Being a camping and hiking enthusiast myself, I’ve always loved the breaks from everyday life. Those moments where you just sit around a camp fire, you left all worries at home and packed only the bare essentials in your backpack.
Whether you’re on a day trip or spending a few nights in the wild, a hatchet is an essential survival tool. You never know what comes up, but being able to light a fire is a mandatory measure that you should always consider before heading out. With a backpack-sized hatchet you can always prepare a decent amount of firewood in no time, and it does much more than that.
I’ll always bring a small hatchet in my backpack if I plan on going for a long hike through the wilderness, simply because I want to be able to make a fire anywhere I go. It doesn’t weigh much anyway, and some can even be carried in a belt.
With that being said, I know a thing or two about hatchets and what to look for when picking the best one for your needs. Below are my top picks – make sure you check them all out, and see if one fits your needs.
1. Affordable Yet Durable Backpack Hatchet
Fiskars X7
- Simple yet durable design
- Very well balanced
- Suitable for small to medium sized logs and branches
What we like: The Fiskars X7 is an incredibly popular little hatchet, and there are multiple reasons for that. First of all because it’s extremely lightweight and durable, and secondly because it has a secure grip and a good balance during use. It comes with a durable plastic sheath too, that doesn’t break over time.
I’d put this hatchet in my backpack any time, knowing that I’ll be able to chop anything from small to medium sized logs and branches, and quickly get a fire going with little to no effort.
All you need to know: Fiskars has a good reputation all over the world, and their price:quality ratio is usually considered quite reasonable.
The Fiskars X7 is an affordable hatchet for basic users, who want something cheap and reliable.
The hatchet comes with a limited lifetime manufacturer warranty, and the handle is made from FiberComp, which is a durable material that provides a secure grip.
Details:
- Length: 16.5 inches
- Weight: 1.38 pounds
- Handle materials: FiberComp (fiber glass)
2. Premium Hatchet Forged in One Piece
Estwing E24A
- Tough design forged in one piece
- Versatile – chops logs, small trees, and can be used as a hammer too
- Made in the USA
What we like: For those who want something a bit more authentic, the Estwing E24A is an obvious choice. I appreciate the premium look and feel of this hatchet a lot, and there’s just nothing that beats this durable build.
Forged in one piece of durable steel, this hatchet will definitely last you a long time, and the genuine leather handle provides a secure and long-lasting grip.
All you need to know: The Estwing E24A hatchet prides itself of being manufactured in the USA, in a facility located in Rockford, Illinois.
It is forged from one piece of steel, with a handle wrapped in a genuine piece of leather. Besides the regular version featured in this buying guide, there’s also a black version available for those who want a less shiny hatchet.
There’s a heavy duty nylon sheath included with this hatchet, that covers the entire cutting edge.
This hatchet weighs no more than 1.7 pounds, and can be carried inside a backpack or securely mounted on a belt/backpack strap.
Details:
- Length: 13 inches
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Handle materials: Leather
3. Compact Multitool Survival Hatchet
