“A little ax can cut down a big tree” – Jamaican Proverb
A survival tool that really has stood the test of time – an ax is one of the most useful tools you have at your disposal in a survival situation.
They’ve been used by mankind for thousands of years for:
- Self defense
- Felling trees
- Crafting furniture and tools
- Building shelter
- Starting fires
- Preparing meat
Even shaving is possible if your ax is sharp enough.
These days, survival axes have come a long way from the simplistic and straightforward axes of the past.
With so many design features, shapes and sizes available to you, you may feel slightly overwhelmed by choice.
Each style of ax serves a slightly different purpose, so it’s important that you consider what main tasks you will be using your ax for.
Is weight an issue for you? Are the trees in your area hardwood or softwood? Can you carry more than one ax?
All these things and more should be considered before deciding on the right survival ax for you.
To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of what we consider to be 6 of the best axes on the market today.
Below, you’ll find a detailed analysis and specifications for each ax, as well as information about how to use and look after your survival ax.
What Is A Survival Ax?
First off, let’s make it clear what an ax is. A lot of people get confused when it comes to tomahawks, hatchets and axes and are not really sure which is which.
A tomahawk or hatchet is usually less than 22 inches in length while an ax is over 22 inches long. So, in basic terms, a tomahawk is the smaller one.
Think of axes as tomahawks and hatchets bigger brother.
This is an important difference as the bigger axes weigh more than the smaller tomahawks and hatchets.
Therefore, if you are searching for a chopping tool to keep in your backpack or bug out bag, an ax is just too heavy to be a practical addition. You’ll want to carry a lightweight survival hatchet instead.
An ax, however, is a perfect tool to keep in your shed, emergency survival vehicle or at your secluded bug out location.
Think of your survival ax as a permanent feature that you won’t need to travel far with. They’re just too heavy for that. They’re designed for the heavy jobs around your site and for self defense, should the need arise.
So what’s the difference between a regular ax and a “survival” ax? Nothing really. Your survival ax is really just a regular ax that you will use in a survival situation.
Nothing fancy. Nothing special. Just a good, solid, reliable ax that will live up to the needs you have for it.
The 6 Best Survival Axes
1 – Fiskars X15 Chopping Ax
One of the best value for money axes out there. And also one of the most lightweight and sturdy options available.
With a handle that’s made from “shock-absorbing FiberComp”, it’s both flexible and robust and will stand the test of time.
Every ax also comes with a lifetime warranty to give you that extra peace of mind.
2 – Estwing E45A Camper’s Ax
A brand that needs no introduction, Estwing have been making quality axes and hammers for almost 100 years.
This lightweight model features a forged steel head with a 4 inch blade, making it a great option for cutting.
The comfortable rubber grip means this ax is easy to swing and feels great in your hands.
The embossed leather sheath it comes with is a nice touch too.
3 – Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Ax
A little more pricey than some other options on this list but with Gransfors Bruks you really do get what you pay for.
The Swedish ax manufacturer has been in the business for over 100 years and has a long tradition of producing excellent cutting tools.
You’ll see exactly what I mean the first time you pick up a Gransfors Bruks ax. Its perfectly balanced design means the hickory handle will sit comfortably in your grip and their axes’ strength and endurance are second to none.
Do yourself a favor and pick one of these up today.
4 – Cold Steel Boss with Hickory Handle
These axes are simplistic and efficient.
Made with a 1055 carbon steel head mounted on a hickory handle, this durable ax is perfect for felling trees and cutting wood around a campsite.
5 – Fiskars Iso Core 8 lb Maul, 36 Inch
The Maul Ax is the perfect log splitting ax. Use it to chop firewood or use the flat side of the head to drive in wedges, stakes and fence posts.
The IsoCore Shock Control System works to absorb the shock and vibration of each strike, meaning you can cut for longer with more comfort. With less than half the amount of shock reaching your hands than with a wooden handle ax, your arms will thank you.
As with other Fiskars axes, the Maul comes with a lifetime warranty should you need it.
6 – Husqvarna A1400 23” Composite Multi-Purpose Ax
Made with a composite fiberglass handle, this multi-purpose ax is great for all types of tasks around your site.
Great for chopping, splitting and woodwork, the flat hammer face at the back of the head is also perfect for hammering-in stakes and wedges.
Ax Basics
All axes are made up of a few main elements. So let’s do a quick run-through of each part.
Blade
The main component of your ax, the blade needs to be looked after and maintained to avoid chips, cracks and stress fractures. Look for an ax blade made from high carbon steel as these keep their sharp edge longer than axes made of other metals.
Head
While a good ax blade is made from high carbon steel, the head of the ax should ideally be forged from low carbon steel. The combination of these two types of steel makes the ax head more durable and flexible, thus increasing its work life.
Handle
Originally made of straight-grained wood, a lot of ax manufacturers are now opting for plastic, fiberglass and metal handles as these materials tend to make the ax lighter while increasing its durability.
Wooden axes are still readily available so it comes down to personal choice and what feels best in your hands. Choose a handle that’s both comfortable to hold and durable.
Eye
This is simply the hole in the axes head where the handle is attached.
Lug
The lug is what fastens the head of the ax to the handle. It’s found at the base of the ax head, on both sides of the handle.
Butt
The flat surface found at the back of the ax head that can be used as a hammer
How To Find The Best Survival Ax For You
When deciding on the right survival ax for your situation, there are three main factors you should take into account, those being, the weight, durability and balance of the ax.
The weight of your ax should reflect your personal body size and strength. A good ax should be weighty enough to carry good momentum and force when swung but is not so heavy that it is tiresome and awkward to use. Finding the right balance is essential to finding the right ax.
Also, keep in mind, that an ax is primarily designed for stationary use, therefore, more suited to use in camp or being stored and transported in a vehicle. If you are going to be moving around by foot, a survival hatchet is much more suited to your needs.
The swing of your ax will also be greatly affected by its balance. Using an unbalanced ax will not only cause the ax to be less effective, it may also cause damage to the ax and your body if it is not swung correctly.
Stick to well designed and manufactured axes as these will be much more balanced than cheap imitations. Your body size will again have an impact on how an ax balances when swung, so test out a few different brands to find the one that feels the most balanced and comfortable to you.
Lastly, you need your ax to be as durable as possible. These tools are designed to be swung at and strike hard targets with a huge force so it’s crucial that your ax can stand up to the task.
The type of metal the head is forged from, the material of the handle and the quality of the manufacturing will all affect the durability of your ax. And as with all tools, how you maintain and look after your ax will also affect its performance and lifespan.
Survival Ax Uses
They are as many uses for a survival ax as you can imagine, making this versatile tool a must-have piece of survival equipment. As you progress through your survival journey you will no doubt adapt many new and innovative ways of using your survival ax but for now, let’s cover the basics.
Cutting Trees
Probably the most obvious use that most people identify with an ax is chopping down trees. Survival axes are great for either felling a whole tree or clearing large branches from a trail. Great for collecting large pieces of firewood or logs to be used for building shelters or furniture.
Chopping Firewood
Now that you’ve collected your wood you need to be able to chop it into smaller and more usable pieces. Great stress relief too!
Self Defense
While these axes aren’t purposefully designed to be used for self defense they are still a very handy weapon to defend yourself with. Just remember that a survival ax is not the same thing as a battle ax. The extra weight, while being great for wood chopping, makes these axes a bit cumbersome in a fight. So use them accordingly if the situation arises.
Shaping Bows and Arrows
Check out this instructional article that teaches you how to shape a longbow and arrows. Knowing this skill will be a huge advantage in the wilderness as you will have the ability to fashion new weapons from scratch.
Processing Game
If your ax is sharp enough, use it to prepare game for cooking. With a sharp ax, you’ll be able to skin, clean, decapitate and gut your catch. Research the best ways to do this so you are fully prepared when the time comes.
Campsite Tasks
You’ll find many other uses for your ax around your campsite, the most common small tasks that may not be associated with axes at first thought are lighting fires and opening bottles.
Use a piece of flint or a suitable rock to strike down against your ax’s blade to create a spark to ignite some kindling. Strike down at an angle (not directly down on the blade) to avoid blunting the blade or even worse – chipping or fracturing it.
The blade of your ax can also be used as a bottle opener. Place the blade under the bottle cap and use leverage to pop the cap off.
And if your blade is sharp enough, use it for a quick shave in the mornings!
Stress Relief
As mentioned earlier, chopping wood can provide you an outlet for frustration and stress. It’s great exercise for both the body and mind.
You can also beat boredom and challenge yourself by practicing ax throwing techniques. Ax throwing has been a hobby and sport for centuries.
Take Caution
While utilizing your ax in any of these ways, keep in mind that as well as a useful tool, the ax is also a weapon that must be treated with respect. Always ensure you are using it in a safe manner around camp for not just your safety but the safety of those around you as well.
Ax Care And Maintenance
Your ax is a tool, and like any other tool, it needs to be maintained and looked after to ensure it works as efficiently as possible. Avoid leaving it in damp conditions or sitting out in the rain and snow – especially if you are using an ax with a wooden handle.
Here are a few maintenance techniques to keep in mind and follow:
Sharpening Your Ax
To prolong the life of your ax, you must make sure you clean and sharpen it as often as necessary. A blunt ax is no different from a blunt knife or sword – it just won’t perform the task that it’s supposed to.
The best way to sharpen your ax at your campsite is by using a whetstone like this one. The main difference between this and a whetstone you would use to sharpen a knife is the shape of the stone. As you can see, whetstones used to sharpen axes are puck-shaped and are designed to match the profile of your ax. But if you are stuck without one of these, a regular whetstone will still do the trick.
Check out the video below that outlines the different ax blade sharpening techniques.
Replacing the Head or Handle
With regular use comes everyday wear and tear, meaning that eventually, you will have to replace components of your ax. Remember to check your manufacturer’s warranty first to see if your ax is covered for repair or replacement.
If not, the most likely part that will need replacing is the handle. This isn’t because handles with generally outlast an ax head but due to the fact that most of the time if you need to replace an ax head, it’s usually not much more expensive to just buy a completely new ax.
Handles (especially wooden ones) are susceptible to damage such as cracks, splintering and rotting so need to be replaced occasionally.
To do this, hammer the old handle out of the eye of the ax head and then simply thread the new handle in. Pick up a new handle at most hardware shops or online on sites like Amazon. But unless you know the exact handle to purchase, it’s better to buy in-store so you can be sure you purchase the correct size handle to suit your ax head.
Keeping Your Ax From Rusting
Rust will ruin your ax head fast. Keep your ax free of rust by following some simple rules. Keep it away from excessive moisture. Keep it sheathed. And keep it oiled.
Doing these three things will greatly reduce the risk of rust. But if you do find your ax is starting to rust, Evapor-rust is a great fix. Simply leave the rusted piece to soak in a container of Evapor-rust anywhere between 10 minutes and overnight, depending on the level of rust.
You can also wipe the rusty blade down with some WD-40 and a rag if that’s all you have at your disposal. A great trick is to line the inside of your ax’s sheath with WD-40 so it coats the blade each time you sheath your ax.
Survival Axes – The Final Chop
This tool of a thousand uses is a must-have piece of equipment for any serious survivalist that wants to set up a permanent camp or base. A survival ax will make life around your camp immeasurably easier, making it an invaluable addition to your survival gear.
As mentioned in this article, if you know you’ll be traveling large distances by foot, a survival hatchet will be better suited to your needs. But even so, I strongly recommend you keep a survival ax at your home, in your vehicle and at your bug out location, as you never know when you might need this versatile and durable tool.
So if you don’t already own a survival ax, use this guide to help you make a purchase today that will assist you and your family in the unforeseeable future. It’s a purchase you won’t regret.
What do you use your survival ax for around camp? Let us know in the comments below.