Vaughn is still around.


https://www.vaughanmfg.com/Departments/Shop/Contractor-and-Tradesman/Hatchets-and-Axes.aspx

That’s one I haven’t heard of. They are 100% made in the USA. Decent price. Thanks and thanks to everyone who replied.

I had never looked at eBay. Some good values there too.

I have the Snow & Nealley Hudsons Bay axe and it has never come loose after years of abuse.I will say that Council Tool also has a quality line of axes and hatchets.

For a camping hatchet, I have always used an old Plumb, my dad bought when he was in the Boy Scouts. The Plumb BSA hatchets are very useful, for most common purposes requiring a hatchet in the woods and while camping. The US and 1940s date stamped, easy to find WWII hatchets, made by Plumb, Woodings Verona and American Fork and Hoe Company are basically the same pattern and just as useful. If you look around, you can often find them on Facebook Marketplace for $20.00 or less.

New hatchets are often pretty poorly made with inferior quality steel and rough, poorly finished handles made of wood, that grew to quickly to develop any strength.

Keith

Here are my Snow & Neallys. All used on the trap line and for general cutting work.

I have a couple Iltis axes,I like them.
Their felling/limbing axe is a workhorse.

Estwing

My axes and hatchets are made in Sweden, by Gransfors Bruk.

Those broad hatchets are good at putting a flat side on a piece of wood. Hatchets with two beveled edges split better than those broad hatchets do, with one beveled edge and one flat edge.

Keith