Axes are a versatile and crucial piece of gear for any backpacking enthusiast. They provide necessary cutting power for a wide range of tasks outdoors, from building shelters to harvesting firewood. Here is my review of the best backpacking axes
Here are my top picks for the best backpacking axe:
- Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet
- SOG Camp Axe- Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet
- Fiskars Camping Axe XXS X5
- Gerber Gear 31-003482N Pack Hatchet Camping Axe
- Estwing Camper’s Axe – 14″ Hatchet
- WilFiks Chopping Axe, 15” Camping Outdoor Hatchet
Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet
The new Fiskars X7 survival hatchet is a game changer. The best backpacking hatchet is extremely light and super sharp, I was very pleased with it. It has an innovative design that maximizes sharpness and durability. The blade is forged from a single piece of steel. This design allows for a very strong, nearly unbreakable blade. The blade is coated with Nano technology, which gives it an extremely durable and sharp edge. The handle is made from high-strength fiberglass, which is shock absorbing and impact resistant. In addition to the survival Axe X7 backpacking hatchet, Fiskars also sells the X5 best backpacking Hatchet with a smaller head and weight, as well as the X3 best backpacking Hatchet with a middle of the road size/weight/price.
This axe has such a sleek design that I was skeptical at first regarding its usefulness in the field. This skepticism quickly faded when I took it out into the wild. It chops through limbs like butter and fits perfectly in your hand while chopping. It is surprisingly light despite its long handle, I was very surprised by this. The design of the head is so innovative and smooth that it almost feels like an extension of your arm. This makes it very easy to chop with this axe.
The grip on the handle is also pretty awesome, it’s made from a soft-grip rubber and is incredibly comfy. The only complaint I have about the head of the axe is that if you don’t use it for a while and then go to use it again, there is some slight awkwardness due to the rust buildup on the blade making the head heavy at first. This axe is amazing and a must have for any backpacking enthusiast. It is extremely light, easy to use, and durable. With the innovative design of the Fiskars X7 lightweight Axe, it will quickly become your favorite camp tool.
PROS: Innovative design that maximizes sharpness and durability. Very light and easy to use. Durable head made from a single piece of steel. The new X7 backpacking Hatchet has a flared “edge power zone” that dramatically increases the blade surface area during chopping. When using this blade you might experience some chipping which appears to come from the blade. However, rest assured that it is not the blade but just the thick coating that is on the blade. This is not a problem but if you want to avoid it you can simply sharpen the blade down just the metal and you will be perfect.
The Fiskars X7 backpacking Hatchet is a great little tool. It’s not too heavy and feels really comfortable to hold. Though it’s light, this knife is tough! I can cut through small trees and make tinder with it. The grip is comfortable, and the blade is sharp. The best part is that it is really easy to clip on so you can easily take it on a backpacking adventure.
This is a good little tool for backpacking and bushcraft. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around, it has a great feel in the hands, as well as its form. I’ve used it on lots of different occasions. It cuts small branches easily that would be too heavy for most people to cut with anything else. The handle on this tool is very sturdy and ergonomic, so in my opinion it’s a pretty good tool overall!
I was very surprised when I picked up this axe because of its weight. After I got the hang of chopping it was not as hard as I thought it would be at first. The Fiskars X7 backpacking Hatchet is a quality tool that would work best for small-scale chopping. Overall, I would definitely recommend this survival hatchet and suggest giving it a try.
SOG Camp Axe- Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet
The SOG camp Axe is lightweight, sturdy, and VERY SHARP. This is very lightweight and very sturdy. I nailed down the tent stakes so I wouldn’t have to bring a hammer and to chop off the tree if I needed it. You will not be able to chop big firewood without difficulty, However, smaller pieces of firewood like a foot to a foot and a half have little issue with. It’s the larger pieces that you will struggle with. It’s a great axe for light backpacking, The handle is very comfortable and easy to hold on to. The blade is also very sharp, and can cut through almost anything including metal, wood, plastic and glass with ease.
The SOG lightweight axe is a great chopping axe for light backpacking, and its stainless steel blade is very sharp. The handle is extremely comfortable and easy to hold on to. It has a splitting wood hatchet and hammer all in one. The axe has a very attractive design. It comes with a sheath and a black handle. The sheath is very durable. Another thing that I love about this axe is how comfortable it feels in your hands. This axe is a great little tool for backpacking. The design is very unique and nice, it’s not too heavy and feels really comfortable to hold. Though it’s light, this knife is tough! I can cut through small trees and make tinder with it. The grip is comfortable, and the blade is sharp.
The best part is that it is really easy to clip on so you can easily take it on a backpacking adventure. They have made sure that the handle isn’t too big or too small, so you have better control when using the axe. It doesn’t make any vibrations when splitting wood, so it doesn’t hurt your hand. The only issue I had with this axe was the sheath. It doesn’t close above the hatchet blade, so it tends to come open after you use it a couple times. Also when I am using this axe, the more time that goes by, the less sharp it becomes.
This is a great little tool for backpacking and bushcraft. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around, it has a great feel in the hands, as well as its form. This axe is perfect for wilderness survival gis and when backpacking for more pleasant activities like bus crafting and camping. The handle is very comfortable and easy to hold on to. It has a wood hatchet and hammer all in one.
If you need a super-duper backpacking axe, then get this one. It is inexpensive and very durable. There are a ton of things that it can do, from chopping firewood to making kindling for your fire pit. You can even make a hole in a log for your tinder to go into and start the fire. I’m very impressed with this product, and I would highly recommend it to any adventurous person out there who wants something more than just a regular axe.
A good quality product – this would suit most people wanting an axe in the camping or backpacking department.
Fiskars Camping Axe XXS X5
The Fiskars Camping Axe X5 is light, handy, sharp, and a nice bright orange. I’ve used mine to chop firewood and to whittle on the side. It is overall an excellent tool, especially for the price. The axe has 3 different lengths, making it easy to chop at any height. The axe head is made out of steel, which is encased in a yellow plastic shell, and the handle is orange plastic.
The head only has one angle for chopping, but it’s easy to use it for any sort of job. Unlike an axe with a hickory handle and steelhead, this tool can easily be used without splitting or splintering the handle. The axe and the handle are connected by an extremely simple bolt. You can unscrew the bolt with pliers, and remove the head from the handle in seconds. The handle is hollow to store the head and small rod or hook for hanging or carrying.
The Fiskars XXS X5 Camping Axe is perfect for small jobs such as cutting down bushes and other small trees, chopping wood or even digging a bigger hole for a fire pit at your campsite. You don’t have to bring along your full-size axe because this will do all of those things with ease. The feel in your hand is also great, it’s not too heavy, but it can still cut through larger branches with ease. This is a great little tool to bring with you whether you’re backpacking or camping, or even if you just want to have an axe around the house for any odd jobs.
This is a very convenient, user friendly axe and it has a great feel in the hand. It does not have an angled head so it’s not for chopping wood, but a lot of people just find this necessary for cutting tree branches and clearing bushes on their way out into the wilderness. The sheath is also very durable and makes carrying this axe very convenient. Overall, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a small axe.
If you are planning to travel in the deep woods, this is not the one to buy. It’s light, cheap and very handy (although it takes some time to chop through anything).
The Ultimate Survival Technologies Kodiak Axe
The Ultimate Survival Technologies Kodiak Axe is a great little tool for backpacking. The handle is extremely comfortable and easy to hold on to. It has a wood hatchet and hammer all in one. This axe is perfect for wilderness survival gis and when backpacking for more pleasant activities like bushcraft and camping. The axe has a very attractive design. The Fiskars X5 weighs less than a pound, making it an excellent addition to your backpacking gear, or even just your backyard tool shed. The axe feels very sturdy when you chop with it and can chop through many types of wood without much effort. The handle has a textured grip that is comfortable and secure in all conditions. I’ve never had a problem with my hand slipping off of the grip because of sweat or rain, unlike some handles I’ve seen.
It also has a steel protective sheath that covers up even more of the head when not in use, which makes it preferable over other axes you may find at this price point that have no protective sheath whatsoever.
It has a grainy, but still smooth and easy to clean grip. The sheath is also easy to clean, and it doesn’t get in the way while you’re chopping either. The biggest con I can think of is that it is fairly heavy, which makes it less great for extended hikes. I would recommend this axe for an avid camper or hiker who wants something more than just a basic hatchet for camping trips.
Gerber Gear 31-003482N Pack Hatchet Camping Axe
The Gerber Gear 31 Hatchet Camping Axe with Sheath is the best small, compact camp axe I have come across. I wanted something that was small enough to take backpacking with and this thing is perfect. The Axe is very light and has a good, thin tip. I primarily use my camp axe for splitting kindling and not large trees but this thing can handle anything. It’s a solid tool that can chop through just about anything.
The sheath is made to be durable and make it safer to carry the hatchet around the backcountry. It’s also a very modular system so the user can choose what they want to keep attached to the tool and what they would like held in the sheath in their backpack or on their belt. I had also toyed with the idea of getting a hatchet and this is about as big as you would want to go for that. The sheath provides some safety for the axe blades, but it’s not too tight where you can’t get it out in time if needed. The handle fits my hand well and the handle sat comfortably against my shoulder while carrying it in a backpack.
It’s lightweight, but not to where I would worry about it falling out of my hand. It is also very sharp and appears quite durable. The edge is nice and sharp, but it could use some honing on the spine. Overall I am very pleased with this item and plan on carrying it with me for the rest of my life so that I can use it from time to time when camping or hiking around the woods. The weight distribution seemed pretty good too (although I didn’t spend much time looking at that when I bought it because I didn’t think of this being much of an issue).
This is a great tool and I think Gerber has done a terrific job with this one. I really love this axe and recommend it to anyone interested in a good camp axe. It’s well made, lightweight, easy to carry, durable, and just all around good. I just wanted to let you know that I purchased two of these axes. I have been camping since I was a little kid, so I’ve had a lot of experience with camp axes. These two were excellent choices. They’re light, easy to use, and strong. The sheaths look like they’ll do the job of protecting the heads when not in use. The heads are heavy-duty, but not too heavy that it’s an unwieldy instrument for chopping wood for the fire. These will be great additions to my camping gear and should give me a lot more than just one camping trip per season.
Estwing Camper’s Axe – 14″ Hatchet
The Estwing Camper’s Axe – 14″ compact Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction is the most durable, longest lasting striking tool. The head is forged from 1 piece of steel and will never break or become off balance, no matter the size. The handle is made from a specialized grip that has been ergonomically designed to reduce vibration and provides ultimate comfort for any hand size.
1) Steelhead: The camper’s axe is one-piece forged from American steel – it will never break or become off-balanced!
2) Shock Reduction Grip: Ergonomic grips reduce vibration for an easy swing with ultimate comfort.
3) Sheath: ballistic nylon sheath included to protect blade surface when not in use.
4) Steelhead: The camper’s axe is one-piece forged from American steel – it will never break or become off-balanced!
Perfect for chopping logs, small trees & branches or splitting firewood & kindling.
The Estwing Camper’s Axe is made for those who want:
A dependable, long lasting striking tool. This axe is a dependable, enduring tool. The head is forged from one piece of steel from a forging that has been around since 1920 – it never breaks or becomes off-balanced! Great balance and feel in the hand. The camper’s axe weighs right at 2 pounds with the sheath on. The head swings easily in your hand with a nice balanced feel to it. It feels very natural to swing it around and use it as you would any other hatchet or axe you may have used prior to purchasing this product. A tough, extremely durable, deeply forged steel head. Forged one-piece construction.
Ergonomic grip for comfort & control.
One of the most shock resistant axes on the market today. No matter what size you are using, this axe will never become off balance or break!
Maximum retention with ease of use: ballistic nylon sheath allows for easy blade insertion & removal without the need to remove your hand from the handle. Protects from abrasions & corrosion when not in use.
WilFiks Chopping Axe, 15” Camping Outdoor Hatchet
The WilFiks Chopping Axe, 15” Camping Outdoor Hatchet for Wood Splitting and Kindling, Forged Carbon Steel Heat Treated Hand Maul Tool, Fiberglass Shock Reduction Handle with Anti-Slip Grip is designed for easy chopping Of Firewood, Logs, Kindling and Branches. With this hatchet, you can have an extraordinary wood chopping experience without the need for a power saw. A great companion for your survival kit, it will surely make an essential tool in your life.
The Chopping Blade features a fully Polished Finished Edge which can easily be sharpened with a file. It enables you to easily split wood with this hatchet. The blade is also made of steel which is heat treated and tempered, making it more durable. It can easily chop wood as well as other kinds of materials like Scrap metal, Boxes, and More.
The Handle is made of fiberglass which makes it shock resistant. This makes the tool very durable even under extreme conditions. It also gives comfort when using the WilFiks Chopping Axe because it offers a sturdy grip that does not make your hand weak or sore in any way. The handle is also extra Long (Approx. 18 Inches) which provides you with more control when chopping wood or other materials.
This Hatchet is lightweight making it easy to carry with you wherever you go. It is a must have for your outdoor adventures. Whether you are going camping, fishing, hunting or doing some landscaping, it can be of great use to you. Its durability and affordability make it a great investment for you and your family.
The WilFiks Chopping Axe is truly a masterpiece when it comes to chopping firewood or any kind of hard material. It will make an essential part of your everyday life as well as your travels and outdoor activities. This product was highly rated by customers because of its ability to chop wood quickly and effectively. It also comes with a rugged nylon sheath for safe storage and portability, making it a perfect choice for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, trekking, hunting and survival.
The blade comes with a Rubber Protective Sheath for safe storage and transport. This is especially recommended when you are using the hatchet for wood manipulation. The overall build quality of this hatchet is great. It has a rubber-like handle and no finger grooves which makes it very comfortable to use. The rubber covering on the axe head also protects your hands from splinters when chopping wood. The hardwood handle is made from well-selected hardwood, giving it a smooth texture for better grip. The blade of the hatchet is very sharp, and cuts well.
What makes a great backpacking hatchet?
The best backpacking hatchet is one that is lightweight and has a rubberized handle with no finger grooves. This makes it very comfortable to use, and the blade stays sharp for longer periods of time. It should also be durable.
Hexagonal head design: Hexagonal heads are a better design for the average user who may not have the best handling of a hatchet. It’s just more efficient to use and less dangerous for your fingers.
The handle is made of fiberglass, which is not overly stiff. It offers good grip and protects from hitting your hardhat when chopping. The handle is also very long, extending almost 20 inches from the head of the hatchet. This gives you plenty of room to operate with both hands while still keeping your hands protected from splinters when you are cutting wood or any other material that may startle you in your hiking boot or footwear.
Ballistic nylon sheath: The axe comes with a ballistic nylon sheath that you can store your hatchet in while in your backpack. This is to protect the blade and to save you from aggravating splinters when you are not using the hatchet.
The WilFiks Hatchet is an affordable, high quality and high performing hatchet that is great for those who want to use their hatchet on a regular basis. It makes a great addition to any survival kit, or even an everyday carry knife, as well as both indoor and outdoor usage.
What is the axe head?
The axe head is the part of the hatchet that is used for chopping. It is usually made of steel or other kinds of metal alloy, and it is attached to a handle. The axe head should be hardened and tempered for durability.
The traditional design of the hatchet head is a cross-section of two symmetrical triangles. This is known as an “X” head. Such a design offers the greatest weight distribution, which is a very important factor when you are using an axe to chop wood.
Camping axe vs backpacking axe
The main difference between a camping axe and a backpacking axe is that a backpacking axe is smaller and easier to carry around and can also be referred to as a hatchet. a camping axe can be full sized and is usually not carried around for backpacking since it would be so big and heavy. A camping axe is usually used only for chopping or splitting kindling or small firewood while a backpacking axe is more like your work horse. A good backpacking axe should have a broad blade and be able to chop and/or split wood with one swing of the axe head. The weight should also be evenly distributed so as not to tire you out too much after chopping all day long.
The splitter hatchet is put in between the sharpening stone and the belt hook in order to hold an angle iron against the sharpening stone. This allows you to use it more effectively when you are using it to hack wood on the rock pile or hard wood stump etc. Most splitting hatchets have only a single blade, almost always the straight-handled, but
Axe head covers at all times when not in use! The right kind of quality axe will make all the difference in your handy work out in the field and for those who are passionate about splitting firewood or big chunks of wood into manageable pieces. These axes usually have a wider blade which can be used for smashing small branches or smaller pieces of wood.
Splitting mauls are designed to break down large chunks of wood into small pieces so that they can be easily handled and burned as fuel with a crosscut saw or axe.
Summary
Here are my top picks:
- Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet
- SOG Camp Axe- Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet
- Fiskars Camping Axe XXS X5
- Gerber Gear 31-003482N Pack Hatchet Camping Axe
- Estwing Camper’s Axe – 14″ Hatchet
- WilFiks Chopping Axe, 15” Camping Outdoor Hatchet
In this article we reviewed my top picks for the best backpacking axes and answered some questions about backpacking axes. Choosing the correct backpacking axe for your needs really depends on what type of woodwork you want to do. If your only problem is a piece of wood that wants to break in half, then a lightweight camping axe or hatchet will do the job. A full-size camping axe would be better suited for chopping up bigger pieces of wood.
Backpacking axes can be purchased in many forms and are available in stores as well as online. The ones I have reviewed here are all great choices and will serve you well while you’re outdoors. You may have noticed that some of the best backpacking axes have rubberized handles, this is because they are more comfortable to hold and grip. We compared backpacking axes, mauls and hatchets for you to get the best backpacking axe for your needs at a good price.
Backpacking axes are usually smaller than mauls or hatchets and have shorter handles with flat edges so that you can get the right angle on the wood when chopping it with your hatchet or splitting survival axe. I hope that this review will help you choose the best one for your needs and take you to a place of accomplishment and satisfaction. Happy adventures!
