ESTWING Sportsman's Axe, 14" Leather Grip Hatchet, E24A

This is a pretty decent camping hatchet. I'm not going camping anytime soon, but I am splitting firewood, and took the opportunity to give this hatchet a test.It did great splitting smaller diameter logs and branches <3" and tolerated me batoning it for logs in the 4" and 5" range. I wouldn't bother with anything bigger while camping. I didn't chop down any trees, or de-limb them with it, but it's sharp enough that it should do the trick for those tasks. Light enough that I don't really notice it after I zip tied the sheath to my camping ruck. Overall, good quality for the price.Sheath could be better, but it's not like I bought it for that, and it is MOLLE II compatible - if you use a few zip ties.

I don't write many reviews but this little gem deserves one. Proudly made in the USA since 1923, this is the same fine tool your granddad bought, with the same high quality forging and rugged leather grip. Properly used and cared for it will stand up to several lifetimes of hard use. I recently bought a spare from Amazon and this review is based on that item.A couple of observations/recommendations: I note one reviewer whose hatchet handle rotted. Well yeah. As these come from the factory the handle is given a glossy varnished finish and the stacked leather grip underneath is very dry. It looks nice when it's new but the varnish will crack and chip with use, and then the grip will absorb water like a sponge, ruining the leather. Thus, knowledgable sportsmen have long looked fondly on that glossy factory finish and then taken a couple of sheets of 100-grit sandpaper and sanded it off. Mask off the metal part of the shaft of the handle, no point in scratching that up, but do round off the sharp edge of the metal washer at the base of the handle to make it more comfortable in use. Be sure to get all the varnish off, the leather underneath will look almost white when you're done sanding. 100 grit is fine, there's no need to finish with finer grades.Then get a bottle of Fiebing's Neatsfoot Oil (available at Amazon!) and rub it in. If you didn't get all the varnish off you'll immediately notice light spots where the oil isn't soaking in, stop and sand those off. You'll be amazed at how much oil that leather grip will absorb, my new one has taken at least an ounce of oil and it's still sucking it up. It will take several applications over several days to do a thorough job -- the idea is to completely saturate the leather grip -- just slather it on with a fingertip at first and then rub it in after a couple of days' applications. Put some on the sturdy leather sheath they provide while you're at it. The neatsfoot will give the grip a nice antique brown finish and a slightly sticky, non-slip feel, and once the grip is thoroughly saturated it will be nearly impervious to the elements *forever*. I have hunting knives and another old Estwing hatchet that were given this treatment by my dad and grandfather before I was born -- that was a long time ago -- the grips have turned black over the years but they're still as sound as the day they were made and they've seen a lot of weather over the years.Then get a Lansky "puck" dual grit sharpener (also available at Amazon!) and sharpen the blade. They come dull, probably for product liability reasons it will only be as sharp as you're capable of making it, but it will take a fine edge with a little effort. Then avoid chopping it into the ground, rocks, or what have you -- it will take you several patient hours to put the initial edge on the blade and all that effort will be wasted if you whack it against a rock. The blade should never touch anything but the wood it's made to cut.Learn to split kindling safely by taking a 1-2' piece of wood 2-3" in diameter, holding it by one end pointed away from you and resting the other end parallel to the ground across a larger piece of wood. Split the far end by chopping through it sideways into the chopping block and then giving the hatchet and the wood a deft twist to split it lengthwise (a glove on your off-hand isn't a bad idea). Repeat with each half until you have enough kindling. Whatever you do, don't try to hold a piece of kindling on end and split it lengthwise lumberjack-style, that's a good way to lose a finger or chop yourself in the knee.Guys, this is a tool every manly man should treat himself to and learn to use! There's darn few things in this world that are the same high quality they were 90 years ago but this is one of them.

This Estwing Sportsman's Axe has become an essential part of my camping gear. The 12-inch size is the perfect balance—compact enough to pack easily but substantial enough to handle real work around the campsite. I've used it for splitting kindling, chopping firewood, and clearing brush, and it handles everything beautifully.The one-piece forged steel construction is bomber. There's no head coming loose or handle breaking like you get with wooden-handled axes. It feels incredibly solid and balanced in hand. The grip is comfortable even during extended use, and the shock reduction actually works—my hands don't get fatigued.The edge came razor sharp out of the box and has held up impressively well. A quick touch-up with a file occasionally and it's back to slicing through wood effortlessly.This is genuine American-made quality that will outlast me. It's not the cheapest option, but you're buying it once. After using cheaper axes that failed, I wish I'd started with the Estwing.If you camp, hike, or just need a reliable hatchet, this is the one. Absolute workhorse. Highly recommend!

Great hatchet. Comes with the NO25 cover - 880g weight with coverYou will need to sharpen it a bit if you want it completely sharp (the tip of the blade is covered with some anti-rust)There are 3 stickers you may want to remove from it and clean the adhesive (plus one wraparound label).

Great tool. Only dropping a star because Estwing makes beautiful tools but then trash them up with paper stickers all over them that you can’t get off without googone or some other adhesive remover.So every time I buy one, I have 10 minutes of sticker removal.Past that, top notch tools. Hatched came sharp as a knife with a great edge profile. It’s perfectly sized and easy to use with a good grip so ya comfortable to use full power with it.

I love the hatchet! It has a little weight to it but all in all it’s solid. It’s sharp right out the box and I like that it came with a cover.

Right out of the box, you get the impression that this is a quality tool. Excellent steel, excellent handle, and made in the USA by an old and respected company. However, two negatives:1) the finish on the steel surface was all splotchy and uneven. There is a clear coat (rust preventative) that was applied sloppily, so I ended up sanding it off and applying my own. Huge improvement.2) the Estwing sticker on the handle immediately starts peeling as soon as it gets wet or has any friction, so I decided to just peel it off. It left a horrible residue that took forever to remove. How a sticker can have such poor retention with such strong adhesive is mind boggling. It’s like they used the world’s best adhesive while simultaneously using the world’s cheapest paper for the Estwing sticker. Shame because had they just laser etched the logo it would be a non issue.Quality control issues aside, it’s a rock solid sturdy hatchet that should last decades if properly maintained. I imagine this hatchet will outlast me. Well worth the investment.

Very well made and sharp. Works great. Thank you for the quality product.

Es el mejor hacha que tengo con mucha diferencia. La forma del mango es excepcional. Es dinero bien invertido. Una herramienta para toda la vida.

Muito bom

Certamente um produto de altíssima qualidade. Vale cada centavo. É um tamanho bem pequeno, utilização para pequenas madeira, gravetos e extremamente recomendado para campings, acampamentos e obviamente Bushcraft. Fabricado nos EUA.

Love this axe. Wanted a full tang hatchet, because I don't want to faff around with handle maintenance. I own other Estwing tools, so I know they're made to last a lifetime. This axe arrived in perfect condition and was usable-sharp straight out of the box. I've since given the blade a honing on my water stones and it's now like a razor blade. Used it a few times, I think it's light weight, holds its edge really well but most of all is very well balanced. You get great accuracy in the swing.

Poco más se puede decir de los productos de esta marca... son para toda la vida, el típico hacha o martillo que podrán heredar los bisnietos.En 2100 un hacha se considerará un arma así que tendrán que devolverlo al cuartelillo y se quedará tu hacha la benemérita por eso sería interesante mandarle grabar una leyenda del tipo "guardame bajo el colchón hasta que lleguen las guerras zombies". Porque es una magnífica pieza para llevarla colgada del cinturón.