You don't have to be a bear-fighting woodsman to put these to good use -- but it doesn't hurt.

The evocatively rugged hatchet and tough leather sheath look so good that you may want to leave them on permanent display. But when you're ready to break it out and get to work, you couldn't ask for a better tool, since the blade, heavy-duty hammer, and notch will make quick work of any project. So go ahead: chop your own firewood. Clear a path on your hike. Pitch a tent. Or just rest the thing by the fireplace and admire it.

Naturalist, Curved Hatchet, 18", Hardcore Hammers

An icon of hard-working independence. It comes from the expert team at Hardcore, ex-carpenters who know a thing or two about tools and who build all their products here in the US.

Each one of these is hand-made, with handles forged from American Hickory with a natural wood grain. That means no two are exactly alike, with a range of unique shades to reflect the weathered wood that was used. The sturdy steel head is a brand new, as-of-yet unreleased design that packs three tools into one: a blade, a hammer, and a notch for removing nails or tent poles.

Leather Sheath, Gotham Textiles

We turned to a 4th generation U.S. textile manufacturer to design this luxe leather sheath that perfectly fits Hardcore's hatchet. It's crafted out of rich and resilient top grade leather, so it protects from rust and grime while adding another layer of head-turning looks. It fits perfectly around the blade to keep it sharp and secure, while leaving the hammer free to use for when you don't need the edge.

Gun Oil, 1oz, Remington

Clean and rust-proof your investment -- or any other metal tool that sees its fair share of use -- with this stuff. Remington's unique formula easily cleans off grime, removes deep-down moisture from metal pores, and layers on an protective film that smooths the metal surface.

Start practicing your swing.

Note: the hatchet comes with a "courtesy edge" — not too sharp, not too dull — that's ready to go for splitting small pieces of firewood, cutting small limbs, and the like.

If you want it sharp enough to shave with, you'll need a touch up. Clamp your hatchet in place somewhere, then run a metal file along the blade with hard, even strokes at a consistent angle on either side. Or just take it to a hardware store — they'll do it for you.