If you love spending time outdoors and exploring nature, bushcrafting is an incredibly enjoyable way to spend your time. A top axe is an essential tool for any bushcrafter as it is used to cut and shape wood, carve tools, and make fires. The right axe can help you work more efficiently and make the most of your time in the wilderness. With its curved blade, a top axe is great for cutting branches and small logs, while its large flat head is great for splitting larger pieces of wood. It is also a great tool for carving and it is easy to sharpen, making it ideal for bushcrafting. Bushcrafting with a top axe can be a very rewarding experience and is sure to give you many happy memories that you can cherish for a lifetime.
If you’re looking for a versatile tool for anywhere with heavy vegetation, the best bushcraft axe should be your first choice. While large specimens can get heavy, versatile medium weight options do exist, and it’s a truly useful tool that can be used for anything up to and including self-defence.
With the right axe, you can go far, no matter the tasks or vegetation that may face you. Below, we look at some of the best bushcraft axes available on the market today, as well as how to make the right choice for your needs.
Top 5 Best Bushcraft Axe’s for 2020
[table id=31 /]What makes a good bushcraft Axe?
If you’re looking for a blend of power and flexibility, then the bushcraft axe is the style you’re secretly craving. This particular design is usually a top seller for axe companies, driven partly by some celebrity popularity but mostly by the usefulness of design.
They’re versatile, but still easily portable, small enough to be used single-handedly but tough enough to take heavier two handled operation. It occupies a niche area in the axe world, and while the style does have its detractors, most people enjoy working with these neat and compact axes.
It’s a good compromise for getting the right elements of both hatchet and axe if budgets a little tight. It’s easier to handle and to learn and can be easily carried in a backpack. The smallness of build, however, means that you need to pay attention to a few points.
Firstly, these axe heads are generally made of steel. Get the right kind of steel that can hold up to the tasks you need that axe to perform but sharpen easily enough not to be a drag. You also need to make certain that the blade shape is right for your needs, and the style of axe use you intend to use the most.
The handle is a critical part of a bushcraft axe. If you’re going to be straying from the tough polymers of other axe styles, it’s vital you get a tough and strong handle that won’t split and become a safety hazard. Most bushcraft axes are hickory, due to its properties, although some variants do exist.
It’s always worth paying some careful attention to the wedge that holds the head onto the shaft of the axe. Some careful time spent with reviews can give you a good sense of whether these will stand up to the task and keep a firm fitting hold on the axe head. It’s dangerous to use an axe which has a loose head, and a very bad idea for both the holder and anyone in the immediate area
Now you know what to look for in a good axe, let’s take a look at some of the better models available on the market at the moment, and what makes them particularly unique.
1. Husqvarana Carpenter’s Axe
- Designed with a long straight cutting edge and thin blade to allow for stability and control when cutting
- Best suited for carpentry and other wood work
- Recess in the head so that the hand gets as close as possible to the cutting edge for maximum control
- Includes a leather edge cover
- Head is attached to a hickory shaft using both a wooden and a Steel Wedge to secure fastening
Tech Specs:
- Length: 20” overall
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Material: Swedish steel and hickory
2. Granfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
- Length with handle: 19 inch, Comes original Gransfors "Axe-book"
- Weight: 2 lbs
- Sheath in vegetable tanned leather
- Perfect for splitting small sticks or cutting limbwood
- The Small Forest Axe is excellent for felling trees and limbing
Tech Specs:
- Length: 21” overall
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
- Material: Steel and hickory
3. Husqvarna Hatchett
- Small, light axe that can be used for cutting branches or splitting small camp fire wood
- Head is attached to the hickory shaft using both a wooden and steel wedge to secure fastening
- Comes with a leather edge cover
- Hatchet is designed for one-handed use on light wood cutting
Tech Specs:
- Length: 14” overall
- Weight: 2.4lbs
- Material: Swedish steel and Hickory
4. Condor Greenland Pattern Axe
- CONVEX GRIND: The convex grind edge of this high carbon steel tomahawk ensures impressive hardness and edge retention. It is built to withstand rugged jobs such as cutting trees and dense vegetation...
- HICKORY HANDLE: The burnt American hickory handle is a blend of aesthetics and ergonomics providing a comfortable and secure grip, enhancing this tomahawk axe’s ease of use. This splitting axe's...
- HANDCRAFTED WELTED LEATHER SHEATH: Handcrafted with attention to detail and a simple aesthetic, this sheath is designed to safeguard the tactical axe while ensuring secure closure, tear resistance,...
- CONDOR CLASSIC FINISH: The perfected hand hammering process of the Condor classic finish gives this ax a unique and timeless aesthetic. It celebrates the raw, traditional look of this throwing hatchet...
- VERSATILITY: The convex grind is a deliberate design choice that enhances the performance of this tactical tomahawk, making it reliable and excel at various tasks. It can be used as a tomahawk, a wood...
Tech Specs:
- Length: 16” Overall
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
- Material: High Carbon Steel and Hickory
5. Wetterlings Bushman Axe – By Les Stroud
Tech Specs:
- Length: 22”
- Weight: 1.6 lbs
- Material: Stainless steel with solid wooden handle.
Conclusion
Each of these bushcraft axes may well be simple in design, but they each deliver toughness and quality to get the job done. You won’t go wrong with any of these best bushcraft axe.
