ESTWING Camper's Axe - 14" USA Made Black Hatchet with Tent Stake Puller & Shock Reduction Grip - EB-25A

Substantial weight and quite sharp. Should be perfect for my needs and a great value.

Bought this for my son after my old axe head became too loose to pound back on. This small axe is perfect size for camping, the concave wedge shape of the head makes it easier to split wood and pull the axe out, and the one piece construction seems very sturdy. The edge is easy to sharpen and can get knife style sharp. The handle is comfortable to use and does not slip when wet, but I would prefer a leather handle like the other ESTWING axes since it begins to rub by your pinky if you use this axe when it is wet. Overall, great axe for camping and making bonfires and it is a much better quality axe than the Gerber Chinese made ones which chip the edge easily.

I received this tool almost ready for use. The edge was well-shaped and the steel was coated with a thick, clear protective varnish. This is a good thing, but it could clog your wet-stone during first sharpening. I chose to remove the varnish from the edge with fine sandpaper on a flat block before sharpening with a puck-shaped wet-stone. Very little sharpening was required for use. The tool is beautiful, well-designed, comfortable in use, and the sheath is good. I recommend this brand over that other brand that is a similar color but not as well-made or well-prepared for first use.

Does its job, the sheath can be left on when hammering in stakes but can come loose if you dont hit it right. Came in sharp but there was room for improvement. dont forget to buy a wet stone. A strop and honing compoiund too if youre serious.

This is a good little hatchet for camp chores. Its all-steel construction makes it heavier than some other hatchets of this size, so it may not be the best choice for backpacking. However, the extra weight seems to help it when splitting firewood. The rubber grip also helps dampen shock during use, which makes it much more comfortable when using it for long periods of time. Out of the box, it appeared to be well made, but the edge definitely needed some work. After sharpening, it chops well enough, splits well enough and drives tent stakes well enough to earn its keep in camp. It's also still made in the USA.

Very good feel in the hand. Sturdy and well made. Great length to weight ratio.

I have destroyed 3 other inexpensive small hatchets just splitting 12 inch oak for my grill and that's why I purchased this one because it's solid all the way through. I'm an old man so I use a 2 lb hammer to drive this hatchet to make small firewood for grilling, probably about 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches by 12 inches. All red and post oak with no bark. The hammer has eventually destroyed every hatchet I've used. Not this one... keeps a good edge and you can hardly tell that I've even used a hammer on it at all. Also it has very little to no vibration transfer through the handle. No doubt I could chop down a small tree but I use it for splitting small firewood and it's the best I've had. Side note...if you cook with charcoal... try cooking with oak only, no charcoal... you food will taste so much better... just saying

Quality ax.