What Should I Look For in a Hatchet?

Selecting your first hatchet will be a bit cumbersome but that’s completely normal.  If you’re wondering what to look for in a hatchet, you shouldn’t worry because you have just landed in the right place.

When selecting a hatchet, the first thing to look for is the weight and how it feels in your hand. A heavier hatchet will be able to chop larger chunks of wood at a time, while a lighter hatchet is more maneuverable and can be used for more delicate tasks.

But, that’s not all. There are a lot of things that you may not be aware of. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most interesting things that will help you select your first hatchet for your adventures.

If you are interested in learning all this, keep on reading!

How do you pick a good hatchet?

Picking a good hatchet is not as easy as it seems. There are a lot of different factors that you need to consider before making your purchase.

The first thing you need to think about is the weight of the hatchet. The heavier the hatchet, the more forceful your swings will be. However, a heavier hatchet can be difficult to control, so if you are new to using a hatchet, it is probably best to go with a lighter one.

Another thing to consider is the length of the handle. A longer handle will give you more leverage, making it easier to chop through thick pieces of wood. However, a longer handle can also be unwieldy, so it is important to find a balance that works for you.

Finally, you need to think about the head of the hatchet. The head of the hatchet is the part that actually does the chopping, so it is important to make sure that it is made of high-quality metal.

What Should I Look For in a Hatchet: Some Important Things

You may have noticed that almost every hardware store has a hatchet available. However, it doesn’t mean you should blindly pick one because you are planning to go out in the wilderness.

There are a few points that you need to consider when it comes to picking a hatchet for your adventures. While we talked about some general things above, that’s not all. Let’s take a quick look at some technical things that every bushcraft hatchet should have.

It Should Have a Proper Head

The word proper might be a bit subjective, but it’s important nonetheless. A proper head means that the hatchet should be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear.

You will be using your hatchet for different activities, such as chopping wood, prying things open, and even hammering nails. So, it is important to make sure that the head of the hatchet has a thin bit that can cut through anything easily.

As mentioned above, you may easily find a hatchet at your local hardware store. However, most of them will have a sharp wedge, which is good for splitting wood, but it may not be able to perform other tasks as efficiently.

The Handle Should Be Comfortable

Another most important thing is the handle. It should be of appropriate length that will help you accomplish various tasks without needing extra power and energy. 

For instance, a longer handle will be great for chopping wood, but it may not be suitable for more delicate tasks, such as carving. So, it is important to find a balance between the length of the handle and the weight of the head.

In my opinion, a good hatchet should have a handle length ranging from 19 to 22 inches.

It Should Be Easy to Sharpen

Sharpening is another factor that will help you determine whether a hatchet is good or not. A good hatchet should be easy to sharpen so that you can keep it in top condition.

Ideally, you should be able to sharpen the hatchet with a simple file. However, some hatchets may require special tools for sharpening.

Make sure to check this before making your purchase.

Important Parts of a Hatchet

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important parts of a hatchet. It will give you a better understanding of how these things work together to help you accomplish various tasks.

The Head

The head is the part of the hatchet that actually does the chopping. It is important to make sure that it is made of high-quality metal so that it can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

The head of the hatchet should also have a thin bit that can easily cut through wood.

The Handle

The handle is the part of the hatchet that you hold while using it. It is important to make sure that it is comfortable to hold and of an appropriate length.

A longer handle will give you more leverage, making it easier to chop through thick pieces of wood. However, a longer handle can also be unwieldy, so it is important to find a balance that works for you.

Types of Handle

There are different types of handles available for hatchets. The most common type is the wooden handle, which is durable and easy to replace if it ever breaks.

Another type of handle is the metal handle, which is more durable than a wooden handle, but it can be slippery when wet. Besides that, hatchet handles are also made of fiberglass and plastic.

You might be wondering what is the best choice when it comes to choosing the right handle for your hatchet. Well, I prefer wooden handles because they are more comfortable to hold and easy to replace if they ever break.

What You Will be Using your Hatchet For?

If you are still having some doubts in mind and are not sure what to do next, then ask yourself this question. It will help you understand what type of hatchet you need for your adventures.

Are you planning to use it for chopping wood? Or do you need it for some delicate tasks such as carving?

Your answer will help you determine the size and weight of the hatchet that you need. But if you are preparing for your first bushcraft adventure, then chances are you may not know all of the uses of a hatchet in the wilderness.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common uses for a hatchet in the wilderness first.

Chopping Wood

The first and the most obvious application of a hatchet is chopping wood. Now you might be wondering why use a hatchet when you can use an ax. Well, the answer is because a hatchet is small enough to be easily carried. Besides that, it is a multi-purpose tool, meaning you will not be using it for just wood chopping. 

So, if you are planning to use your hatchet for chopping wood, then make sure to get one that has a good weight-to-length ratio.

Prying Things Open

Prying things open is another common use for a hatchet in the wilderness. You may need to pry open a can of food or even pry some rocks to make a fire pit.

For these activities, you will need a hatchet with a strong and sharp head. Otherwise, you may not be able to accomplish your task efficiently.

Hammering Nails

Another common use for a hatchet is hammering nails. You may need to hammer some nails to build a shelter or fix your broken equipment.

For these activities, you will need a hatchet with a strong head and a long handle. A longer handle will provide more leverage and thus more power.

However, make sure that the handle is not too long as it will make the hatchet difficult to control.

Shelter Making

As mentioned above, you may need to use your hatchet for shelter making. A good hatchet can be used for chopping wood and even hammering nails to build a shelter.

So, if you are planning to use your hatchet for shelter making, then make sure to get one that is strong and durable. It should be of an appropriate length that will not drain all of your energy but, at the same time, make your job easier.

Clearing Bushes and Trees

Another common use for a hatchet is clearing bushes and trees. If you are planning to go camping in the wilderness, then chances are you will need to clear some bushes and trees to make your campsite.

For this activity, you will need a hatchet with a strong and sharp head. A long handle will also be helpful as it will provide more momentum. However, a handle that is too long will cause issues and may not be suitable for everyone to use.

These were some of the most common applications of a hatchet in the wilderness. As you can see, a hatchet is a very versatile tool and can be used for various activities.

Now that you know all of this, it will be easier for you to decide what type of hatchet you need for your next bushcraft adventure.

Best Bushcraft Hatchets on the Market

Now that you’ve learned the most important factors to consider when choosing the right hatchet for your needs let’s take a quick look at some examples.

1. Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet

The first one on my list is the Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet. This hatchet is a great choice for those who are looking for a versatile tool that can be used for various activities.

It has a 16-inch long fiberglass reinforced handle that provides strength and durability. The head is made of forged steel and is also coated with low-friction powder to make it more durable.

This hatchet also comes with a sheath for added safety. Moreover, it features a good size that allows it to be extremely portable and very easy to use. Besides that, it is very easy to sharpen, which is another advantage.

2. Estwing Sportsman’s Axe

Another top-quality hatchet that I found on amazon is the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe. This hatchet is a great choice for those who are looking for a durable and reliable tool.

The head of this hatchet is made of forged steel, which makes it very strong and durable. The handle is also made of durable material, and it is 13 inches long.

This hatchet also comes with a sheath for added safety. Moreover, it is very easy to use and very comfortable to hold. Furthermore, it is also quite lightweight which makes it even more portable.

3. Schrade SCAXE10 11.1in Full Tang Hatchet

If you are looking for something smaller in size that can help you with smaller tasks, such as clearing bushes, then the Schrade SCAXE10 11.1in Full Tang Hatchet is a great choice.

This hatchet has a full tang 1055 carbon steel head that is very strong and durable. The handle is made of TPE and it is 6 inches long.

This hatchet also comes with a sheath for added safety. Moreover, it is very easy to use and very comfortable to hold. Furthermore, it is also quite lightweight, which makes it even more portable.

However, just because it is small doesn’t mean that this hatchet is not capable of accomplishing some big tasks. There are so many things you can do with it.

Final Words

So What Should You Look For in a Hatchet? Well, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind while choosing the right hatchet for your needs. The first thing is the length of the handle and the next thing is the weight of the head.

If you are looking for something smaller in size then the Schrade SCAXE10 11.1in Full Tang Hatchet is a great choice.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something bigger that can help you with larger tasks, such as splitting wood, then the Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet is a great choice.

I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions, then please feel free to leave a comment below, and I will be more than happy to help you out.