5 Best Camp Axes

Every outdoorsman needs a great camp axe. Finding the right balance between a splitting axe and a hatchet, a camping axe is perfect for chopping wood while also being easy to carry. Below is a list of our 5 most popular camp axes, along with a few features to look out for when choosing your next camp axe.

Size

You’ll likely want an axe that is medium-sized for extra versatility. Most camp axes are large enough to chop firewood but compact enough for smaller tasks. This makes them easy to pack in your vehicle and even carry in a sheath if needed. Whether you’re at the campsite or trekking through the woods, the right balance of size is crucial for a camp axe.

Tools

As a minimalist camper or outdoor enthusiast, you’ll likely want tools that serve multiple uses. Most camp axes can be used to help chop wood, clear campsites, start fires, hammer in tent stakes, and even prepare food if needed!

Durability

Whether you’re camping or trekking through the wilderness, durability is a must for your axe. When you’re miles from the nearest store, axes from brands like Schrade, Cold Steel, and SOG will stand up to the task at hand.
1

Estwing Camper's Long Axe

The 26" Camper's Axe is the ideal axe for camping, hunting and farm use. It has a forged steel head with Estwing's patented Shock Reduction Grip. The 4" cutting edge makes deeper faster cuts and easier chopping. Each axe comes with a heavy duty nylon sheath.

 

What Customers Are Saying

good light long handle axe

I loaned mine years ago to a friend and never got it back. I needed a light axe for limbing and other light duty on the place and snapped this one up when Midway put it on their weekly sale flier. I sharpened it up a bit and used it limbing a large downed silver maple limb almost right away. Works better than I remember for the first one. However, if planning on felling large trees are hacking through a lot of large limbs, a heavier axe might be a better choice, or a second required tool.
- Nic, 11/20/2018 Shop Now
2

Adler Canoe Axe Handle

The Adler Canoe Axe is designed with a great deal of utility in mind, whether traversing the waters or when out in the backcountry on foot. For fire-making, it is the perfect companion for producing kindling as well as for harvesting and spitting wood. Additionally, it is portable enough to be an all-purpose tool in the backcountry when clearing a way or keeping a trail or bank access open.

Features

  • Leather sheath included
  • Black anti-slip paint on handle
  • Ergonomically curved handle
  • Replacement sheath sold separately (Product 556732)

What Customers Are Saying

A great little axe!

This isn't a hatchet: it's a small axe that bats way out of its league! It will not only de limb a tree, but will tackle trees up to 4 inches in diameter. Well made and very sharp. If you are looking for a tool that carries like a hatchet, but acts like an axe, this one is perfect. A quality tool!
- Darrell, 7/23/2022 Shop Now
3

Schrade Bedrock Camp Axe

Rooted in history, ready for the future, the Schrade Bedrock Camp Axe embodies the rugged, dependable knives and tools you've come to expect from Schrade, but with upgraded materials, and a tough, no-nonsense attitude that embodies the Alpha. The Bedrock lineup of axes are constructed of the ever durable 3CR steel, along with a non-slip rubberized grip. Known for their heft and durability, the Bedrock series lives up to its name and will take care of your light (or heavy) work.

Features

  • Non-slip grip
  • Lanyard included

What Customers Are Saying

Nothing but the rubber handle is 6" the blade is 3.6"

Bought this thinking it was a lager version of the SCAXE10 it is not! It is an exact copy of the SCAXE10 with the new Schrade symbol embossed in the rubber grip that's the only change I see. The blade length is only 3.6 Inches not 6
- Matt, 10/2/2022

About Schrade

Schrade has a long and storied history in the knife industry that spans over a century. Founded in 1904, Schrade quickly established a reputation for crafting high-quality knives known for their durability, functionality, and craftsmanship. Schrade's core product offering includes a diverse range of folding knives, fixed-blade knives, axes, and multi-tools designed for various applications. Schrade offers a variety of products like the Viper OTF, the Front Assisted Opening Pocket Knife, Leroy Bowie, Addler Knife, and the Needle Magnum Knife. With a focus on innovation, Schrade continually introduces new designs and features, incorporating modern technologies and ergonomic enhancements to meet the evolving needs of their Customers. Whether for everyday carry, hunting, camping, or survival, Schrade offers a wide selection of versatile knives you can trust.

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4

Cold Steel Hudson Bay Camp Axe

The Cold Steel Hudson Bay Camp Axe is faithful to historical examples stretching back over 100 years. Sized to be convenient to carry on every outdoor adventure, it’s an essential tool you won’t want to go into the woods without. Best of all, it features our ground breaking clamp-like locking mechanism which is so ruggedly hard to “pull off” that it doubles the industry standard! Additionally, it’s possible to change out a broken handle in less than two minutes. What’s more, if you’re caught in the wilderness, a field-expedient replacement handle can be improvised from nearly any piece of wood available.

Features

  • 1055 Carbon Head
  • American Hickory Handle
  • 27" Overall Length
  • 1 lb. 7.5 oz
  • 4 1/8" Cutting Edge Length

 

 

 

What Customers Are Saying

You get what you pay for

Pros: Perfect size for a camp axe or "survival"/backpacking. Good balance and just the right amount of weight. I didn't know what to think of the new clamp style head, but it really holds tight to the handle. Materials seem very good for price point. The grain ran straight down the handle in my one example, which should mean longer life and strengle. Cons: Knowing full and well this was a cheap import, I did not have high expectations for this axe. That being said, there was no edge on the blade. The grind fell short of meeting at the edge, leaving about a 1/32" wide flat edge. The fact that it came with a rubber safety cap on the cutting edge was laughable. I planned on filing my own edge on it anyway and it now has a good sharp edge. The steel was farly hard and so far seems to hold a good edge. I also dislike the polyurethane sprayed on finish of the handle. Most axes or wodden handled tools come this way now. Do yourself a favor and strip that finish off and rub the handle down with some danish oil. ...
- Vince, 9/22/2022

About Cold Steel

Cold Steel was founded in 1980 by Lynn C. Thompson. Over the last four decades, Cold Steel has been at the forefront of the many innovations that have helped to define the knife industry. Quickly adopted by the Military, Law Enforcement Special units, Emergency Services Personnel, Self Defense professionals, and the Martial Arts community, Cold Steel quickly became renowned for quality, strength, reliability, and dependability in everyday carry (EDC). Cold Steel’s diverse and varied line-up quickly grew to include not only a massive selection of folding knives, fixed blades, daggers, swords, and halberds, but also hunting gear, spears, blowguns, axes, machetes, tomahawks, and tools! Cold Steel’s most popular knives are the SRK, Recon 1, and Espada. Cold Steel continues to bring new levels of strength, safety, and performance to the market, providing products that you can rely on -Anytime, Anywhere!

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5

Boker Knives Appalachian Axe Hickory Handle

The Boker Plus Appalachian Axe features a Rhenish-shaped axe head made of 1055 carbon steel, a choice that represents an above-average carbon content and material standard even for quality axes. The universally designed blade thickness is equally suitable for felling and splitting. The lower tip (heel) of the 10.7 cm long cutting edge can be used as a turning nose for pieces of wood. The material is protected against rust by a protective lacquer. The versatile weight of 600g was chosen for the heads of both axes. For the handles, the best long-fiber breaking American hickory is used, which is far superior to European ash in breaking elasticity and shock load resistance. The handles are double wedged with a wooden wedge and steel sleeve.

Features

  • Long-fiber American hickory
  • Lanyard

About Boker Knives

Exceptional pocket and fixed blade knives, chef's knives and straight razors, made by hand in our Boker Knife Manufactory in the German City of Blades, Solingen. The purchase of a knife with the tree-brand as a sign of quality is the beginning of a long journey full of adventure. This is underlined by our unconditional quality standards for our knives, which we have stood for - for 150 years - with a lifelong guarantee on our products.

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