Wes
Nenana, Alaska

Feb 10, 2016

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Hard to find. Perfect lower-cost alternative...

Hard to find. Perfect lower-cost alternative to Wetterlings and Gransfors-Bruks small axes. Could be a bit smaller/lighter for a pocket ax, but it will do.. Good handle. Nice steel. Comes _somewhat_ sharp, but easily whets up fine. Great sheathe. For the price, it would be very hard to do better. I'm buying another, or possibly two more. That's a sign I really like a tool. I did serve the handle with thick waxed line the better to allow the ax to fit my hand, but I often do that with many of my tools. I can see how for some the handle diameter might feel small for the hand. The obvious fix is there, though: Serve.

Andy W
Kentucky

Oct 11, 2015

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Great Lightweight axe with multiple purposes

I didn't purchase this from here, but this is an excellent price. All that a hatchet does is hard to write a review for, but this one, once sharpened, is versatile. I have reworked a shaving edge on mine that can double it's use as a drawing knife if needed. Head is small enough to maneuver as such. Nice straight-grained handle that won't break during your first tree, nice hard wood that chops solid, and a good edge-holding head that seems to be solid as a rock. It is also an excellent thrower that sticks with very little practice. I wrote a negative for the weight because it will cut ANYTHING as long as you have a good solid piece of wood or a stump behind your swing to trim your branches on, otherwise you'll hack all day long. This shouldn't even be a negative, but it just doesn't have the weight of a good weighted-spine woodworking machete or something of the like.

Bait Collector
The South

Apr 16, 2014

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

best investment

This little hatchet compares favorably with offerings from Wetterlings and Gransfors Bruk that cost much more. Like its more expensive counterparts, it performs well as a carving axe, a claim which similar products from comparably priced offerings from other manufacturers can't match. There is not another comparable product on the market that can do as much as well as this one does for the price. As a general camping tool, its light weight belies its ability in competent hands. For shelter production and campfire fuel, this hatchet is master of its own realm if wood not over about 61/2" to 7" in diameter is used. Due to its size and weight, it overlaps the utility of a machete and larger axe in some applications. If you are hacking your way through a thicket or jungle, the utility of a machete supersedes this item handily. If your need for firewood and shelter trends toward larger logs, a heavier axe offers obviously greater utility. For other campsite activities, such as carving and fashioning camp utensils, etc., the functions of this tool overlap substantially with a knife. While this tool is not an an adequate substitute for any of the above mentioned tools, its light weight and design features offer an indispensable option for the weight conscious backpacker. Although I initially purchased my specimen as a novelty, it quickly replaced other hatchets by Estwing, Husqvarna and others as my first choice for overnight camping trips and day hikes. As with any other cutting tool, it is only as good as its edge. My specimen takes and holds an edge very well. While I rate this item very highly, I do have some concerns with this and other Condor products that many would consider trivial. For instance, all illustrations of this item present the bit as representing a nearly straight line from toe to heel. This is desirable. My specimen is a bit more convex than I would prefer, but has not so far been a detriment. Similarly, I bought a Condor knife on-line that did not resemble its illustration very closely, much to my disappointment.

Virgil
Suburban Detroit, Mi

Feb 27, 2013

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Nice little hatchet, smaller than I would have liked, but well made... good for a small day pack. Needs a little edge work, but no big deal.

Jordan
Ontario

Feb 19, 2019

Pros: None

Cons: None

Good quality for the money but needs some TLC to get it ready to work.

This is a well priced item with a quality head, and straight grain hardwood handle. Over all I really like it. However there is a caveat. This is true of all of the condor axes I have bought, this being my 4th. They DO NOT come work sharp. In fact they are dull as they come from the factory. The head does take a hair popping edge, but you got to sharpen it yourself before you can use it. My second complaint is about the handle. It is a strong straight grain wood, but it is raw, not protected from the elements. If it gets wet it will split and splinter and swell. This is easily remedied with a little linseed oil and a quick rub down of wax. But again that means you can not use it right away. Linseed oil takes about 4 or 5 days to dry, before you wax it. Just something to be aware of. It's going to take a little work and time to get this tool ready for work.

Gr8basin
Boise,Id

May 26, 2011

Pros: None

Cons: None

nice mini splitting maul

This "hatchet" seems very well made,and I like the handle.It came with a nice sheath,too.But I was looking for a tool that I could chop with,perhaps taking the place of a large knife for a backpacking trip.This ain't it.It really is shaped like a splitting maul,you would never be able to chop anything or use it as a knife.I guess if you're just looking for something to split sticks with and maybe hammer a few things,than this might work for you.

Lost Canoeist
the Great Basin

May 24, 2016

Pros: Construction, Balance

Cons: None

D+ in geometry

I bought this intending to use it as a small pack axe and also hoping it would take a good enough edge to double as a carving hatchet. Unfortunately the head is more like a tiny splitting maul than a hatchet. It's outrageously thick in the cheeks--twice as thick as a Gransfors--making it effectively useless for chopping.