Best hatchet

These hatchets will make you feel like a lumberjack, making quick work of all your chopping tasks.

Best hatchet
(Image credit: @rbkomar via Unsplash)

Hatchets are one of the most common small cutting tools for camping enthusiasts. They can be used to chop off tree branches, split logs into firewood, trim bark off of felled logs, or hammer stakes. The handle is usually made of metal, fiberglass, or wood, while the blade is metal. Depending on your personal preference, this tool can be excellent an addition to your bug-out bag, survival kit, or camping supplies. There are many different hatchets on the market, but some, are simply better than others.

Best overall

Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 hatchet

(Image credit: Fiskars Group)

Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 hatchet

Excellent ergonomics

The X7's blade is precision-forged from a single piece of chromium steel to provide outstanding strength with exceptional edge retention.

Pros:

  • Ergonomic 14-inch handle
  • Excellent weight distribution
  • Virtually unbreakable
  • Ideal for small kindling and twigs 

Cons:

  • Requires immense force to split large logs
  • Blade chipping concerns

The X7 Hatchet's design perfectly balances strong performance and a comfortable grip. This lightweight tool delivers the perfect amount of force for chopping, splitting kindling, and halving logs, which means you get more firewood in less time. The handle is equipped with NANOedge technology, creating a stronger, more durable edge than metal reinforcement alone. This purchase includes a ballistic nylon sheath, belt loop, and handle wrap.

Comfort for hours

Estwing Sportsman's 14-inch axe

(Image credit: Estwing)

Estwing Sportsman's 14-inch axe

A true camping axe with all the bells and whistles

Made of durable forged steel with a genuine leather grip that feels incredible in hand while swinging.

Pros:

  • Genuine leather grip 
  • Forged in one piece
  • Pretty durable
  • Ballistic nylon sheath

Cons:

  • Leather sheath could have been better

The Estwing Sportsman is a heavy-duty hand axe with as many as 3.25-inches of blade edge, perfect for chopping down small trees and splitting logs. The head and handle are forged in one piece of steel to maximize strength and durability. A genuine leather grip makes it easier to wield without slipping from sweaty palms. Weighing about two pounds, this solid heirloom-quality hatchet delivers the power you need to handle just about any task on your camping trip or at home. It can pack easily in personal luggage or on any bug-out bag.

Everyday tasks

Schrade SCAXE10 full-tang hatchet

(Image credit: Schrade)

Schrade SCAXE10 full-tang hatchet

Designed for maximum portability

Take advantage of the axe's hammer pommel to quickly drive in tent spikes, nails, or stakes.

Pros:

  • Full-tang construction
  • Durable and dependable
  • Handle includes a rubber lanyard
  • Pommel doubles as a hammer

Cons:

  • Could be slightly warped
  • Handle is quite short

Whether you need to clear paths in the wilderness or split some boards for firewood in your backyard, the Schrade hatchet won't disappoint. With a provided lanyard, you can tie it onto a branch for easy access or drop it into a backpack during a hike. This hatchet has a full-tang design that gives the blade superior strength and balance, so you know it's built for heavy-duty work. Plus, the ergonomic handle features a rubberized TPR cover that provides an excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions.

Splitting maul

WilFiks chopping ax

(Image credit: Amazon)

WilFiks chopping axe

Fiberglass handle with shock absorption properties

Cleverly disguised as a hatchet, this tool is actually a handsome axe on the inside.

Pros:

  • Anti-slip grip
  • Shock-absorbent handle
  • Protective rubber sheath
  • Long ergonomic handle

Cons:

  • Awful rubber smell
  • Blade may need sharpening before use

This lightweight hatchet has a 6.5-inch head and a 15-inch handle, making it effective at processing large pieces of wood. The head is forged from curved carbon steel, heat-treated for wear resistance, and finished with a non-slip handle. The blade geometry is designed to perform dual tasks. You can use the sharp edge to split kindling or gather firewood and the maul side to grind meat or hammer tent stakes.

Wooden handle

Prandi German-style hatchet - PRA0306TH

(Image credit: Amazon)

Prandi German-style hatchet - PRA0306TH

Lightweight and very easy to use.

The axe head is made of high-quality forged steel and fitted to a handle made of hardwood and steel.

Pros:

  • Hickory handle
  • Smooth and even finish
  • Sheath included

Cons:

  • Pretty expensive
  • Not the best grip

The Prandi German-style hatchet is a great gift for the lumberjack in your life. This small model has a medium-sized blade made of hardened and tempered steel and is finished with a hardwood hickory handle. It is dipped in hot wax for an added layer of protection against the elements. Lastly, the axe head also comes with a protective covering to prevent rusting when not in use.

Make quick work of all your chopping needs

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Choosing the right hatchet is more than just getting the sharpest, strongest tool. A good hatchet will have a sharp and strong head and a solid handle to endure as many swings as possible without needing replacement. 

The Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 hatchet is the Swiss Army knife of hatches. Thanks to the hardened, precision-forged blade, the lightweight X7 Hatchet can easily hack through wood with a single blow. A protective powder-coated finish means its blade is rust-resistant too.

For excellent durability and striking force, the Estwing Sportsman's 14-inch ax performs as well as it looks. The forged steel construction adds an element of rugged dependability, ideal for living off the land.

Celebrate your love for all things wood engraving and exotic woods with the Prandi German-style hatchet - PRA0306TH. The multi-function steel blade makes chopping, slicing, splitting a whole lot easier.

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Grace Monene is an avid writer with a keen eye for home and office improvement. She has a knack for finding the best little things that will improve the quality of indoor and outdoor living. When she's not writing, you will typically find her reading or testing out the latest technology.