Three compact hatchets to chop down backwoods chores.

Edged tools have been with us since the dawn of mankind. Among the first were small axes used to collect firewood, break down game and tackle everyday chores essential to survival. And while we no longer depend on these handy little tools to ensure our warmth and sustenance, the hatchet remains indispensable, whether in the woods, on a camping trip or around the yard. I always carry a knife, but when I go on a hike, I pack a hatchet. A hatchet means fire, shelter and protection. In the wilderness of the Northern Hemisphere, a good hatchet is worth its weight in gold.

Gerber Pack Hatchet

Gerber’s Pack Hatchet has neither a typical head nor balance. The overall length of the hatchet is 9 inches, from the top of the pole to the base of the handle. Gerber lists the steel as corrosion-resistant, but they don’t list a specific type. The company puts the bit length as 2.5 inches; by my measuring tape, it comes in at 3.5 inches. Interestingly, the hatchet is integral, with the metal measuring 3/16-inch thick. To this is affixed a rubber-overmolded handle that has a good feel to it and fits my hand well. For carrying the petite axe, the company provides a nylon sheath with a belt loop system and a carry loop. Frankly, if the sheath perished in my campfire, it wouldn’t warrant a eulogy.

Performance-wise, Gerber proves more of a bushcraft cleaver. Because of its thin cross-section, it will cut small brush and do a pretty good job of carving. I found it works great on processing meat. On any hatchet, you should be able to choke up and whittle with it for small crafting chores, like building traps and carving eating utensils. Gerber added finger grooves in the tang to provide a secure grip when choking up underneath the beard. For myself, this hatchet falls into the light-duty category. I would tote it on short hikes and other excursions where I did not expect to engage in heavy chores. Design-wise, it lacks the weight to excel at heavy wood chopping.

Pack Hatchet Specs
Overall Length: 9.46″
Blade Length: 2.5″
Weight: 20.8 oz.
MSRP: $52

Schrade Bedrock

Schrade’s Bedrock falls into the compact category, at just 11.75 inches long. If I am going for a short hike and need a backup to my folding knife, this is just the sort of hatchet I normally snatch up. It fits into almost any day pack and is there for any heavier chores an EDC knife can’t handle. It could work on longer overnight trips where weight is a factor, such as backpacking or canoeing. Tackling general chores like cutting firewood and functioning as a general camp tool, this small hatchet teamed up with a saw would make a powerful pair.

The Bedrock is constructed from one piece of 3Cr13MoV steel with a rubber-overmolded handle for comfort. Schrade provides a nylon sheath for the hatchet and, as sheaths go, it is not terrible. It works for carrying the hatchet in a pack, but I would not be thrilled to use it for belt carry. One of the most important elements for a solid hatchet, balance, is good with the Schrade. The head is heavy, but not so great as to impede control. In part, the weight is thanks to the Bedrock’s traditional North American hatchet head design, which provides enough beard to make it an apt whittler. A flat grind makes up the cheek, with a flat bevel. Right off the bat, I would have preferred a convex grind, for the sake of strength. I haven’t put it through a ton of work, but for the role it is to fill, I like it. Coming in at 24.6 ounces, it has a bit of weight. And its solid-steel tang will take a lot of beating. Weight is the trade-off for toughness.

Bedrock Camp Axe Specs
Overall Length: 11.75″
Blade Length: 3.5″
Weight: 24.6 oz.
MSRP: $47

Hults Bruk Hultån

Out of the group, the Swedish Hults Bruk Hultån is most traditional. The hatchet comes with a forged head and a curved American hickory handle. Since the handle is made of wood, it’s worth talking about how to evaluate this material. The head is man-made; in turn, there is control over the consistency of its shape and material properties. Wood handles are crafted by nature; thus, there are imperfections. It’s not uncommon for axe guys to evaluate the handle before the bit. A great handle should look like a piece of plywood in the cross-section. The grain should run the length of the handle. And there shouldn’t be any heavy runouts (where the grain terminates out the side of the handle). This last factor can greatly weaken the wood.

As for my sample, Hults Bruk knew exactly what to look for in a solid piece of hickory. I would give the handle on mine a 9 out of 10. There is one spot of grain runout and not in the best place. Otherwise, it’s outstanding. The Hultån has a small head, but it is the perfect size for camp duties. It is forged with a highly polished convex edge, making it extremely strong and proficient at its duties. The hatchet doesn’t have a beard to speak of, yet its small size allows for control on detailed work. The sheath leaves something to be desired. Made from leather, it is well built with rivets reinforcing the seams. My issue is how tight the sheath is constructed and there is no belt loop—it serves as a simple cover. Due to its tight fit, it takes a bit to get the axe out carefully so as not to cut the sheath.

Hultån Specs
Overall Length: 16″
Blade Length: 2.9″
Weight: 28.8 oz.
MSRP: $200

Final Swing

A hatchet is a useful tool in the garden and in the woods. Such a tool is limited only by one’s imagination and skill set. It will provide warmth, shelter and food. From such a tool, springs not only firewood but other tools. As with any edged implement, pick the right one to match the work you have in mind.

More Axes, Hatchets And Tomahawks:

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• Best Tomahawks: Our Top Hawks For Backwoods To Battlefields
• Wicked Breacher: Ben Seward’s SWAT Axe
• Awesome Axes for Chopping Wood Like a True Lumberjack