Bruks makes the best. Watterling is second and believe it or not Condor makes some decent hatchets. You just need to sharpen them. A good hatchet is fully the equal or maybe a bit better at chopping than a big knife, but it is much worse at batoning or fine work. Most people who take a hatchet or axe, end up taking a small blade as well, which is an excellent combo. I personally like the gransfors bruks hunting axe with 20 inch handle.