Get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect to nature in your next vacation. While hiking can satiate the outdoor thirst for a while, why don’t we challenge ourselves by camping out for the weekend? You can even explore a new patch near the campsite area for a quieter time. To do this, it’s time to take out your trusty axe for the job. Do you think your axe is still up for it? Maybe it’s time to get you a new one! Read on to find the best camping axe for sale!
How To Choose The Best Camping Axe for Sale
Axes are one of the main components that come in different shapes and sizes. Each serves a purpose and is a subject for preferences. Do you think a hatchet suits your camping style? Or prefer a more robust axe for felling a tree? Before you dive into our reviews, pay attention to the following pointers to guide you to look for the right camping axe for sale.
Weight
Just like a canteen, the weight of your axe is truly dependent on how heavy you can tolerate it since you’ll be carrying a lot of everything else. While axes aren’t the only woodcutting tools you’d need, axes have their own edge to get the job done. When camping, the jobs you’re likely doing will be chopping and cutting. That means, you won’t need a hefty tree-felling axe and you can save some weight off your burden. Your best bet would be axes/hatchets that don’t weigh more than 2lbs. These axes are usually enough for some chopping and splitting.
Handle/Haft Length
Are you a lumberjack? If you’re not, then you won’t need a long-handled axe meant to chop trees. Camping jobs revolve around smaller tasks like chopping tree limbs or splitting lumber. Axes with an 18-21 inches handle should serve you well for general tasks such as cutting bigger branches or medium tree stems. If you’re looking at smaller jobs like splitting kindling, a hatchet should do you just great.
Haft Material
Mainly, there are 3 types of materials to build a strong haft/handle: Wood, fiberglass, and steel. Each material has its own pros and cons. Wood is the most common material for camping axes for sale. This versatile material isn’t only lightweight but also feels great in your hand on each swing as it absorbs shock. But wood may chip and broken before it gets replaced. They’re also subjects to moisture which can make them bend or twist to a degree.
Technology brought us to fiberglass material. This material is indeed tough, lightweight, and absorbs some shock from the action. But once they’re broken, you can’t replace them; rendering the axe useless. The same goes for steel handles. These handles are the heftiest and also the most durable ones. It’s hard to think what kind of thing can bend it. Unfortunately, the weight might hinder users from taking it.
Head and Balance
What’s an axe if the head is messed up? The head of an axe is the most vital part of the tool. If the blade is dull or the balance off, it will make your chopping less effective, resulting in more time and effort to get the job done – or worst, you may hurt yourself (prepare first aid kit in advance). The best camping axes for sale should have a sharp blade and a good balance. A good balance means the weight of the head equals that of the entire haft. To check if your axe is balanced you can put the head flat against your hand and see if it tips over. If it’s firm and stable in this position, congratulations! You got yourself a well-balanced axe!
How do I choose a camping axe for sale?
Shorter axes (approx. 2ft in length) are perfect for camping. But if you need a more practical axe with a degree of flexibility, a hatchet should suffice.
What is the difference between axe and hatchet?
A hatchet is a small axe that can be operated by one hand. It’s quite useful to tackle smaller branches or splitting kindling. An axe usually has a longer haft/handle and more power.
What steel is best for axes?
The best steel for a sharp-edged weapon is medium-carbon steel. This type of steel can be sharpened and honed when the edge gets dull.
Council Tool Axe
13
Interested in integrating an axe into your camping gear but not sure you’re ready to make a hefty investment? Council Tool Axe is a great starter camping axe for sale at the moment. This axe has a decent length and weight to help you get used to wearing and using an axe. The head bit isn’t too curved to give you some versatility between chopping and carving.
The head is made of 5160 steel that should be great for you with regular maintenance. The hickory handle feels great in your hand, providing you with a firm grip. Backpacking with this axe won’t give you too much issue. The handle and weight won’t get you in the way after you get used to it. Get this axe to gauge your preferences and needs.
What We Love
A great starter axe with decent length and weight!
Pros:
- Comfortable premium handle
- Leather sheath included
- High-quality hickory handle
- Almost flat head
Cons:
- The blade gets dull faster in winter
CRKT Woods Nobo Tomahawk Axe
12
Built by a renowned company that produces amazing outdoor gear for decades, CRKT Woods Nobo Tomahawk Axe is a great camping axe for sale for those who want a lightweight carving or splitting axe to aid them in the field. It has a straight handle to tackle different kinds of jobs. It doesn’t burden your wrist even after you’re working for many hours.
This is also a well-balanced axe. A well-balanced axe will give you effective performance with efficient effort. You’d want to keep that way especially when you’re doing bushcraft since efficiency is the key. The head is made of carbon steel with great edge retention. Want to get your hands on axe throwing? This axe is one of the best you can throw!
What We Love
A great carving axe for skilled users.
Pros:
- Balanced
- Smooth handle
- Carbon steelhead
- Durable in any weather
- Deep cut
Cons:
- The handle can be slippery in rain or with sweaty hands
Off Grid Tools Survival Axe
11
There are some tools you’d want to keep close to when you’re out and about in the woods and Off Grid Tools Survival Axe is one of them. It’s that safe feeling knowing you’re prepared for what’s coming as long as this hatchet dangles on your waist. It doesn’t weigh much too compared to other hatchets. From carving and crosscutting branches to hammering and fastening bolts, be always prepared!
This hatchet is a 5-in-1 tool to get the jobs done in your camping. The head is black powder-coated to prevent annoying rust. As for the handle, there are 2 variants you can choose from aluminum to fiberglass. Both are lightweight but we love the durability of aluminum more. The handle also houses the axe’s main tool which is a saw. The blade tucks away nicely inside the handle so you won’t get hurt by its teeth.
Looking for fully-fledged folding saws?
What We Love
Is it an axe or a multi-tool? Whatever your answer is, it still does its job!
Pros:
- Black powder coated
- Great portability
- Integrated additional survival tools
- Aluminum handle
Cons:
- It’s not made for chopping large logs
Schrade SCAXE2 Hatchet
10
Firm grip, sharp bits, and high durability. Those are the things that Schrade SCAXE2 Hatchet wants to maintain. To be a reliable companion in any weather and condition is this axe’s commitment. The size might be small, but it gives its users some edge on portability. Have this axe within your proximity and rest assured you’ll get the job done in no time.
The axe is made of carbon steel to retain blade sharpness as long as possible. The width of the head is perfect to tackle everyday tasks like carving or splitting thinner logs. It has an ergonomic rubber grip on the other hand that feels solid and assuring on your hand. With every purchase, you get a plastic sheath protects the axe head. It looks great when laying around and is equally great on your waist!
What We Love
An extremely durable hatchet that will accompany you for a long time.
Pros:
- Highly portable
- Full-tang build
- Highly durable
- Rubber grip with lanyard
Cons:
- It’s really compact! It might be too small for some jobs
Cold Steel All-Purpose Axe
9
Cold Steel All-Purpose Axe is a general-purpose axe you should any camper should have in their camping gear. This axe has a good punching power you can feel in each swing. It has a well-balanced head vs haft to deliver effective chop on thicker branches. It can also tackle smaller jobs if you can get past the awkwardness of the long handle.
The handle is made from durable hickory wood with an appropriate size of grip. It absorbs shock well – which is one of the appeals of wooden handles. The edge holds out quite long with minimum sharpening. Though it isn’t made of Swedish steel, the drop-forged carbon steel is more than enough in terms of durability and edge retention. If you’re looking for an axe that fits most jobs, this could be the best camping axe for sale.
What We Love
A lightweight tree-felling axe that’s good enough for smaller jobs.
Pros:
- Great starter cutting axe
- Comfy hickory handle
- Capable of felling medium-sized trees
- Affordable
Cons:
- It needs a little customization before using it.
Kershaw Deschutes Bearded Hatchet
8
Kershaw Deschutes Bearded Hatchet is an awesome camping axe for sale that’s meant for mobile outdoorsmen such as hunters and backpackers. The small size and lightweight property add less than a pound weight to your carry. You will appreciate the molded sheath that comes with it as it’s a part of a holster system. Tuck it in your armpit or let it rest on your waist for a hands-free carry experience.
Whatever jobs you’re going to tackle, be it chopping branches, kindle splitting, or building structure, you can safely leave it to the power of this axe. You can work for hours with minimum breaks as the construction doesn’t get your hands fatigued too early. The secret of this ability lies in the fiberglass and rubber handles that absorb much shock from impact. All in all, it’s simply a great addition to your camping gear!
What We Love
A lightweight hatchet for everyday tasks!
Pros:
- Great portability
- Comfy fiberglass handle
- Packs a punch for its size
- Carbon steel
- Full-tang construction
- Comes with carry-sheath
Cons:
- Not suitable for bigger jobs like cutting wood or working on thicker branches
Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet
7
Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet is one of the best contenders to the more famous Husqvarna camping axe for sale at the moment. This robustly-built hatchet blew our minds with its versatility and power in such a small form factor. We couldn’t imagine a day in the woods without having one of these beasts dangling on our waist. The presence itself will give you the reassurance that you’ll always be ready for any challenges!
The head is made of special Swedish steel that’s known for durability and edge retention. The hickory handle is sturdy in your hand, making each swing as accurate as you expected. This axe comes with a leather sheath to help protect the bit tip when not used. We now get why it becomes one of the hunters and bushcraft campers’ favorites over the years!
What We Love
A great all-rounder hatchet with some portability edge.
Pros:
- Handcrafted
- Can tackle larger logs
- Great balance and leverage
- Great edge retention
Cons:
- It’s most suitable for finer jobs
Estwing Double Bit Axe
6
Looking for a camping axe for sale that can work like a horse? Meet Estwing Double Bit Axe! Although it’s more popular as a throwing axe, this axe is as good as it’s originally intended. A little introduction to the double-bit axe, it has a special head for different uses. One bit is made razor-sharp for chopping and the other one a little dull for splitting. It’s a great tool to tackle different kinds of tasks.
While it looks like it’ll add plenty of weight to your carry, this axe isn’t as heavy as you thought with only 2.5 pounds including the sheath. The head is made of drop-forged steel to reach a durable pointy edge. The handle is one of the best handles we’ve ever tested where it reduces impact shock significantly. We recommend taking this axe if you’re camping for quite some time in the woods where you need a reliable axe to do jobs around the camp.
What We Love
The double-impact axe for advanced users.
Pros:
- Drop forged
- Heavy-duty sheath
- Shock absorbent grip
- Including nylon sheath
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons:
- Almost big enough to chop thick-limbed trees
Gerber Pack Camping Hatchet
5
When Gerber Pack Camping Hatchet arrived on our doorstep, we were really impressed by the small form factor but worried about its power. Turns out, we got nothing to worry about because this camping hatchet packs a lot of punch in such a stable manner! The blade doesn’t flip or wiggle when we swing it wrong so it chops away beautifully. We truly think that this could be the best camping axe for sale to date!
How this axe was built intrigued us. The handle of this axe feels firm in our hands and there are finger notches near close to the head. We figured that these notches improve our control over the axe. Every swing will never miss a mark and while you’re giving it, you won’t feel any sting thanks to the shock-absorbing fiberglass handle. It’s a must-have tool in your bushcraft gear or when you want to pack ultralight!
What We Love
A super portable hatchet you can use for hours without tiring your wrist.
Pros:
- Full-tang build
- Super light and portable
- Fantastic for carving
- Optimized for grip control
Cons:
- It’s more suitable for carving or splitting kindling
Estwing Camper’s Axe
4
Standing side-by-side to a Husqvarna camping axe for sale. Estwing Camper’s Axe performs remarkably well against the competitor. This full-tang camping axe has a razor-sharp bit on one end and a hammer end for when you need some heavy-duty stammering. The head is drop-forged to perfection and the whole construction is finished off by black powder coating to protect it from rust, making it a highly durable axe.
This axe has an adequate length of haft with a smooth grip. The part where your hand holds is equipped with a shock-absorbent material so you can use this axe for the whole day without a numb hand at the end of the day. The sharp bit is sharpened and polished by hand to ensure its sharpness as soon as it leaves the factory. To protect this bit, you’ll get a nylon sheath with your purchase.
What We Love
A lightweight and more durable alternative to a regular axe.
Pros:
- Great aesthetic
- Robust
- Single-piece construction
- Leather grip
Cons:
- It needs a better design for the sheath
Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet
3
This is the Husqvarna camping axe for sale you’ve been looking for. Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet is a sturdy and beautiful axe made of Swedish steel and the best hickory handle in the industry. The ergonomic haft feels just right when you hold it, and when it’s combined with a sweet balance, it results in an accurate, effective swing.
This axe is lightweight and sturdy. It hangs nicely against your belt and adds as much as 2 pounds when attached to your carrier. No wonder bushcraft campers and backpackers love it. Talking about durability, it’s no secret that this hatchet is one of the most durable axes in the industry. As for your budget, this hatchet hits the sweet spot between durability and budget. You can’t really go wrong with this axe!
What We Love
A lightweight balanced axe suitable for wood chopping needs.
Pros:
- Swedish steel, weighted head
- Leather edge cover
- Compact and lightweight
- Premium hickory handle
Cons:
- It’s still a tad bit heavy for light packers
Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
2
Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe is one of the best camping axes out there. It’s hard to find a bushcraft practitioner or an avid camper who doesn’t have at least one of these bad boys. It’s durable, dependable, and chops like there’s no tomorrow. This axe is light enough to carry around (2lbs), yet powerful enough to chop down a fair-sized tree – even a live one!
Sheathed by a veg-tan leather cover, the edge of this axe is extremely sharp and it will hold the sharpness for a long time before it needs some sharpening. The head has a decent curve to chop the tree limbs or carve a limber. The only thing that makes it the second-best is the price. However, it’s a small price for an axe that lasts forever.
What We Love
The legendary go-to axe for most outdoorsmen!
Pros:
- Beautiful
- Quality sheath
- Handcrafted
- Comfy and firm handle
- Reasonable weight
Cons:
- It’s pricey
Fiskars X7 Hatchet
1
In our eyes, the best camping axe for sale is the one that’s durable, powerful, well-balanced, and accessible to all kinds of people. Fiskars X7 Hatchet is the embodiment of these principles. It’s hard to find what is wrong with this hatchet except that you can’t replace the handle if it ever gets broken – which is very unlikely.
The construction is well-balanced to maximize power, accuracy, and comfort. A powerful hatchet can only go as far as the wielder can sustain the shock. Luckily, the rubbered FiberComp handle absorbs shock significantly on each impact. Then, after a whole day carving and splitting wood, it can rest on the included holster fitted for a hand carry.
What We Love
The best axe for hunters, backpackers, and even bushcraft campers!
Pros:
- Ultralight
- Well-balanced
- Packs a punch
- Ergonomic handle with grip
- Too cheap for its quality
- Coated head for low-friction
- Comes with a handy holster
Cons:
- Needs a sheath that works with belts
