DeWalt 20 oz EXOCORE Hatchet

A compact camp companion with real-world chops

I brought the DeWalt hatchet along for a long weekend of yard work and camping to see if a modern composite-handle design could outwork the wooden and all-steel hatchets I usually reach for. After several days of limbing branches, making kindling, rough carving, and driving a few too many tent stakes, I came away impressed by its balance and durability, with a few caveats around sharpness and accessories that are worth noting.

Build and first impressions

This is a 20 oz head on a compact 14.2-inch overall package, landing squarely in “one-handed camp hatchet” territory. The head is carbon steel with a scalloped profile meant to improve bite and release. The handle is a hollow fiberglass shaft wrapped in a bi-material grip, and the overstrike zone—the spot most likely to get chewed up by misses—is reinforced with a carbon-fiber composite. The shaft construction is one piece, so there’s no separate wooden haft to loosen or swell.

In hand, it feels lighter than the numbers suggest (about 2 lb total), thanks to the hollow handle and head-heavy balance. The grip is grippy without being gummy, and the geometry puts your knuckles safely behind the bit for full-power swings without worry.

Out of the box, the edge on my sample was serviceable but conservative. It would shave curls from softwood, but it wasn’t the crisp, polished bevel you get on premium axes. Ten minutes on a file and a ceramic rod brought it to life, and that’s how I’d recommend starting with this tool.

Balance, swing, and comfort

What stood out immediately was the swing. The balance point sits forward enough to make the head do the work, but not so far that it feels unwieldy on precise cuts. DeWalt’s fiberglass handle damps vibration well—far better than most wood handles and definitely better than all-steel designs—so glancing blows and hard knots don’t sting your hands.

The 11.8-inch handle length gives you options. Choke up on the neck and it behaves like a beefy knife for controlled carving; slide back on the grip and it becomes a mini-chopper that punches above its size in green wood.

Cutting and splitting performance

After sharpening, the hatchet bit surprisingly deep. The scalloped profile behind the cutting edge helps the head back out of wood with less sticking than a slab-sided hatchet. On wrist-thick branches, I could open a notch in two to three clean strikes and finish the cut without prying. In green hardwoods, it still bit well but benefited from a touch more wrist snap to keep the edge moving.

For splitting, it likes to work in the 2–4 inch range. Batoning through larger rounds was fine; the cheek geometry doesn’t wedge hopelessly, and the tough handle shrugs off side loads. For campfire kindling, it’s spot on. If you routinely split knotty or large rounds, you’ll want a heavier axe, but as a camp or yard hatchet this is a strong performer.

Feather sticks and fine cuts were doable after I took the edge to a convex 25–30 degrees per side. The factory edge had a slightly abrupt shoulder that made thin curls a bit chattery. A quick reprofile made it much more predictable.

Edge retention and steel behavior

The carbon steel here isn’t brittle, which I prefer in a hatchet. I saw a few microscopic rolls after hitting a hidden staple and a sandy log, but no chips. A few passes on a ceramic rod reset the edge. That tells me the heat treat is aiming for toughness over maximum hardness—good for a tool that sees lateral loads and occasional abuse.

Like all carbon steel, it will spot-rust if you put it away wet or sap-covered. Wiping it down and giving the head a smear of oil or paste wax at the end of the day kept mine clean. Expect to touch up the edge periodically if you’re processing a lot of dry hardwood.

Hammering and utility

The poll (the back of the head) is slightly rounded. It’ll drive tent stakes and tap in wedges, but it’s not a flat-faced hammer. If stake driving is a primary job for you, you may find yourself wishing for a squarer poll. For occasional pounding jobs, it’s fine—just mind your aim as the rounded profile can glance off hard surfaces.

There’s no pronounced beard to hook or pull with, but the overall shape is friendly for scraping bark or knocking off small side branches.

Sheath and carry

The included plastic sheath works as a safety cover in a toolbox or on a shelf, and it does fully shield the edge. It uses a friction tab that’s secure, but it can be fussy with gloves or cold fingers. I ended up tying a short pull cord to the tab to make removal more reliable.

If you’re planning to carry this on a pack or belt, you’ll probably want an upgraded leather or kydex sheath. The stock cover is best thought of as shop protection, not a field carry solution.

Durability and maintenance

Composite-handle hatchets live or die at the overstrike zone. Here, the carbon-fiber composite wrap does its job. I intentionally overstruck on a few cuts into seasoned maple, and the reinforcement took the abuse without gouging. The one-piece shaft means there’s no wedge or pin to loosen over time, and the shock absorption stayed consistent even after a lot of swings.

Maintenance is simple:
- Keep the edge lightly convex and polish the last millimeter with a ceramic rod.
- Wipe sap and moisture, then oil the head to prevent rust.
- Check the sheath for debris so grit doesn’t scuff the edge in storage.

Ergonomics and safety

The bi-material grip is tacky without tearing at gloves. Even sweaty or damp hands found purchase, and the oval cross-section helps index the edge so you always know where the bit is pointing. There’s no pronounced guard, so standard axe safety applies—clear stance, solid footing, and a safe follow-through path.

At 2 lb overall, it’s light enough to ride in a pack but heavy enough to do real work. If you’re counting grams for ultralight trips, this won’t be your first pick, but for car camping, trail maintenance, or a shop hatchet, the weight feels like the right compromise.

Where it shines, where it falls short

Highlights:
- Well-balanced, low-vibration swing that reduces fatigue
- Tough handle and excellent overstrike protection
- Scalloped blade profile reduces sticking in cuts
- Easy to sharpen; steel favors toughness over brittleness
- Compact size that still hits above its weight for camp tasks

Trade-offs:
- Factory edge benefits from immediate sharpening
- Plastic sheath is protective but awkward, and not ideal for carry
- Rounded poll isn’t great for serious hammering jobs
- Finish work is functional rather than refined

Who it’s for

If you need a compact, low-maintenance hatchet for camping, yard cleanup, kindling, and general utility, this DeWalt feels purpose-built. It’s especially appealing if you value vibration damping and handle durability over traditional wood aesthetics. Homeowners who want a reliable hatchet to live on a hook in the garage, and campers who split a moderate amount of wood, will get good value out of it.

If you’re a traditionalist who prefers a classic hickory handle, expects a premium polished edge out of the box, or needs a flat poll for frequent hammering, look elsewhere. And if you’re backpacking for days and counting every ounce, there are lighter options tailored to that mission.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt hatchet for users who want a compact, durable, and comfortable tool that can handle the full slate of camp and yard tasks with minimal fuss. It isn’t perfect—the stock edge needs attention and the plastic sheath is an afterthought—but once sharpened, the balance and bite are excellent, and the composite handle takes abuse with very little hand shock. For the price and size, it’s a dependable workhorse that’s easy to live with and hard to beat for everyday outdoor and shop use.