The best bushcraft axes for the mountain man within

The CRKT Woods Forged Carbon Steel Axe is one all-around fantastic product. This bushcraft axe can handle jobs of varying sizes, delivering power and impressively efficient cuts with every swing. It’s a standout choice thanks to its impressive durability, which is built right into this axe from its blade to its wooden handle. Measuring 19.13 x 7.81 x 1.64 inches in overall size, this axe features a blade and a hammer head in one streamlined tool. It weighs just 1.99 pounds, making it light enough to be portable over long distances. The blade is made from 1055 tough forged carbon steel, which is meant to last you a long time and retain its sharp edge throughout many uses. The Tennessee hickory handle is dense and able to handle hard impacts and shocks as you work. The entire axe is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty, too.

When it comes to cutting, this bushcraft axe is fantastic for chopping. It takes big bites thanks to its precisely-curved blade, digging in deeply and working to combat fatigue while you work. The smooth handle gives you a good, balanced hold. However, the axe head is prone to movement and slipping while in motion, so make sure to keep a close eye on how secure it is.

If you think you have to spend a lot to get a decent bushcraft axe, think again — the Brufer Hatchet Axe is a small option that packs plenty of value for your money. And it’s affordable, too. This hatchet axe can be used with one hand outdoors, and it’s particularly helpful if you’re camping or chopping up larger logs. It’s a great choice if you want an axe you can carry anywhere with good versatility. Made with a drop-forged carbon steel head and a genuine hickory wood handle, this axe is held together with both a wooden wedge and a steel wedge for secure construction. It weighs 21 ounces and measures 14.5 inches long; the blade measures 4 inches.

While you’re working with this bushcraft axe, you’ll love its weight and balance. It’s light and easy to swing, with a solidly sized profile so you can make quick work of splitting firewood or tackling limbs and branches. There’s just one drawback: The head can wiggle or move over time, so it needs to be re-secured over time.

The Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe is well worth considering if you’re looking for a bushcraft axe that’s beautifully constructed and highly effective at its job. Constructed with a 19-inch hickory handle and an axe head that weighs 2 pounds, plus a sheath that’s made from vegetable tanned leather, this smaller-sized axe is ideal for splitting sticks, cutting limbs, and creating nicely-sized firewood. It can fell small to medium trees, too. The blade is razor-sharp upon arrival, allowing you to start chopping and cutting right away. It’s so sharp and fine-tuned that you can even shave with the axe. This bushcraft woodworking tool is a bit different from others — the axe head, for example, is made entirely from recycled scrap steel. The handle is durable yet flexible, giving you just the right amount of softness for each impact.

Keep in mind that this bushcraft axe is an investment; it’s quite expensive, especially for its more compact size and build. It’s a bit more artistic than most utility axes, so you’ll want to treat it with care. However, the quality of the materials and the construction should ensure it lasts you throughout many years of use.

Need a bushcraft axe that’s ideal for on the go? The Schrade Stainless Steel Small Axe will be just the right companion. This axe measures 15 x 7 x 2 inches in total size, with a handle that measures nearly 12 inches and a blade that’s 3.8 inches long. It weighs 1.44 pounds, making it perfect for your pack, your belt loop, or your EDC setup. You’ll be able to trek anywhere without even noticing the weight of this axe. Featuring a highly durable 3Cr13 titanium-coated stainless steel blade and a black, glass-fiber filled handle, you’ll find this axe is balanced and has just the right amount of flex. The rubber grip along the hande gives you extra security — and some extra safety — with a stronger, slip-free grip. A black thermoplastic belt sheath makes it easy to tote this tool anywhere, just within reach at all times.

Yet this bushcraft axe is also more than just a cutting tool. It’s also equipped with a couple of survival-ready features, including a hammer pommel and an extra-large Ferro rod that’s hidden right inside the axe shaft. A lanyard adds even more convenience.

If you’re looking for an axe that offers a great grind right out of the gate with no extra sharpening necessary, the Marbles Camp Axe is a great option. At first glance, this bushcraft axe looks a lot like any other — but when it comes to sharpness and consistency, it stands above many of its competitors. Constructed from high-quality materials, this axe features a shorter and slightly smaller head with average thickness. Its cutting edge is longer than other small bushcraft axes, with a more gradual curve along the factory edge. And, with this axe, the factory grind is longer, sharper, and rounded for just the right power and cutting strength. The forged axe head paired with a durable, tightly-grained wood handle makes for balance and comfort while you work.

However, while this axe is well-made and features lasting materials, the handle is thin. This can throw off the balance, especially with the thicker and longer head at the top. Its mid-weight design makes it highly useful, but you may need to adjust to the unique balance of this axe.

The Snow & Nealley Hudson Bay Axe is a bushcraft axe that’s made to last not only throughout your lifetime, but also for others after you. With durable construction and everything you need to keep your axe blade protected — in the form of a quality sheath — this axe is one that’s meant to be passed down. A forged, quality steel axe head that measures 4 inches high sits on a 24-inch hickory handle, and a genuine leather sheath wraps around the head to keep the blade sharp and the steel corrosion-free. In fact, the axe blade features a fine-grain steel variety that’s hand-worked to deliver superior quality and cutting results. You’ll be able to care for and maintain this axe easily thanks to its well-made sheath.

However, in an effort to make this bushcraft axe last, Snow & Nealley coated the hickory handle with a heavy lacquer finish. For some, that’s a significant drawback; the lacquer can make it slick and slip-prone when in your hands. If you aren’t bothered by this extra layer, though, then there’s little to complain about.

The Condor Tool & Knife Greenland Pattern Axe might not seem too different from other similarly designed and sized products. But this particular bushcraft axe is built for your toughest jobs — and it can survive some significant and heavy-duty scenarios. Crafted from high-quality 1045 high carbon steel, the axe blade can handle just about any cutting task. It measures 5-5/8 inches and provides a 3-3/4 inch cutting edge. The American hickory handle, which measures 16 inches long, is balanced and nicely weighted. Together, the handle and axe head will have no problem splitting and chopping through wood that’s nearly 4 inches thick, even though the entire tool weighs just 2 pounds in total. Perfect for soft and hard wood varieties alike, this axe can fell small trees, tackle limbs and branches, and handle log splitting without worry.

In addition to the tough and heavy-duty nature of this bushcraft axe, you’ll also love the details it includes. A lanyard hole allows you to easily attach the axe to anything, and the leather sheath keeps your cutting blade well-protected.

When you’re swinging an axe, a longer handle can be beneficial in certain situations — and the Estwing Long Handle Camper’s Axe is just the right fit for these kinds of jobs. Designed to be even tougher than your average bushcraft axe and longer in length, this product is forged from just one piece of steel with seamless construction. It features a steel axe head and a steel handle, giving you complete confidence that your blade will stay right in place. Additionally, the extra-long handle length gives you more leverage and the ability to take on larger trees and pieces of wood with a relatively lightweight and slim axe. Easy to carry anywhere and almost unbelievably light to wield, this axe makes quick work of any cutting chores.

The longer handle is even more ergonomic. It offers a shock reduction grip and a non-slip hold, two details that help reduce fatigue while you work. You’ll be able to split, chop, and knock down items in no time at all, with greater comfort. However, do keep in mind that the blade can be prone to chipping in some instances.

The Hults Bruk Kisa Felling Axe is a great choice if you’re looking for a bushcraft tool that’s comfortable and ergonomic to work with. This axe is tough enough — and big enough — to fell medium-sized trees, but it’s light and easy enough to wield that you’ll barely feel like you’re taking on a whole lot of physical labor. It weighs 2.86 pounds, with a 2-pound axe head and a 26-inch long handle. The head is made out of solid Swedish steel and the handle is built from solid American hickory wood. Most importantly of all, however, the handle isn’t lacquered at all. Instead, it’s comfortable and secure to grip. With little vibration while you work, you won’t feel the weight and impact of every single swing.

You’ll also love the ergonomic balance of this axe. You won’t feel too top heavy while holding this axe, and you’ll have nice control when working with smaller or slimmer pieces of wood. It’s also fantastic for long hours of work cutting down trees or breaking up trunks.

If you’re tired of dealing with axe heads that ultimately come loose, move, or even wiggle while you work, it’s time to upgrade to an all-steel model — like the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe. This totally different spin on the traditional bushcraft axe is more stable and able to prevent common issues that arise with wooden handles and attached steel cutting blades. The axe is made completely out of stainless steel, forged from just one piece of this durable metal. With a blade length of 3.25 inches and a 14-inch long handle, you’ll get a good balance of heft and swing with this bushcraft option. And, thanks to its all-steel construction, the ace is even thinner so you’ll get superior cutting results. It’s sleek and it’s more precise than most traditional competitors. For a truly secure grip, the axe also features a handle that’s wrapped with leather washers so you don’t have to worry about accidental slips.

When you’re using this all-steel bushcraft axe, you’ll also love its performance. With great durability and balance, you’ll be able to easily work quickly with smooth swings and strong bites into wood of all kinds. Just keep in mind that’s a bit of a hatchet rather than a full axe, so it is on the smaller side.