Hatchets are humble tools. They’ve been around for thousands of years and feature a single blade at the end of a long handle, making it ideal for taking down lumber and chopping tough material like bone and firewood. Because they’re a classic case of a ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ tool, there hasn’t been a lot of changes to the hatchet in virtually forever.
So what sets the best hatchets apart from the bad ones? Here, we’ll be looking at the quality of materials, the traction provided for the grip, ergonomics, and balancing to let you know what hatchets are the best ones you can get online right now.
TOP CHOICES
Best Overall
NedFoss 15" Hatchet
- Comfortable, S-curved handle to accommodate your grip.
- Handstitched leather sheath.
- Made from high carbon steel.
- Perfectly balanced hatchet head that optimizes the force of your swings.
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1NedFoss 15" Hatchet
Best Overall
The NedFoss 15″ Hatchet is a beautiful hatchet with a classic appearance. Underneath its visual appeal is an optimized design that focuses on improving the only important parts of a hatchet — the axe head and the handle.
The handle of this hatchet provides a natural feeling grip thanks to the S-curved bend that gives you a firm grip on the upper and latter half of the handle, allowing you to maximize the force of your swings. The head of the hatchet has a fine edge that distributes force from a perfectly balanced center since the handle is in the exact center of the blade.
PROS
- Comfortable, S-curved handle to accommodate your grip.
- Handstitched leather sheath.
- Made from high carbon steel.
- Perfectly balanced hatchet head that optimizes the force of your swings.
CONS
- No grip wrap to provide additional friction.
2ESTWING Camper's Axe
The ESTWING Camper’s Axe is a versatile tool with a shorter handle compared to the standard hatchet. This tool actually doesn’t have a handle attached to the axe blade since it’s forged in one piece using stainless steel. This makes swing force more consistent as the blade is guaranteed to be centered on the handle.
At the end of the hatchet is a shock reduction grip that reduces impact force by nearly 70% so you don’t get blisters and friction burns even as you work for hours on end.
PROS
- Comes with a heavy duty ballistic nylon sheath.
- Shock reduction grip that keeps your hands from hurting over long periods of work.
- Short handle makes it relatively easy to control.
- Large blade with a long, spacious edge for multi-purpose use.
CONS
- Handle may feel too short if you're used to a standard hatchet.
3WOOX Forte Compact Axe
The WOOX Forte Compact Axe is another classic hatchet designed for all around use. It’s made of hybrid Italian-American high carbon steel that’s capable of withstanding months of use with minimal re-sharpening. The blade keeps its edge well and isn’t susceptible to rusting, making it a great long term investment as a tool.
The axe has a long, smooth handle made of dark-polished walnut. Unfortunately it doesn’t have the ergonomic features of other hatchets on this list, but it’s still comfortable to use for anyone used to old school axe designs.
PROS
- Comes in 22 to 28 inch handle options.
- Compact axe head made of 1060 high carbon steel.
- Black leather cover for the blade.
- Great bang for buck in terms of material quality.
CONS
- Has a more slippy grip compared to others on this list.
4BeaverCraft Carving Axe Hand Forged Hatchet
The BeaverCraft Carving Axe Hand Forged Hatchet offers a balance between machetes and axes with its short handled design and fine edge that gives you just enough room to do more complicated tasks like woodcarving and carpentry.
The axe features an ultra-sharp blade made of hand-forged carbon steel that comes with a leather cover to keep you and it safe from the elements. There’s also a holster for hanging the hatchet off your belt so you can work with your hands-free when you’re not using it.
PROS
- Hand-forged carbon steel blade.
- Comes with a leather blade cover and belt holder.
- Keeps its edge, minimizing the need for sharpening.
- Has a fine tip that can be used for finer tasks like wood carving.
CONS
- Does not come with additional grip features.
- Has a shorter grip compared to other axes on this list.
5Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe
The Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe comes from none other than Gerber, the brand most of us already know (and maybe love) for the knives they make. The hatchet features a massive stainless steel blade with a dark black coating to keep it from rusting. Its design lets you make more powerful, forceful swings that get the job done faster.
The hatchet comes with a nylon sheath to cover the blade and keep it from cutting you. It can also be clipped onto your belt or belt bag with the metal snaps attached to the sheath.
PROS
- Rubber mold covered handle.
- Full-tang stainless steel blade.
- Comes with the Gerber lifetime limited warranty.
- Includes a sheath that can be attached to your belt.
CONS
- Short handle may not have enough room for users with bigger hands.
