Awesome or Awful? Estwing 16" Campers Axe 

In 1980 I purchase both sizes of the estwing axes. The thin blade makes for a really good chopper. I still am using them to this day. Keep up the informative and well done videos. Barry Levitt

Estwing is the best. First time. Every time. I own that exact one and I love it. I use it in construction, destruction, camping, Bush crafting, Canoeing and chores around the property on the regular. Would not trade it for anything.

4:30 quality control - fwiw, over the years and a few hundred orders, I have found Amazon to be a clearing house for factory seconds, blemished, or otherwise imperfect products, especially hand-ground/finished tools. They bet on buyers not noticing or being irritated enough to send a item back that has a minor edge or handle finishing defect like those pointed out in this video. I became acutely aware of this trend when I bought (and sent back) a bunch of cockeyed poorly finished Channellock tools from Amazon. After that I bought all of the same stuff from my local Lowes and HD and all of them were ground straight(er) and finished out with a noticeable imrpovement over the Amazon seconds. I buy all of my Estwings from local stores where I can sift through and pick the one I like best, as a result my 14", 16", Splitter, and several Estwing hammers came really nicely finished.

I’ve used the larger 2 handed version of this axe in both 1 and 2 hands. I have abused and used this tool for nearly a decade. Such a great axe. Light and nimble but also strong and effective when you properly sharpen it. This axe will go to hell and back. It is a tank.

Most axes will need to be tuned up once you buy them, they ship them dull for safety reasons. I have the little Eastwing hatchet, it performs way above it's weight. Having that full metal body you can do things to it and with it that would break a Gerber or a fiskars and most likely damage a wood handled axe. I actually split a number of logs about 4 feet long and 8 inches thick with by batoning through it, with multiple strikes to the handle. You will not break these doing wood tasks. For the strength and performance, I'll take their weight.

Just a safety tip. The hole on the end is only for hanging. It is not for a lanyard. Unlike a knife, the long handle will cause the axe head to swing around and come back at you should you loose your grip while swinging that thing. Great video though. I have the next smaller estwing and I love it Also have several of their hammers. They're unbeatable for durability.

I've used Estwings for years, aside from coming dull, no complaints from me(and no complaints at all in regards to their hammers).

So last month after seeing the video of the TOPS Hatchet, I recommended that you check out the Estwing Hatchet. Okay, so you went up a size. What I believe is the best selling point about the Estwings is that you actually get Two Tools in one. Because it's one-piece of Steel, you could hammer on Metal all day long without fear of cracking the Ax by the eye like you can with a Wooden Handle Ax. Yes, Estwings aren't Pretty, and you can't slide up and down the handle, nor polish the handle to make it "Bushcraft Beautiful'. It's just a REALLY GOOD TOOL that will last a long time. When I was a kid, sometimes I'd be at my Uncle Joe's house. He was a Machinist, and he had this Ball Peen Hammer that he used to use. After he passed, I asked my Aunt if I could have it. She said yes, and I still use it to this day. FWIW, I'll be 60 in October, and that hammer is at least 50 years old. It's an Estwing. And it's just a REALLY GOOD TOOL. Take Care.

I have the next size up of this axe and I love it

This model of Estwing Axe is great for axe throwing. I have used 5 different axes and tomahawks for throwing and this one is best. Great balance for throwing, good sticks into the wood.

Excellent video and a good review of the Estwing 16". I plan on picking up both the 16" and the 26" versions.

It's definitely a tough tool for sure. I see it as one of the best homesteading type of axes you can have. Not the best packing or hiking tool, but for the $, you can't get a more reliable tool. I do prefer my CRKT Woods Chogan for hiking and packing, but you can't go wrong with having one of these as a back up or keep in the truck for emergency use.

You left so many things about this incredible tool on the table. Its already been said that the factory edge isn t good but none come honed properly these days for safety and liability reasons. Once tuned up this hatchet shines like a star. The head is ideal for hundreds of tasks including food preparation carving processing game skinning notch making hooking things in ice to save wet cold hands using the flat of the blade to start fire on then moving to kindling pile and to much more to keep listing. I have been using this one and the smaller version for decades and absolutely love them. I even picked up one with a destroyed rubber handle at a flea market and modified it into a pseudo Viking style fighter. The complete usefulness of these lifelong tools keep amazing me.

Their hammers are hard on the hand vs wood, But I would not trade them in, one for trim work another for framing. 40 yrs ago I picked up an Estwing - Carpenter's Hatchet 13". (when chopping sticks like in the video I like to chop right over the piece holding up the stick so as not to vibrate the power away) It had a flat cutting edge and needed sharpening as many tools need final tooling. But I hoped the blade to a quarter moon-shaped edge, cut the hammerhead off, and welded a welder's flat chisel head in place.. looks like a stubby flathead screwdriver at that end, great for cracking heads or digging in the dirt. I also carved the handle with finger grips and added a lanyard that you can slip your hand through then twist twice and it will not go anywhere you don't want it to go. I love my Hatched/axe. Originally I used it for deep woods camping in Cali. BigSur "Sikes Springs trail". Just right for long long walks. Geat for protection and all-around trimming branches when chopping trees down. In 40years I've only deep sharpened once and have just honed with stone the rest of time they stay sharp as a knife and hold an edge just fine.. great! Did I say I love my hatchet?? Did I say I'm jealous I don't have the big one?? I really don't have a need for the bigger one but dam I may get it too!!

Estwing makes great axes. I have the 26 inch version and love it. What type of sharpener do you use?

Thanks for the evaluation, I've been looking to get one and now i will.

I picked up the Estwing 14 inch Campers hatchet with the nylon handle and really like it. It's a nice little Hatchet and with the nylon handle you don't get much if any vibration. Tough to go wrong with a Estwing. Mine holds a edge very well, I just touch it up with a ceramic rod. Thanks for the review.

I've been using the 14" Estwing e24a sportsman's axe for many years and it's a fantastic tool. The fit and finish may not be perfect but it performs extremely well and does everything I need it to do. The e24a is smaller and lighter that the 16" (weighs in at about 1.8 pounds) and has a leather wrapped handle. It's one solid piece of steel so you don't have to worry about damaged wooden handles or axe heads coming loose. The 1055 steel is very good, they are reasonable priced and will last a lifetime with very little maintenance. What's not to like!

I've had my estwing 26 inch campers axe for about over a year now with heavy use and it is amazing it started to rust a bit but nothing a wire wheel won't fix

I have one, it's awesome. I also have the next size up it too is awesome. However after extended use and abuse it will start to curve. But I chopped out a lot of stumps with it, what do you want for 40 bucks

Aaron, I've been using Estwing hatchets for over 50 years. I've yet to "try" one I knew was dull. For some reason, I was compelled to sharpen them first. All my camp hatchets have the leather handle. Their bigger camp axe is the only gripping synthetic material one I own, similar to my Estwing hammers. All are excellent American made products. That said, I use my Plumb boy scout hatchet most when camping. It has a wood handle. When hunting, my 12 inch, thinner model goes with me.

Great video. I have the 14 inch with the leather handle. It’s a tough sumbitch but I wish I would have went with the rubber handle.

I really like the estwing axe , my coworker has the 26” and I really liked it , good solid feeling axe and very low recoil , I have been subscribed for way over a year prob 2 years , love the vids keep up the good work

I agree, full tang here is of value to not even have to worry about wood rot or breakage, and having to replace the handle. Great camping axe. Those Estwing handles last forever and take on a nice, green patina as the decades pass. This is an heirloom product in my opinion, and I love products with that kind of longevity

Hey, I have the same axe. I've had mine for three years. I agree that it's heavy but once you use it for some time you'll get used to it, it doesn't feel heavy for me anymore.

i've had the 26" version of this for a long time . great tool . it too came needing to be sharpened . like you said , easy fix . still would have been nice if it came sharp out of the box . mine lives in my truck toolbox .

Me parecen formidables estos vídeos y los productos que promueven... Los tengo todos...

please review the 26" Please learn to cut wider to chunk out the wood, too many cuts in the same notch

Have you reviewed the estwing 26 inch camp axe thoughts on that

I know this is 3 years old but yesterday I went to Lowes and bought the leather sportsmen...I figured it was smaller and would do the same tasks I have it hung through my mollee webbing on my daily go bag..im going back to grab this one to keep in the garage

I have kept one in the trunk of my car for several years. I didn't have the extra money at the time for an expensive option. I went with this Estwing and have no regrets. It's a high value axe that can take a beating.

I have the 14 inch sportmans axe with the leather handle I love it it's easy to keep a razor edge on

Just used this to clear 6 pine trees 8-11in diameter that were blocking a trail. Great option for the price needing an axe that isn’t too big and heavy to backpack with. Needed sharpening from the store

Did you sharpen it? It doesn't look like its cutting as good as mine. I sharpened mine and polished it, and it cuts like lightning.

I found old eastwing in shed, had it since 80s for boyscouts. The main problem for me is the recoil shock to the joints because is all metal. Paracord the handle helps lessen that felt recoil shock to stop tendonitis. If low cost is key, harbor freight hatchet and small axe are a much better buy, lighter to backpack And less recoil because is wood handle.

i have a maul had a few felling axes but there gone now.i prefer sawing all my logs .the hatchet or smaller axe is all i needed fir splitting.never did batoning.but i have a cold steel kukri machete for small splitting and stuff.

I bought this axe in 2011 while in the Corps. Been out 9 years, lots of camping, bushcraft type stuff and camp fires at home too. I keep it in the jeep. Its invincible. Just needed to be re-profiled. Cool video on RU-vid about how they make them. They are hammered out.

I live on grid in a normal home, but in a wilderness setting. I've had this mid-size camper's axe for a number of years. I don't use an axe often (mostly chain saw and gasoline wood splitter) but this axe is very handy and useful far beyond it's price. Proper sharpening and it's a great tool!!! Heavy? A bit - but I don't backpack with it and they weight is not excessive. Great tool for its intended purpose.

I have the same axe, it's the best beater axe you can buy in my opinion...great vid

They are awesome I have the longer one 24" I think it is. I've chopped down and split enough trees to equal 15 cords of fire wood. They are not too hard to hone and keep an edge for a long time even chopping hickory and occasionally hitting t-posts and hidden stones.

Say Heah Aaron, I really enjoy my Afternoon Delight's. A hot cup of coffee and something to eat in the bush. Then a hike and sometimes harvest some Fatwood. I find a Basic Trio is the ticket for this. I have a few of these Trio's. One I still use alot is my vintage Blind Horse Bushcrafter which I had the handle made flatter and polished (Natura Micarta), my Estwing Sportsman Hatchet, and my Bacho Laplander. It's a moderate priced trio, but I find it to be a very robust and a strong trio. I use it alot. Ofcource, I also have a Lite Trio, My Mora 2000, Mora Hatchet, and my Bacho Laplander. Just to name a couple. Ofcource I have a few more of these type of Trio's. One nice thing about this type of carry, I can get by with just a Haversack with s some of the 5 C's. Like I've mentioned before, I have the three sizes of Estwings, plus the Estwing Double Bit Hatchet. I like teaming my Estwing 18" Campers Hatchet which I got the Nylon Sheath for it because it fits my Survival Belt better, and my O. K. C. Blackbird SK-5, with my EZ KUT WoW Folding, for when I know I'll need to process more wood to stay warm. The fact I can use two hands makes it easier and short work of it. Even though my Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe and my Fav's. Bushcraft Hatchet my 17"Hultafors Bruks Agdor Hatchet are my Favorite. I still like using my Estwing's. On our weekend get together, I like my better Hatchets, Simply because of the edge retention. But don't under estimate the Estwing's they hold a decent edge retention too. Like I mentioned, I have more tools. But another one of my Fav's. is a simple basic trio. My Benchmade Bushcrafter #162, my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet, and my Wicked Tough Saw. On Afternoon Delight's where I'll process more wood with a overnighter, I love my Bravo 1, my 24" Council Wood Craft Pack Axe with the heavy duty sheath and sling, my Agawa Canyon 21 Boreal Saw, a lovely piece of kit. And yet a easy trio to carry into the Bush. Dilly Dilly.,,.p

please do more from this line especially the stacked leather hatchet

Ive had a longer one for many years love it i consider it a "Hudson Bay" style axe

Please do full review of the 26" Estwing?

we have the same axe in our teardrop camper we love it... and lifetime warrantee..

I got a migraine watching everyone use this axe like it's a knife. Holy jeez

Can you possibly do a vid on the Boker Hatchet.

I got one of these the other day, it's good for anything up to 6 inches thick. I cut down a few dead standing trees with it, including one that was maybe a little too big for it, but it did well. Being a paranoid person, I'd love to have a wood-handled axe, but I wouldn't want to have to totally depend on it when I can have an indestructible workhorse like the Estwing.

They make some excellent tools. Sharp out of the box. The weight and balance is awarded.

Just picked up their 4lb splitting hatchet. It's solid.

I agree with you on the points you made in the video! I have the Estwing 14 inch camping hachet and the 26 inch Estwing Axe and I must say they are very good quality and durable tools! I prefer the Estwing axes over a traditional wood handle axe for several reasons. You don't have to worry about the head ever coming off. The handle will never rot, crack, become rough, or break. Also the shock reduction grip that comes standard on all Estwing tools is superior over a wood handle when striking wood. I would highly recommend Estwing Axe's!

Thank you. I can't aford a high end axsaxs I akways, estwing axes are being that I use their hammers all day when I'm doing construction

I just picked up one of these , so far I like it

How about the Cold steel special forces Shovel .. Would love to see testing

Good vid, I agree with everything you stated. Love their hammers!!

Thanks Aaron! It's hard to go wrong with an Estwing.

Yea estwing makes nice stuff, they make a small hand pick that use can use for arrowhead hunting, I also found an old estwing hatchet in the dirt in a backyard in San Antonio tx it’s dated 1973

If the SHTF you will need a small axe or hatchet, and you will want one that can double as a hammer as the Estwing can. From dressing large game, pounding tent stakes, felling a tree or splitting wood no large knife can perform nearly as well at these tasks and more. There are wood handled axes that retain a better edge, are better balanced, have less vibration, but the extreme durability and all-around suitability to a variety of tasks are the key factors in the most extreme circumstances.

I bought one today. I handled 3 different hatchets the Fiskarx7, Eastwing 14 or 12 camper with the leather handle and the Eastwing 16. What sold me was the weight and size of the cutting edge. The Fiskar and other Eastwing were really light and both had small blades. The 16 can handle the small stuff with ease and the handle is long enough to 2 hand some heavy chopping. I did have to sharpen it. It will be heavy on a long hike but I felt the smaller hatchets could simply be replaced by a big heavy knife. So what's the point in having both. It cost $39. the fiskar and smaller Eastwing $29 and $35. I got more bang for the buck.

This is my comment, any ax or hatchet I ever bought had bad grinds and needed fixing. Estwing is the same. Once proper edged it is indestructible and cuts like a champ. I just never understand why the manufacturing community of these products don't place a proper edge. I did notice in your video 50% of your swings were wasted energy. But I understand you're not a lumberjack. I love your reviews and thank you very much for your time and work you put into them! Looking forward to the next one! Have a great year Aaron.

I have had a few of these and these are awesome. Way underrated.

I think you should try a gransfors bruks axe, the small forest axe

I do have my little 14 inch Estwing that was my grand dads , But I would never buy another the bite is just not there . I did buy about 4 years ago a Marbles for something like 24 dollars ,and after buying that I will never need another it is great and price friendly . Happy Trails

Keep in mind, they ship dull, so it will need sharpening before use. Keep it sharp, and an Estwing axe or hatchet is an excellent choice on the budget end of the spectrum. They can take abuse that would harm most other axes, and readily last decades. I personally prefer the E24a hand hatchet for limbing, and lighter processing, and in the absence of a dedicated splitting maul, this is what I would use for that task. The E45a as a more dedicated feller and for processing larger logs. The E44a is middle of the road, and to be fair, it's too much of a compromise to be very effective, in my opinion. However, keep in mind, that this is simply my opinion. Your mileage may vary. Just remember to use a loose hammer grip as opposed to a tight-fisted grip for one-handed use of any axe. Your swing accuracy and the biting power of the axe will improve, and you will fatigue less. This is something I see so many people who are inexperienced with camp axes and hatchets do. They choke it in their fist as opposed to holding and swinging it like a framing hammer.

Have you tried their Rigger's axe yet?

I've owned 3 of those (prefer the long handle version) and 2 of them have been put through hell while being used to demo at construction sites..... The third one stays in my trunk unused, in case of an emergency. Really good axes for the price.

I have a wood stove. I keep a Estwing hatchet in the stove room, because it dosent dry out like a wood handled hatchet and loosn the poll. I also have there Framing hammer, rock hammer, & Dry wall hammer. Can't beat them.

Had one of the large axes it lasted for about 12 years then the handle just where the stainless meets the blue part it broke in half. Still use the head to split smaller logs works great have one of their 22 oz. Hammer and I've had that since 1978 and still does what it was designed to do. And of course it's made in America!

That axe is also a great thrower.my most accurate thrower.can hit a soda can every time from second rotation.love it

I've tried this hiking, I feel like it's more for demolition on a house or self defense. It kept sinking into the wood and not splitting it since the shoulders were so damn thin. Like sinking a chef knife into wet cement and it getting stuck.

Coldsteel war hawk or this estwing 16 inch?

I carried the Estwing ax with the next size longer handle , maybe 18 inches, same size head though, under my truck seat for over 20 years. I was a carpenter most of my life, It was a great emergency tool for most things, especially demolition. I always felt the head and was to thin and bit to deep into wood and twist in my hand,. Seems I spent more effort getting it out of a tree then putting it in. Always wished they made the head a little thicker and and a little shorter to keep the same weight. I would still have it but I think my brother borrowed it and never unborrowed it. P.S. I'm 68 yrs. old.

Not for splitting, it's for pruning.

Have had the longer version of this axe for decades and bought this shorter one a few years ago... If you are looking for an axe that isn't ever going to break, made in the USA and does a great job cutting/chopping/splitting...this is it...

Just picked one up at home depot for $42 gonna use it this weekend for some fire pit chopping

The larger version is awesome. I have one to spare my expensive choppers. And I might like it more.

Choke up on the handle a little bit, and swing it more like a heavy hammer. You will have less fatigue and more power

I may have a problem, I have recently bought 4 different estwing hammers, and 2 estwing axes, and have another 6 on my wish list, and thinking about them and handling them feels almost like dating. My camp axe is the latest, to arrive and I love it, for it's finish, it's design, and weirdly also for it's tiny flaws. I have 3 brick hammers, all the same, because I used to have 2 apprentice bricklayers, And I have a 16 ounce claw hammer, a 20oz rip hammer, a 24oz claw hammer, a 22oz framing hammer, a (22 oz claw hammer which is a kingchrome knockoff, That one was given to me) I have an estwing rock pick, 22oz 13inch blue. I had and lost a long camp axe, I have a leather handled sportsman axe, and a 4 inch by 18.75 inch blue and silver camp axe. and a gold pan. My wish list includes, carpenters axe, riggers axe, shingler's hatchet, shingler's hammer, Long handled brick hammer22oz, long handled 22oz rock hammer, 24 oz brick hammer, 22oz big blue brick hammer, 16 oz rock pick, drywall hammer, club hammer(drill hammers long and short), 16 oz ripping hammer, and some ball peen hammers, and a paleo pick.

I've have 3 of these . I cut firewood yearly and have beaten on these axes with no failures. Even using them for splitting wedges when I didn't have any. You may mushroom the hammer side , but these things are built to last ! It will NOT ,however , hold an edge like a Swedish axe

I've had a dozen Estwing tools and they always end up walking off with someone else! My son has one of those high dollar Swedish hatchets and I'll stay with my Estwing thank you. Never have to worry about breaking a handle. If you do ever break one of these you got bigger trouble than a broken ax.

Yup, top to the very bottom of the handle is a hair short of 18 inches. I found this axe too heavy for one-handed use. The Estwing 14-inch Sportsman's axe (hatchet in every practical sense) is just so much better for one-hand use. Balanced very well. And despite the extra nearly 2 inches of length from its official listed length, it's just too short and awkward to swing two-handed. For me, it's in that weird middle ground of being too long and heavy to be a useful hatchet, but also too short to work effectively as a two-handed axe. Glad I could try it on at the hardware store. But in the end, I left it on the rack.

For someone who doesn't use an axe often, the steel shaft in place of wood will keep it from breaking on an overstrike where the head misses the target and the shaft takes the impact. This can happen even with an experienced user, but most likely with inexperienced users. Breaking your axe while out in the woods could ruin the trip.

Thank you for wearing safety glasses, especially when you have your head right over that splitting wood. Although, dude, don’t know how you wear those yellow lenses out in the snow. I’d be squinting so bad I’d have a headache in about two minutes.

Was throwing a couple of these earlier today.

Gideon's tactical partnering up with the grand tour lol love this channel though!

For the price and in a pinch I’d use it but I would definitely get something better for ur wilderness axe

Thanks much my friend!!! Your such a blessing to me,!!! Thanks much for all your hard work and dedication. Blessings 😇

Adding some thick wraps of leather just below the head will help a lot if you plan to use it for crafting and not just chopping. Then ypu can choke way up just like a wood handle. Many axes do not come with a razor edge for a few reasons. One is shipping. With the weight of it falling crushing or twisting, They would have to supply a super sheath to make sure it stays in the package and not damage other packages or postal workers. The other reason is that people want different edges. Steep grinds are better for splitting so it lasts longer and tracks the split rather than trying to cut whatever direction it may go off track. While crafters want a low shoulder, low angle grind so it cuts better. I wonder if a vinegar patina would stop rust on this metal?

I carried one in my truck for years almost indestructible and good price does need a better edge put on it that's for sure .

Most "hardware store" axes are left dull for safety and story liability reasons. I've always wanted estwing to make small double bit axe this size or slightly longer making one size thin for chopping and the other slightly thicker for splitting.

40 years doing house renovations. We buy this axe cause it matches our estwing hammers etc. Plus we use them for demolition so a wooden handle axe might get broken and when you're on the clock on a job, broken tools cost time and money

So you gonna review the new CRKT Freyr or nah?

Even if it looses its edge faster then others. So what first off you should know how to sharpen your tool in the field.

Was that a Top Gear style intro?

Dude, that axe was totally dull.

10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,he must use more strength,but wisdom helps one to succeed. Ecclesiastes 10:10 | ESV

Imho, the council tool 2.25lb boys axe is a better option for the price. Thanks for posting.

It's far too small for me to dual wield so I used my belt grinder to customize the handle to fit my grip perfectly. I then filed in a cross-hatch pattern for it o have a better grip (looked awesome), but I added sports tape to increase the grip. Then I grinded the axe head for weight distribution and have better control. ( Home Depot didn't have the full size Estwing axe so I made due.)

I don't use an axe or a hatchet to chop fire wood. I break dead wood for fires. A hatchet and a pruning saw is a great combination.

in the uk that is the same price as the Husqvarna multi-purpose..so yea thats an easy choice (why can't we have good and cheap?)