Estwing 16" (Inches) Special Edition

I have no issues with this product. It came to me in perfect condition and the edge is fairly sharp and NOT dull like others say.I’m using this for axe throwing and would say that if you want this for chopping wood get a full size splitting axe because this isn’t big enough. Too bad that so many people complain about a small axe not being able to split huge pieces of wood. Common sense.

This is a great hatchet for making kindling at the fire pit. At 16in, it requires some hand and forearm strength to wield one-handed for any length of time. You can hold it near the head for finer control. I clamped the hatchet in a vise and sharpened up the factory edge a bit, then I used it to carve a baton (wood mallet). I carved a smaller diameter hand grip on one end of a 4" diameter, 14" long piece of hickory. This is a fairly heavy baton and is great for striking the hatchet. I'm using the hatchet in place of a froe. I take wood that has already been roughly split with the big maul, and make smaller kindling with the hatchet. I stand the log on end, and hold the hatchet in my off hand, placing the hatchet blade on the log where I want to start the split. This holds the log in place and keeps my hands far away from the tools, then I strike the hatchet on the hammer face with the wood baton. Warning - do NOT strike this hatchet with a steel tool! Use only another log or purpose-made wood baton to avoid damaging the hatchet or creating flying metal shards. The narrow head and sharp blade profile make it easy to split off 1/4” to 3/8" thick oak and hickory chips from a short, 4" long piece of cut log, for use in a smoker or for re-kindling an old fire from coals. The nice thing about this hatchet, being all one piece of forged steel, is that if the hatchet gets buried in a longer log before the log splits apart, you can strike the handle next to the head to finish the split, similar to using a froe. The thick rubber handle helps reduce the shock you feel in your off hand when you do this. Of, course, you can use this for chopping like any other hatchet, and the extra length and heft allow you to chop more forcefully than with smaller hatchets. Since the handle is so strong, you can pry with it as well, without worrying about breaking the handle off. The nice stickers and paint will get scuffed up and rubbed away with use of course - this is a real working tool. I laughed when someone complained about that. The stitched and riveted nylon sheath fits snugly, with 2 secure snaps. The hammer remains exposed, so you can use this to drive stakes or other things with the sheath in place and blade safely covered. The handle has a hole at the butt end, which you could use for a loop of cord to hang it on a nail. Don't be tempted to use it for a wrist lanyard though, because if you ever lose your grip, it will swing around on the lanyard, pivoting back toward yourself, and likely hit something you won't like!

El tamaño ideal para hacer trabajos de madera, los tamaños más chicos te quitan fuerza y los más grandes dejan de ser llevaderos en la mochila o en los viajes de camping. Buen filo y al ser de una sola pieza de acero la hace indestructible. Realmente perfecta. La Especial Edition es muy bonita pero es más un gusto, ya que no hay diferencia alguna con las versiones estándar. Vale mas por lo que realmente pagas.

A full tang, short handle axe is naturally more durable than one with a wood handle and the rubberized grip makes repeated swinging less tiring as you're less likely to let it slip, it also absorbs the impact very well.My first time using was to reblaze a portion of trail on my property, clearing small fallen softwood trees which had blwn down over the summer, some trees were 6-8" diameter.While a bit large for some people to swing single handed the grip is long enough to be held by even large hands. The blade is broad and slender so it bites into wood well but would be better if it came with a sharper factory edge.Haven't used the backside hammer yet but after an hour of use it has begun to feel nicely weighted and easy to control. Nice sheeth too with a belt loop. Looks like theres a hole in the handle for a wrist rope but haven't checked for sure.Hard to beat for around $100 and Estwing always makes quality striking tools.

Out of all of my axes, this one is probably my new favorite. It is a strong steel, coated to prevent rusting, and it is one solid piece with a rubberized grip. It is not as light weight as some, but it is a good weight for wielding to cut wood. It has enough weight, but not too much to make it difficult. It is not a compact axe, it it about the size of a firearm and hand of a six foot man like me.The blade is sharp enough, but would be better to sharpen it a little more before use to give it that razor edge.