guess - I would say it is a carpenters hatchet that had the hammer head milled down to spike and the blade portion has been re-profiled big time.
This is all just a WAG on my part :sarcastic:
mrbieler we need some info ;)
K.L. Davis
07-25-11, 14:00
It appears they had to weld a piece on to the back side to make that spike. Can anyone confirm?
Probably started life as a rigger's axe, or carpenter's hatchet
http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=3400
I would say it is a carpenters hatchet that had the hammer head milled down to spike and the blade portion has been re-profiled big time.
I believe you guys are correct. Didn't even know the Carpenter's Hatchet (http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=3400) was part of their line.
Hmm, that could be a cool DIY project...
I forget the base model they used, but I do believe it was the Carpenters Hatchet.
It's all just re-profiling and grinding. No welding here.
It started as DIY project and turned into a short run they were offering. It was quick stuff. They didn't even take off the Home Depot stickers. Just marked them up with the Sharpie pen and grind away. :)
The sharpened beard means you'd better know where your hands are...
I love my Shrike, but the little Estwing rework is very cool.
Black Jeep
07-25-11, 16:28
I broke out some $ a couple of years ago and picked up a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe. Couldn't be happier. Handy size and this sucker cuts. Picture is when it was new.
I have drooled over those for a few months now. I feel a little like Wayne sometimes when I see pics posted online..."She will be mine. Oh, yes, she will be mine."
For now it is a yard sale special of unknown origins with a bad head and a worse handle. It is getting to the point where it is unsafe to use and too much work to keep up the edge.
I forget the base model they used, but I do believe it was the Carpenters Hatchet.
It's all just re-profiling and grinding. No welding here.
It started as DIY project and turned into a short run they were offering. It was quick stuff. They didn't even take off the Home Depot stickers. Just marked them up with the Sharpie pen and grind away. :)
The sharpened beard means you'd better know where your hands are...
I love my Shrike, but the little Estwing rework is very cool.
Who did this work? Looks really cool. Did they have to go really slow in order to not damage the temper of the steel in removing that much material with a grinder or what? I bet the Estwing feels pretty good in the hand when you hit things because of the handle design.
Thomas M-4
07-25-11, 19:40
Who did this work? Looks really cool. Did they have to go really slow in order to not damage the temper of the steel in removing that much material with a grinder or what? I bet the Estwing feels pretty good in the hand when you hit things because of the handle design.
I found this a couple hrs ago.
http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=68120&sid=5dd01d9e0cf73673f100b422f636b648
The Estwing was done by RMJ Tactical. They make awesome Tomahawks. This was part of a one time special project they did on a challenge to show how easy a DIY could be.
As for the $ for the Gransfors Bruks, I paid about $85 delivered for mine and the first time I used it I had to ask why I spent so much time debating spending the money. It makes wood chopping way to easy.
Black Jeep
07-25-11, 19:42
That is a pretty good price. Everywhere I look that forest axe is something like $120. Where did you get it?
I got mine off an Ebay Dealer. Looks like pricing has gone up. I got mine in 2009.
I found this a couple hrs ago.
http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=68120&sid=5dd01d9e0cf73673f100b422f636b648
Cool, thanks for the link.
mkmckinley
07-26-11, 05:18
I try to always have a hatchet on hand when I'm outdoors, camping, or deployed. In my experience they're much more efficient than a "big choppin knife" and lighter than a lot of them. I like to carry a hatchet, a small 3-4" fixed blade, and a folder or two. I currently use a GB hatchet but it was kind of an indulgence. It performs well but I really don't see the need to buy anything that expensive. The Fiskars hatchets and axes are pretty decent as are Wetterlings. I like the steel on the GB and can keep it pretty sharp with a convex grind but I'd love to try a woods hatchet in something like CPM M4 or INFI. I think it's a little unfortunate that there a re a lot of people making tactical tomahawks, something I find useless, out of great steel but nobody seems to be making traditional hatchets out of newer and better steels for reasonable prices.
I try to always have a hatchet on hand when I'm outdoors, camping, or deployed. In my experience they're much more efficient than a "big choppin knife" and lighter than a lot of them....
I agree with this. I keep an Estwing long handled Camper's Axe in my truck at all times. It has paid for itself multiple times when I needed it. I think I bought it at Home Depot for $37.
The hatchet (I posted pictures of) is either in or strapped to my backpack.
Over the years I have learned that Eastwing Hatchets and Axes become incredibly fatiguing to the hand during prolonged use. This is due to their all metal designs. Even with a thick rubber coating on the handle area, they will cause your hands to cramp up during prolonged use.
I use, and recommend several hatchets/axes is different price brackets.
Gränsfors Bruks makes a hell of a nice tool, at a hefty price. $80-$150.
Whetterling makes a good product at a more moderate price. $50-$100.
Helko Vario 2000 makes a good product at reasonable prices. Despite the unconventional design the product works fantastically. (One of My personal Favorites) $30-$100.
Fiskars In the sleeper category. No vehicle is complete without a $15 Fiskars hatchet. Lightweight, strong handle, and It comes with a hell of a good edge on it. My only complaint is the Thickness of the cutting edge. A slimmer design would through chips much better. Their entire line offers quality at affordable prices. All said and done, a much better product than the Eastwing, at a lower price.
TC
I've been thinking about setting up a hatchet such as shown in the beginning of this thread. Gives me some good ideas. In the interim I've been using a Woodsman Pal and putting it to good use.
How durable are the Gerber/Fiskars axe (and hatchet) line? I like the weight for a backpack, but the plastic design worries me.
I wouldn't use them as prying tools, but in my experience, the handles have proven durable/reliable. I have two 14" hatchets (one older Gerber, and one more recent Fiskars). The Gerber I've used for the last 15 years or so for chopping and splitting firewood while camping. I have employed the baton method for a lot of the splitting duties; basically using the ax head like a maul and clubbing it with a large piece of wood. The handle shows signs of wear around the head, but is otherwise tight and intact.
I purchased the 14" Fiskars hatchet a few years ago after I had misplaced, and then found, the Gerber. I haven't used it a lot, but it seems to me that it doesn't hold an edge as well as the Gerber model. Perhaps something changed in the manufacturing process in the 10 years or so between my purchases.
I have used a variety of different hatchets and chopping tools, and have always reverted back to the 14" Fiskars/Gerber hatchet. I'd recommend the Fiskars over the Gerber, as they seem to be more affordable (brand marketing?), and both appear to share the same heads these days.
I've been thinking about setting up a hatchet such as shown in the beginning of this thread. Gives me some good ideas...
If you are talking about my cord-wrapped version, just know that it is not a comfortable grip. Gloves are needed to make it tolerable. I don't use that hatchet as an every day tool; only as a survival/camping (limited use) tool. We all know how many uses cordage has in the woods and it's quite possible all would be taken off the handle to be used else where, making gloves all that more important.
I'm thinking about getting one of the new-er version Gerber Hatchets (http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-31-000914-Camp-High-Performance/dp/B004DSZYRY/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2DZ3KTNI2TG2M&colid=111Z6AA10FUY3) to handle some daily abuse to test how it holds up over the next couple years.
I was thinking more along the lines of what mrbieler did with his. I could see that wrapped handle being rough on the hands. There is a picture in the Gear Loadout and Pics section
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=39159&page=15
post #295 of a hatchet attached to this pc. I like the looks of that handle and would love to find out what brand/model it is. I'm going to have to PM him and find out.
I was thinking more along the lines of what mrbieler did with his. I could see that wrapped handle being rough on the hands. There is a picture in the Gear Loadout and Pics section
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=39159&page=15
post #295 of a hatchet attached to this pc. I like the looks of that handle and would love to find out what brand/model it is. I'm going to have to PM him and find out.
Edwood is running a Combat axe made by Daniel Winkler. Here is the link. http://winklerknives.com/knives.asp?id=160 or http://winklerknives.com/knives.asp?id=149
The axe was mentioned in a thread on lightfighter.
I'm thinking about getting one of the new-er version Gerber Hatchets (http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-31-000914-Camp-High-Performance/dp/B004DSZYRY/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2DZ3KTNI2TG2M&colid=111Z6AA10FUY3) to handle some daily abuse to test how it holds up over the next couple years.
I have one of those and it is a great light weight hatchet. You can not beat them for the price.
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