Best Camping Hatchets is an essential piece of gear for any camper. A quality Hatchets is must-have equipment for everything from clearing the campsite to cutting firewood. Everything is fine, but how do we find the best camping hatchets? That’s why we are here today. On this page, We bring you to the 11 best camping hatchets from our top list.
- Estwing Sportsman’s Axe
- Estwing Camper’s Axe
- Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet
- Adler Rheinland Hatchet
- Fiskars X7 Hatchet
- Coleman Camp Axe
- Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Hatchet
- Schrade SCAXE10 11.1″ Full Tang Hatchet
- Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet
- Schrade SCAXE2 Axe
- Morakniv Boron Steel
Hatchets must be of the appropriate size, power, and manufacturing quality for the work at hand. You can easily find the greatest hatchets for making the job easier and faster with research and precise information. Here’s a brief overview of the best camping hatchets. Keep reading for more details.
Estwing Sportsman’s Axe
- Price: 37.99$
- Length: 14”
- Handle Material: Metal
- Blade Material: Metal
- Weight:1.91 pounds
If you are looking for the best overall, versatile hatchet for your next camping adventure, Estwing Sportsman’s Axe was the best of all worlds. Fortunately, our chase for the perfect hatchet is over; We’ve examined the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe and put it through a few weeks of testing.
The Estwing Sportsman is an aesthetically pleasing little chopper with a super-sleek, classy appearance. It may weigh a few hundred grams more than some of its competitors, but you may be tempted to buy this one just to make other ax-wielders envious of your shiny, one-piece tree-trimmer.
Furthermore, for this cheap cost, you get a very reliable ax with a lacquered leather grip, tempered 3-1/4” cutting edge, sturdy nylon sheath, and a lovely head-to-shaft balance.
The balance of the Estwing is the only complaint about that first impression. The head and blade are heavy, and when you hold the hatchet still, it feels like it’s about to fall out of your grasp. The issue is, how often will you keep the hatchet? True, but it’s still a noticeable sensation when you hold it in your hand.
Product highlights
- Larger logs can be easily split with the hammer’s wide end.
- Very long-lasting and the most cost-effective option.
- Perfect choice for chopping logs
- The ballistic nylon sheath protects the hand-sharpened blade.
- Because the head is made of a single piece, you never have to worry about it falling off.
Estwing Camper’s Axe
- Price: 36.49$
- Length: 18.8”
- Handle Material: Forged steel
- Blade Material: Forged steel
- Weight : 1.0kg
Are you looking for budget picks for cutting firewood at the campsite? Then, Estwing Camper’s Axe is the best bet for you. For campers on a tight budget, the Estwing camper’s ax is a durable hatchet choice. It has a one-of-a-kind design with a single piece of American drop-forged tempered steel for long-term use.
The Estwing Camper’s Axe is a must-have tool for any camping lover. Because it is fully forged in one piece, has a suitable tent stake puller notch, and Estwing’s patented Shock Reduction grip, this is a tool that will last generations.
And while many campers are accustomed to axes with a separate handle and ax head, this single-piece design eliminates the possibility of the head ever flying off. The ax head is also styled and hand-tempered to maintain an edge after hundreds of strikes.
The camper’s ax is the ideal size and weight for chopping firewood for a campsite or your backyard fire pit. It is available in blue, black, and blaze orange, making it easy to locate. Each ax comes with a durable nylon sheath. Made in the United States
Product highlights
- Affordably priced all-rounder purpose ax
- Comfortable and Ideal for chopping logs
- Reduces impact vibration by 70% and grip that absorbs shock for comfort and injury prevention.
- The most long-lasting and durable striking tool
Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet
- Price: 154$
- Length: 16”
- Handle Material: Wood (American Hickory)
- Blade Material: Forged steel
- Weight : 1.2kg
If you want the best quality at an affordable price, choose the Hults Bruk Almike hatchet. This hatchet is hand-forged from high-quality Swedish steel and will last a lifetime. It has a high-density steelhead that makes it durable enough for daily use. The head makes powerful and precise cuts, and the hickory handle is extremely comfortable to use.
The Hults Bruk Almike, hand-forged in a Swedish steel foundry, is intended for all users in the backcountry. This ax’s steel quality is outstanding, and campers agree that it’s nearly indestructible. It keeps an edge well and cuts cleanly every time. In addition, the head has a tempered steel blade that is designed to hold an edge even after repeated sharpenings.
Aside from comfort, the hickory handle has a reasonably good grip. While wood handles are recognized to slip when wet, the curved design reduces the possibility of an accident. In addition, Hults Bruk also crafted this hatchet with a curved handle to create the Almike even more functional. This makes a more ergonomic grip for added comfort while wood chopping.
This hatchet’s American hickory handle has been treated with linseed oil, protecting it from sun and water damage. Lastly, this hatchet comes with a casual leather sheath, making it the best choice for anyone looking for an excellent all-around camping hatchet.
Product highlights
- Strong – capable of tackling larger logs
- Excellent leverage and balance
- Hand-forged with high-quality steel
- The extensive grinding process is used to increase the blade’s durability.
- Linseed oil-treated curved hickory handle
- An eyelet in the handle allows you to attach a wrist strap.
- For added durability, the blade is made of high-density steel.
- Ergonomically shaped handle for long-term comfort.
- For storage and transportation, a leather sheath is provided.
Adler Rheinland Hatchet
- Price: 84$
- Length: 14”
- Handle Material: Wood (American Hickory)
- Blade Material: Forged steel
- Weight : 0.9kg
When it decides to purchase tools, the most visually appealing option may not be the most functional. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to deny the Adler Rheinland Hatchet’s classic good looks. Fortunately, this camping hatchet is also highly durable and simple to use. This hatchet has a 14-inch handle made of hickory from the United States with an anti-slip black paint for a better grip.
While slightly more expensive than some competing brands, the Adler Rheinland Hatchet compensates more than function and fashion. The wooden handle was ergonomically designed, seeking to make it comfortable and safe to hold and use.
The ax head is a large curved blade that allows users to maximize contact points on the logs they’re splitting. After swinging it for the first time, the sharp and strong steel blade, combined with the amazingly well-crafted wooden handle, will dispel any concerns about strength and durability.
With the original German Rheinland layout, Alder came up with a larger and more effective cutting surface for this hatchet’s head. Moreover, they managed to keep up the balance of the large head with the handle, resulting in a more natural swinging motion.
Furthermore, Alder manufactures all of its hatches in Germany and powers the entire factory with wood waste from manufacturing handles. As a bonus, the wood waste generated during manufacturing is used to create energy, which is used to power the factory, making Adler an eco-friendly and budget-friendly selection.
Product highlights
- When used, the ergonomic design promotes comfort and safety.
- For a larger cutting surface, use the Rheinland pattern head.
- A more natural swing is provided by a balanced head and handle.
- Construction of high quality
- For better control, the wooden handle has a non-slip black paint finish.
- Environmentally friendly manufacturing
Fiskars X7 Hatchet
- Price: 36.99$
- Length: 14”
- Handle Material: FiberComb
- Blade Material: Carbon Steel
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
If you want the best quality you can get on budget; the Fiskars X7 camping hatchet is the best for you. The Fiskar X7 Hatchet is not only our top pick for the best camping hatchet for the budget, but it is also our top pick. Why? Because of Fiskar’s long history of producing high-quality products.
Fiskar has consistently performed over the decades, from my first pruning shears to my well-guarded sewing scissors. And they back it up with a lifetime guarantee, which I’ve used on another item. The Fiskars X7 excels due to its excellent power-to-weight ratio, which allows you to get the most out of each swing. And, while it has a lot of power, its small size makes it easy to transport anywhere.
The Fiskars X7 is a stylish and functional chopping companion ideal for small jobs but can also handle larger splitting tasks. So, what makes the X Series hatchets and axes unique? First, all have a lightweight Shock-absorbing FiberComp® handle that is virtually unbreakable.
The 14-inch handle length is helpful for cutting little to medium-sized logs. Its lightweight ensures that it does not put undue strain on your arms. Instead, they compare swinging an aluminum baseball bat versus a wooden one, where the speed of the lighter bat wins.
The Fiskars X7 Hatchet’s handle is made of anti-slip FiberComp composite materials to enhance grip and control. The blade is sharpened using a proprietary blade-grinding method that produces much cleaner cuts. In addition, the hatchet comes with a sturdy nylon sheath.
The lug at the base of the handle for good grip and the actively shaped head, which is also smartly weighted and well balanced with the lightweight shaft, are the most appealing features of the X7.
Product highlights
- Well-balanced, ideal power-to-weight ratio boosts efficiency and shaped head
- Warranty for life
- A stylish hatchet with a rigid plastic sheath.
- Excellent quality at a very reasonable price.
- Because of the fiberglass handle, the Fiskar camping hatchet is very light.
- The slightly longer handle enables a solid swing.
- Lightweight in comparison
- Ergonomic
- Good grip/handle – A unique grinding technique produces superior blades.
Coleman Camp Axe
- Price: 7.59$
- Length: 13”
- Handle Material: Tubular steel
- Blade Material: Carbon Steel
- Weight : 0.82kg
The Coleman Camp Axe isn’t lovely, but it’s an incredible value for the money. This is a rough-and-tumble gear that will do the job if it is chopping things.
With its aggressive wedge shape and slight downward curve, this would be the hatchet we’d choose to split logs and occasionally chop down a small tree.
The Coleman Camp Axe is a useful campsite tool that is sharp and sturdy enough to handle tough outdoor camping tasks. Unfortunately, the edge was rough and jagged right out of the box, with numerous spurs and snags. It was by far the dullest of the blades in our test.
Coleman doesn’t disturb with a sheath because you’d have to try to cut yourself with this hatchet. Also, the blade itself does not require any protection from dings or chips.
The Coleman Camp Axe is unsuitable for delicate work or carving. But it was amazingly comfortable to hold. Its thick head made carving anything precise difficult. It might be usable with a good sharpening. Nonetheless, it would not be our 1st option.
The Coleman Camp Axe is an excellent value if you’re looking for a cheap hatchet or a backup to keep in your car.
Product highlights
- The steel camp ax is built to handle rugged outdoor tasks.
- During use, the steel handle and non-slip rubber grip provide strength and stability.
- A heavy-duty, drop-forged steel axe head splits wood quickly for fires.
- A flat edge is provided for hammering tent stakes into hard ground.
- A notch in the ax head makes it easier to pull out tent stakes.
Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Hatchet
- Price: 48.89$
- Length: 13”
- Handle Material: Textured polypropylene.
- Blade Material: 3Cr13MoV
- Weight : 0.7kg
If you are looking for a small camp hatchet with chopping ability, Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Hatchet is the ideal one for you. We were highly impressed by its chopping ability. It could plow through branches as thick as 2 inches with ease. Right out of the box, it was dangerously sharp.
Also, the much more significant and heavier splitting axes were quicker and more accurate in our chopping test. The Gerber lacks the weight and thick wedge required to split wood with a single swing, but it does an excellent job through larger logs.
The top corner of the blade tends to catch on the inside of the sheath and pop out suddenly. Even after getting used to the sheath, it took more effort and care than the others in our test.
Its sheath was our biggest dislike. We’ve never liked sheaths that require you to thread the entire handle through them, and this one is no exception. In addition, the rubber grip on the handle does not slide smooth as possible through the nylon sleeve, requiring you to push and force it, which is never a positive idea when dealing with a sharp blade.
Product highlights
- This hatchet’s slim profile and full tang construction make it very ergonomic and durable.
- small enough to be portable without weighing you down
- big enough to do some serious chopping
- Not in use, the nylon sheath helps to keep the Bear Grylls Survival Hatchet sharp.
Schrade SCAXE10 11.1″ Full Tang Hatchet
- Price: 19.40$
- Length: 11.1”
- Handle Material: Rubber
- Blade Material: Powder Coated 3Cr13 Stainless Steel
- Weight : 0.62kg
If you’re looking for a low-cost, lightweight hatchet with superb durability, this could be the model for you! The Schrade SCAXE10 Hatchet was a fascinating compromise: light and compact, but it had a heavy head and a comfortable long handle. However, we liked the grip and felt of this hatchet ultimately.
With a comfortable handle and a sharp, easy-to-control blade, it was ideal for carving work. The Schrade SCAXE10 Full Tang Survival Hatchet is a quick, well-made, and affordable outdoor tool. Though this camping hatchet is inexpensive, it does not sacrifice quality, ensuring you get a lot of bang for your buck.
The total length of the full tang design is 11.1 inches, with a blade length of 3.6 inches. The lightweight hatchet weighs only 1.6 lbs, making it ideal for taking with you on your camping trips.
It didn’t chop as well as we had hoped. We had difficulty getting wood to split cleanly and a surprising amount of difficulty chopping through branches. In our chopping test, the Schrade trailed the smaller and lighter Bear Grylls Hatchet.
Product highlights
- well-built, great value for money, and very affordable
- The hatchet weighs only 1.6 pounds.
- The hatchet’s stainless steel blade is corrosion-resistant, extremely durable, and has excellent edge retention.
Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet
- Price: 42$
- Length: 13”
- Handle Material: Wood (American Hickory)
- Blade Material: Forged steel
- Weight: 1kg
Are you looking for a classic hatchet with a hand-forged Swedish steel blade with a traditional blade pattern? Then, Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet is the best option for you.
The Husqvarna company attaches the head to the hatchet handles with wooden and steel wedges, which offers a more tight and secure fit over time. This hatchet also has a curved wooden handle made of polished hickory that is designed to provide a better grip during your swing.
This hatchet is trustworthy. The hickory handle distinguishes it from other low-cost hatchets. If the handle breaks, it can be replaced, whereas a hatchet with a carbon fiber handle cannot be replaced.
Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet comes with its leather edge cover, especially for campers looking for a quality sheath with minimal bulk. This Husqvarna 13” Wooden Hatchet is also one of the more budget-friendly wooden models on the market, making it an excellent choice for those on a tight budget.
Campers and hikers may have conflicting emotions. Hikers and trekkers may prefer something lighter due to the weight. It depends on how strict you are about carrying weight and how much use you will get out of a hatchet.
Take, for example, a Fiskars X7, which is extremely lightweight, but the difference is less than 1 pound. It is entirely up to you whether the weight is as important as the quality. The Husqvarna hatchet is unquestionably superior in terms of quality.
Product highlights
- A wooden hatchet at an affordable price.
- Steel and wooden wedges are used to secure the sturdy head.
- The slim leather edge cover makes it simple to transport.
- A curved hickory handle provides an ergonomic grip.
Schrade SCAXE2 Axe
- Price: 44.99$
- Length: 11.8”
- Handle Material: Fiberglass
- Blade Material: Titanium-coated stainless steel
- Weight : 0.6kg
The SCAXE2 from Schrade is an ultra-lightweight and durable survival ax that is small enough to take on any hiking trip. It is one of the smallest on the market, measuring just under one foot in length and weighing slightly more than one pound.
It has a fiberglass handle for weight savings without sacrificing durability. The handle also has a molded grip for added security and control with each swing. The Schrade Survival Hatchet has a titanium-coated stainless-steel head and a hammer pommel.
In addition, it has a black glass fiber-filled PA handle, an ergonomic black TPR rubber grip, an extra-large Ferro rod with a lanyard that stores inside the handle, and a thermoplastic belt sheath.
Schrade designed the SCAXE2 Axe with a hammer pommel and a large Ferro rod concealed inside the hollow shaft to make it more versatile. It also includes a thermoplastic sheath that can be tied to a belt or backpack for convenient transport.
Product highlights
- Among its competitors, it is the lightest and most compact.
- The handle is molded for a better grip.
- When in use, the thermoplastic rubber handle is shaped to fit comfortably in the hand, ensuring solid and balanced contact.
- The ax head is made of titanium-coated stainless steel, which increases its durability.
- The ax head is sharp and strategically shaped to ensure thorough contact and keep the user from being overworked.
- A pommel on the back of the blade and a Ferro rod in the handle ensures that you always have what you want
Morakniv Boron Steel
- Price: 53.60$
- Length: 12.6”
- Handle Material: Polypropene
- Blade Material: Boron steel
- Weight:1.1 Pounds
Morakniv has been making sharp, sturdy, and magnificent knives in Ostnor, Sweden, for over four hundred years. With a history like that, it’s no wonder that their Boron Steel Camping Axe is our pick for the highest-rated camping hatchet.
Although this hatchet is the lightest and durable to be used for both car camping and backpacking trips, its weight does not detract from performance when splitting smaller blocks of wood around the fire.
The Morakniv is not a heavy-duty winter ax, and it is the best camping hatchet for chopping more minor pieces of wood for campfires. In addition, this hatchet’s razor-sharp blade makes it ideal for bushcraft projects ranging from building shelters to creating unique designs into wood.
The reinforced plastic handle can withstand most projects. It also helps to reduce weight if you decide to keep this handy tool with you on longer backcountry adventures. If you intend to use this hatchet, the limited lifetime warranty helps to protect it.
Product highlights
- Design that is both light and strong
- Handle made of reinforced plastic
- The sharp blade is ideal for both splitting wood and bushcraft.
- A useful camping ax with black epoxy coated boron steelhead.
- The manufacturer’s warranty is limited to a lifetime
- Affordability combined with a limited lifetime warranty
Best Camping Hatchets – Buying Guide
The best camping hatchet becomes almost entirely determined by the individual and the intended use. Some companies undoubtedly have a better reputation than others, but selecting the best camping hatchet for everyone is a near-impossible task.
Knowing what to look for when buying a camping hatchet is essential. Here are the most important things to remember when purchasing:
Handle grip
Although many people are concerned with the quality of the blade, the handle design is equally important. There are two main aspects of handle design that you should consider when shopping.
Materials of Handel
Wood is the traditional material used to make hatchet handles. It provides the best head counterweight and a more natural swinging feel. It is, however, heavier and usually more expensive.
The three members are made of American Hickory wood, they are Hults Bruk Almike, Adler Rheinland, and Husqvarna hatchets. The wood of choice is usually hickory, which is known for its durability. The handle is comfortable to hold, but it can be extremely slippery when wet.
Metal and fiberglass handles are lighter and less costly, but they don’t provide much counterweight for the head. Furthermore, they are frequently less long-lasting and are more likely to vibrate with each swing.
On the other hand, a fiberglass handle is lightweight and textured to include a better grip, similar to plastic. It may not be the most comfortable, but it will feel good in your hands.
Leather handles rank high in terms of comfort and grip firmness. They have a nice feel in hand, but their long-term durability is questionable because they can wear down over time.
The Estwing and MTech USA axes are two examples of metal handle axes. The fiberglass handle on the Schrade SCAXE2 ax.
While it does not provide the same comfort level as natural materials, plastic is a good choice because its textured surface keeps it from slipping out of your hand even when wet.
Handle design
The handles of many modern hatchets will have a slight curve to them. This enables a more ergonomic grip on the handle as well as a more fluid swinging movement.
The Husqvarna Wooden Hatchet, which is designed for campers with small hands, is the best example.
Estwing Camper’s Axe is designed with molded grips, rubber grips, or even friction paint to give you a more secure grip on the handle with each swing. This is especially useful if you intend to do a lot of wood chopping or live in an exceptionally moist environment.
Design and quality of the blade
The shape of the blade and head, in addition to the weight of the hatchet, will evaluate how well it chops, carves, and accomplishes other tasks. Thus, the design of the blade has a significant impact on how it performs in real life.
There are three significant factors to consider when purchasing the best hatchet:
- Blade size, length, and surface area – Hatchet makers must achieve the right balance of cutting surface area and size. A larger surface area will allow it to slide through thicker wood. Moreover, the bigger the blade, the heavier and bulkier the hatchet can be an issue if you want to take it into the long-distance campsite.
- The steel of high quality – High-carbon steel blades can keep their edge for a longer period. This results in less time spent sharpening and a more enjoyable wood-chopping experience.
- Machine-shaped vs. hand-forged – Hand forging is the traditional method of creating a cutting blade, and it typically results in a higher quality product. As a result, hand-forged hatchets like the Hults Bruk Almike are generally more expensive.
However, while machine-shaped hatchets are less expensive, they are not made with the same care.
Weight
The weight of the head varies greatly depending on the type of steel used. Of course, the material used to make the handle is essential as well.
In terms of weight, lighter hatchets can weigh less than one pound, whereas heavier axes can weigh more than four pounds. Therefore, we believe that it is best to get a model with a balanced weight so that it has decent power while still being easy to swing.
Shorter handles are easier to carry and use, making them ideal for new campers looking to chop up some kindling.
Longer handles, such as those found on the Estwing Camper’s Axe, provide other swinging power and require less effort when chopping larger pieces of wood. However, because they are heavy, bulky, and tricky to strap onto a backpack, they are perfect for car camping but less helpful in bringing into the mountains on a hiking trip.
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