There is no doubt that the already mentioned companies make a very high quality product. But in terms of value per dollar, I'd like to toss Fiskars on the table. They make a 14 inch hatchet that sells for about 20 bucks. They aren't hand forged, they aren't all that attractive. But they are pragmatic, cheap, light and rugged, (hollow polymer handle), and are probably the cheapest axe you can buy that was designed by somebody who knows how axes work. They really have a lot of chopping power for their total weight because the handle is so light, and I don't think it's possible for the head to ever come off unless you melt the handle.

I debated between a Granfors Bruks and Wetterlings and ended up going with the Wetterlings "Bushcraft" model. Obviously I cant compare it to the GB, but its miles above the Fiskars that I was using before.