Hatchets
A camping hatchet is like the ultimate wingman for your outdoor escapades. Need to split some firewood for that roaring campfire? Bam, hatchet's got you covered. Gotta set up a shelter and need to trim some branches? You guessed it – that hatchet's gonna make it happen.
You want something with a solid, full-tang construction. That means the blade won't go flying off when you're putting in some serious work. Look for a sturdy handle – wood or synthetic, it's gotta give you a good grip even when your hands are wet and muddy.
Speaking of the blade, make sure it's made from high-quality steel. You don't want it dulling out on you after a couple of chops. A good edge retention is key. And size matters, folks. You want something that's gonna give you enough leverage but won't weigh you down like a sack of bricks. A blade length around 3 to 4 inches is the sweet spot.
Your camping hatchet should be a jack-of-all-trades. It's gotta be able to chop, split, and even do some light carving if you're feeling artsy. Check for a sharp point on the backside – perfect for making starter holes or breaking through tough materials.
And don't forget about safety. Get a hatchet with a protective sheath or cover, so you don't accidentally turn your gear into a horror movie prop when it's not in use.
Hatchet reviews
Fiskars X7
This lightweight hatchet is a budget-friendly, chop-with-the-grain kindling hatchet. It balances the power-to-weight ratio to increase swing speed on branches. A textured non-slip grip reduces hand strain, while an over-molded head connection and sheath add protection. The blade tends to chip and needs frequent sharpening.
Measuring 16.5L x 5.5W x 1.0H inches (42L x 14W x 25H cm) and weighing 1.4 pounds (635 grams), the X7 hatchet comes with a belt clip carrying case. It’s easy to carry backpacking.
The shock-absorbing FiberComp® handle is lightweight and stronger than steel. It’s ergonomic and a comfortable grip. The handle is slippery when wet.
The forged steel blade tends to nick and chip after minimal use. It is not unusual for the hatchet to arrive out of the box dull. Sharpening is easy, which means the blade doesn’t keep an edge well. You’re going to need to sharpen after chopping enough kindling to get a fire going.
The X7 is designed to maximize swing. The hatchet will bounce right off logs if you’re not chopping in the same direction as the grain, or creating a notch at a minimal angle to the grain before you really start swinging. A low-friction blade coating prevents the head from getting stuck.
The hatchet works best with straight-grained softwoods as a chopping tool, although the flat back of the head allows you to cautiously use the X7 as a splitting tool. Support a small log against another (to avoid injury with any bounce). Start the split with a quick wack. Grab a dead fall and hit the back of the hatchet to drive it into the wood. The plastic handle dissipates the shock.
We’ve heard of the over-molded head breaking, but it hasn’t happened to us yet.
Fiskars X7 hatchet is an affordable, lightweight, comfortable hatchet perfect for kindling.
Estwing Sportsman's Axe 14 Inch Camping
This lightweight hatchet is made from one piece of steel, durable and ends up being the “can I borrow” Go-To among family and friends. If you are an occasional camper with modest wood prepping needs, this is a very serviceable hatchet that won't break the bank.
Measuring 13L x 5W x 1H inches (33L x 13W x 2.5H cm) and weighing 1.86 pounds (844 grams), the Sportsman has a leather-wrapped handle made slick with epoxy/lacquer. The handle is completely smooth with no texture to provide traction. If you have sweaty palms or are using it in the rain, it’s an accident waiting to happen.
The nylon sheath forces you to slide the hatchet blade up the handle and out of the cover. You can scrape your palm both removing and replacing the sheath with this design. It’s a two-handed operation for sure.
The full-tang alloy steel blade gives you 2 ¾ inches (7 cm) of cutting edge. The super flat profile makes it a great chopper and splitter. It arrives out the box dull and will require blade maintenance. The weight and swing feel balanced, enough to do some damage to 6-inch (15 cm) diameter tree, create a pile of kindling and small wood for a fire.
The workmanship of the Sportsman Hatchet is sloppy – poor welds, nicks in the handle lacquer, impossible to remove stickers. However, this is an adequate everyday beater hatchet. Your kids, nephews, uncle and neighbor are going to borrow it. You’re going to throw in your trunk for a camping trip or an emergency kit - and it is going to last. It is sturdy and durable.
Gransfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet 13.5 Inch
This handcrafted, heirloom-quality hatchet is balanced, has a sharp edge and doesn’t tire your hand out after extended use. It’s awesome for splitting kindling and firewood, chopping small diameter trees and branches, and pounding in tent pegs. It feels comfortable choking up when carving too.
Measuring 13.5 inches (34 cm) and weighing 1.3 pounds (590 grams), the Wildlife Hatchet has a smooth-grained hickory handle and utilitarian leather blade sheath that doesn’t clip to your belt. If you work up a sweat, the handle gets slippery.
The carbon steel blade comes sharp. It is more brittle than ‘softer’ steel and will chip even under mild use. Those dressing game animals or working with hardwoods will find this true.
There are counterfeits on the market. The hand-made forging of the Wildlife Hatchet makes it harder to tell if yours is counterfeit – it’s not perfect to start with. Real ones may have faint or partial stamps, may have the head mounted to the handle crooked, or may have the head's eye punched about 30% off center. Occasionally, the handle is cracked.
Be forewarned: Gransfors Bruk has a ‘not our fault’ return policy, so you’ll end up bitter after swallowing the price for defective quality.
The Wildlife Hatchet is lightweight, feels good in your hand, and bites beautifully. The heft and balance are ideal for tasks too large for a knife. Hand-forged, it’s heirloom quality.
Schrade SCAXE2
This hatchet is small, lightweight and has a secure grip. It features a hammer pommel and an extra-large ferro rod in the shaft. It splits like an axe because all the weight is in the head. Not for use in cold temperatures - the hatchet snaps.
Measuring 11.8 inch (30 cm) overall, with a blade length of 3.8 inches (9.6 cm), and weighing 1.6 pounds (744 grams), the Schrade SCAXE2 has an ergonomic, glass-fiber filled PA handle with a black, textured, thermoplastic rubber grip. It’s comfortable and non-slip even in wet conditions.
The thermoplastic belt sheath makes the hatchet decent to hang from a belt, vest, or backpack. The sheath fits the head perfectly and snaps up. The snap is a bit hard to open and close at first. It need breaking in. You can’t use the hammer pommel with the sheath on. A naked blade whistling by your kid’s ear is a test of your parenthood.
The blade is made of durable 3Cr13 titanium coated stainless steel and is fairly thick. 3CR13 stainless steel is corrosion resistant, robust enough for outdoor use, and easy to sharpen. It ships with an OK edge and will need sharpening moderately frequently. If you hit objects other than wood (gravel or a rock), the blade will nick or chip. Sharpening is quick and easy.
The extra-large ferro rod in the handle is a nice bonus. Replace the lanyard with neon paracord for visibility. Use the top of the axe head (not the blade edge) to strike. It sends off a ton of sparks. It takes a little practice because the weight is in the head.
The Schrade SCAXE2 handle may break. The most common break points are right above the hole for the fire starter and where the handle meets the head. The handle does not handle cold, meaning -4°F to -22°F (-20°C to -30°C).
Small, lightweight, portable and yet packing an incredible hit, the Schrade SCAXE2 makes a versatile camping/hiking hatchet.
Coleman Camp Axe
This hatchet is affordable, versatile for chopping small branches up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, splitting kindling, pounding tent stakes and pulling tent pegs. It arrives out of the box dull and dulls easily.
Measuring 13L x 5W x 1H inches (33L x 13W x 2.5H cm) and weighing 2 pounds (907 grams), the Coleman Camp Axe has a steel handle coated with hard, non-slip rubber. The handle is curved, which may make the axe feel unbalanced, and has no shock absorption. Good for short-term chopping, splitting and pounding only.
The alloy steel blade is dull out of the box, sharpens fairly well, but dulls after about a dozen chops. The factory edge is sometimes uneven. It will rust. The head boasts a tent stake puller notch - also handy for pulling nails.
No sheath or belt carrier provided. You can buy a universal canvas or leather hatchet/axe cover or put it back in the plastic case. The Camp Axe is small enough to carry on your hip, but may be a little heavy for packing on long excursions.
The Coleman Camp Axe is a great all-around camping axe for those on a budget and for kids who want to show their prowess around the camp site. It’s tough enough to handle being dropped, banged and abused, and small and lightweight enough to do basic camping tasks.
GOT FEEDBACK?
If you've used one of the hatchets I reviewed and you have something to add, I'd love to hear it.
Same, if you have a hatchet you love (or hate) that's not reviewed here, tell me about it and I'll check it out.
