Chopping wood can be worthwhile with durable, sharp, and well balanced camping hatchets!
Don’t deny it. You’ve been chopping logs at camp for a long time. You need a break from those low-quality hatchets that fall apart before the wood does.
Lucky you…
We know the best hatchets to use for camping! After trying each survival hatchet on the field, we found out:
- Their specs, advantages, disadvantages, and best features;
- Which ones are most durable, sharp, versatile, and great at chopping, splitting, batoning, and other heavy-duty camping chores;
- Which ones come with sheaths, straps, and holsters;
- Other tips in deciding what hatchet to buy; and
- Lots more!
You’ll be surprised how affordable the best ones are! In fact, they’re our award winners. So, you better not miss out…
Raise it…
… and swing it!
INTRODUCTION
Felling trees, splitting kindling, making and pounding tent pegs… All of those tasks require a hatchet or an axe. But not just any kind!
A camping hatchet should endure strenuous activities. It’s going to be pounded and swung, after all. And it should be sharp enough that no matter how hard the wood is, you’ll be able to break it. And it would help if it doesn’t dull out quickly.
Besides that…
It’s preferably compact and lightweight since you’re taking it to the camp. But the even distribution of weight along the length is important too.
And to make things perfect, the hatchet should have a comfortable and secure grip. It would make the camping chores easier for you.
So…
We came up with five metrics to judge these hatchets! Sharpness, portability, durability, balance and accuracy, and wood splitting.
But numbers can only give an overview. You need to read the most important details of our experience and observations of each hatchet. And hopefully, it’ll help you decide which one suits you best.
Let’s keep swinging!
SECTION 2: Best Hatchets For Camping
Best Versatile Hatchet For Camping – Editor’s Choice Award
Estwing Sportsman’s Axe – 14″ Camping Hatchet
Weight – 1.91 lbs
Measurements – 13 x 7 x 2 inches
Handle Material – Leather
Blade Material – Metal
Manufacturer – Estwing
Overall Score:
94
The Bottom Line:
Splitting wood for kindling, making tent stakes, and hammering – Estwing’s Sportsman survival axe can do all that!Pros
- Average price point
- Great for heavy-duty tasks
- Sharp blade with great edge retention
- Durable and sturdy build
- Comfortable and secure grip
- Includes durable nylon sheath
Cons
- Heavier than others
- The base of the handle is easily scratched
- Inconsistent finish
Summary
Out at camp, you’ll find many things to do. Most are tiring, especially if your tools aren’t made for heavy-duty tasks. So, we recommend something that would make those chores seem like a walk in the park.
Here’s our Editor’s Choice, Estwing Sportsman!
Splitting or chopping firewood would seem like child’s play with a sharp hatchet like Estwing Sportsman. It’s easy to swing, and because of its weight, it powers through anything you need to be chopped.
That weight might be a bugger if you’re a backpacker. But it has lots of benefits. Especially because most of the weight is on the axe head.
Also…
Its blade design and razor-sharpness make it good for delicate tasks too. We easily made stakes for our tents and cooking stands with Sportsman.
And you don’t have to hone it often! Our Sportsman lasted the whole camping trip without having to sharpen its edge. After all the chopping, slicing and batoning that we did.
And speaking of…
Estwing Sportsman is sturdy enough to withstand batoning. And it’s even great for hammering and pounding. However, we noticed that the handle’s base had a few scratches after using it on metal nails.
But its overall build and make are durable.
You’ll also love the comfortable handle. It won’t cause you blisters or any of the sort. Plus, it’s shaped to give you a secure grip that won’t slip off your palms.
So…
From blade to handle and then to its nylon sheath – there’s no doubt about the quality of the Estwing Sportsman camping axe!
Best Budget Hatchet For Camping- Best Value Award
Coleman Camp Axe
Weight – 1.81 lbs
Measurements – 14 x 5 x 2 inches
Handle Material – Rubber
Blade Material – Steel
Manufacturer – Coleman
Overall Score:
92
The Bottom Line:
Affordability and quality came together to form the Coleman camp axe!Pros
- Super affordable
- Durable overall build
- Secure grip
- Includes a tent stake puller notch
- Sharp edge with good retention
Cons
- Slightly uncomfortable grip
- It doesn’t come with a sheath
- Slightly heavy
Summary
The Coleman survival axe isn’t our Best Value awardee because of its cheap price. Although, yes, it’s very affordable. But we’re more excited to tell you how its quality exceeded our expectations!
First of all…
Coleman is just as durable as more expensive brands. And it performed just as well!
From splitting wood to chopping kindling – we had no problems at all.
Some of us weren’t confident to swing it around – it’s a bit heavier than other camping axes, after all. So they did some batoning. And Coleman held up!
Plus…
Coleman’s blade edge is super sharp, even straight out of the box. We didn’t need to do some honing for the whole trip. That’s more than we could say about other expensive brands!
And the axe head has a notch for pulling out stakes. We found it also useful in cutting thin ropes or paracords.
Also…
Its rubber grip will keep it planted inside your palms. Because of its high friction, it’s a little uncomfortable. But that’s a small price to pay for safety, right?
However, we hoped it came with a sheath. It would’ve had a perfect portability score.
Still…
Coleman has great value for its price. You’ll find it a steal!
Best Perfected Balance Hatchet For Camping – Top Pick Award
Fiskars 378501-1002 X7 Hatchet
Weight – 1.4 lbs
Measurements – 16.5 x 5.5 x 1 inch
Handle Material – Fibreglass-reinforced plastic
Blade Material – Medium carbon steel
Manufacturer – Fiskars
Overall Score:
92
The Bottom Line:
The balanced and speedy swing you’ll experience with Fiskars is unlike that of other camping axes!Pros
- Lighter than others
- Even weight distribution
- Durable and sturdy build
- Low-friction blade coating
- Secure grip
- Sharp edge with good retention
- Includes a clip-style sheath
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Prone to rust
- The length might be too long
- The coating chips off easily
Summary
Fiskars has many qualities that make it deserve to be on this list. But it’s our Top Pick award winner because of its impressive balance!
You’ll see…
Once you get your hands on Fiskars, you’ll immediately love it. Its light build makes it easy to swing, requiring minimal effort. But that doesn’t mean it has no power.
A 16-inch backpacking hatchet is too long for some, but its weight is evenly distributed. The hatchet head is pretty heavy, so every swing holds power. In fact, we used its poll as a hammer head, and it worked just fine!
Add that to the blade’s low-friction coating – you have a high-performance axe! Splitting small logs would be a walk in the park with Fiskars.
Sure…
The coating scrapes off quickly. But not after several heavy uses. Besides, its sharp blade has good edge retention. We didn’t have to hone our Fiskars for a long time.
And its overall build is sturdy. Heavy-duty tasks have nothing on this axe!
We just had a few complaints about rust – you have to keep your Fiskars from exposure to moisture and sunlight.
But that’s about it. And you’ll be able to do those chores without worrying about Fiskars falling out of your hands. Its grip has a high-friction design to secure itself in your palms.
On top of all that…
The Fiskars hatchet comes with a clip-style sheath. And it’s a durable one too!
So, even though it’s not the most affordable hatchet on the market, it’s the best camping axe in terms of balance. Combine that with its other qualities, and you won’t even mind the price!
Best Portable Hatchet For Camping
Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe
Weight – 1 lb
Measurements – 3.5 x 1 x 9.46 inches
Handle Material – Rubber
Blade Material – Stainless steel
Manufacturer – Gerber
Overall Score:
90
The Bottom Line:
Kudos to a camping axe that won’t bog you down as you carry it around anywhere!Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Compact size and lightweight
- Great for both heavy-duty and delicate tasks
- Comfortable and secure grip
- Includes a nylon sheath
- Sharp edge
- Durable overall build
Cons
- It needs frequent honing
- Slightly unbalanced
- The poll is too fine
Summary
Gerber Pack is probably the most compact hatchet we could find. It’s smaller than the others – but don’t let its size fool you!
We loved how Gerber Pack performs on the field. It’s useful for making stakes, cutting ropes, and other delicate tasks.
But surprisingly…
It can also chop firewood and split logs! Its super-sharp blade needed honing from time to time, but we managed.
And its durability showed when we found no damage after several uses. A few scratches were there, but that’s about it.
Only…
It’s smaller than others which would explain why it’s lightweight. But the axe head should be heavier to give power to your swing.
But it’s only slightly unbalanced. It has finger grooves for a secure grip that’s comfortable to the palms, so you’ll get the hang of this hatchet in no time.
Plus…
It comes with a durable nylon sheath! This can be the best backpacking hatchet for you for an affordable price!
Best All-Weather Approved Hatchet For Camping
Kershaw Deschutes ”Bearded” Hatchet Camp Axe
Weight – 1 lb
Measurements – 18.5 x 3.33 x 4.65 inches
Handle Material – Glass-filled nylon handle
Blade Material – Stainless steel
Manufacturer – Kershaw
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
Do you need an axe for all seasons and all weathers? Then, get the Kershaw Deschutes backpacking hatchet!Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable overall build
- Comfortable and secure grip
- Includes molded sheath and nylon carrying straps
- Sharp blade
- Rust-resistant
Cons
- Expensive
- Unbalanced weight-to-length ratio
- It needs frequent honing
- The blade might be too thin
Summary
If you’re the type of camper who doesn’t care about the weather, you should care about your tools. You need a good-quality hatchet that can withstand the heat and the cold.
Good for you…
We found the Kershaw Deschutes “Bearded” hatchet!
At first, we thought that it was too light for its length. And we hoped it could have more weight on the hatchet blade. But it’s even thinner than most blades we’ve tried.
So, imagine our surprise when we found out how durable it is! Kershaw is the only hatchet that withstood all the weathers that we brought it to. Not that they all broke, but Kershaw didn’t even rust!
However…
We had to bring a sharpening stone after our first trip with it. Kershaw is sharp, for sure. But it dulls out more often than we expected, especially at a price like that.
But it didn’t hold out on its sheath. The material is sturdy, and it has a strap that makes it easier for you to carry it.
Plus…
The hatchet handle is designed to have high friction. It stays in your grip whatever the weather. And it’s very comfortable too!
Best Strong Hatchet For Camping
Morakniv Boron Steel Camping Axe
Weight – 1.1 lbs
Measurements – 12.6 x 1 x 5 inches
Handle Material – Reinforced plastic
Blade Material – Boron steel
Manufacturer – Industrial Revolution
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
You won’t need too much strength to split wood or chop wood – Morakniv Boron Steel camping axe has you covered!Pros
- Includes a leather sheath
- Compact and lightweight
- Balanced weight-to-length ratio
- Sharp edge
- Comfortable and secure grip
- Great for batoning and felling small trees
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- It needs frequent honing
- The blade chips off after several uses
- The blade is too thin
Summary
If you haven’t heard of Boron steel yet, well, let us enlighten you. It’s only one of the strongest materials out there! No wonder this Morakniv hatchet is more expensive than the others.
So…
When it comes to splitting wood and other heavy-duty camping tasks, this is your guy. We even used it for felling trees!
You’ll have to hone it from time to time. But once done, it becomes super sharp. And it’s easy to use too because of how comfortable the handle is. It won’t slip off your hand that easily.
Surprisingly…
This tough and durable hatchet is light and compact. We hoped its blade was thicker so the edge won’t chip off this quickly.
But we like how portable it is. Especially because of its durable leather sheath.
All in all…
Morakniv is one of the best camping axes we’ve tried. You’ll surely love this addition to your gear!
Best Rubber Grip Hatchet For Camping
Schrade SCAXE10 11.1in Full Tang Hatchet
Weight – 1.37 lbs
Measurements – 12.5 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
Handle Material – Rubber
Blade Material – Stainless steel
Manufacturer – Taylor Brands LLC
Overall Score:
86
The Bottom Line:
Get this Schrade SCAXE and its reliably secure grip so you can continue splitting firewood without worries!Pros
- Affordable
- Compact, and lightweight
- Balanced weight-to-length ratio
- Super secure grip
- Includes thermoplastic belt sheath
- Durable overall build
Cons
- Slightly uncomfortable grip
- Less sharp and needs honing
Summary
You can’t beat a rubber handle in grip security. Some might find it uncomfortable because of the friction. But it’s known to have prevented accidents by staying in the camper’s hand as they swing it around.
If that’s what you’re looking for, Schrade SCAXE is the perfect hatchet!
But not only that…
It’s also one of the most portable axes and hatchets. Its size and weight make it easy to be carried. And you can attach its sheath to your belt holster.
Not bad for an affordable tool, right?
However…
You must hone it first after taking it out of the box. It’s not as sharp as we’d hoped. And a sharpening stone might come in handy at camp when it dulls out again.
Still, you’ll have a great time splitting firewood with Schrade SCAXE. It’s well-balanced, secure, and very durable.
Best Durable Hatchet For Camping
Ruger R3001K Collectibles Tactical Axes Hatchets
Weight – 1.65 lbs
Measurements – 15.16 x 5.12 x 1.1 inches
Handle Material – Glass-reinforced nylon handle
Blade Material – Carbon steel
Manufacturer – Columbia River Knife & Tool
Overall Score:
84
The Bottom Line:
Ruger is a reliable axe that can withstand even the heaviest tasks around camp!Pros
- Durable and sturdy overall build
- Rust-resistant coating
- Sharp and strong
- The poll is great for hammering or pounding
- Balanced weight-to-length ratio
Cons
- Expensive
- Flimsy and uncomfortable grip
- Needs frequent honing
- It doesn’t include a sheath
Summary
Wood and ropes aren’t the only things that break at camp – hatchets too! We witnessed an axe head flying more than once. And this might be funny now, but it’s very dangerous if you’re there.
If you don’t want that happening, you need a durable hatchet – Like CRKT’s Ruger tactical axe!
Why do we recommend it?
Ruger is one of the toughest axes we’ve tried. We were excited to take it to camp because it looked like it had lots to offer. And because of its price, we expected that.
And it didn’t disappoint us at all! After we chopped and split wood to our heart’s content, we didn’t see any damage.
However…
It dulled out after several uses. It was sharp to begin with. And it’s effective in the camping and bushcraft tasks. But we had to hone several times.
Still, it had more uses than other camping axes. For example, you can use its pole like a hammer head. That’s one more tool that you don’t have to bring to camp.
Also…
We had a few problems with its grip. You need to hold it firmly and the handle’s finish is a bit uncomfortable to the palms.
But even then, the weight is evenly distributed. Ruger is so well-balanced your aim would be as accurate as possible!
Best Traditional Hatchet For Camping
Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet
Weight – 1.72 lbs
Measurements – 14 x 6.5 x 1 inch
Handle Material – Hickory wood
Blade Material – Ovako Carbon Steel
Manufacturer – Anchor Marine Co.
Overall Score:
82
The Bottom Line:
Basic and simple, yet sharp and reliable for chopping, kindling and other camping chores!Pros
- Includes leather sheath
- Durable and sturdy
- Sharp cutting edge
- Balanced weight-to-length ratio
- Comfortable grip
Cons
- Very expensive
- It needs frequent honing
- Flimsy grip
Summary
Axes and hatchets continue to change. But if you believe that tradition is still the best, let’s go back to the basics.
Gransfors Bruks has this traditional-style hatchet with a carbon steel axe head and hickory handle!
For sure…
You won’t regret a penny if you buy this. It’s expensive, yes, but it has lots to offer!
Carbon steel is well-known for its durability. And it shows when we used this hatchet. Even though it dulls out pretty quickly, it’s worth it once it’s honed. This hatchet’s sharpness makes splitting logs like child’s play.
Not to mention…
It’s balanced from the wooden handle to the axe head. We hoped that the grip would be more secure, but it was still safe and accurate once we got the hang of it.
Besides, hickory wood feels comfortable. None of us had blisters even after a day’s work of chopping up medium-sized logs.
So, we conclude…
Nothing beats the basics – not even with a survival hatchet!
Best Modern Design Hatchet For Camping
Gerber 14-Inch Hatchet
Weight – 1.5 lbs
Measurements – 1.3 x 7 x 14.8 inches
Handle Material – Composite
Blade Material – Steel
Manufacturer – Gerber Legendary Blades
Overall Score:
82
The Bottom Line:
If modern style suits you, the Gerber hatchet is a durable and affordable choice!Pros
- Average price point
- Compact and lightweight
- Durable and sturdy overall build
- Comfortable grip
- Includes sheath
- Balanced
Cons
- Flimsy grip
- Dull cutting edge out of the box
- Not for huge logs
Summary
Here’s another affordable axe that exceeded our expectations. This Gerber hatchet is every bit the modern-style axe. You might like its design. But there’s more to it than that!
First…
Its size and weight make it a great backpacking hatchet. It includes a plastic sheath in the package, sturdy enough for transport.
But the hatchet itself is the durable and sturdy one. If you’re not confident swinging it when splitting firewood, batoning is good. This hatchet can withhold the trauma, for sure!
Also…
Even if the handle could use more friction, its even weight distribution compensates for that. It’s well-balanced so don’t worry too much about your aim.
Anyway, your hands won’t be overworked quickly because the handle is comfortable griping.
But…
You might need to sharpen it before the first use. As soon as we took it out of the box, we noticed it was dull. But after honing the edge, it proved to be very useful on the field.
We must warn you, though – Gerber isn’t a hatchet for chopping logs. But if you want to split firewood, by all means!
Section 3: Why Trust Us?
We’re not professional backpackers and campers. We’re just a bunch of people who love the outdoors. If you’re one of us, surely you’ll understand why we have to try every choice for camping gear, equipment, and tools.
That’s why…
We set out to find the best camping axes and hatchets on the market! When we received the packages and took the tools out, we immediately started our investigation.
We noted the overall build, the quality of the materials, the sharpness of the blades, and the feel of the handles. But, of course, we weren’t content with that.
So…
We set out on our camping trips bringing two to three of them. Although splitting kindling is fun, it’s exhausting work. So we figured that you don’t have to go through all of that just to find the best hatchet.
We did the hard work for you!
And now… We have this top ten list for you to choose from!
Section 4: Buyers Guide: How To Choose The Best Camping Hatchets
What are the different types of Camping Hatchets?
- Felling axe – long-handled and specifically designed for cutting trees down.
- Tactical axe – designed as a weapon against imminent danger.
- Tomahawk – an all-around tool used by Native Americans.
Features to look out for:
- An axe or hatchet should come with a durable sheath.
- Sheaths are better with a carry strap, holster, or belt clip.
- The low-friction coating does wonders to the blade’s performance.
- High-friction design on handles improves grip security.
Hatchets and specifications explained:
Hatchets are axes with short handles designed to be used with one hand only.
- Weight – this is a factor of portability and an indicator of durability.
- Measurements – this is the biggest factor of portability.
- Handle Material – this indicates the durability of the handle and the comfortability and security of the grip.
- Blade Material – this indicates the durability of the blade, its sharpness, and edge retention.
These are things to consider:
- A carbon steel blade is more durable but is more prone to rust.
- Stainless steel is rust-resistant but less durable.
- A hickory handle, or any wooden handle, is lighter than a metal one. But it’s less durable.
- A leather handle is more comfortable and offers a secure grip.
Jargon buster:
- Batoning – using a wooden stick or baton for hitting a knife spine or hatchet poll to split wood.
Best Hatchets For Camping Top Tips:
- Safety is more important than comfort, so you should choose a high-friction grip.
- A heavy axe head is generally more powerful. But you still need to practice your swing.
A poll that you can use as a hammer head is preferable to hatchets with thin polls.
Section 5: FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q – How do I sharpen a hatchet?
A – First, you must clean the axe head and oil the grindstone. Then, use the rough part to sharpen both sides of the blade. Lastly, use the fine part of the stone to refine the edge and make it the sharpest.
Q – Are hatchets and tomahawks the same thing?
A – They’re almost the same, except that a tomahawk is longer and more tapered.
Q – How do I choose between a hatchet and an axe?
A – Hatchets are more suitable for camping because they’re built to be compact. But if you’re going to fell trees in your backyard, better get an axe.
Round-Up
You can base your decision on the overall scores and the details of our experiences with these hatches. But we suggest that you check out their metric scores too. You’ll see which hatchet is the best in terms of your favorite metric!
Section 6: Our Analysis, Comparisons & Test Results
Sharpness
What’s a hatchet good for if it’s not razor-sharp? That’s why we think that Sharpness is the most important metric.
The condition of the cutting edge straight out of the box says a lot. So, we considered that when we inspected these camping hatchets. And the other factors include edge retention, blade design, etc.
And we found…Our Editor’s Choice Estwing Sportsman and Top Pick Fiskars are the two sharpest axes!
Portability
A compact hatchet has many advantages. It’s easy to bring it anywhere. And because of its lightness, there’s no need to put too much effort into swinging it. That’s why we included Portability as a metric.
Size and weight are the biggest factors. But we also noted how safe the sheath is. It must be able to protect both the axe head and the bearer of the axe.On this front… The winner is the Gerber Pack Hatchet!
Durability
All of these survival hatchets that made it to this list impressed us with their durability. Sure, there were inconsistencies. There were scratches and small damages to the base, handle, etc.
But we were more concerned about how long it took for the hatchets to stop being useful. And our top ten are pretty long-lasting!
Balance and Accuracy
As you can see…
Fiskars towered over the rest in terms of the Balance and Accuracy metric. That’s why it’s our Top Pick!
First, we were impressed by the even weight distribution. And when we took it to the field, we loved how we could swing it effortlessly!
But…
Even though the others didn’t get perfect scores, these are still the most balanced hatchets we could find.
Wood Splitting
The main purpose of bringing a hatchet to the campsite is for the logs. You’d want to make kindling, stakes, poles, etc. So, Wood Splitting is an important metric.
This measures the hatchet’s overall performance. And our main basis for the scores was how easily and quickly we were able to finish those tasks.
You can observe…Our Editor’s Choice Estwing Sportsman and Best Value Coleman are the highest scorers!
Our Final Verdict: Best Camping Hatchets
The camping axes in this top ten list have so much to offer!
Best Value Coleman has its affordability and quality. Top Pick Fiskars has its balance. And Editor’s Choice Estwing Sportsman will amaze you with its versatility and performance in splitting wood and other camping chores.
But…
Don’t underestimate the others! Our award winners might be the best, but all of these axes and hatchets will surely level up your camping trips!
Section 7: Conclusion: Best Camping Hatchet
Now you’ve seen the best camping axes based on our experience. But if you want to be sure – go ahead and try one or two out!
Maybe…
Do you like the simplicity of traditional-styled Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet? Or, if you’re the modern type, the Gerber hatchets might appeal to you.
But…
If you want the type that would be your companion for years, go with the most durable ones! Morakniv, Ruger, and Kershaw are your best bets.Whatever your choice is, we’re here to cheer you on, buddy. The great outdoors is waiting for your return!
