Best 50$ camp hatchet

[shack]

I am thinking of getting my groomsmen a hatchet of some sort as a groomsmen gift for my wedding this April. I'd like to keep it in the range of $50.

Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[The Wizard]

Have you look at Fiskars? Check this out: http://www2.fiskars.com/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Products/Axes-and-Striking-Tools/X7-Hatchet-14

 

[shack]

I have. In fact after posting this thread I searched and found a couple of other good threads. I should have searched first!

 

[yotacrawler83]

I have the one in the link, along with a couple of their ax's and love them. They stay sharp forever long as your not trying to cut rocks in half, and the handles are very comfortable and forgiving.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I have the number 441 splitting axe. There isn't a better camp axe made by true craftsman!

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

They are of incredible quality, and balance. In fact my wife even likes to use it because of its balance , and that's important when out and about.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I also have an Ox Head. They are a bit more expensive, the steel is incredible for sharpening. I have files the shoulder down on my falling single bit, and it's sharp enough to shave with! One of my coworkers called it the Gillette.
I have 5 Ox heads of various sizes and weights.

http://www.ochsenkopf.com/en/products/index.html

 

[BMThiker]

I've used the longer Fiskars splitting axe and it works pretty damn well. Retail is almost $60, but can be found for less elsewhere.

 

[e9999]

little fiskars here. that thing is shaaaarp.... and I like not to have to worry about wood.

 

[shack]

In my searching today I found a good thread on the X7. Seems durable and is within my spending budget.

http://rockymountainbushcraft.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-new-fiskars-x7-hatchetbudget.html?m=1

 

[temple]

I think they sell those at Home Depot?

 

[Douglas S]

Fiskars!

 

[patrickfinley]

It's funny, when I think of a groomsmen gift I think of cuff links or a money clip. Worthless, I'd trade all those in for a cool axe instead.

Your groomsmen will remember a good axe for the rest of their lives!

 

[SmoothLC]

I recently purchased both of the Fiskars mentioned above.

Great quality, lightweight, well balanced, and sharp as )(&@.

Highly recommended.

 

[canman]

I got the Original Woodman's PAL. A little more than $50.00, but a little more unique...


http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=65248&cat=2,45794

 

[shack]

After a week or so of research I'm somewhat switching gears as far as hatchets go and may be going with an axe. Specifically I'm considering a couple in the $50 range by Council Tool out of North Carolina.

The reviews are great on everything they have and they are all made here in the good ole USA. Anyone have any experience with Council Tool?

 

[canman]

Here's some interesting, but rather expensives ones...

http://www.workwearcanada.com/products/category.cfm?category=8

 

[cruiserpilot]

Never heard of them, but I looked through the axe list. For a small camp axe, this one looks like a nice light option.
2.25# Forestry Service Edition Boy's Axe
I still would recommend the OxHead in a 2.5 lb head, nicer looking, more effective head design. Very high quality steel.

 

[TrekboxX]

Just a note on the Fiskars axe- I have it and love it, but, it's about 2-3" too short. My feet are in the swing arc. I've heard others say the same. Great axe, just be aware. I have also had the smaller Fiskars (Gerber) hatchets in all different sizes for years. They've all been great.

But, for a gift there may be "classier" if not better options. Gransfors or wetterlings have a certain something about them... Good luck in whatever you pick. I made a set of custom survival knives for my groomsmen. Stuff like that is way better than cufflinks. You're on the right track.

 

[temple]

What's the groomsmen cutting up? He's not even married yet. Can't they just break up?

 

[shack]

Just a note on the Fiskars axe- I have it and love it, but, it's about 2-3" too short. My feet are in the swing arc. I've heard others say the same. Great axe, just be aware. I have also had the smaller Fiskars (Gerber) hatchets in all different sizes for years. They've all been great.

But, for a gift there may be "classier" if not better options. Gransfors or wetterlings have a certain something about them... Good luck in whatever you pick. I made a set of custom survival knives for my groomsmen. Stuff like that is way better than cufflinks. You're on the right track.

Yeah while the Fiskars may be the one to get I kind of want something more hand made. Something that they can remember when they are old and so on and so forth. Plus with a wooden handle you can treat it and care for it however you like. Cant do that with the composite materials of the Fiskars. The Gransfors or Wetterlings stuff is really nice but I can't throw down that sort of $$.