Estwing Leather Sportsman's Axe

The Estwing Leather Sportsman's Axe is one of the most widely available axes in hardware stores across America. Despite what its name suggests, this "axe" is a hatchet with 14" handle and 3 1/4" cutting edge. This tool isn't a typical Chinese made hatchet found in stores. It's made in the USA and has the high quality to match. You're also probably wondering where the "leather" comes in. The Sportsman's Axe features a beautiful stacked leather handle with contrasting black and white rings at the bottom and top. The handle is pretty comfortable and fits well in the hand.

This hatchet also has full tang construction through the handle, making it very strong and able to withstand heavy work. A leather sheath comes with the hatchet, which is engraved with oak leaves and acorns. One disadvantage to the sheath, though, is its steel rivets come in contact with the bit and destroy the edge you've spent time sharpening. However, a simple leather sheath can be made to replace this with brass rivets that are softer than steal and won't chip the edge.

The Sportsman's axe is made for small tasks like splitting small sticks for kindling, carving, pounding in tent stakes, and falling young trees. After testing, I found that this hatchet is not good for splitting logs in half but can be used to split wood around the outside of a log and slowly work your way to its center. this is a great way to make kindling.

This axe sells for about $25 to $40 making it a very high value tool. It can be found at Walmart, Sears, Cabela's, Home Depot, and online outdoor stores. I highly recommend the Estwing Leather Sportsman's Axe for a boy's first hatchet or a great all around axe for camping and backpacking.

See Photos section for pictures of this axe