5 Best Backpacking Axes Reviews-Buyer Guide 2022

Camping is one of the fast growing hobby worldwide. Every year thousand peoples go for camping. You should never ignore the importance of backpacking or camping equipment.

As a smart survivalist, you make sure to pack your compass, tent, flint, cooking equipment, emergency food, and your other supplies, but do you take a backpacking axe and Hatchet ?

Every good survivalist needs an best camping hatchet (and a good axe sharpener to go with it). They can be used to chop down wood and other natural resources, and they can be used for protection in a pinch. It’s like having a larger, more durable knife with you.

Surviving is all about taking everything you might need. You may never use it, but you’ll be glad you have it if you do. With that in mind, here are some of the criteria for choosing the right compact hatchet,….

…… here are the 5 best backpacking axes for your camping and Survival need.

Choosing the Right Axe

Of course, not just any old axe will do. You need to choose the right one for you. Here are some of the criteria to consider when choosing an axe.

Blade Guard

The blade guard is essentially the “holster” for your axe. It keeps the blade safe from the elements when the axe isn’t being used and – perhaps more importantly – keeps your legs/back safe from the axe when it isn’t being used.

An axe guard keeps the axe in a convenient location. You don’t want to be fiddling through your bag looking for it in an emergency.

Some axes come with a guard of their own, but you may need to buy one separately. Get one made from a sturdy leather for maximum protection and safety.

Weight

Weight is an important factor. You need to consider not just the weight of the handle, but also the blade itself.

A thick and heavy blade is able to do more damage and chop through thicker wood, but it can be unwieldy. It could even be too heavy to keep on your person at all times.

On the other hand, one that is too light isn’t going to be much help in an emergency. Find a good balance when it comes to weight.

Handle Length and Material

The length of the handle is another important consideration. Once again, it’s something that can affect how well you can handle the axe.

A longer one can be safer, as there is less room for error, but it can weaken the strength of the handle.

Most people consider a good short hand-axe to be good for survival.

Don’t forget about the material the handle is made from.

Not all wood is created equal. Some axes aren’t even made from wood.

Get one with a good length, sturdy, tough handle.

The material of the handle also plays a part in the weight of the axe, which can impact power and portability.

Some materials, such as steel, are heavier than others.

Sharpening

Much like any bladed tool/weapon, the blade of an axe will dull over time and need to be sharpened occasionally. You need to find an axe that isn’t difficult to sharpen and can hold an edge for a long time.

How long an axe can hold an edge basically refers to how long you can go between sharpening sessions. Keep your axe sharp and it’ll always be there when you need it.

Some axes are easier to sharpen than others. Keep this in mind when choosing an axe. Don’t overlook shipping processes either if you’re buying online.

The way an axe is shipped can have a dramatic effect on how sharp it is when it reaches your door. You wouldn’t want to buy an axe only to have to sharpen it before you can use it.

Gerber Gator Combo Axe II

The Gerber Gator Combo Axe II is perhaps the most unique axe on our list.

Not only does it offer superior chopping power with a forged steel head, but the glass-filled nylon handle pulls out to reveal a coarse blade saw for removing brushes and branches from the logs you fell.

One of the most awkward parts of cutting trees is removing all the little brushes and branches, particularly if you want a smooth piece of wood to work with.

You can try doing it with your axe, but it’s awkward at best and dangerous at worse. Needless to say, this is an axe for the true survivalist.

Gerber take safety seriously, which is one of the main reasons for the patented Gator Grip handle material.

It ensures that you’ll always have a solid grip on your axe no matter what conditions you find yourself in.

Another tick for survivalists who want something they can handle in all weathers.

There’s also no need to worry about the saw popping out and causing an injury.

It’s held in place by magnets to make it secure and safe to transport.

Pros

• Built-in saw for cleaning logs and smaller cutting jobs
• Lightweight handle
• Long handle provides better striking force
• Forged steel head for edge retention
• Able to handle any job in any weather/conditions
• Includes a sturdy blade guard
• Easy to maintain

Cons

• Saw can sometimes come loose
• Saw cannot be replaced in the event it breaks
• Steel core doesn’t reach the head, reducing durability of handle
• Hollow handle makes axe feel unbalanced

Conclusion:

This axe is a solid all-round axe that can do just about any job you need it to do. It’s available at a pretty reasonable price considering what you get in the box, making it another solid choice for a first-time buyer.

It does have some flaws and faults, but the good far outweighs the bad here. An excellent multi-tool.

Estwing E44A 16-Inch Camper’s Axe-All Steel with Shock Reduction Grip

This campers Axe from Estwing is perhaps one of the best choices for all-round axes.

It can be used for camping, hunting, or for working on the farm. It features a powerful and durable forged steel head, and the handle has the patented shock reduction grip.

Estwing put this on all their best axes as it’s capable of reducing shock by up to 70%.The cutting edge of this steel axe is a solid 4”, meaning it cuts deeper and easier.

The axe also comes with a tough sheath.

This lightweight but tough and durable axe is great for camping. It cuts through small and medium pieces of wood quickly and smoothly.

To cap it off, the Estwing E44A is made in the USA.

Pros

• Sturdy
• Built well
• Solid steel all the way through
• Shock absorption grip
• Solid handle
• Comes with
  a sheath

Cons

• Not suited for recreation
• A bit big
• Head has a poor design
• Delivered outside of the sheath

Verdict:

This is a great axe for what it does. It’s a powerful workman’s axe, but it might be a little too much for recreation.

If you’re looking for something to take on the occasional camping trip then this axe might be too much for you.

It’s also a shame that, while it does come with a sheath, it’s not shipped in the sheath.

Another great choice for people with experience who know what they’re doing, but not so much for the novice.

Fiskars X15 Chopping Axe, 23.5-Inch

The Fiskars X15 Chopping Axe, as the name implies, is ideal for cutting down trees. What makes it so great is that it cuts deep each and every time.

You’ll make quick work of whatever tree you decide to unleash this beauty on.

It’s designed in a similar way to an aluminium baseball bat, in that it perfectly balances power and weight to give each swing the most power and speed possible.

The design and materials of the X15 chopping axe are ideal for the job it does. The blade is designed to deliver power to each swing and slice through wood.

The 23 and a half inch handle might sound a little long to some people, but it does make the axe much easier to control.

It also features a shock absorber to reduce the shock of heavy hits and thick trees.

Fiskars sweeten the deal by including a lifetime warranty.

They are so sure that this axe will do the job each and every time that they put their money where their mouth is and guarantee it.

Pros:

• Sturdy
• Geometric design ensures powerful chops
• Shock absorbers
• Ideal for cutting trees
• Can be used with plastic or wood felling wedges

Cons:

• The blade guard isn’t very good
• Bulky at 3.5 pounds
• Can’t be used with steel splitting wedges

Verdict:

The X15 chopping axe is ideal for doing just that – chopping. It comes at a reasonable price with a guarantee, making this a great choice for people looking for a solid first axe.

It’s impressive enough to satisfy experienced woodsmen too. If you’re looking for something that packs a punch to help you gather firewood and clear some land, then you’ve found it with this Fiskars axe.

The guarantee is just the icing on the cake.

GransforsBruks Small Forest Axe

This small forest axe from Gransfor Bruks is a great choice for the average camper or outdoorsman.

This axe has a thin blade and a long handle that allow you to do some pretty powerful chopping despite the small size. It’s a practical choice for cutting limbwood and splitting sticks.

It also comes with a blade guard, meaning there’s no need to buy one separately.

It weighs just 1.5lbs, has a 19” hickory handle, and a 3 ¼” face.It’s made in a traditional style using all natural material and no synthetics.

The blade is impressively sharp and keeps its edge for a long time, even if you use it to hack up hardwoods such as maple.

The metal of the blade is so polished it also doesn’t rust.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Portable
• Rust-proof
• Sturdy
• Surprisingly powerful
• Includes blade guard

Cons

• The blade is a little out of alignment with the handle
• Sheath strap is a little loose
• Sheath is also low quality
• Very expensive 

Verdict

This is a solid, well-built axe from a company with a good track record. It handles well and is lightweight enough to be used by a young person.

A sturdy and solid choice, but probably not the best choice for the first-time buyer given the price.

Fiskars X7 Hatchet 14 Inch

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet is the second Fiskars axe we have for you, but with good reason.

This small and portable axe is the ideal size for chopping kindling and small logs. It’s designed to cut deeper than the average axe, meaning you are done with your work faster.

Much like the other Fiskars axe on our list, it has the perfect balance between power and weight to give you the most speed and power out of every swing.

The blade of this axe is made using Fiskars’ patented blade-grinding techniques.

This gives it the sharpest possible edge, giving you the best contact and cleanest cuts. It also means that the blade holds its edge for longer and is easier to maintain.

Fiskars seal the deal by including a lifetime warranty.

Pros

• Cheap
• Tough
• Ideal for camping
• Sharp edge
• Blade guard included
• Lifetime warranty
• Deep cuts
• Easy to carry
• Lightweight

Cons

• Too small for some tasks
• Not suitable for serious woodworking
• Metal is soft and can chip easily
• Dulls easy
• Not ergonomic enough for long-term use

Verdict

This is a great axe to take with you on a camping trip. It’s cheap but it has a lifetime warranty, so you’re covered in the event that it breaks.

While it is easy to dull the blade, it’s also easy to sharpen it back up again. It takes a fair bit of maintenance, but this is a solid choice for the avid camper who doesn’t plan on spending longer than a few days in the great outdoors.

If you’re looking for something that can go longer without needing to be sharpened and can cut deeper, then you’ll want to consider another axe on our list.

Conclusion

All in all these five axes are great at the job they do. Each one is at the top of their class for an individual purpose. Which one you need depends on what you need out of your axe.

For a simple camping axe, go with the Fiskars X7. If you want something tougher, designed for more serious work, then you want the Estwing E44A 16-Inch Camper’s Axe. Meanwhile, the Gerber Gator Axe II offers the best of both worlds by coming with a built-in saw.

These are by no means the only five choices you have when choosing an axe either. They just happen to be five of the very best on the market.

If you need some more advice or need more recommendations, just head to your local camping/survival store and speak with the people there. They’d be happy to recommend something to you. Happy camping!