Graintex CA1754 Single Bit Camp Axe with 14-Inch Hickory Handle, 1-1/4 Lb

I got this small hatchet with the idea that it would be cheap and if I destroyed it, I wouldn't cry. Since then I have not only sharpened and honed it, but I have used it for loads of around the house firewood duties that a splitting axe just doesn't fit for.All in all it's decent steel with a decent heat treat. It holds a pretty fine edge and only takes a modicum of work to bring it back to a workable sharpness for wood.I would recommend this to anyone look for a camp chore axe.

Solidly built and good steel. As it came, the edge was pretty dull, but good enough for an axe. With about 10 minutes and a file, it was near to shaving sharp. Only reason it's not 5 stars is that mine came with a small chip in the edge, but the chip was filed away as I sharpened,

I ordered a polished camp axe. I got a camp axe with a painted head. As you can see in the picture. I ordered this axe for a customer looking to have an axe made into an award for one of there soldiers. Now I lose money and time because I have to take all the paint off the axe and polish it myself. Pluses the handle looks like crapnit has to be sanded down now and re stained. For what my intentions are it's a 1 star and miss representation of what it was sold as. For camping I'm sure fine.

I like the graintex axe, and it chops pretty well.It did arrive dull, however, but after some work on a stone I got it decently sharp. I will continue working on it with a diamond file and the stone till it gets razor sharp.The weight is good and the shape of the head as far as I can tell is quite good. I also like the look of it. You can easily get rid of the stickers on the wood and it has a nice simple and clean look. The handle feels good as well.It does not come with a sheath, though most hatchets don't seem to. The grain on my handle was about at a 45 degree angle, which isn't great, but since it's a smaller axe with a short handle it isn't as critical. The head is attached with epoxy. There was also some glue around the bottom of the head where it met the handle that fell of quickly, but that didn't affect it much. However, I do notice a slight loose wobble on mine that is concerning, but it is still slight. Probably quality control issue.I can stop the wobbling by pounding on the handle or the top of the axe head, but it eventually comes back after some heavy chopping. I have trouble splitting wood and it often gets stuck.

Even for the price, you would be better off looking for another axe. I recently took this on a two week hike in the Rockies. I found two flaws with this axe. The first one is that the axe head and handle became loose after a short time. I had to apply duct tape to it to ensure it didn't come off. The second and more important one is that this axe is terrible at chopping. It's pretty dull when you receive it so I spent a good bit of time sharpening it. Even with it sharped, I had a difficult time chopping wood of decent size. In the wilderness, you want to be careful you don't spend up too many calories and with this guy you will. I cannot recommend this, even at its price.

Arrived a little dull but not too bad...had a thick, dull v grind. Hit it with a file to give it a thinner V grind to sharpen it up and then fine tuned it with the puck stone. Used it to limb up 7 blackjack oaks (scrub oak...stuff is tough) that I cut down and was still going strong when I stopped...no nicks or chips in the edge. Didn't like the lacquer finish....a little slick to hold on to, so sanded it down and hit with some boiled linseed oil...much better now. Last thing to do is make a little leather sheath and I'm done. So far it been a great value, but only one afternoon's use.

Good quality hatchet. Handle is sturdy and the grain looks good (runs lengthwise, the ENTIRE length). The edge was not perfect when I got it but factory edges never are. Certainly good enough to begin using right away.

This is an excellent and simple small axe. Beautifully done and finished with a well-fitted handle (looks like it is epoxied in to the head) and nicely balanced. The head is not polished like some fancy tools though, considefring its purpose, why should it be? It has a nice swing weight and the head has a wide taper to facilitate splitting wood for fires. I will probably hone mine before using it to preserve the edge and for a quicker bite.