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Table of Contents
- The Best Camping Axes and Hatchets 2023
- 1. Fiskars Super Splitting Axe
- 2. Gerber 14-Inch Hatchet
- 3. Fiskars 14-Inch Hatchet Axe
- 4. Kershaw Deschutes Hatchet
- 5. Estwing’s Special Edition Axe
- 6. Fiskars N10 Norden Axe
- 7. Schrade Full Tang Hatchet
- 8. Lexivon V14 Hatchet
- Tips for Choosing the Best Axes and Hatchets for Camping
- Summary – Best Camping Axes/Hatchets 2023
Best Camping Axes 2023 – Updated by Burbro Editors on April 14th, 2021
When you’re camping, you’ll want to have an axe or hatchet. A camping axe can help you chop down trees, cut branches and split wood for campfires. Some camping axes also come with flat hammerheads on the back of the axe so you can pound stakes into the ground so you can set up your camping tent.
If you’re looking for an axe for camping, you’ll need to decide if you want to use a camping hatchet or a camping axe. A hatchet is ideal for splitting small logs and cutting down branches, and it’s easier to carry. An axe is much larger and difficult to carry around, but it’s perfect for splitting firewood.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the best camping axes of 2023. The products on our list are high-quality camping axes and hatchets and are designed with durability in mind, and some of the axes come with a lifetime warranty. These products are also affordable for the average consumer, so you get the best camping axe for the money.
The Best Camping Axes and Hatchets 2023
If you’re looking for the best axes and hatchets for camping, we’ve got you covered. We reviewed the best camping axes and compiled the top products into a list. We’ve compiled the top products into a shortlist so you can quickly find the perfect axe for your camping trip without having to read the entire review.
Here are the Best Camping Axes and Hatchets of 2023.
- Best Camping Axe Overall: Fiskars Super Splitting Axe
- Best Camping Hatchet: Gerber 14-Inch Hatchet
- Editor’s Pick: Fiskars Hatchet Axe
- Best Survival Camping Axe: Kershaw Deschutes Hatchet
- Best Kindling Hatchet: Estwing’s Special Edition Axe
- Popular High-Quality Axe: Fiskars N10 Norden Axe
- Best Cheap Camping Axe: Schrade Full Tang Hatchet
- Another Budget-Friendly Camping Axe: Lexivon V14 Hatchet
1. Fiskars Super Splitting Axe
Best Camping Axe Overall
If you’re looking for the best axe for splitting wood, you’ll want to consider the Fiskars Super Splitting Axe. While not suitable for hiking, it’s perfect for anyone who will be using an RV, cabin, or campsite. The Fiskars Super Splitting Axe is designed for medium to taller users and is perfect for splitting large logs that are tough to split. This axe is 36-inches in length and is designed for maximum efficiency. The handle on this axe comes with a textured non-slip grip that reduces the strain on your hand while providing better grip and control while you swing the axe. The head of this axe comes with an advanced blade geometry that makes it easier to split wood. This Fiskars axe comes with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
2. Gerber 14-Inch Hatchet
Best Camping Hatchet
If you’re looking for the best camping hatchets, you’ll want to look at the Gerber 14-Inch Hatchet. The Gerber Hatchet features a composite handle that absorbs the shock that you’ll feel on your hand, reducing strain on your hand. The head of this hatchet is made from forged steel, making a durable camping hatchet. The handle comes with a soft touch over-mould, which provides more comfort on your hand and better control when you’re swinging the axe, making it easier to use the hatchet in any weather conditions. This hatchet axe also comes with a headcover that keeps the blade from becoming dull and so you can carry the axe without cutting yourself or your camping gear.
3. Fiskars 14-Inch Hatchet Axe
Editor’s Pick for Best Camping Hatchet
If you’re looking for one of the best camping hatchet axes, you’ll want to look at the Fiskars Hatchet Axe. The Fiskars Hatchet Axe is 14-inches in length and has a compact design that’s easy to carry while you camp. This axe is ideal for chopping kindling, small trees, and splitting small to medium-sized logs. The axe's head comes with a proprietary blade-grinding technique, which helps the blade become sharper and make cleaner cuts while you use it. The handle comes with a textured design that’s comfortable to hold, and handle flares that prevent the axe from slipping out of your hand. This hatchet axe also comes with a headcover that protects you from cutting yourself, and it also keeps the blade sharp until you’re ready to use your camping axe.
4. Kershaw Deschutes Hatchet
Best Survival Camping Axe
One of the best axes for survival is the Kershaw Deschutes Hatchet. The Kershaw Hatchet is 14-inches in length with a blade that measures 3.5-inches in length and weighs a little over 1 lb. The hatchet’s head is made from hardened stainless steel, and the wedge blade is full tang for better strength and durability. The handle is made from glass-filled nylon with rubber inserts, which make a handle that’s nearly indestructible. One of the things that we like about this hatchet axe is that it comes with a moulded sheath that keeps the blade sharp while keeping you safe from accidental cuts. This axe also comes with a carrying strap that helps you carry the hatchet while you’re hiking or camping.
5. Estwing’s Special Edition Axe
Best Kindling Hatchet
One of the best axes for kindling is the Estwing’s Special Edition Axe. The Estwing’s Hatchet Axe is forged from a single piece of steel, and measures 16-inches in length, so it is perfect for chopping logs, cutting smaller trees, splitting small logs, and chopping kindling to start fires. The handle is covered with a genuine leather grip that makes it easy to control the axe in various weather conditions. This axe also comes with a nylon sheath that protects the blade from getting dull while ensuring that you don’t cut yourself or your camping gear when you’re carrying the axe. One of the things that we love about this hatchet axe is that it comes with a hammerhead on the back of the axe, which is perfect for many uses while camping.
6. Fiskars N10 Norden Axe
Popular High-Quality Axe
If you’re looking for one of the best axes for camping, hiking and outdoor adventures, you’ll want to look at the Fiskars N10 Norden Axe. The N10 Norden Axe is 17-inches in length and features a hickory wood handle and FiberComp overstrike protection. The axe head is over-moulded so that the head won’t loosen or separate from the wooden handle. With this feature, you’ll have a strong handle that feels safe when you make contact with the wood that you’re splitting or chopping. The head of the ace is made from double-hardened carbon steel that’s coated in a low-friction coating that helps the blade cut through the wood without getting stuck. It also comes with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
7. Schrade Full Tang Hatchet
Best Cheap Camping Axe
One of the best cheap camping axes that you can choose is the Schrade Full Tang hatchet. The Schrade Hatchet is 11-inches in length with a blade that measures about 3.6-inches in length and weighs roughly 1.5-pounds. The blade is made from hardened stainless steel, making a durable blade that can remain sharp after a lot of use. The handle of this hatchet is wrapped with rubber, which allows you to get a good grip on the axe and makes it easier to use the axe in various weather conditions. This hatchet axe is perfect for hiking, camping, chopping small trees, splitting small logs and cutting kindling for fires. It also comes with a pommel head, which can be used to drive in tent pegs when you’re ready to erect your campsite.
8. Lexivon V14 Hatchet
Another Budget-Friendly Camping Axe
If you’re looking for the best cheap camping hatchets, you’ll want to look at the Lexivon V14 Hatchet, which is an affordable hatchet. The V14 Hatchet is 14-inches in length and features a hi-tech fibreglass composite handle with a reinforced spine for better durability. The head of the hatchet is made from A-grade carbon steel, which has been drop-forged, heat-treated and hardened to provide a cutting edge that’s sharp and cuts cleanly. This hatchet axe is ideal for hiking, camping, cutting firewood, splitting wood, chopping small trees, cutting branches and other outdoor activities. The Lexivon V14 Hatchet is also backed by a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
Tips for Choosing the Best Axes and Hatchets for Camping
If you’re new to using hatchets for camping, we’ve got you covered. In this section, we’ll provide a buyer’s guide that will give you some tips for choosing the right hatchet or axe for camping. We’ll help you understand the features you should consider before purchasing an axe for your camping trip.
Here are some features to consider when choosing a camping axe.
- When you’re picking an axe, you’ll need to consider the size of the axe or hatchet so you can pick the best axe for your camping trip. The size is important because it’ll determine whether the axe is portable or not and the type of wood that you’ll be able to cut with your axe.
- If you’re trying to cut larger logs, you’ll want to use a wood-splitting axe. These axes come with a heavier maul head and are perfect for chopping wooden logs. If you’re looking for a smaller handheld axe that can cut kindling, you’ll want to go with a hatchet axe.
- When you’re deciding on the size of your axe, you’ll also need to consider where you’ll be using the axe. If you’re hiking, you won’t want an axe that weighs 5 to 10-pounds or else it’ll become tiring to transport your axe. However, if you’re camping at a campsite and you need an axe to split wood, the larger axes will be the best option for you.
- You’ll also want to choose the steel that’s used for the axe head. The steel will determine whether your blade is strong and retains its edge or if the edge of your blade begins to roll over time and becomes dull. We recommend using hardened steel so that you won’t need to sharpen your axe as often.
- The steel axe head should be securely attached to the handle of your axe to ensure that the axe head doesn’t come flying off as you’re swinging your axe or starts to loosen as the axe makes impact with the wood.
- If you’re using stakes for your camping tent or using stakes to anchor your camping tarp, you’ll want to look for an axe that comes with a hammerhead. A hammerhead means that the back of the axe head is flat and can be used as a hammer and use your axe to drive in your stakes and set up your campsite.
- The design of the blade is also important because it’ll determine how you can use your axe. If the blade’s edge is fat, blunt and heavy, it’s designed to split wood and wouldn’t be great for chopping down trees. If the blade is thinner, and sharp then the blade is perfect for splitting small logs or chopping down trees. If you were to try cutting a larger log with a thinner blade profile, you’ll find that the blade would get stuck in the wood and wouldn’t be very effective.
- You’ll also need to remember that a thinner blade profile will need to be sharpened for the blade to be effective, whereas a splitting maul needs a blunt edge so that the axe head doesn’t get stuck in the wood as you’re splitting logs.
- The handle’s length is important because it’ll determine how effective you can be while using the axe. If the axe is too short, you won’t be able to get very much swing speed which means that you won’t be able to split large logs. If the handle is too long, you may have trouble chopping down trees, cutting kindling or controlling the edge of your blade.
- When choosing the axe handle, you’ll need to decide whether you want a composite handle, a metal handle or a wooden handle. This option is up to your preference, and everyone has their favorites.
- If you choose a composite handle, you’ll be able to enjoy anti-vibration features, a lighter axe and better performance. If you choose a metal handle, you’ll never have to worry about the handle splitting or breaking. If you choose a wooden handle, you’ll be able to enjoy a traditional feeling axe.
- You should always make sure that your axe comes with a soft handle grip, or else you’ll need to wear a pair of work gloves to prevent blisters from using the axe for long periods. The grip should also be grippy so you can use your axe in the elements without the axe slipping from your hands while you’re swinging.
- As you’re choosing the handle of your camping axe, you’ll also want to look for an axe that comes with handle flares. The handle flares are the wider part on the end of the handle and prevents your hand from slipping off the handle while you’re swinging. This feature is great for anyone that will be using the axe around other people because it could prevent injuries.
- If you decide to go for a camping axe with a thinner blade profile, the axe will need to be sharp to remain effective. In this case, you’ll want to look for an axe that comes with a sheath that can be used to protect the blade. A sheath can also be used to prevent the axe blade from cutting you or your camping gear while you’re transporting the axe or hiking.
- Some camping axes also come with a carrying strap or a belt clip that can be used to make it easier to carry the axe. If you are carrying the axe on hiking trips or over long distances, you may want to consider choosing a camping axe with an adjustable carrying strap to make it easier for you to carry the axe.
- Before you begin shopping for a camping axe, you should set a budget for your purchase. A budget will help you find an affordable product and make it easier to find the axe that’s right for you. A budget will quickly eliminate all the products outside your price range, making it easier for you to choose an axe for your camping trip.
- As with any purchase, you should always look for products that are covered by a warranty. A warranty is designed to protect the consumer from manufacturing defects and ensure that it is designed to last. It would help if you looked for a longer warranty that lasts over 2-years, so you have time to test the product several times before your warranty expires.
Summary – Best Camping Axes/Hatchets 2023
We hope this article has helped you find the best axes for camping in 2023. If you’re new to using axes, there are a few features that you should look at to ensure that you pick the best axe for your camping trips. As you’re choosing a camping axe, you’ll need to determine if you’ll be using the axe for splitting wood or chopping wood. When you’re chopping wood, you’ll want a lighter axe since you’ll be chopping down trees. For a felling axe, you’ll want a more lightweight axe with a sharp blade, so it’s easier to swing and eat through the trees. If you’re splitting wood, you’ll be splitting logs for firewood, so you’ll want a heavier axe with a longer handle, so it’s easier to gain more head swing speed and split the logs into firewood.
You’ll also want to look at the handle of the axe to ensure that it’s the right fit for you and your needs. You’ll want to consider the length of the handle and the material used in the handle. We recommend choosing a composite handle because it absorbs more shock and prevents strains on your hand.
You’ll want to ensure that the handle comes with handle flares on the end of the handle so that the axe doesn’t slip from your hand while you’re swinging. Also, unless you’re wearing work gloves, you’ll want to look for an axe with a soft mould handle that’s comfortable to hold. If the handle is too rough, it’ll cause blisters on your hands when you’re using your camping axe. If you’re going to be carrying your camping axe, you’ll want to ensure that your axe comes with a sheath that protects the blade. A sheath will prevent the blade’s edge from becoming dull while protecting you from accidentally cutting yourself or your gear on the blade of your camping axe.
