Hatchet? I need one...

Any suggestions on a good one?

Not looking to spend excessively, just need it for stripping up kindling and splitting fire logs into smaller chunks. Maybe an occasional axe murder if the need arises. Don't mind buying something good that I can rely on holding a good edge and lasting the rest of my camping life at 60! Not looking for a $17 Amazon special unless it's a great set up.

Howzabout Estwings or Hart or other popular contractor's trade tool brands? Any good for the $50 + range?

 

Gerber or Fiskars are really nice.

$46 Gerber Gear 17.5" Freescape Hatchet [31-002536]

https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-17-5-...t=&hvlocphy=9026799&hvtargid=pla-503992624687

 

A friend years ago with access to a Rockwell tester went thru hatchets of all prices and found that the $10 Chinese hatchets had a higher rockwell than a bunch of the new high end ones. In his opinion you will not find better than some 50 year old head made from when they were for the most part hand made. The Chinese heads were not higher to the point of being brittle, but much better edge holding.

I have owned Gransfor Bruks (sold when it became worth 4X on the used market from what I paid), Wetterlings, Estwing, Kelly and scores of old hardware store hatchets that were relabled from who knows who (Shapleigh, Bluegrass, Orgill Brothers) and for the most part, a hatchet is a hatchet. Hart used to be special, not now. I have a Hart hammer from back when they were made in a guys garage in California (mid to late 80's) now they are a Walmart brand made where ever Walmart wants. Probably would be a fine cutter, but not one to brag on.

A friend picked up a Council kindling splitter of some kind and likes it. If it were me (and its not, so grain of salt applies) I would buy a small Hudsons Bay or a Boys Axe and go with that, or pick up an old vintage head and re-haft it. My favorite is a Homestead boys axe that I got as a kid. One of my favorite hatchets is an old carpenters hatchet that was re-ground to use as a hatchet.

I also have a small Wetterling that is a micro, it's nice but really too small. It was given to me when a friend passed so it doesnt need to justify itself. You can spend as much as you want, but its not a sure thing that the quality is that much better.

 

Fiskars x7

https://www.fiskars.com/en-us/garde...-mauls-and-machetes/x7-hatchet-14-378501-1005

 

Rather than a hatchet consider an axe. A hatchet is lousy for splitting anything but the smallest diameter pieces of wood. You can find a medium length longer than a hatchet but shorter than a long handled axe. You can use a short handled axe to split up kindling and to split some firewood. You can use it like a hatchet.

 

x2. The X7 is the best hatchet for splitting that I've ever used. It also throws decently well for your axe murdering or lumberjack game needs

 

All good. I still haven't made the buy. I've been out on some shakedown camps with our new travel trailer but where we've been going are all under open fire restrictions. It's a total bummer when you camp and can't hang around an open fire at night time.

That Fiskars looks like it would get the job done. As I mentioned, no big work, just splitting up small pieces of pre-cut firewood.

 

Yeah Tim, go with the Fiskars. They are a little pricey, but last a lifetime. I'm staring at my 40+ year old scissors, never been sharpened. Work like new. Now, if I could only find my pruners. LOL

 

Done! Ordered the X7.

Now, on an unrelated note, next I'm buying a new shitter for the travel trailer. I hate the cheezy, plastic low profile crappers they put in these!

 

That eliminates Gransfors Bruks 420 small forest axe. My local knife shop stocks Gransfors Bruks and the larger axes will set you back even more but are seriously sweet.

 

I did see an ad for those. Yeah....just a bit out of my price range but only 'cuz it's something I won't be using often. Had it been a more frequent usage, I've been known to spend stOOpid money to garnet some quality in a tool...or toy. I just didn't have that calling on this purchase!

 

https://www.estwing.com/collections/axes-outdoor/products/campers-axe-long-handle

I have one of these "Estwing", it will not break and is big enough to cut a tree down. It all metal 26" with a 4" blade face.
Perfect for the little stuff as well and holds its edge, its a Estwing.

It's in the $60 range!

 

This ^^^. A short handled hatchet is pretty useless for all but the smallest pieces of wood. The one above can do it all from chopping down a small tree, to splitting fire wood to shaving kindling.

 

I picked up a Stihl Pro hatchet and it’s great for split and camping use
It also has the Ochsenkopf German head

 

Fiskars are great

 

Everyone is a fiskars fan. Not me. I've been a loyal Estwing man since I bought my first student's rock hammer. My trailer is equipped with

• 16" camper's axe for light chopping
• Fireside friend for light splitting
• My old rock hammer for stake driving, souvenir collecting, and showing general displeasure to my neighbors.

As far as shitters go, depends on the space it stores in. If your cubby can handle a five-gallon, grab a five gallon. Not for the volume of shit, but because the bigger tank sits higher than a preschool toilet.

$100 SereneLife Portable Toilet with Carry Bag – Indoor Outdoor Toilet with CHH Piston Pump & Level Indicator – 5.3 Gallon Large Waste Tank – 100-120 Flushes for RV, Camping, Hiking & Boating

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07218B4DQ


My camper does not have the space for that. I'm stuck with the 2.5 gallon model. Though admittedly in 5 years of ownership, it's been shat in exactly zero times. I'd rather use my army shovel and cathole it.



Who wants to shit in the dinette?

 

Something kinda weird about pooping right next to a kitchen counter where food is prepared. But such is camper life I guess..

 

Winkler....if u know, u know

 

Hardcore Hatchet & Axes

https://www.hardcorehatchets.com/