I got to handle a few GB and they are great, would love to pick one up some day. The Wetterlings seem good as well.

what do the GB and wetterlings sell for new?

All depends on the size, but GBs start at about $100 (up to ~$180) and Wetterlings for about $50.

I checked out the one that Pitman linked and it looks like a lot of the Snow detractors are worked out, but then you are in the range of upper end Wetterlings and lower end GB.

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.

Something to look at maybe.

I don't know why all this time I never picked up a fiskars, just checked online and my local sears has some in stock. I'll have to stop by and take a look.

I like mine!




Curious as to what you think made it so much better than a Fiskars?

I've seen some recommend the Estwing, since it's made in the USA and has a steel handle so you don't have to worry about breaking it, but I was disappointed with all the ones I've seen in stores. VERY dull. I don't want to spend hours sharpening it properly.

I like my small generic camp axe just fine.I found it stuck in a tree with a broken handle when I first started exploring the PNW in 93.I put a new handle on it and took it to the belt sander at work and with a few licks with a file it was good to go.It's been camping to the coast of Wa.,The Clackamas river in Or.& The Flat Head river in Mt.,and a lot of places between.Spring,summer & fall it never fails to chop the wood to warm my bones.I like my small generic camp axe just fine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
100.00 dollars for an axe BAH. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Been thinking about it and I'm getting excited to build a 14" Fiskars kit. I can put a mini bic lighter and other essential stuff inside the hollow handles and add some more stuff near the head and wrap it down with some paracord.

We've got an Estwing around here. According to the site it's the "long handled camper's axe". It's a [censored] near indestructible axe, sure, but I don't think it works as nicely as models from Fiskars. The handle is a large percentage of the total weight, and the point of balance is much lower than is optimal. It feels like a lot of your energy is wasted. Also the head is very slim so that it cuts well, which unfortunately means it jams like crazy. If you use an Estwing on a decent sized tree you really have to moderate your swings or you'll be wrenching the axe back out every time.

They certainly work, but not ideal.

Not everybody is favored by the axe gods. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hey Andy,


It's not that I don't like my Fiskars, because I do and keep it in my truck as part of my kit. I just find the Wetterlings much more comfortable in hand. As someone else mentioned, the Wetterlings comes with a super sharp factory edge and I just found it to chop and bite a lot better than the Fiskars. It just feels better to me. Perhaps I should a proper chop off and see if I'm full of it..<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I looked at one of the Eastwings too. I didn't pay much attention to the edge while it was on the rack, but it just felt way too heavy in hand. Definitely built like a tank though.


[/quote]Curious as to what you think made it so much better than a Fiskars?

I've seen some recommend the Estwing, since it's made in the USA and has a steel handle so you don't have to worry about breaking it, but I was disappointed with all the ones I've seen in stores. VERY dull. I don't want to spend hours sharpening it properly. [/quote]