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.
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