Hatchet or Machete?

[Jcp123]

I...just...hmm.

That’s so out of left field, I don’t even have feels or thoughts yet.

Cut/paste California, I guess I can kinda see it. I am just kinda stunned anyone would even think of that as a serious weapon. Certainly entered their minds before it did mine.

 

[S&W Fan]

For the uses that you described a hatchet is the way to go. Or, get both. Then if you ever find that you have the need for something bigger than a hatchet you’ll have that covered too.

 

[nortatoga]

It's nothing if it's not made of Valyrian Steel !!!

 

[Mk44]

+1 Get both.
For splitting or chopping wood and pounding in tent stakes- I use a hatchet/ axe.
When I'm clearing a shooting lane, cutting twigs, vines or small limbs to set up my tree stand- I use a machete.
( I have axes, hatchets and a machete. depends on the task.)

Gransfors axes are excellent. Cry once... a great axe that can be passed down to your kids/ grandkids.
Fiskars is a very good axe/hatchet.
Eastwing is good too.

 

[Toecutter]

I found a good heavy machete is superior in most everything except splitting wood and pounding in stakes.

 

[meketrefe]

Maybe you want a broad axe that is a nice compromise between a machete, an axe, a knife and a hammer.
I prefer a tad larger handle but not that much. you can clear brush, chop wood and cook/carve with this as well as driving
the occasional nail. with a longer handle can do very well the job of a machete.

 

[fresch]

I buy more shit than is never needed because of you fucking people.

Just remember you only need 500 rounds!

 

[GOPerfect]

Just remember you only need 500 rounds!

Of what?

 

[masterswimmer]

Just remember you only need 500 rounds!

Of what?

Yes

 

[BDinPutnam]

Trips from the truck to where you store your ammo.

 

[Cooolone]

They do 2 different things... Right tool for the right job, so task dependent.

That said, I would choose hatchet over machete, but it's just a personal choice.

Here's one I would add to my collection without hesitation:

Gränsfors Wildlife Hatchet: Outdoor Hand-Forged Axe | Gränsfors Bruk - Gränsfors Bruk

www.gransforsbruk.com

 

[Different Drummer]

You guys are a riot!
After thinking a bit more on it and reading what is said in this thread I realize that a hatchet would suit me better. It' a tool I am looking for and I think the hatchet fits my needs best.
Having said that, either the Eastwing or the Schrade Scaxe look like they would do what I need and the price is no more than a CL hatchet.
I like the one piece all steel design on both. Again, I am looking for practicality. Just from looking I probably lean slightly towards the Scaxe. Haven't compared the steel yet on the two. Also, think I will google to see what Fisker's offers.
I have always leaned more toward high carbon steel but I guess most of the lower cost utility stuff will be some type of chrome alloy these days.
Off to check out Fisker's.

 

[Elwood]

I buy more shit than is never needed because of you fucking people.

 

[GOPerfect]

View attachment 83335

Love it!

 

[Different Drummer]

Looks like the weight of the ScAxe head is a little on the light side. Plus the steel comes from Chy - Nah.
I seem to lean slightly towards the Estwing over the Fisker's.. Seems to be some complaints about the profile for splitting but I don't think that will be an issue for my needs. Not sure how I feel about the lacquered leather but I could always wrap it with grip / bicycle handlebar tape or something similar.
Are there any similar hatchets out there I should be considering?

 

[BDinPutnam]

Based on what you're talking about doing with it, I would go with the Estwing.

ETA you may as well buy a Fiskers splitting axe while you're at it. The blade geometry is great, it is light as hell- I can use it for hours and not get tired unlike a traditional, heavier splitter.

 

[Bob]

I went a little bit larger than a hatchet. I picked up a Husqvarna 20" carpenter axe to keep with my pack for camping or offroad adventures. For the size, it has performed admirably in every task I've thrown at it. The head was made by Hults Bruk. Worth every penny of the $60 I spent for it on Amazon.

May not be what you're looking for, but it's worth a look.

 

[Blimey]

Both obviously.

A few years ago I got from sportsmanswarehouse a swedish military surplus hatchet. It's excellent.

I also got a machete for hunting and cutting down some brush. For $20 you can't go wrong, it's equivalent to a short sword even if flimsier.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I went a little bit larger than a hatchet. I picked up a Husqvarna 20" carpenter axe to keep with my pack for camping or offroad adventures. For the size, it has performed admirably in every task I've thrown at it. The head was made by Hults Bruk. Worth every penny of the $60 I spent for it on Amazon.

May not be what you're looking for, but it's worth a look.

Wow those look nice!

Damn this place now Im thinking of getting one of these, too.

 

[Different Drummer]

Based on what you're talking about doing with it, I would go with the Estwing.

ETA you may as well buy a Fiskers splitting axe while you're at it. The blade geometry is great, it is light as hell- I can use it for hours and not get tired unlike a traditional, heavier splitter.

I may be over thinking it but being light weight seems like something that addresses carrying in the field more than the actual functioning of the blade. I want the weight to carry through and do some of the work. I am an old fart and want the tool to contribute to my muscle efforts.
This plus the Chy-Nah steel is what made me eliminate the ScAxe.
I remember years ago using a hatchet that was a one piece design like the Estwing. It was thin in the blade with no or not too much belly to the blade. In fact it was almost made to the width of the handle. It was VERY light weight, but at the same time was worthless as a hatchet.
I really have very little need to split anymore. Split many cords of wood without mechanical or hydraulic splitters in my day. Including several very large elm tree's. Thats is work and takes multiple wedges along with the maul. And those days are long gone.
If there is not something similarly designed as the Estwing I will most likely go down that road.

 

[Different Drummer]

I went a little bit larger than a hatchet. I picked up a Husqvarna 20" carpenter axe to keep with my pack for camping or offroad adventures. For the size, it has performed admirably in every task I've thrown at it. The head was made by Hults Bruk. Worth every penny of the $60 I spent for it on Amazon.

May not be what you're looking for, but it's worth a look.

I took a very brief look at the Husqvarna . Looks very nice. A bit more than I was originally interested in investing but if I sprung for it it would not keep me from putting food on the table. It's just that at this stage in my life I am not looking to invest in a long term heirloom quality tool.
I will check it out further later tonight when time allows. Just taking a break in between some small projects right now.
One question, how does it handle when being deployed with one hand? Balance, etc. For my needs I would rarely employ a two handed grip on the tool.

 

[Different Drummer]

Wow those look nice!

Damn this place now Im thinking of getting one of these, too.

Yeah, the brief look I took a few minutes ago got me thinking about it. Like everything else , you start of wanting to spend $xx.00 and in the end spend more than double what you originally wanted. Hell, I could easily afford a Gransforth's Bruk, but I have been trying to be more practical as well as limiting my purchases in the last year or so. There is really no practical purpose in this stage of my life to be going all overboard on a purchase when an implement that is good enough for the job is well, "Good Enough".
That Husky does look nice now, doesn't it!

 

[Bob]

The Estwing Sportsman's Axe comes in at 14" and 1.86lbs. The Husqvarna Carpenter Axe comes in at 20.5" and just a hair under 3lbs. Obviously, the balance will be different.

I've found it to work well for one-handed and for smaller two-handed tasks. The blade geometry is such that you can get a nice high one-handed grip for fine work like shaving.

There's no doubt that it's not for everybody. For me, it's a winner. I was eyeing a Gransfors Bruks, but I couldn't justify the money for a 'beater' tool that could very well end up getting lost in the woods. This was a very fair compromise for me.

There are lots of youtube reviews out there, and nary a negative comment about it.

 

[Robin]

I prefer a hand axe but a machete has its place, especially when clearing an area with lots of vines.
These things throw real nice too.






Got a few more but you get the idea.
Robin

 

[Keyzard]

Based on what you're talking about doing with it, I would go with the Estwing.

ETA you may as well buy a Fiskers splitting axe while you're at it. The blade geometry is great, it is light as hell- I can use it for hours and not get tired unlike a traditional, heavier splitter.

I agree....out of all the multiple splitting mauls and wedges I have tried none of them can touch the Fiskars splitting axe for efficiency.

 

[Criticalt]

Ive used them all and cannot say enough good things about Fiskars.
We have axes, hatchets, loppers, knives, scissors, pruners and half a dozen other Fiskars tools.
We use them heavily and are not gentle.
We have yet to damage a single Fiskars tool. They are a bit difficult to sharpen but keep a great edge.
The heads on their axes and hatchets are second to none for durability and rust resistance.
I will always look for Fiskars when I need a tool they make.
Im not so big on the Gerber tools made by Fiskars....they are NOT the same quality.
Ok, im done with my infomercial now.

 

[Xae289]

+1 for a hatchet for your uses. A machete and hatchet are really different tools with some overlap. A small machete overlaps more with a hatchet. Machetes are great for things like chopping vines, shrubs, branches, etc., cutting down sugar cane and bamboo, opening coconuts, and I'd much prefer one as a weapon. But I prefer hatchets for splitting wood, and more precise cutting and carving of hard objects.

Basically, if you want to take down wide swathes of material with one stroke or if your job requires cutting something flexible, go for a machete. If you want to deal with smaller items, more precise cutting, and are dealing with more rigid instead of flexible items, go for the hatchet.

 

[Criticalt]

I agree....out of all the multiple splitting mauls and wedges I have tried none of them can touch the Fiskars splitting axe for efficiency.

In 2003 my now wife and I were pretty broke. We lived in a busted trailer that had a wood stove.
We didnt have enough money to buy enough wood for the year.
About December we ran out of wood.
I spent the next 4-5 months chopping down dead trees, bucking them and splitting.....all with 1 Fiskars ax.
I didnt even sharpen it once.
I chopped down dozens of trees including some 12 inch thick.
I still have and use that ax all the time.....it still wirks like new.....zero issues.

 

[BDinPutnam]

@Criticalt completely agree regarding the newer "Fiskars Gerbers". The only exception may be the reasonably priced multi-tools.

I have an older Gerber pocket knife which is great (probably almost 30 years old now). Everything newer I've looked at i haven't bothered with though as mentioned I did get a multi-tool as a gift a couple years ago, which seems ok for the light duty I put it thru.

Edit: I will say original run BMF and LMF (I think those were the names? Fixed blades) are on my bucket list but pricey now.