Estwing hatchets?

[melekrawlston]

I was playing around with my ontario sp8, when I realized that I do not own a serviceable axe to compare it to (the sp8 cuts better than the only "hawk" I own). After lurking around a bit I have seen that many people use Granfors Bruks, gerber, Fiskars, and even Cold Steel axes and hatchets. Granfors bruks is generally seen as the best brand because of the combo or great edge geometry allowing it to do fine work, and great steel treatment allowing it to hold that fine edge. Gerber is liked because of the fiberglass handles, and because some models have a saw that stores in the handle. Fiskars are well liked for very similar reasons to Gerber axes, but they cost about half as much at walmart. Finally cold steel is liked because they manufacture a wide range of inexpensive "hawks" that hold up to throwing and other axe abuse well.

Well back to the point of this thread, I was wondering about estwing hatchets and axes. I see them at hardware stores everywhere, they look like pretty solid pieces of hardware Yet I do not see to many ZSers mentioning or posting about them. I would like to hear about what ZSers who have actual experience using them have to say about them. Strengths, weaknesses, why they prefer a gerber, ect..

[tilt]

I have an Estwing hatchet. It's the one with the stacked leather handle. I like it a lot. I also have several sizes of Gerber hatchet. I like each hatchet for different things, I'll keep my Gerber PackPaxe with hollow-handle-knife-holder-thing in my pack for day hikes, on overnight trips, I take the original size hatchet and on car camping trip I carry the Camp Axe. I keep my Estwing around the house and use it for chopping up wood for the grill and stuff. I also use my Estwing as my "loaner" hatchet. I'm afraid of loaning out my Gerber hatchets because I don't want people to abuse the fiberglass (by leaving it to close to the fire or something), but I figure there's no way to wreck a hatchet that's pretty much a solid piece of metal. They are also easiest to sharpen.

An Estwing hatchet was my first hatchet back in the day as a Boy Scout. I used the crap out of it and eventually lost it on a camping trip. I think I had it for about 6 years when I lost it... still good as new. I picked one up at Home Depot a couple years ago and have loaned it out several times. It always comes back lokoing good.

If you were only going to buy one hatchet and didn't want to pay for a Gransfors, you could do much worse than Estwing...

[JefferyWatts]

Estwings are great imho.
While a lot of people do like other brands, the reason I like Estwings are because I don't do hatchets.
I hate hatchets, I managed to crack my skull with one when I was younger so I prefer the larger axes instead.
I have a Gerber CampAxe in my kit but that's an emergency piece to be honest.
In the trunk of my car is a large crowbar, a medium shovel, a PickAxe, and an axe. The axe is an Estwing.
It's the larger model.

They are all tied together with a length of nylon webbing and buckles to keep them together.

If I had to do any heavy work then I would choose that axe over the Gerber CampAxe just for usability
http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1200
That would be the Estwing I own. Love the thing.

[melekrawlston]

I have an Estwing hatchet. It's the one with the stacked leather handle. I like it a lot. I also have several sizes of Gerber hatchet. I like each hatchet for different things, I'll keep my Gerber PackPaxe with hollow-handle-knife-holder-thing in my pack for day hikes, on overnight trips, I take the original size hatchet and on car camping trip I carry the Camp Axe. I keep my Estwing around the house and use it for chopping up wood for the grill and stuff. I also use my Estwing as my "loaner" hatchet. I'm afraid of loaning out my Gerber hatchets because I don't want people to abuse the fiberglass (by leaving it to close to the fire or something), but I figure there's no way to wreck a hatchet that's pretty much a solid piece of metal. They are also easiest to sharpen.

An Estwing hatchet was my first hatchet back in the day as a Boy Scout. I used the crap out of it and eventually lost it on a camping trip. I think I had it for about 6 years when I lost it... still good as new. I picked one up at Home Depot a couple years ago and have loaned it out several times. It always comes back lokoing good.

If you were only going to buy one hatchet and didn't want to pay for a Gransfors, you could do much worse than Estwing...

How's the edge retention? as compared to other axes?

[tilt]

How's the edge retention? as compared to other axes?

It's fair. To tell you the truth, I carry a 4-in-1 file as part of my gear, so I'm always sharpening my hatchets before use. I rarely use more than a couple of file swipes on any hatchet. I don't think I run the file across the Estwing any more than the others. One place where I like the Estwing is for the actual edge. It has gradual taper down to the edge, where my Gerber has a ground edge. Filing is smoother on the Estwing.

[Brendan Sullivan]

I own an Estwing hatchet that I picked up on the name of the brand and good recommendations here. It's got the leather handle but I keep trying to think of things to wrap or coat it in. The only hardcore chopping I've done so far was taking apart a tree someone wanted removed from their backyard, and the grip got a little slippery and gave me a blister. A few strokes with a file brought the edge back, but with that grip I don't like to think of having to swing it for more time than it takes to collect an evening's worth of kindling.

[hdandb]

You can't go wrong with Estwing. My dad has been in the construction/remodeling industry most of his life and at age 8 I joined in and as long as I can remember he has Estwing hammers/tools. I try the fancy stuff that comes out, left/right handed hammers, titanium handles, double heads...yada yada but nothing beats my Estwing.
If it matters, the only power tool to own is Milwaukee. Nuff said and I am spent

[sworbeyegib]

I have both the estwing hatchet and camp axe, both are ok, but not my preference. I just don't like the balance for the most part. Granted the are "indestructable", but good luck using one if you ever bend it. Then again, I'm one of the few people I know that don't like them that much, so maybe its just me.

[Towanda]

I've used Estwings. I like them. I replaced my Gerber hatchet with an Estwing. First, there's no way you're going to break the handle of an Estwing (unless something goes unimaginably wrong). Second, Gerber hatchet steel is rather soft. I don't like it. Third, I can sharpen the Estwing with the file on my Leatherman.

[bonanacrom]

Because you can't destroy the thing it's worth it. You will have it forever.

[melekrawlston]

I have both the estwing hatchet and camp axe, both are ok, but not my preference. I just don't like the balance for the most part. Granted the are "indestructable", but good luck using one if you ever bend it. Then again, I'm one of the few people I know that don't like them that much, so maybe its just me.

I'd like to more about why you don't like the balance.

I've used Estwings. I like them. I replaced my Gerber hatchet with an Estwing. First, there's no way you're going to break the handle of an Estwing (unless something goes unimaginably wrong). Second, Gerber hatchet steel is rather soft. I don't like it. Third, I can sharpen the Estwing with the file on my Leatherman.

How is the chopping power of a gerber compared to that of an estwing hatchet?

[CLEAR CUT]

You can't go wrong with Estwing. My dad has been in the construction/remodeling industry most of his life and at age 8 I joined in and as long as I can remember he has Estwing hammers/tools. I try the fancy stuff that comes out, left/right handed hammers, titanium handles, double heads...yada yada but nothing beats my Estwing.
If it matters, the only power tool to own is Milwaukee. Nuff said and I am spent

I agree wholeheartedly. I have one that I received from my father and it put more than enough food on the table. Twenty-plus years later and it's still in service. That's real quality as far as I'm concerned.

[Towanda]

I've used Estwings. I like them. I replaced my Gerber hatchet with an Estwing. First, there's no way you're going to break the handle of an Estwing (unless something goes unimaginably wrong). Second, Gerber hatchet steel is rather soft. I don't like it. Third, I can sharpen the Estwing with the file on my Leatherman.

How is the chopping power of a gerber compared to that of an estwing hatchet?

The Estwing is better, IMNSHO, probably because of the better steel. According to Amazon.com, the Estwing Sportsman's Axe (the hatchet with the leather handle) is 13 inches long and weighs 2.4 pounds, the Gerber Sheath Sport Axe is 18 inches long and weighs 2.2 pounds, while the Gerber Back Paxe is 5.6 inches long and weighs 2 pounds. The Gerber Sheath Sport Axe is the one that some idiot ruined for me.

[gau8a]

http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1200
That would be the Estwing I own. Love the thing.

I have the exact same one. It is not nearly as large as it appears in that picture. I have used it a lot and consider it to be an important tool in my camping/outdoor gear. The only fault I have with it is the color. I mean, it doesn't have to be camo or black, etc. but that blue is almost too much. And it never seems to fade or dull-I clean the dirt off of it and it always goes back to bright blue.

[melekrawlston]

I've used Estwings. I like them. I replaced my Gerber hatchet with an Estwing. First, there's no way you're going to break the handle of an Estwing (unless something goes unimaginably wrong). Second, Gerber hatchet steel is rather soft. I don't like it. Third, I can sharpen the Estwing with the file on my Leatherman.

How is the chopping power of a gerber compared to that of an estwing hatchet?

The Estwing is better, IMNSHO, probably because of the better steel. According to Amazon.com, the Estwing Sportsman's Axe (the hatchet with the leather handle) is 13 inches long and weighs 2.4 pounds, the Gerber Sheath Sport Axe is 18 inches long and weighs 2.2 pounds, while the Gerber Back Paxe is 5.6 inches long and weighs 2 pounds. The Gerber Sheath Sport Axe is the one that some idiot ruined for me.

How did the gerber get ruined?

I am liking what i am hearing about the indestructibility of estwing axes, and about the steel being good.

I could not help but notice how the sport axe and the camp axe differ in the shape of the blade.
I am curious about how about how the sport axe, and the camp axe differ from each other in terms of function, and chopping performance.

[Towanda]

How did the gerber get ruined?

Idiot boy didn't check for nails before he started chopping. Returned my hatchet to me with a lovely quarter-inch divot smack in the center of the blade. The blade metal where he hit the nail folded over and tore, so there really isn't any chance of grinding it out.

[Old_Man]

The Estwing long handled camp axe is the one I (as well as many at Florida Forestry Service) carry for helping swamp out around large trees during wildfire and controlled burn events. We beat the crap out of them and they keep on truck'n. Great for driving wedges when felling trees. Plus the long handle gives a bit more distance between you and any zombies

[WickedWoodsman]

I have an Estwing camp axe ( with the blue handle). I love the thing. Maybe its just me, but I havent seen anyone post this yet. Its balanced well enough to throw and stick the target. Is it a practicle use, throwing your axe away, perhaps not. But it is a hellafun......

[crypto]

Another vote for the Estwing hatchet with the leather handle. I've been using mine for 5 years now, still like new.

This thing has easily survived 5 Wintergheddons, where lesser hatchets fly apart or get mutilated.

What happens at wintergheddon is that we have a dozen people taking turns chopping and splitting wood all day for 3 days, on 3-4 hatchets that get brought to camp. I've seen a lot of hatchets and axes fail, but the estwings keep on trucking. I use one of the round Lansky sharpening pucks to keep it in shape, because I dont trust myself with a file.

Its a great hatchet. I flip it over and use the blunt end to drive splitting wedges through log sections too, its awesome.

[M14fan]

I have both the 16 inch and 26 inch Camp Axes. They have been excellent tools (the 26 inch for around 20 years). I like the indestructibility,they are easy to sharpen, and they balance well. Hard to beat. Someone mentioned they are difficult to use when bent. If you can manage to bend one, you are doing something very wrong IMHO.

[foxx]

Back when I didn't know better, I would throw my Estwings . I had a bad throw once and bent the shaft of the 19" that I had. I was able to straighten it out, mostly. They are made to absorb the shock of wood chopping, but aren't made for throwing. I'm not saying they will break, but it's not going to be good for them.

[KentsOkay]

I can testify to the excellence of Estwing products.

I have the 16" hatchet, but with the blue polymer grip. I feel this grip is superior to the stacked leather in every way except for nostalgia value (not that stacked leather is bad, its just like going from deluxe to stupid mega deluxe). I bought it used, I have no idea how old it is. I've used and abused it; in every role except heavy tree felling (which is much too large a task for this tool), it has excelled. The steel is hard enough to keep and edge and soft enough not to shatter. My dad has an Estwing straight claw framing hammer which has seen more use than any other tool he has (general contractor). It's in the neighborhood of 20 years old and is pretty much unaffected by years of use.

Buy Estwing with confidence. I want to get their carpenter hatchet (16" with a hammer hear on the reverse side) and reprofile the axe end slightly and rock it as my "tacticool" zombie-killing hatchet of righteous American Fuck Yeah.

pr0n:







Mod thread:

http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=68120&hilit=estwing+mod

[tookieblueeyes]

I revieved an Estwing hatchet for Christmas this year, it is the first one I have ever owned and before that I was using a hatchet made by... Fiskars LOL.
So far I have used the new Estwing hatchet collecting cedar for use in the Horno to make pizza and bread and that was just on smaller pieces of old, fallen cedar trees and cedar is a pretty tough wood but the Estwing did a great job. I almost want to say that it did better at chopping away at that cedar than my Fiskars did but I will admit that the Eswing is quite a bit heavier than my Fiskars.
I have also used the Estwing hatchet on many various winter and spring camps and fish-n-camps to chop up cottonwood, box elder, piss elm, juniper pine and lodgepole pine. I even used it to get at some fatwood I came across while ice fishing in the mountains and I struggled the last time I tried harvesting so much fatwood a couple of years ago with the Tomahawk I used to have, but the Estwing did a good job on the fatwood stump. Much better than I originally expected being that I was using a hatchet instead of an axe.
IMO the Estwing is a really solid tool for what few months of expirience I do have with it.
I haven't had any problems sharpening it or having it hold onto its edge either, both in the field and in the shop.
But like I said, I have only had the hatchet since Christmas 2011 and I have a whole summer and fall left of my outdoors exploring and fishing expeditions, so my good view of the Estwing hatchet could change between now and this same time next year after using it quite a bit more, but so far, so good, and I am exceedingly happy with the hatchet.
The only thing I would change about the hatchet would be how much it weighs, but if it is truely a good quality tool in comparison to some of the lighter weight manufacturers, then the extra weight is going to be well worth the trade off.
Anyone I have asked about the Estwing that has actually used the same tool now, or in the past, has only had good things to say about it, so that was reassuring to me when I first got the Estwing and I don't regret retiring my Fiskars so that the Estwing could take its place on my hip.

[Walking-dead]

The Estwing seems pretty nice. I'm gonna rework one of them next. I do love my Fiskars though.