Estwing axes: full-tang axes from the United States

What makes an Estwing axe different?

Estwing forges the head and handle from a single piece of steel. There's no eye holding a wooden handle in place, so there's nothing to come loose or dry out. That's the idea behind the brand, and why these axes last for decades.

• The handle. Fourteen of the 22 models have the blue or black rubber Shock Reduction Grip, which absorbs vibration from the steel. Five have the classic leather handle, made from stacked leather rings. Two exceptions have a fibreglass handle, so they aren't made from one piece.
• All made in America. Estwing forges its axes in Rockford, Illinois, from American steel.
• Almost all come with a sheath. Nineteen of the 22 are supplied with a nylon sheath.
• Sizes. Lengths range from 22 to 90 cm. The Sportsman's is the short one; the 26-inch Camper's is the long one.

The Sportsman's is by far the best-known: the model with the leather handle you'll see at every bushcraft show. There's also the Camper's, the Black Eagle throwing axes and tomahawks, and the Fireside Friend for the fireplace.

The establishment of Estwing

Estwing was founded in 1923 by Ernest O. Estwing. His idea was to offer the strongest possible construction for tools. In the end the brand became famous because of its hammers made from one piece of steel.  As a result the dangerous loose heads and unnecessary connections became a thing of the past. First the hammers were enhanced with a beautiful laminated leather grip but soon after the exclusive nylon grip was added to the range. This blue grip is the most sustainable grip and it is the perfect addition to Estwing’s beautifully laminated leather grip collection. After over two years of testing, Estwing’s new Shock Reduction Grip was perfected. In the end Estwing also started to apply this same technique to their axes which is how the full-tang axes first saw the light of day.