Looking at Amazon, drywall hammers seem to weigh somewhere around a pound to a pound & a half. In comparison the Gerber Back Paxe II weighs in at a hair over a pound making it similar to, or lighter than a drywall hammer (depending on the model).

Given that, I'd go with the Gerber over a drywall hammer assuming more of an outdoors use (i.e., your examples of tent pegs & chopping tree branches).



This is the hatchet I normally use for camping (actually, an older model) and I can't say anything bad about it. It does its job as a small hatchet well and is a handy size for the general tasks like hammering in tent pegs. Its also not too heavy to throw in the pack when backpacking (in my opinion at least).

You might also look for a Marble's pocket axe.


The waffle face on a drywall hatchet leaves nice dimples in the
drywall that take mud well.