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  • Buying Guides, Camp Knives & Tools, Camping Hatchet

Best Camping Hatchet and Axe [Buying Guide and Reviews]

Some people would always love to go into the wild and pitch a tent to spend time doing natural activities. Few others who go camping daily have faced the hardships of venturing into forests and mountain hikes. Equipment such as camping saws, camping mess kits, camping carabiners, and folding camping hatchets make a huge difference when navigating through the woods, cooking dinner at night, and chopping your way through thick bushes.

The best camping axe is what you need to power through the process of cutting branches that are a hurdle. Carrying a folding backpacking hatchet at all times proves beneficial when you need to slice wood for warmth or for preparing meals. The best camping hatchet would be an elegant and durable multiple function axe, which can slice through thick and thin wood, and trim greenwood branches of any path obstructing trees.

Among all the benefits of being an owner of the best camp axe available in the market, there are drawbacks that one should be careful of. Everybody has a different physique and body structure, an axe, which is smooth for Adam, may twist John’s hand. Here are a few factors to consider while looking for the best survival hatchet.

  • Weight to Power Ratio: An axe weighing a lot and does not provide an equivalent or better impact proves to cause unnecessary muscle stress and hard work. Choosing a lightweight axe generating more power is a wiser decision.
  • Quality: The axe can lose its sharpness and effectiveness based on your usage and surroundings. Ensuring galvanized high-end steel makes it a better buy.
  • Wood Handle: Folding camping axes must have wooden handles as it drastically reduces the overall weight of the axe. It is a classic design for bush crafting skills.

We have studied some of the best hatchets and made a list of camping hatchet reviews.

#PreviewProductRatingPrice
1 Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet 10,262 Reviews $43.99 $37.25 Buy on Amazon
2 WilFiks Chopping Axe, 15” Camping Outdoor Hatchet for Wood Splitting and Kindling, Forged Carbon Steel Heat Treated Hand Maul Tool, Fiberglass Shock... WilFiks Chopping Axe, 15” Camping Outdoor Hatchet for Wood Splitting and Kindling, Forged Carbon... 5,930 Reviews $21.99 $15.99 Buy on Amazon
3 Coleman Camp Axe Coleman Camp Axe 3,074 Reviews $10.99 Buy on Amazon
4 Camping Axe - Camping Hatchet with Sheath -Survival Throwing Axe - Survival Hatchets for Camping and Chopping Wood - Tactical and Survival Hatchet -... Camping Axe - Camping Hatchet with Sheath -Survival Throwing Axe - Survival Hatchets for Camping and... 719 Reviews $24.97 Buy on Amazon
5 Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe - Coyote Brown Handle/Black Blade [31-003484] Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe - Coyote Brown Handle/Black Blade [31-003484] 1,341 Reviews $45.00 $35.52 Buy on Amazon
6 Estwing Sportsman's Axe - 14' Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip - E24A Estwing Sportsman's Axe - 14" Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip... 6,039 Reviews $44.99 $39.98 Buy on Amazon
7 Schrade SCAXE10 11.1in Full Tang Hatchet with 3.6in Stainless Steel Blade and TPR Handle for Outdoor Survival Camping and Everyday Tasks , Black Schrade SCAXE10 11.1in Full Tang Hatchet with 3.6in Stainless Steel Blade and TPR Handle for Outdoor... 5,599 Reviews $41.99 $35.81 Buy on Amazon
8 KURUI Wood Chopping Axe with Sheath, 15” Outdoor Camping Hatchet for Cutting and Kindling, Camp Splitting Axe with Fiber Glass Shock-Absorbent... KURUI Wood Chopping Axe with Sheath, 15” Outdoor Camping Hatchet for Cutting and Kindling, Camp... 1,099 Reviews $19.99 $18.99 Buy on Amazon
9 sanyi Camping Axe, Hatchet for Wood Splitting and Chopping, 15'' Gardening Small Axe Wooden Handle Tools with Sheath for Camping, Hiking, Xmas Gifts... sanyi Camping Axe, Hatchet for Wood Splitting and Chopping, 15'' Gardening Small Axe Wooden Handle... 1,012 Reviews $29.99 $19.99 Buy on Amazon
10 INTERTOOL 24-inch Mid-Size Felling Axe, Chopping Ax, 2.2 lb / 1000 g, Shock Absorbing Fiberglass Anti-Slip Handle with Blade Cover HT-0263 INTERTOOL 24-inch Mid-Size Felling Axe, Chopping Ax, 2.2 lb / 1000 g, Shock Absorbing Fiberglass... 448 Reviews $44.99 Buy on Amazon

Estwing Sportsman's Axe - E24A - 14" Best Backpacking Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip

Estwing Axe Review: Estwing axes have earned their badge as the best survival axe makers in the industry. The hand-sharpened edges advocate ultimate outdoor versatility, whether splitting firewood, chopping logs, or small branches. The E24A Estwing model comes in a color of the leather and suits any camper as it is designed to look like a sportsman axe. Being 14’’ inches in length and having forged steel to leather handle construction, it seems like a reasonably decent hatchet. The upper half of the blade is available to purchase in either black or silver color.

Estwing Sportsman's Axe - 14' Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip - E24A

Key Features
  • Tempered 3-1/4 inch cutting edge for smoother chopping
  • Head and Handle forged as one single unit
  • Supports un-matched balance
  • Hand polished steel
  • The leather grip helps your hold remain rigid

$39.98

Buy on Amazon

Pros
  • Manufactured in the USA with the finest American steel
  • Leather grips are sanded for a long-lasting finish
  • Comes with a heavy-duty case
Cons
  • Reports of the blade becoming loose after slight usage
  • Poor craftsmanship evident all over the blade edges
  • Low structural durability

Estwing Sportsman's Lightweight Hatchet - E14A - 12" Camping Axes and Hatchets with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip

Very much like the E24A design, the E14 A – 12’’ Estwing Sportsman’s Axe also has greater outdoor versatility in tasks from animal skin separation, defense, and cutting wood for all kinds of purposes. It is slightly small in length, measuring up to 12 inches. Estwing aims to make the best backpacking axe by carefully handcrafting the blades and polishing to the extent that it never loses structure and ruggedness.

ESTWING Sportsman's Axe - 12' Camping Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Genuine Leather Grip - E14A

Key Features
  • Tempered 2-3/4 inch cutting edge for more convenient and effortless arm work
  • A mere 1.38 pounds
  • Genuine leather grip for a sandy and lustrous finish
  • One-piece fully polished camping axe
  • Proven American steel from the USA

$50.00

Buy on Amazon

Pros
  • Extremely lightweight and can be used in both hands
  • Comes with a sheath and belt strap
  • Can be used as a hammer while it has the case on
Cons
  • Reviews claim it is a very weak hatchet
  • Very small to do yard work, thus low power generation
  • The handle can chip if you try throwing it on the tree

Estwing Camping Hatchet - EB-25A- 14" Best Camping Axes with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction Grip

The handle of the E25A model Estwing Sportsman axe gives you an ideal hold you require for a seamless chopping experience. It boasts a patented shock reduction grip, which is extremely comfortable when grasped. Due to this unique feature, it stands out to be one of the best backpacking hatchets. The fact that the handle is forged to the blade assures no more broken wooden handles. In the event of shoving the tent stakes into the ground, the backend of the hatchet comes in handy. E25A Estwing axe fulfills the outdoor versatility factors.

ESTWING Camper's Axe - 14' Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction Grip - EB-25A

Key Features
  • 3.5-inch cutting edge
  • Forged into one durable metallic unit suitable for striking operations
  • Heavy-duty Sheath provides safety at all times the hatchet is uncovered
  • Thicker axe with a larger hammer end
  • Shock-proof handle, permitting better control and striking flow

$41.89

Buy on Amazon

Pros
  • Available in black, blue and orange
  • 70% shock absorption due to grip
  • Made in the USA with top-notch American steel
Cons
  • More suitable for chopping small pieces of wood
  • If you’re worried about aesthetics, then note that the color wears off easily
  • Tight sheath makes it tough to pull the hatchet out

iunio Lightweight Survival Hatchet, Folding Portable Axe, Best Hatchet for Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Outdoor

A multi-function folding camping hatchet with a 17-inch portable blade is the best hatchet you can find in the market. All the equipment you need for hunting, cooking, hiking, breaking glasses, chopping, and outdoor hiking can be attached from the accessories included. Its assembling and disassembling ability enable the axe to be used for shorter and larger blows by adjusting its length via different provided accessories. The easy-to-use architecture and engineering of this hatchet enables hassle-free usage and does not require experienced campers’ knowledge.

iunio Survival Axe, Camping Hatchet with Sheath, Multitool, Camp Ax Gear, Folding Portable Tools, for Hiking, Backpacking, Emergency, Hunting, Outdoor

Key Features
  • Self-adhesive axe wrapping handle is also sweat resistant
  • Has an emergency whistle, hand rope, fish scaler, and attached hammer
  • Higher density material for long-lasting usage
  • Ingenious tubular engineering
  • First aid kits can be kept in the tubular storage area

Price not available

Buy on Amazon

Pros
  • Comes with a compass and a rope
  • Camping Saw and Knife extensions are provided too
  • Also accommodates bottle opener functionality
Cons
  • Number of accessories can reduce reaction time
  • The attachable saw can bail on you when chopping something thick
  • Compass may not be exact, need to compare and memorize the difference

Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Camping Hatchet

Fiskars camping axe is a perfect tool for all yard-related activities such as feather sticking, carving, shaping, and close detail work. The term bushcraft itself is an art of chopping small twigs and branches effectively. Slicing off the wet wood skin with its refined axe edge is supported by using a hammerhead to complete the task. The innovative structural design of this axe behaves like a boomerang and swirls back into your hand after sufficient practice. 8-inch trees can be easily cut, and tent rods can be smoothly hammered into the ground with minimal amounts of force.

Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet

Key Features
  • Ideal for chopping kindling and small- to medium-sized logs
  • Chops deeper with each swing to get more done faster
  • Combined functionality of wood chopping and hammer usage
  • Glass-reinforced nylon material used for the casing
  • Lifetime warranty

$37.25

Buy on Amazon

Pros
  • Curvature on camping blade proves to be sufficient
  • Manufactured using stainless steel
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • No belt attachments are provided with the casing
  • Not suitable for real-world expeditions
  • Extremely tight-fitting sheath

Estwing Campeing Axe - 16" Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction Grip - E44A

This axe is very similar to the 14-inch E25 A Estwing Camper’s Axe in the aspects such as the presence of a shock absorption grip, leather-strapped handle, and the backend flattened surface acting as a hammer. This tool is perfect for gardening activities due to its balance and provides composure due to low weight. If you go for a basic hiking adventure, the blades prove to be fine for chopping firewood and little branches. The E44A Estwing camping axe is a better option than most other Estwing products.

Estwing E44A Camper's Axe Hatchet, 16' (Inches), Blue

Key Features
  • Drop forging and tempering enables this axe to survive up to 90 years
  • Blade and handle merged to form a single unit camping axe
  • Patented shock-reduction grips
  • Ballistic Nylon casing as a safety precaution from the blade
  • The synthetic material and genuine leather permit more grip when rubbed with sandpaper

$62.34

Buy on Amazon

Pros
  • Outdoor versatility unlocked via 4-inch cutting edges
  • Manufactured in Rockford, USA, using high-quality steel
  • Hand polished head and neck
Cons
  • Sticky adhesive layer taints the black paint on the handle
  • Good for light cutting and not axe-related functions
  • Sections of the blade easily get chipped during use

Gerber 17.5-Inch Freescape Hatchet [31-002536]

Gerber’s steelhead gifts the user with world-class strength and permits reliable chopping for a large number of campsite duties. The low friction coating and tempered blades allow the camper to cut through the wood at a much more effective depth. The bright green color, in combination with the glass loading black handle, is catchy enough not to be forgotten. As long as the camping hatchet is regularly cleaned and minute wood debris is left out, Gerber’s 17.5-inch freescape hatchet can have a long lifespan.

Gerber 17.5-Inch Freescape Hatchet [31-002536]

Key Features
  • Shock-absorbent material also has a soft touch and is sweat-resistant
  • Forged steel head makes it a durable product
  • PTTE coating ensures rust-proof usage and reduced friction
  • Compatible Nylon Sheath can be purchased
  • 17.5-inch allows maximum overall performance efficiency

$51.99

Buy on Amazon

Pros
  • Made in Finland by craftsmen living in the forests
  • Low cost with an attractive design
  • Made of composite handle thus extremely comfortable
Cons
  • Weighs more than most other camping axes mentioned
  • Takes 2-4 swings to cut through black spruce

FAQs for Camping Axe

Q.

How to sharpen my camping axe?

A.

Fix the back head of the hatchet in the middle of your knees and use a file to sharpen the edges. The bigger the file you use, the more razor-sharp your blade becomes. Another way is to place the camping axe on a flat and stable surface, then use a whetstone to angularly match the height and brush its edges. If you want to use a grinder, make sure to keep a bucket of water to cool the blade after every round.

Q.

Should I use a wooden or metallic hatchet handle?

A.

Ideally, a wooden folding camping axe is the best survival axe you can invest in. Ensure that the wooden handle and steelhead are combined with some trusted bond so, there is no wear and tear during aggressive usage. The wooden handle is also a true old-school rugged style, and the more it is used, the easier the adaptation process is. On the other hand, a metallic hatchet handle loses its paint and increases the overall weight drastically.

Q.

How heavy should my camping axe be?

A.

It honestly depends on your purpose of using it and where you are traveling with it. Is it just for your backyard, garden, or farm? Or is it for overnight camping adventures? If you are walking for hours, then you must take a comparatively lighter axe, and if you would mostly be traveling in a vehicle, then a heavier axe is fine.

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