Hatchet Recommendations

Do you have a weight limit in mind? A hatchet needs a certain amount of heft to work well.

I have an MTech that I bought through Amazon that works pretty well. Weighs 24 oz.

http://www.amazon.com/M-tech-Traditional-Stainless-Steel-Camping/dp/B004D9IZBU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1436491960&sr=8-5&keywords=hatchet

The Yes4All looks like a clone of the MTech, though it's not stainless steel. Listed weight is 24 oz.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GIXX474?psc=1

If you're not fanatic about the weight and are willing to spend a little more, you can't go wrong with an Estwing. 29 oz.

Granfors bruks are the best but their price has gone way up over the past few years.
Wetterlings has also doubled in price since a few years ago.

A good option would be to buy an old hatchet head and haft it onto a handle yourself. It's a good skill to know in case you ever break the handle.

The Vaughan Sub-Zero axe is the one to beat. I use one almost every day in my duties as a Forester. Light, with an ergonomic, straight-grained handle. 8oz head, and about 10 inches in overall length.

They ship very dull, however. You'll spend some time giving it a proper edge, but it's worth it. Bark River does, and then they ask for $240. Get yours at Forestry Suppliers for $19 and call it a day.

Since you said quality I would certainly take a look at the Small Forest Axe by Gransfor Bruks. It has a fairly light head but the longer handle makes it a serious tool that can be used one or two handed. It is pricey but the quality makes it a good investment and it great for light camp work.

Gransfor Bruks makes several small axes, all beautiful tools— with breathtaking prices.

The Vaughan Sub-Zero will work for small stuff if you don't try to get crazy with it. There was a knife company that was taking the head off the Sub-Zero, gave it a thorough working over and put it on a quality handle. I'd rather just get the Gransfor Bruks.

But I recommend the Gerber Sliding Saw. At 5oz and $14 (or less), you can cut a lot of wood in a hurry. You can cut small branches part way through and split them better than you can with a hatchet.

http://www.gerbergear.com/Outdoor/Gear/Sliding-Saw_22-41773

I got Husqvarna Carpenter's Axe because I couldn't see spending the money on the Gransfors Bruks or Wetterlings Axes. No buyer's remorse on brand, but sometimes wish I had a 26" boys axe. I find both more useful than hatchets, but I wouldn't carry either (or a hatchet) in my pack. They are great for car camping where you can gather wood, or maybe a short hike into basecamp.

For backpacking I would look at a Sven saw if necessary or maybe the Silky SUPER ACCEL 210 at 200 grams. That plus a bushcraft style knife will do pretty heavy duty work.

Lots of options out there…

While the Vaughan is certainly not suited for heavier work, I have no doubts as to it's quality. It is an American-made axe all around, with excellent steel and a fire-hardened Hickory handle that is perfectly hafted and set with two metal pins. The poll is useful for hitting stuff.

Otherwise, I can also personally recommend the Schrade SCAXE2. It's got a 1lb head, with about a foot of overall length, and a more pronounced poll. The fiber-reinforced poly handle is very tough and it comes extremely sharp from the factory. The sheath is very secure and is made to ride on your hip.