---
product_id: 8208585
title: "ESTWING Sportsman's Axe - 12\" Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip - E14A"
brand: "estwing"
price: "€ 65.74"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Estwing"
url: https://www.desertcart.ie/products/8208585-estwing-sportsmans-axe-12-camping-hatchet-with-forged-steel-construction
store_origin: IE
region: Ireland
---

# genuine leather grip 12-inch forged steel axe ballistic nylon sheath ESTWING Sportsman's Axe - 12" Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip - E14A

**Brand:** estwing
**Price:** € 65.74
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🪓 Own the Outdoors with Timeless American Craftsmanship

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** ESTWING Sportsman's Axe - 12" Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip - E14A by estwing
- **How much does it cost?** € 65.74 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ie](https://www.desertcart.ie/products/8208585-estwing-sportsmans-axe-12-camping-hatchet-with-forged-steel-construction)

## Best For

- estwing enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted estwing brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Ready for Action:** Includes rugged ballistic nylon sheath with belt loop for quick, secure access
- • **Unmatched Durability:** Forged from a single piece of solid American steel for lifetime toughness
- • **Comfort Meets Control:** Hand-sanded, lacquered genuine leather grip reduces fatigue during extended use
- • **Heritage of Excellence:** Proudly made in the USA since 1923 — a trusted legacy in outdoor tools
- • **Perfectly Portable Power:** Compact 12.5-inch length balances easy carry with serious chopping strength

## Overview

The Estwing Sportsman's Axe E14A is a 12.5-inch, one-piece forged steel hatchet featuring a hand-sanded genuine leather grip and a ballistic nylon sheath. Designed for campers, hikers, and survivalists, it delivers unmatched durability, balance, and comfort. Made in the USA since 1923, this axe is a reliable, heritage-quality tool built to last a lifetime.

## Description

Estwing's world famous E14A 12-inch Sportsman's Axe is the choice of outdoorsmen everywhere. Both the head and handle of the axe are forged in 1-piece and are fully polished. This classic axe offers unsurpassed balance and temper. It has a genuine leather grip that is sanded and lacquered for a beautiful finish. This axe also comes with an attractive rugged nylon sheath. It has a tempered 2-3/4 in. cutting edge for easy cutting. A must for all campers and outdoorsman alike! Estwing Axes are proudly made in Rockford, IL. Protect your eyes from flying particles and dust. Always wear safety goggles.

Review: This is the real deal! - I don't write many reviews but this little gem deserves one. Proudly made in the USA since 1923, this is the same fine tool your granddad bought, with the same high quality forging and rugged leather grip. Properly used and cared for it will stand up to several lifetimes of hard use. I recently bought a spare from desertcart and this review is based on that item. A couple of observations/recommendations: I note one reviewer whose hatchet handle rotted. Well yeah. As these come from the factory the handle is given a glossy varnished finish and the stacked leather grip underneath is very dry. It looks nice when it's new but the varnish will crack and chip with use, and then the grip will absorb water like a sponge, ruining the leather. Thus, knowledgable sportsmen have long looked fondly on that glossy factory finish and then taken a couple of sheets of 100-grit sandpaper and sanded it off. Mask off the metal part of the shaft of the handle, no point in scratching that up, but do round off the sharp edge of the metal washer at the base of the handle to make it more comfortable in use. Be sure to get all the varnish off, the leather underneath will look almost white when you're done sanding. 100 grit is fine, there's no need to finish with finer grades. Then get a bottle of Fiebing's Neatsfoot Oil (available at desertcart!) and rub it in. If you didn't get all the varnish off you'll immediately notice light spots where the oil isn't soaking in, stop and sand those off. You'll be amazed at how much oil that leather grip will absorb, my new one has taken at least an ounce of oil and it's still sucking it up. It will take several applications over several days to do a thorough job -- the idea is to completely saturate the leather grip -- just slather it on with a fingertip at first and then rub it in after a couple of days' applications. Put some on the sturdy leather sheath they provide while you're at it. The neatsfoot will give the grip a nice antique brown finish and a slightly sticky, non-slip feel, and once the grip is thoroughly saturated it will be nearly impervious to the elements *forever*. I have hunting knives and another old Estwing hatchet that were given this treatment by my dad and grandfather before I was born -- that was a long time ago -- the grips have turned black over the years but they're still as sound as the day they were made and they've seen a lot of weather over the years. Then get a Lansky "puck" dual grit sharpener (also available at desertcart!) and sharpen the blade. They come dull, probably for product liability reasons it will only be as sharp as you're capable of making it, but it will take a fine edge with a little effort. Then avoid chopping it into the ground, rocks, or what have you -- it will take you several patient hours to put the initial edge on the blade and all that effort will be wasted if you whack it against a rock. The blade should never touch anything but the wood it's made to cut. Learn to split kindling safely by taking a 1-2' piece of wood 2-3" in diameter, holding it by one end pointed away from you and resting the other end parallel to the ground across a larger piece of wood. Split the far end by chopping through it sideways into the chopping block and then giving the hatchet and the wood a deft twist to split it lengthwise (a glove on your off-hand isn't a bad idea). Repeat with each half until you have enough kindling. Whatever you do, don't try to hold a piece of kindling on end and split it lengthwise lumberjack-style, that's a good way to lose a finger or chop yourself in the knee. Guys, this is a tool every manly man should treat himself to and learn to use! There's darn few things in this world that are the same high quality they were 90 years ago but this is one of them.
Review: High quality, durable axe - I typically use a more primitive axe but they tend to wear out pretty quickly with heavy usage. This axe is more modern and built really well. Great for small chopping, shaving/trimming with the blade (which is super sharp), and hammering things with back side. It’s nice and heavy but not overly so, short enough that’s it’s easy to handle. Overall it’s super effective axe for small tasks, much better than your typical $10-20 camp axe from Walmart.

## Features

- COMPACT & VERSATILE - With its 14-inch length, this hatchet strikes the perfect balance between portability and power. It’s an essential tool for camping, hiking, and survival situations, handling a variety of outdoor tasks with ease.
- GENUINE LEATHER GRIP – Hand sanded and lacquered for a durable yet comfortable finish
- FORGED IN ONE PIECE - Crafted from a single piece of solid American steel, the design of this backpacking hatchet eliminates weak points from castings or welds, resulting in unmatched durability and longevity. Professionals can trust that this camping ax will withstand rigorous use without compromising performance.
- HEAVY DUTY SHEATH - Comes with a rugged ballistic nylon sheath that not only protects the hand-sharpened 4-in. cutting edge but also offers a convenient belt loop. This makes it easy to carry your camping hatchet with sheath, keeping your axe close at hand for quick access during projects.
- MADE IN THE USA – Since 1923, our tools have been proudly American made in Rockford, IL using only the finest American steel.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B0002JT0AK |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Best Sellers Rank | #5,845 in Sports & Outdoors ( See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors ) #4 in Camping Axes & Hatchets |
| Blade Edge | Plain, hand-sharpened |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Brand | Estwing |
| Color | 12" (Inches) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (7,271) |
| Date First Available | September 13, 2007 |
| Finish | Brushed |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00034139611219, 03413961121900 |
| Handle Material | Leather |
| Head Type | Axe |
| Included Components | Sportsman's Axe |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Item Weight | 1.38 pounds |
| Item model number | E14A |
| Manufacturer | Estwing |
| Material | Synthetic |
| Part Number | ESTE14A |
| Pattern | Solid |
| Power Source | Hand Powered |
| Product Dimensions | 12.5"L x 4.75"W |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size | 12" (Inches) |
| Style | Hatchet |
| UPC | 034139611219 |
| Warranty Description | Manufacturer Warranty |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Estwing
- **Color:** 12" (Inches)
- **Handle Material:** Leather
- **Head Type:** Axe
- **Product Dimensions:** 12.5"L x 4.75"W

## Images

![ESTWING Sportsman's Axe - 12" Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip - E14A - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71-nT+qEw4L.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Color** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Where is this axe made?  I like to buy products made in USA.**
A: Yes, made in USA. Glad to see that others care about buying made in USA. We have superior products, less counterfeiting and no child labor. Both democrats and republicans support products made here in the USA!

**Q: What type of steel is this hatchet made of?**
A: If the company says it's 1055, as a previous customer indicated, I wouldn't doubt it. I've owned this axe for a while now and find it to be of excellent quality. 1055 is a durable carbon steel that is excellent at withstanding shock. It is a fairly economical steel, probably not that much more costly than 420 so I don't know why they'd even have motivation to mislead on that front. If they were claiming it was something more costly like O-1, or a tool steel like D2 or M2, I would find that a little more suspicious.

**Q: It indicates that it is 14.9 ounces. Is that correct? Most of the fiberglass handle hatchets seem in the 1.3-1.4 lb range.**
A: I just received mine and weighed it on a scale accurate to 1/100 of an ounce. The weight including the included synthetic sheath is 30.05 oz and w/o the sheath is 28.45 oz. This converts to ~1.87 and 1.78 lbs, respectively. In other words, as of 2016 Feb 07, the Product Description weight of 14.9 oz is completely off for the hatchet I received.

**Q: Is this e24ase axe made in the u.s.a.?**
A: Rockford Illinois is an old manufacturing town.  There is a Jeep manufacturing plant a few miles down the road in Belvidere, IL.  Estwing is one of the old, original manufacturers still left, and probably the best axes you can buy, especially for the price!!

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is the real deal!
*by A***N on December 31, 2012*

I don't write many reviews but this little gem deserves one. Proudly made in the USA since 1923, this is the same fine tool your granddad bought, with the same high quality forging and rugged leather grip. Properly used and cared for it will stand up to several lifetimes of hard use. I recently bought a spare from Amazon and this review is based on that item. A couple of observations/recommendations: I note one reviewer whose hatchet handle rotted. Well yeah. As these come from the factory the handle is given a glossy varnished finish and the stacked leather grip underneath is very dry. It looks nice when it's new but the varnish will crack and chip with use, and then the grip will absorb water like a sponge, ruining the leather. Thus, knowledgable sportsmen have long looked fondly on that glossy factory finish and then taken a couple of sheets of 100-grit sandpaper and sanded it off. Mask off the metal part of the shaft of the handle, no point in scratching that up, but do round off the sharp edge of the metal washer at the base of the handle to make it more comfortable in use. Be sure to get all the varnish off, the leather underneath will look almost white when you're done sanding. 100 grit is fine, there's no need to finish with finer grades. Then get a bottle of Fiebing's Neatsfoot Oil (available at Amazon!) and rub it in. If you didn't get all the varnish off you'll immediately notice light spots where the oil isn't soaking in, stop and sand those off. You'll be amazed at how much oil that leather grip will absorb, my new one has taken at least an ounce of oil and it's still sucking it up. It will take several applications over several days to do a thorough job -- the idea is to completely saturate the leather grip -- just slather it on with a fingertip at first and then rub it in after a couple of days' applications. Put some on the sturdy leather sheath they provide while you're at it. The neatsfoot will give the grip a nice antique brown finish and a slightly sticky, non-slip feel, and once the grip is thoroughly saturated it will be nearly impervious to the elements *forever*. I have hunting knives and another old Estwing hatchet that were given this treatment by my dad and grandfather before I was born -- that was a long time ago -- the grips have turned black over the years but they're still as sound as the day they were made and they've seen a lot of weather over the years. Then get a Lansky "puck" dual grit sharpener (also available at Amazon!) and sharpen the blade. They come dull, probably for product liability reasons it will only be as sharp as you're capable of making it, but it will take a fine edge with a little effort. Then avoid chopping it into the ground, rocks, or what have you -- it will take you several patient hours to put the initial edge on the blade and all that effort will be wasted if you whack it against a rock. The blade should never touch anything but the wood it's made to cut. Learn to split kindling safely by taking a 1-2' piece of wood 2-3" in diameter, holding it by one end pointed away from you and resting the other end parallel to the ground across a larger piece of wood. Split the far end by chopping through it sideways into the chopping block and then giving the hatchet and the wood a deft twist to split it lengthwise (a glove on your off-hand isn't a bad idea). Repeat with each half until you have enough kindling. Whatever you do, don't try to hold a piece of kindling on end and split it lengthwise lumberjack-style, that's a good way to lose a finger or chop yourself in the knee. Guys, this is a tool every manly man should treat himself to and learn to use! There's darn few things in this world that are the same high quality they were 90 years ago but this is one of them.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High quality, durable axe
*by A***D on September 8, 2025*

I typically use a more primitive axe but they tend to wear out pretty quickly with heavy usage. This axe is more modern and built really well. Great for small chopping, shaving/trimming with the blade (which is super sharp), and hammering things with back side. It’s nice and heavy but not overly so, short enough that’s it’s easy to handle. Overall it’s super effective axe for small tasks, much better than your typical $10-20 camp axe from Walmart.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect camping axe - built like a tank
*by P***O on October 27, 2025*

This Estwing Sportsman's Axe has become an essential part of my camping gear. The 12-inch size is the perfect balance—compact enough to pack easily but substantial enough to handle real work around the campsite. I've used it for splitting kindling, chopping firewood, and clearing brush, and it handles everything beautifully. The one-piece forged steel construction is bomber. There's no head coming loose or handle breaking like you get with wooden-handled axes. It feels incredibly solid and balanced in hand. The grip is comfortable even during extended use, and the shock reduction actually works—my hands don't get fatigued. The edge came razor sharp out of the box and has held up impressively well. A quick touch-up with a file occasionally and it's back to slicing through wood effortlessly. This is genuine American-made quality that will outlast me. It's not the cheapest option, but you're buying it once. After using cheaper axes that failed, I wish I'd started with the Estwing. If you camp, hike, or just need a reliable hatchet, this is the one. Absolute workhorse. Highly recommend!

## Frequently Bought Together

- ESTWING Sportsman's Axe - 12" Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip - E14A
- American Bench Craft Leather Hatchet Sheath - Fits Estwing Hatchet Sportsman's Axe Models E14A & E24A - Premium Full Grain Leather - Riveted Design - Tan
- DDF IohEF Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone 180/320 Grit, Professional Whetstone & Tool Sharpener, Axe Sharpener with Portable Bag

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*Product available on Desertcart Ireland*
*Store origin: IE*
*Last updated: 2026-03-03*