What makes a good Hatchet?

[mountainm]

OK - I'm after a good hatchet. But in all honestly I'll probably use it no more than 3 times a year. Now I know that GB is the creme de la creme, and I've also seen Hatchets on sale on amazon for a fiver.

At the moment I'm considering the wetterlings mini axe for about £30 - sound like a good compromise.

So am I right? What makes a good axe, what should I look for (say I find one in a junk shop or market stall)? What should I be wary of? - given I'll hardly use it does it matter?

Thanks for your help, as, other than being able to tell if it's sharp and balanced - I haven't really got a clue.

 

[Robbi]

i think thats all you need to know really......plus...do you like it ?....yep ?....then go for it

 

[Puddock]

Wetterlings Mini Axe can be had for only £22 from Heinnie Haynes including delivery....bargain

P.S. I have no connection with the above mentioned Wetterlings or Heinnie, just a happy customer.

 

[mountainm]

Wetterlings Mini Axe can be had for only £22 from Heinnie Haynes including delivery....bargain

P.S. I have no connection with the above mentioned Wetterlings or Heinnie, just a happy customer.

Thanks for the headsup!

 

[WeThePeoplexfbm]

whata make a good hatchet? make sure it chop wood ^^

 

[mountainm]

whata make a good hatchet? make sure it chop wood ^^

I take a log with me everywhere I go shopping for just this reason

 

[robin wood]

I did this blog a while ago explaining the pros and cons of various axes from expensive to cheap. http://greenwood-carving.blogspot.com/2010/07/which-is-best-axe-for-carving-bushcraft.html
Basically less than £20 is likely to be decent steel and heat treat but very poor grind and need half an hours work with a new file and then stones to get it working, and it will have no sheath. That is if you want to cut with it. If you only want to split firewood that you have cross cut with a saw then a cheap blunt axe is as good as any.