The Best Axe For Bushcraft In 2024

Hailey Abbott By, Hailey Abbott
Updated
Best Axe For Bushcraft
Best Axe For Bushcraft

Our Top Picks

1. Best Of The Best: SOG Specialty Knives Hatchet Tool Bushcraft Axe Edge

When the going gets tough, you need a hatchet. This light but heavy-duty camp hatchet and survival hatchet also serves as a handy backpacking axe; hand axe includes textured GRN handle for comfortable use. The wood chopping axe can also be used as a hammer axe. The SOG Camp Axe is always ready for outdoor wood splitting, pounding tent stakes, and tinder breakdown. Read Review

2. Runner Up: 1844 Helko Werk Germany Traditional Hand Forged Bushcraft Axe

The Black Forest Woodworker is a workhorse for the experienced woodsman, and an ideal tool for the novice. The compact size makes it easy to pack and lightweight enough to use as a practical cutting and chopping tool. This forged steel axe head is hand made out of German C50 high-carbon steel, which allows it to hold an edge while resisting rust. Read Review

3. Best Durable: 7th Science Gear Camping Hatchet Bushcraft Axe

The Camping Axe is a lightweight, compact axe with surprising power. The black military grade fiberglass handle keeps the weight down allowing it to be packed in your camping gear. The ballistic nylon sheath is specifically tailored to 7SG's hatchet head to ensure your blade stay sharp and your loved one and you stay safe. Multiple openings allow you to quickly access and use your hatchet for camping and survival. Read Review

4. Best Easy To Use: 1844 Helko Werk Germany Classic Journeyman Compact Bushcraft Axe

The Journeyman Pack Axe is a compact bushcraft axe with a versatile design that makes kindling, limb branches, build your shelter, and other light splitting or cutting work easy. The Linseed Oil Finish means that the handle is hand finished and selected for grain orientation and density with a boiled linseed oil finish and sanded to 150 grit for a comfortable and smooth finish on your axe handle. Read Review

Bushcraft is a great way to get into wilderness survival skills. It’s also the perfect way to spend a weekend or a long weekend. You can learn how to start your own fire, find water, build shelter, and other useful things in this field.

You need to know that not everyone will be able to do it easily. There are some who just have the physical capabilities while there are others who don’t even have the right equipment for it. That’s where bushcraft axes come in handy – they can help you when starting out with camp chores. If you’re new to bushcraft and don’t know where to start, then here are five of the best axe for bushcraft you can buy today.

We think the best axe for bushcraft available now is SOG Specialty Knives Hatchet Tool Bushcraft Axe Edge. If you were wanting another option, you can check the 1844 Helko Werk Germany Traditional Hand Forged Bushcraft Axe as an alternative. You may relax knowing that its quality is also good per what we researched.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 SOG  Specialty Knives Hatchet Tool Bushcraft Axe Edge
Our Score:
9.8
SOG Specialty Knives

CAMPING HATCHET WITH SHEATH: This small axe and hiking hatchet is lightweight and easy to carry; hand axe with sheath is a portable outdoor tool featuring glass-reinforced nylon to safely protect the blade

STAINLESS STEEL CHOPPING AXE BLADE: Small forest axe, camping hatchet and backpacking hatchet features a 3.1-inch blade; small hatchet measures 11.5 inches in total length

SOG for life: Take care of your camp axes and hatchets and we’ll take care of you; we gladly consider repairs and replacements for your properly maintained SOG Camp Axe

LIGHTWEIGHT CAMPING AXES AND HATCHETS: This light but heavy duty camp hatchet and survival hatchet also serves as a handy backpacking axe; hand axe includes textured GRN handle for comfortable use

WOOD HATCHET AND HAMMER AXE IN ONE: Wood chopping axe can also be used as a hammer axe; the hatchet is always ready for outdoor wood splitting, pounding tent stakes, and tinder breakdown

TOP Choice #2 1844 Helko Werk Germany Traditional Hand Forged Bushcraft Axe
Our Score:
9.6
1844 Helko Werk Germany

Grade A American Hickory Handle - Linseed Oil Finish - 150 Grit Sanded Sustainably sourced grade A American hickory handle. All Helko Werk camping axes and hatchets have handles individually hand finished and selected for grain orientation and density with a boiled linseed oil finish and sanded to 150 grit for a comfortable and smooth finish on your axe handle

C50 High Carbon Steel: 53-56 HRC - Helko Werk axe heads are open-face drop forged individually by hand from German C50 high grade carbon steel. Drop forging is a process in which the blacksmith uses tongs to hold and shape hot steel as a drop hammer falls repeatedly onto it.

Dimensions: Head Weight: 2-1/4 lb, Length: 24 in, Total Weight: 3-1/2 lb

Handmade in Germany - The Black Forest Woodworker is Helko Werk's flagship piece. This axe is the quintessential tool for the experienced woodsman, with a compact size that makes it a versatile packing tool and lightweight cutting, felling, and chopping axe. Features Helko's famous Rheinland pattern axe head, named for the country's Rhein River Valley, where cutting axes like these have been in use for centuries.

Includes Full Grain Leather Sheath & 1 Oz Bottle of Axe Guard Protective Oil - All Helko Werk axes and hatchets include a vegetable-tanned premium leather axe sheath to protect your axe blade and head. The Axe Guard oil is a metal protecting oil to help maintain the steel of your axe head, and prevent rust over time.

TOP Choice #3 7th Science Gear Camping Hatchet Bushcraft Axe
Our Score:
9.5
7th Science Gear

🏕️ SURVIVAL CAMPING AXE 🪓 - Lightweight black military grade fiberglass handle keeps weight down allowing it to be packed in your camping gear. Hatchet head is at the ideal angle for effectively cutting through brush and chopping wood.

🐣 EASY FOR ALL TO USE - Ideal weight as a camp axe with ergonomic handle design allow for anyone competent of your hiking or camping group to effectively swing the hatchet for chopping wood, clearing brush, using to secure stakes, clean game, or even in your arsenal of garden tools.

⚒️ TACTICAL SURVIVAL AXE & HAMMER - All blacked out hatchets for camping and survival axe designed to blend into your gear and the environment. A lightweight and versatile tool with ideal 20 degree head angle for cutting and chopping with flat back head perfect for driving stakes, acting as a hammer much needed tool in the field.

🎯 THROWING AXE 🪓 - Specifically narrow profile allows for perfect performance as a throwing axe. Ultra sharp head ideal for axe throwing. Designing a throwing axe its weight, sharpness and durability have all been taking into account without compromise allowing you to use in any level of competition.

🛡️ HEAVY DUTY SHEATH - Ballistic nylon sheath specifically tailored to 7SG's hatchet head to ensure your blade stay sharp and your loved one and you stay safe. Multiple openings flaps allow you to quickly access and use your hatchet for camping and survival. Two adjacent hooking loops at the top of the sheath allow for it to be hung and secured regardless of orientation.

4 1844 Helko Werk Germany Classic Journeyman Compact Bushcraft Axe
Our Score:
9.3
1844 Helko Werk Germany

Handmade in Germany - The Journeyman camp axe is a hybrid of a hatchet and a conventional axe, and is the perfect all-purpose “in between” companion for the avid backpacker, camper, or woodsman. This pack axe is larger than a small axe and designed to be lightweight, compact, and easy to carry while trekking through wilderness. Comfortable to use one or two handed, the Journeyman will make kindling, limb branches, build your shelter, and other light splitting or cutting work.

Includes Full Grain Leather Sheath & 1 Oz Bottle Of Axe Guard Protective Oil - All Helko Werk axes and hatchets include a vegetable-tanned premium leather axe sheath to protect your axe blade and head. The Axe Guard oil is a metal protecting oil to help maintain the steel of your axe head, and prevent rust over time.

C50 HIGH Carbon Steel: 53-56 HRC - Helko Werk axe heads are open-face drop forged individually by hand from German C50 high grade carbon steel. Drop forging is a process in which the blacksmith uses tongs to hold and shape hot steel as a drop hammer falls repeatedly onto it. This hatchet is handmade and hand-forged with a highly polished Classic finish to prevent rust and reduce cutting friction.

Grade A American Hickory Handle - Linseed Oil Finish - 150 Grit Sanded sustainably sourced grade A American hickory handle. All Helko Werk camping axes and hatchets have handles individually hand finished and selected for grain orientation and density with a boiled linseed oil finish and sanded to 150 grit for a comfortable and smooth finish on your axe handle

Dimensions: Head Weight: 1-1/2 lb / Length: 20 in. / Total Weight: 2-1/4 lb

Our camping axes & hatchets are a good outdoor wood axe to have around Camp as a chopping axe or even as a tactical throwing tomahawk... just incase!

This Camping Axe is a great small axe as a kindling splitter & camping hatchet. Having multiple cutting edges - with this hatchet camping is a breeze.

Use it for a splitting axe or hatchets for chopping wood. This axe tool not only makes a good Survival Hatchet, but the perfect bushcraft axe as well.

Our Survival Axe with Sheath is MOLLE ready & attaches well to a backpack / bugout bag so its easy to carry while your hiking, backpacking or camping.

These survival axes and hatchets are perfect for carving wood for shelters, traps & bushcrafting. They're designed to be the most versatile hand axe.

6 Hultafors AV08417100 Hunting Axe Outdoor Mountaineering
Our Score:
9.0
Hultafors(ハルタホース)

Blade Length: Approx. 3.5 inches (90 mm)

Hickory pattern

Comes with leather sheath; Gift box; Country of Origin: Sweden

Size: 19.7 inches (500 mm) (total length

Head Weight/Total Weight: 29.4 oz (850 g) / 36.6 oz (1,210 g)

7 Condor Tool & Knife Greenland Pattern Axe
Our Score:
8.9
Condor Tool & Knife

Blade Finish: Condor Classic

Blade Material: 1045 HIGH CARBON STEEL

Built for performance and durability

Crafted from the highest quality materials

Handle: American Hickory 16 inch

Made in El Salvador

Designed by Ryan Johnson of RMJ Tactical in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Boltaron sheath w/MOLLE compatible strap system

Strong And Lightweight: Glass reinforced nylon handle is durable and lightweight

Trifecta: Triple edge head for ultimate cutting utility

【NO RISK TO BUY】Perfect survival tool as an ideal gift for men on Christmas, Thanksgiving, Anniversary, Valentine's Day, and birthday. 100% one-year warranty service covers any defects, feel free to contact us if the leather sheath is missing.

【STURDY AND SHARP BLADE】High-quality hand-forged axe, 440C steel blade is ultra sharp, professionally ground and blackening treatment, the hardness is as high as 58HRC after vacuum heat treatment, with precise cutting performance and superior edge retention.

【DURABLE & SAFETY】Adopts a traditional design (friction fit system) with a wooden wedge and stopper to prevent loosening of the axe head and ensure safer use. Ergonomic design, comfortable hand feel, anti-dropping. The top grade rosewood handle has a smooth surface with anti-slip grip, and does not grind your hands.

【LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE】The total length of the axe is 28.5cm/ 11.2inch, the blade is 10cm/ 3.94inch, and the thickness is 2cm/ 0.79inch. The net weight is 427g/ 15.06oz/ 0.94lb. Equipped with cool hand-sewn leather sheath, high-end and durable.

【ESSENTIALS & PRACTICAL】One axe is for multi-purpose. With a hammer designed, easily break bricks and chop bones, split trees and firewood, and hammer tent stakes. Great idea for garden tools, throwing game. Balance weight for everyday carrying, outdoor camping, jungle adventure, hunting.

Hand Forged Stainless Steel Axe Hatchet Viking Throwing Ax with Unique Design.

CHOPPING - Aggressive cutting angles design for better and efficient contact - Ideal for felling trees and chops medium to large-sized logs.

Gorgeous and Solid Wood Handle.

Handmade Durable Leather Sheath Included.

Overall Length: 20" Inches Cutting Edge: 6" Inches Tang Length: 6" Inches Handle: Made of Rose Wood, Beautiful Amazing Art on the Ax.

What to Look For in a best axe for bushcraft?

You may think purchasing seems simple, and it sometimes does the opposite! Studying the outcome of best axe for bushcraft will take a considerable amount of time. Also, there are multiple sides of best axe for bushcraft you need to check. That’s the reason why we’re all ready to assist you with best axe for bushcraft issue.

You should pay more attention to the following criteria of best axe for bushcraft in 2024:

Ease Of Splitting

When buying a camp hatchet, it is important to think about the ease of splitting. Wood splitting is not a major concern if you're buying a hatchet for wood shaping or detail work. The ease of splitting is important if you plan on splitting wood frequently and felling trees.
Splitting is easier with longer handles and heavier heads. When shopping for similar models, be sure to consider the shape and construction of your handle.
If you are unsure about what you want, you can look into larger axes. You may find that some of the smaller camp hatchets are not what you want. In this case, you will need a full-sized, heavy-duty axe.

Thickness And Sharpness

The head's key characteristics are its thickness and sharpness. The thicker head will give you a more difficult chop, and it will also split logs easily. The thin, sharper head can be used for intricate carving and other tasks.
It all comes down to the purpose of your axe. It's more practical to cut wood or do heavy carving in a survival situation than it is to make intricate carving.

Weight Distribution

To get the best out of each chop, you need to distribute the weight correctly with your axe. To get the most momentum from every strike, the head must carry the bulk of the weight. Although this is true for all the axes/hatchets reviewed, each axe/hatchet will be different.
To make sure your axe fits you properly, it is best to try it out as soon as possible. Swing it with both hands and make a choice whether it is light/heavy/long/short/portable enough for what you need it for.

The Axe Head & The Blade

You can link the materials that the axe is designed to cut to the edge of your axe head (the blade). You will most often use your axe for cutting through wood while out in nature. Flatter edges are best as they will cut through the wood evenly. A curved edge will make it harder to cut through wood, as the edges that are angled out of alignment with the cutting blades won't be used in every strike.
Flat edges will stick better to flat surfaces than those with sharper edges. You should think about the material you will be using most, and then choose a survival knife/survival hatchet that matches that material.

Easy Maintenance

You're likely to have seen a lot old tools if you ever visited a workshop with a full stock. My great-grandfather owned hand tools, and my father still uses them. Because even simple tools like a hatchet are durable if they're taken care of.
It is easy to sharpen a hatchet by running a file across its head and a whetstone. It is simple and inexpensive to replace the handle of a traditional hatchet. Your hatchet will be a valuable asset for the rest of your life as long as it is kept clean and protected from water.

Handle Length And A Sturdy Grip

To get a great chop with your axe, the length of your handle is crucial. A longer handle will give you more power and momentum. This is an axe that you will be using, so it is important to balance length, weight and portability.
Safety and efficiency are also key factors. It shouldn't slip, or cause injury to you. To make life easier and safer, choose an axe/hatchet that has a grippy grip.
Non-slip materials such as rubber and wood are used to design the tail. The tail should be capable of withstanding humid conditions. You can even find axes that are specially made to improve grip and comfort by including patterns in the tail.

FAQs

Do I Need A Hatchet For Camping?

The hatchet is a highly-recommended survival and camping tool and one of most important tools. The oldest known human-made tool we have ever discovered is the "hand axe" made of stone, which dates back more than a million years. They are technically called hatchets. A hatchet can be your friend for woodwork and fire preparation even if you don't plan on carrying a chainsaw.

How Do I Choose Between A Hatchet And An Axe?

It all comes down to space. A hatchet is more effective than an axe if it can be kept in a garage or car. A hatchet is a great option for those who travel by foot and need to have a lot of power, but are limited on space.

How Do I Sharpen A Hatchet?

While everyone will have their preferred method of sharpening the hatchet, it is very much like sharpening knives. You might have to file the edges depending on the condition of the blade.

What Is A Hatchet Good For?

Hatchets can be used for a variety of purposes depending on their shape or construction. They are most commonly used for cutting and splitting small sections of wood. The diameter of a Hatchet's forearm is approximately the same as that of a normal forearm, but slightly larger.
Because of their small size, hatchets make excellent tools to perform more complex bushcraft tasks. These tools are ideal for creating shelters, carving woodwork projects and other tasks. If you don't have a field dressing knife after a hunt, hatchets can be used to cut through bone or cartilage.

Are Hatchets And Tomahawks The Same Thing?

Although tomahawks and hatchets look very much the same, tomahawks have a more emphasis on lightweight and throwing. Hatchets are heavier, more concerned with chopping wood and less about striking a target.

What Is The Best Camping Hatchet?

The individual as well as the intended purpose of the hatchet are the most important factors in choosing the right camping hatchet. While some companies have an excellent reputation, it is almost impossible to find the best camping hatchet that suits everyone.
You should prioritize your needs and priorities, then weigh the pros and cons of each option. It may be that your best choice for camping is not the one for your partner.

All in all, anything you need to acquire for your convenient purchase of best axe for bushcraft is presented above. Admittedly, this information is accurate, thanks to our product consulting experts with a wealth of experience. Furthermore, we keep best axe for bushcraft of 2024 data up-to-date at all times. It is helpful if you are a busy person. Try to check us as much as possible!

You are expected to contact us if any problems or inaccuracies with best axe for bushcraft occurs. With your feedback, we can improve our data better!


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About Hailey Abbott

Hailey Abbott
Hailey Abbott is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer for CampfireHQ. She has a passion for hunting and fishing, which she often enjoys with her family and friends. Hailey also enjoys staying active through sports such as golf, basketball, and softball. Hailey has worked as an editor for several years, providing content that is both accurate and engaging. She has also had the opportunity to interview numerous experts in various fields. This wealth of experience gives her a unique perspective when writing about the outdoors and other topics.

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