As the cornerstone of many outdoor enthusiasts’ kits, a hatchet is an indispensable multi-tasker. Capable of handling everything from splitting kindling to clearing brush, this compact powerhouse excels in a variety of wilderness scenarios.
The 8 Best Hatchets
When it comes to camping and outdoor activities, having the right tools can make all the difference. A reliable hatchet is essential for chopping wood, kindling fires, and preparing meals in the great outdoors. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best hatchets on the market, each with its unique features and benefits. Let’s start by examining five top-notch options that have earned high praise from campers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
First up is the Gerber Pack Hatchet, designed for camping and backpacking excursions. The Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet follows closely behind, offering a more rustic and traditional approach to chopping wood. Next in line is our top pick, the Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet, praised for its exceptional cutting performance and ergonomic design. For those who prefer a more rugged experience, the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe Camping Hatchet provides a sturdy and dependable option.
The Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet offers a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern functionality. Finally, we’ll take a look at the WilFiks Chopping Axe Camping Outdoor Hatchet, ideal for those who want a hatchet that can handle heavy-duty tasks. Last but not least, the Schrade SCAXE10 Full Tang Hatchet provides an impressive combination of durability and portability. And for those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Hults Bruk Tarnaby Hatchet is a solid choice.
Each of these hatchets has its own strengths and weaknesses, making it essential to consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing the right one for your next camping trip or outdoor adventure.
Our Top Pick for the Best Hatchet
When venturing into the great outdoors, having a reliable cutting and chopping tool is essential. Our top recommendation for a top-notch hatchet is the Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet. This versatile survival tool excels at various tasks, from chopping logs for firewood to stripping tree branches for makeshift spears or fishing gear. Its impressive capabilities also extend to predator defense, making it an invaluable companion for any camping, hiking, hunting, or backpacking excursion.
Essential Outdoor Survival Tools
When venturing into the great unknown, having the right survival tools can mean the difference between life and death. In addition to cutting and chopping instruments like machetes, bushcraft knives, and camping axes, a reliable hatchet stands out as an indispensable resource in any outdoor enthusiast’s arsenal. By keeping these essential items easily accessible in your camping gear or survival kit, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any unexpected challenges that may arise in the wilderness.
Introducing the Hatchet: a Versatile Survival Tool
The hatchet is an incredibly versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of tasks. Its compact size and lightweight design make it a popular choice among backpackers and hikers, as it allows them to carry a multitude of functions in a small package.
You can use the hatchet to chop and split firewood, create kindling, trim branches from trees, strip branches to create spears or tent stakes, dig holes for campfires, hammer in tent pegs, carve wood, cut meat, protect yourself against predators, break glass during an emergency situation, or even complete basic gardening tasks like trimming bushes or trees. The hatchet’s utility is truly unmatched, making it a valuable addition to any survival kit.
How to Choose the Best Hatchet
Size
The humble hatchet is often viewed as a diminutive counterpart to the camping axe. While it may appear smaller in stature, hatchets can be found in a surprisingly varied range of sizes. From the ultra-compact, 8 or 9-inch models to larger specimens measuring 12, 14, 15, or even 16 inches in length, there’s a hatchet to suit every camping enthusiast’s needs.
Interestingly, any tool exceeding 19 inches in length is more accurately described as an axe, highlighting the subtle yet distinct differences between these two closely related outdoor companions.
Handle
Regardless of whether your preference leans towards wood, metal, or fiberglass, the key characteristic you should be looking for in a hatchet handle is its strength and sturdiness. A handle that can withstand the rigors of outdoor use while remaining securely attached to the head is crucial.
Options like the Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet, with its smooth hickory wood construction, or the Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet’s lightweight yet weatherproof fiberglass design, cater to different user preferences. Alternatively, the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe Camping Hatchet, made from rust-resistant steel, offers a durable alternative. Ultimately, the choice of material depends on your individual needs and priorities.
Head
The blade, also known as the head or cutting edge, is the most crucial component of a hatchet as it’s responsible for chopping through logs or trimming tree branches. When it comes to selecting the best quality hatchets, manufacturers typically use forged steel with a high carbon content to create a strong and durable cutting edge.
While some hatchets may be constructed from stainless steel, which offers excellent rust-resistance, these blades might not possess the necessary strength for demanding tasks like chopping logs. It’s essential to consider the type of blade you require based on your intended use.
One vital consideration when it comes to the blade is that most hatchets arrive with a factory-sharpened edge, which may be dull and lacking in sharpness.
To ensure optimal performance, make sure to pack a whetstone for sharpening the blade to perfection. This will guarantee your hatchet remains ready for action at all times.
8 Best Hatchet – Reviews
Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe
The Gerber Pack Hatchet is a top-notch outdoor tool that’s perfect for camping, backpacking, hunting, and bushcraft. Its military-style design makes it an excellent choice for any situation where you need to chop wood, build a shelter, or even just trim some branches. The hatchet’s full tang construction provides stability in your hand and the necessary strength for tackling tasks that require a bit of elbow grease.
The Gerber Pack Hatchet features a durable and sharp forged steel stainless steel blade with a stonewash finish, which boasts a tall grind that ensures optimal sharpness when you need to cut through tough wood quickly. Measuring 9.46 inches in length, this compact tool packs a punch, thanks to its solid 2.5-inch head that delivers fast and precise cuts for limbing saplings or splitting small logs.
The ergonomic sage green handle is wrapped in rubber over-mold for added grip and comfort, making it easy to use even in wet conditions. The exaggerated finger grooves in the handle allow for incredible edge control and effortless cutting and chopping.
One of the hatchet’s most impressive features is its ultra-portability. You can carry it wherever your adventure takes you and keep it protected with the slim nylon sheath, which can be easily mounted onto your backpack or belt.
Alternatively, you can strap it to your backpack using the integrated lanyard hole located at the end of the handle.
The Gerber Pack Hatchet is also incredibly lightweight and compact, making it perfect for travel. If you need to go light, this hatchet fits easily into a large backpack or a tactical backpack.
As with all Gerber Gear products, the Pack Hatchet comes with a famous limited lifetime warranty. This means that if anything goes wrong, you’re covered.
While it may not be the best for splitting wood (splitting large logs can be challenging), this hatchet is an excellent value for its quality and price. It’s perfect for camping, backpacking, hunting, and bushcraft.
Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet
The Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet, expertly crafted with Swedish precision, has earned a reputation as an essential tool for outdoor enthusiasts. Its perfect balance and razor-sharp 4-inch steel blade make quick work of clearing trails or chopping firewood. The hatchet’s smooth hickory handle, slightly longer than its competitors, provides extra leverage and striking power, while its lightweight design (just 1.3lbs) ensures it won’t weigh you down on long hikes.
When not in use, the hatchet can be easily stowed away in a backpack or attached to the pack for quick access. One of the hatchet’s most notable features is its exceptional sharpness, which remains even after extended use. The durable blade can be honed to perfection using a sharpening whetstone. The Gransfors also includes a high-quality vegetable-tanned sheath that provides excellent protection against harsh weather conditions and accidental damage.
The pros of this hatchet far outweigh the cons: it’s built with great quality, performs exceptionally well, and boasts a beautiful smooth hickory handle. Additionally, its strong and flexible design makes it perfect for camping or hiking trips. The only drawback is its higher price point, which may not be ideal for those on a tight budget. However, for those who value performance and durability, the Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet is an excellent investment.
Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet
The Fiskars X7 Hatchet is a premium tool designed for efficient chopping and splitting of kindling and small-to-medium-sized logs. Its unique design enables optimal power-to-weight ratio, allowing for faster swing speeds and increased power delivery, much like an aluminum baseball bat. The hatchet’s forged carbon steel blade features advanced bevel convex geometry, a thin edge, and non-stick coating, ensuring clean cuts and preventing the head from getting stuck in wood.
The ergonomic fiberglass handle is lightweight yet strong, providing excellent grip and minimizing vibrations during use. A redesigned insert-molded design locks the blade securely in place, eliminating the risk of loose heads over time. The hatchet’s slim profile makes it easy to store in a backpack or bag, while its sturdy hard plastic sheath keeps it protected and within reach when needed.
Fiskars backs their product with a lifetime warranty, offering excellent quality, great performance, and an affordable price point.
Estwing Sportsman’s Axe Camping Hatchet
Estwing’s Sportsman’s Axe Camping Hatchet stands out as a crowning jewel among their impressive collection of axes and hatchets. This exceptional tool seamlessly blends the brute strength of an axe with the compact design of a hatchet, making it a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Crafted from top-notch all-American tool-grade drop-forged steel, tempered for long-term durability, this one-piece seamless design ensures the handle or head won’t break off.
The Estwing’s hatchet boasts an unparalleled design, boasting a well-balanced and hand-sharpened edge with a 2¼-inch polished cutting surface that delivers quick and clean cuts. A genuine leather grip, sanded and lacquered for extra durability and comfort, provides a secure hold while the patented rugged shock reduction grip reduces impact vibration by as much as 70%. To keep this masterpiece in top condition, Estwing includes a ballistic nylon sheath.
The camping hatchet is available in two stylish options: polished steel or special edition black. Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty, the Estwing’s Sportsman’s Axe Camping Hatchet is an excellent value for its exceptional quality, affordable price, and made-in-the-USA craftsmanship. Its versatility makes it perfect for survival, backpacking, mountaineering, camping, hunting, fishing, boating, or even chopping small logs, branches, splitting firewood, and kindling.
Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet
When it comes to preparing firewood at a campsite, efficiency is key. Husqvarna’s Wooden Hatchet stands out as an excellent choice for quick and effortless wood splitting. The hatchet’s unique weight distribution allows you to cut branches or split small logs with minimal force required, making the task much less strenuous. The steel head of the hatchet boasts exceptional quality, featuring a smooth gliding action that effortlessly splits wood into two parts.
For added safety and durability, the head is securely fastened to the hickory shaft using both a wooden and solid steel wedge. The polished hickory handle is expertly crafted, offering a comfortable fit in your hand. The hatchet’s compact and lightweight design makes it easy to pack away in your camping gear. Husqvarna also includes a leather edge cover to preserve the blade’s sharpness.
While there are some limitations to consider – such as not being ideal for chopping large pieces of wood, or needing to be sharpened out of the box – the hatchet’s numerous advantages make it an excellent addition to any camper’s arsenal.
WilFiks Chopping Axe Camping Outdoor Hatchet
The WilFiks Chopping Axe Camping Outdoor Hatchet is an ideal tool for outdoor enthusiasts. Its forged carbon steel, heat-treated 6.5-inch blade boasts a finely polished edge that can be easily resharpened with a file. The optimized geometry ensures maximum efficiency, allowing for more one-strike hits than traditional axes. The weighted wedge design makes quick work of chopping logs and firewood, while the balanced head and shaft provide safe, comfortable, and efficient use.
The hatchet’s shock-absorbing, anti-slip grip handle reduces strain on the hand, resists slipping, and is comfortable to hold even in wet conditions. The rubber sheath protects the blade during storage and transport, and the convenient hanging hole makes it easy to store. This hatchet is perfect for wilderness survivalists, hikers, mountaineering, camping, hunting, making bonfires, off-roading, and garden work.
While some users may find that it struggles with seasoned wood, overall, this hatchet offers high-quality performance at an affordable price.
Schrade SCAXE10 Full Tang Hatchet
When venturing into the great outdoors, it’s essential to have a reliable and versatile tool by your side. The Schrade SCAXE10 Full Tang Hatchet checks all these boxes. This impressive hatchet is designed for camping or hiking emergencies, boasting a forged powder-coated stainless steel 3.6-inch full tang blade perfect for chopping firewood, trimming branches, or even hammering in tent pegs or nails.
Its ergonomic black TPR rubber-wrapped non-slip handle provides a secure grip regardless of the weather conditions. Additionally, the hatchet’s well-balanced design and sharp edge make it ideal for slicing, chopping, and splitting small pieces of wood or meat. For an extra razor-sharp edge, the blade can be easily sharpened on a whetstone. Measuring only 11.1-inches in length and weighing just 1lb and 5.
9-ounces, this hatchet is incredibly compact and lightweight, making it perfect for backpackers who need to travel light. Schrade also includes a convenient black thermoplastic belt sheath for attaching the hatchet to your backpack or using the durable lanyard cord. While this hatchet excels in many areas, some users may find that it’s not ideal for heavy-duty tasks and the sheath can be of questionable quality.
However, with consistent use, some users have reported a slightly uncomfortable handle. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Schrade SCAXE10 Full Tang Hatchet is an excellent value, offering high-quality construction, a full tang design, and an ergonomic handle at an affordable price.
Hults Bruk Tarnaby Hatchet
The Hults Bruk Tarnaby Hatchet stands out as a masterclass in versatility, effortlessly tackling tasks like kindling, chopping firewood, processing deer, or even light gardening duties. Weighing 1.25lbs, its head is hand-forged from the renowned Swedish steel, prized for both its beauty and strength. A precise tempering process has been employed to ensure the blade retains its razor-sharp edge over time.
The American hickory handle, treated with linseed oil, provides a comfortable grip, allowing for confident swings when tackling even the most demanding wood-chopping tasks. Its compact and lightweight design means it slips effortlessly into your backpack or camping gear, making it an ideal companion on any outdoor adventure.
To top it all off, the Tarnaby Hatchet arrives with a traditional leather protective sheath, adorned with unique Swedish decorative elements – a testament to Hults Bruk’s commitment to quality craftsmanship. And for those seeking even greater versatility, the company also offers a 16-inch version of this impressive hatchet. The pros are many: excellent quality, great value for money, and the ability to excel in a variety of applications, from kindling to firewood, hunting, and light gardening.
The solid, sharp steel and high durability only add to its appeal, while the hand-forged construction ensures that this hatchet is truly built to last. Of course, there are some drawbacks – most notably, the Tarnaby Hatchet does come with a higher price tag. Nevertheless, for those seeking a premium tool that will serve them well in any situation, it’s an investment worth considering.
Our Top Pick for the Best Hatchet
When venturing into the great outdoors for camping, hiking, hunting, or backpacking, having a reliable and versatile cutting tool is essential. Our top recommendation is the Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet, an exceptional survival companion that excels in various wilderness scenarios. Whether you need to prepare firewood, craft a makeshift spear, or even deter a predator, this rugged hatchet is up to the task.
Its impressive capabilities make it an indispensable addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s gear arsenal.
