Slee
Chicago

Dec 15, 2018

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Lifetime purchase with this item.

If you’re interested in an all-around hand axe around this size, look no further. I’ve owned four or five hand axes in my life (some pricier than the Estwing) and none can even compare, particularly when it comes to durability/reliability. This item should last you a lifetime and will come in handy more times than you might expect. Great buy.

Slee
Chicago

Dec 15, 2018

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Beautiful leather sheath now nylon

As mentioned in my earlier review, I love this item. However, please disregard my statement about the leather sheath. I see now that they’ve replaced it with a nylon sheath. This is unfortunate, but this is still a great buy.

Jonathan
texas

Apr 10, 2013

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Excellent axe took it out of the box and put it to work and did it's job well. Feels good in your hands. Overall very satisfied and will buy estwing products in the future.

Alabama Hiker
Alabama

May 29, 2017

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

last forever

I was given this hatchet when I was starting the Scouts. That was 30 years ago. It's gone on every hike, camp out and even a deployment. So it has more nights in the woods then anything else I own. I sharpen it once a year and clean it off when I unpack. Mine has the original leather sheath that it came with. All in all I've never needed to buy another hatchet but being a gear head I have tried others but none have the same feel or weight. And after a good sharpening none cut or chop as well in my opinion. Give it a try and maybe you'll have the same luck. Good camping.

Robert B
Morton Grove, Il

Jan 05, 2012

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Great Axe

It's a well weighted axe that's made out of one piece of steel. Made in America! It's going to do the job and do it forever. Built tough.

John M
Logan City, Australia

Sep 27, 2012

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Handy & Lightweight

Use this axe whilst camping have found it to be of excellent build quality, lightweight, sharp and I really like the leather edge cover. Also it came sharp but with a few strokes on the ceramic sharpening stones it came up super sharp.

Slee
Chicago

Dec 15, 2018

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Lifetime purchase with this item.

If you’re interested in an all-around hand axe around this size, look no further. I’ve owned four or five hand axes in my life (some pricier than the Estwing) and none can even compare, particularly when it comes to durability/reliability. This item should last you a lifetime and will come in handy more times than you might expect. Tips: Treat the beautiful leather sheath with samething like Mink Oil to preserve it. Sharpen regularly and dry when wet. You’ll then have a great tool for the rest of your life. Great buy.

The Prepared Fat Dude That Cleared The Road In The Storm.
Im in South Carolina

Sep 12, 2010

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Very capable in a small package.

I have carried one of these since I was 13 (1984). They come shaving sharp and are easy to touch up with a diamond rod and strop with a leather belt.I have lost one and gave a couple of way.I used one in July to chop thru a 12 inch diameter tree that fell in the road(in the boondocks,unfamiliar area).It took me about 10 minutes to chop thru the tree twice.We were in the lighning making chips! Keep it in my Jeep always.Well worth the $.Keep it dry and it will last a long time.Everyone that sees it likes it.

Bikebuddyburke
northern northcentral PA

Dec 31, 2020

Pros: Construction, Balance, Head Material

Cons: None

Still great maybe 50 years later

Though my Estwing Sportsman axe has been with me some fifty years, it mostly resides indoors, where it is and has been excellent for making smaller kindling from larger kindling and from fuel. Mine still wears an original leather sheath when it's not in use.. With the aid of a solid piece of wood, it batons well. For some reason, Fallkniven recommends that their S1X knife (which I have, and recommend) not be used for splitting wood, so I plan to pack the small axe while hiking and exploring. Buy one; it the gift (even to oneself) that keeps on giving. You'll be glad to have it with you.

Tc
Alexandria VA

Nov 05, 2009

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

unbreakable

This is a traditional style hatchet. I like the fact that the blade and handle are all one piece. It's not going to break. I use it as an all around chopper. The only precaution is that it's not weatherproof. The leather sheath and handle will retain water, keep it dry and you'll be fine.

Photodoc
northcentral PA

Nov 23, 2020

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Still Great After All These Years

One of my best investments is my Estwing Sportsman axe. Obviously, it's light for big stuff, but for making kindling from bigger firewood, or for splitting kindling, it's wonderful. For an unexpected night out in the brush, it should be superb. I've had mine for about 50 year, and love it.

Jennifer
Fruita, Co

Jul 22, 2015

Pros: Head Material

Cons: None

Good Camping Axe

I have owned this axe for six months and taken it on two camping trips so far. I like the axe. It feels good in my hand and I like the weight. The axe is beautiful to look at. The head will never come off since it is one piece with the handle. I think that is the best feature of this axe. The manufacturer's sticker is really hard to get off but got the residue off with some goo gone. Also, the steel seems kind of soft. It sharpens up nice but with moderate use chopping kindling or small trees it loses its edge quickly and chips. If you want a beautiful axe and don't mind sharpening it after each trip then I recommend this axe. I got a Lansky sharpening puck and it works great on this axe.

Kevin
Montana

Jun 27, 2023

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Tool for a lifetime

I have had one of there for about 50 years. For years it was a hunting tool and has split many elk. One year we heated with wood and I found I could split wood by sinking the hatchet into a round, picking up the round kand using it to drive the hatchet in like a wedge. You get the picture. Used and abused. Sheath eventually wore out; made a new one. Pretty worn looking but functions as good as new. Not perfect. Steel will only get so sharp. Can’t get it to smoothly life hair from my forearm regardless of how I have tried. Also a bit chippy though all chips were minor and easily sharpened out. Steel is pretty resistant to rusting but the rivets that hold the handle together will, so take care of them,

Logan
California

Sep 21, 2014

Pros: Construction, Handle Material

Cons: None

good axe; seen better

When i received this axe i was generally uneducated in the world of axes but have come to learn alot. This axe will never lose the handle, because it's one piece of solid steel, and i love that. I love the look and ergonomics of the handle. I liked the sheath with a few minor gripes. i also love that's it's made in America I did not like the edge that it came with, it was not good, and had a very very bad burr one one side of the edge. the steel is a little soft, it takes a great edge but doesn't retain it as long. Its use is for chopping mostly, i have found it to be an ok splitter at best, unless your splitting kindling. it also has a short handle, so don't try to be paul bunyan with it. also since it is almost 100% steel (besides the handle) it is fairly heavy for it's size. i have a very nice axe from council tool (Great axe company Made in America as well) that has a 2 pound head on a 19 inch wood handle that weighs the same, but is longer and sharper, and to me better.