As far as manufactured items go, I prefer the Gerber/Fiskars line. The hollow handle is great for lightness, and can be filled with an emergency kit if you like. I keep mine razor sharp & polished, and it will eat a 2 inch birch tree in 1 or 2 swings. I own a hatchet and a 3/4 or "scout" axe with a built-in wedge for heavier work. Both stay in my camper van.
X2 on the Fiskars short handle axe.
The hatchet is too small for any real work, but the short handle axe is just great!
There is one version of the Gerber hatchet that has a saw or knife (depending on what version you get) in the handle, and I always though that would be handy for hunting or camping, although I never got one (see too small for real work, if they made the knife/saw fit in the short handle axe, that would be different!)
Actual hatchet...
I made a tomahawk that had a sort of rounded edge, more like an ULU knife, that came off the handle pretty easily, and that thing was VERY handy!
Chop the fire wood, then take the head off and use it to prepare dinner with!
Unfortunately, I managed to loose it on a Jeep ride/camp out... (I suspect it was stolen).
If I were buying a plain hatchet, I'd stick with metal or synthetic handle.
Some of the hatchets have the handle forged in with the head, and that is hard to beat!
Virtually unbreakable, and having it NOT break when you need it most is a big plus!
Personally, this is my favorite brush tool...
Much less effort than axe or hatchet on anything 2" and under, and vines don't get away from it!
Darn handy around the camp site, and it's VERY light weight.
How about this link for a line up of the axles/hatches,
http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/s...0001&langId=&catalogId=10101&categoryId=10277
Here is a link with a pretty good rundown on the Gerber Knife/Saw in handle and axes...
http://www.knivesplus.com/gerber-knives-axes.html