Reddit mentions: The best gardening axes

First off, I think this is the most elaborate contest I've ever participated in, so congratulations for that :P Fear cuts deeper than swords. I hope some of my items are awesome enough for some extra credit ;) Also I wasn't sure if duplicates are allowed. I will revise if necessary.

1.) Something grey and it's been on my wishlist.

2.) Rain, well not technically rain, she is a water bender :P Previously on my wishlist.

3.) Unusual, I think this is something I would use like twice a year. With ice cream or cereal.

4.) Someone else My sister and I want to start playing tabletop games. Previously on my wishlist.

5.) "Book" I took a little bit of liberty with this one because it's a graphic novel. But it's Batman, so...(Previously on my wishlist).

6.) Under a dollar.

7.) Cats There's a catbus in it, which is pretty much the best part of the movie. Previously on my wishlist.

8.) Beautiful As a Star Wars fan having the original trilogy on Blu Ray would be beautiful to me. I love high definition movies, especially ones that are aesthetically pleasing. Previously on my wishlist.

9.) Movie As a Browncoat, I would encourage anyone who has a remote interest in Sci-Fi to give this a chance. Previously on my wishlist.

10.) Zombie tool I don't think this needs explanation.

11.) (Updated) Useful for future. I have a desire to create meaningful video games. Previously on wish list.

12.) Add on I actually had this on my wishlist but removed it because add-on items are lame.

13.) Most expensive As previously stated, I want to be a game developer/designer so not only would it be fun to play with, I could create with it too. Previously on list.

14.) Bigger than breadbox Total in the box it is bigger than a breadbox. Previously on wishlist.

15.) Bigger than a golf ball It's a large book. Previously on wishlist.

16.) Smells good As a guy...I enjoy the scent of lavender.

17.) Safe for children toy I don't think this needs any introduction of why it's awesome.

18.) Back to school drawing helps keep me sane. Previously on my list.

19.) Current obsession I'm a noob to tabletop games. But have been wanting to get into it obsessively within the past month or so. And this also takes my love of A Song of Ice and Fire into the mix. Previously on list.

20.) [Amazing] (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-XBR-65X900A-65-Inch-120Hz-Ultra/dp/B00BSREQI6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1376281533&sr=8-4&keywords=4k+tv) I've seen one of these in person at the mall and it literally made me stop walking the resolution was so incredible. I know it's as expensive as dicks...but man...when these are affordable...

Bonus 2) Made in Oregon I would have put Tillamook Ice Cream, since it's pretty awesome...but alas not on Amazon.

Edit: Changed an item because I saw it won't count because it's a duplicate.

*Tl;Dr. BUY CHEAP AT FIRST!! Any Morakniv and the Gator Combo hatchet/saw will get you started with shelter building, firewood processing, and campcraft projects. Total is about $50 USD. I hate pruning saws in general, but if you must have one then the Corona is slightly cheaper than the Bahco, performs the same or better, and has more size options. If budget isn't an issue silky makes professional grade saws, but consider just getting a buck saw blade and making a frame yourself.**

 

I've collected an assortment of knives/axes/saws for trips into the woods and since there is usually 3 or 4 post per week asking about knife purchases, I thought I would share some of my experiences I have with budget/mid range cutting tools for Bushcraft.

 

Pictured:

1. Council Tools boys Axe.
   
2. Hultafors classic felling (They also make the identical husqvarna)
   
3. Bhaco Rucksack Axe on a 28" handle.
   
4. Tramontina machete with modified blade
   
5. Bhaco branded Mora in Stainless Steel
   
6. Esee 6
   
7. Esee Izula 2
   
8. Gerber Gator Combo
   
9. Bob Dustrude Quick Buck saw
   
10. Leatherman Wave
    
11. Opinel no. 8 Carbon
    
12. Esee Avispa
    
     
    
    Thoughts:
    
    
13. Council - Favorite pack axe. Perfect mix of head weight, handle length, cost, and availability. Theres also a smaller version with a 24" handle and lighter head some may prefer.
    
    
14. Hultafors/Husqvarna - Good for green/softwoods but I deal with hardwoods and don't bring it after getting the Council.
    
    
15. Bahco - came with a 19inch handle and I found it's too much compromise for the work it will do. A 28" handle with a slightly heavier head will perform circles around it. Out of the box it its designed for splitting. Takes a significant amount of grinding on the cheeks to be any good at chopping. Tries to hard to be an axe and a hatchet and fails at both IMO.
    
16. Tramontina - Cheap and effective machete. I cut the off some of the blade for better portability and working in denser brush.
    
    
17. Mora - Same thing as the companion but $5-$7 cheaper on amazon. Theres a reason everyone suggests Mora here. For bushcraft you are working primarily with wood and the scandi grind is made for it. Buy a mora first and figure out if you want something specialized later. Really anything with a Scandinavian grind will serve you well. Mora offers high carbon and stainless steel blades. Stainless wont rust but also wont throw sparks by scraping a ferro rod as effectively as carbon. Carbon steels will rust if you don't take care of them but hold an edge much longer. So if your using it for making fire and carving a lot of wood get carbon; if you want to use it for food prep and not worry about it rusting get stainless.
    
    
18. Esee 6 - Shameless McQ inspired purchase from earlier days but still my one knife/survival choice. It does everything adequately but nothing spectacularly. They're over a $100 USD and for a beginner just get a Mora. I mostly only take this car camping now or when I only want to take a knife and a canteen into the woods but it is a chore to use.
    
    
19. Esee Izula 2 - Got as a companion to the Esee 6. Its thick blade makes it poor for most finer work that its sized for. Works better as a fixed blade EDC.
    
    
20. Gerber Hatchet - Good starter hatchet for light wood processing and shelter building. The saw makes quick work of green woods up to 2" diameter and is a easily packable.
    
    
21. Buck saw - As far as packable saws go, this is the bees knees. its super lightweight, uses a standard size blade and the trapezoidal vs a triangular design you see in other pack saws allows for processing of larger diameter logs. I ditched my pruning saw as soon as I got this.
    
    
22. Leatherman Wave - Its heavy, its expensive and a poor choice for woodworking tasks. I use a multi tool every day at work but they dont really have a place for hiking/campcraft.
    
    
23. Opinel no. 8 Carbon - The blade is thin and the lock isn't very sturdy. It handles light carving in softwoods well enough for tent pegs, feather sticks, and pot hangers just not much else. Has a sharp spine for ferro rods and works well for food prep. The handle is bulky in the pocket but since its wood its easily modified. Good foragers knife.
    
    
24. Esee Avispa - Folder EDC. Not really for bushcraft but it's always on me and what I reach for to cut cord.
    
    
    Tools are a personal thing and I expect to hear about it in the comments on where others are coming from. r/bushcraft is largely an echo chamber for mora knives and for good reason. They are inexpensive, high quality, and well designed for the jobs you are likely wanting to do with a knife. Mors Kochanski goes in depth on this subject in his book Bushcraft; it's a must read for anyone starting out.
    

I would add for the sub-$50.00:

Estwing

Cold Steel Trench Hawk

Cold Steel Trail Hawk

The Estwings are very well built, but they have a somewhat soft heat treat. The Cold Steels are well-made and I particularly like their Trail Hawk (just threw in the Trench Hawk 'cause it's cool). It may be tempting to get the Rifleman's Hawk, but it's too big for an effective 'hawk and too small to be a good woodsman's ax.

Condor also makes some excellent value axes, but they have a lot of choices. You should give them a look!

For your stated use, I'd look at an ax. Here is a 2-part series by Mors Kochanski that should help in the choosing of an ax:

Part 1

Part 2

Axes are sweet. Have fun!

I have a little collection of GB's, including the small forest, scandanvian forest, and mini belt hatchet, and for "all purpose" I'd suggest the scandanavian. It's got a great length handle, the head has a fantastic cut and isn't too heavy so you won't tire too quickly. The only con I'd say is the obvious... they're not great for splitting rounds due to the head geometry. Kindling, absolutely, but anything bigger than your thigh may require some effort.


May i suggest a non-GB? Check out the Helko Pioneer. It is roughly the same length handle as the scandanavian forest axe, but a bit beefier in the hands, and the head is a tad heavier and thicker. It's proven to be a fantastic cutter and it's not half bad at splitting also. It's excellent, quickly became a fave. Great metal too, holds a fantastic edge and has never rolled or chipped on me. Enjoy responsibly :).

• I am loving my mora companion with the stainless blade for $11 (amazon prime). Beats my $13 Old Hickory knife for utility and comes with it's own sheath. (Prior comment) with suggested mods.
  
  
• Disposable lighter, either Clipper (preferred, but hard to find except on Amazon) or a BIC or something. Get something translucent or white so you can see the fluid level. (prior comment about clipper lighters)
  
  
• Zippo Lighter used as a backup, spare flint storage, and the ability to use scavenged fuels. It lights in extreme cold where butane can fail. To make it practical, you really need to do the inner-tube mod. (Far North Bushcraft and Survival) Even then, expect a filling to only last 4-6 months before it evaporates. (BTW most lighter "tricks" will shorten the life of the hinge, and you still need to pay shipping one-way to get it fixed for free, buy a fidget spinner instead.)
  
  
• I'm enjoying my 40oz Ozark Trails insulated mug from Walmart (walmart.com) (~$12? I've forgotten already) The vacuum insulation is good enough to keep ice frozen overnight. You can also rehydrate ramen noodles and other dehydrated things in it by adding boiling water. While it's my constant companion, it's not ultra-light. Totally a knockoff of RTIC and Yeti, and yet it's a quality product that survived a lot of abuse. (prior Post about a year ago I guess I've had mine for at least 18 months.
  
  
• I carry an inexpensive Vaughan SH2 22-Ounce Carpenters Half Hatchet (Amazon link for photo only, buy where you wish.) I saw these on closeout at Walmart. It did not come that sharp, but no real complaints otherwise. A curved cutting edge would work better for most bushcraft duties, but flat is better if you need what amounts to a really wide chisel. It's common to find these and hatchets for sale cheap with a broken handle, this style is easy to carve a replacement for if you're into that.
  
  
• Cheap emergency only mylar "space" blankets (Amazon again), though to be honest, the original reason I bought them was to reduce solar gain through home windows (mist window with water, squeege on cut space blanket, remove before winter when you want the heat, save for next year) They're less than $2 each when you buy about 10 and they work as ground cloths, tarps, and fire reflectors. Super light weight.
  
  ----
  Edit: expand and add more links
  

I like to sharpen my axes with a file this one works well. I have different axes for felling and splitting yours looks like it has a hollow or concave grind in my experience these don't make good splitting axes (sorry) but where you are just using it for kindling it should be fine. I like to sharpen my splitting axes with a more robust edge think cleaver vs fillet knife. And just sharp enough that if you push on it and slide your hand down it will cut you so pressure won't break the skin and sliding your thumb along the edge won't cut you but both will. Good luck

Edit: watch this at 17:15 he is done hanging the head and begins in on sharpening

Wetterlings and Gransfors Brux are the considered by many to be some of the best axes and hatchets you can buy (and they certainly cost enough!).

However, on the more normally priced, but still higher-end of things, you can safely get an Estwing, Fiskars, or Condor - with the edge going to Condor for being the most 'traditional' of those more normal priced hatchets.

Of those that I listed, I own the Estwing and Fiskars, as the others have just been out of my price range. I like them both very much. Over time, the finish on the leather handle of the Estwing will crack and flake, which is probably likely due to sun exposure - you will need to maintain the handle a bit eventually. The Fiskars, though definitely the most modern looking - are quite awesome hatchets for the price, and are incredibly durable. It's edge might be a little more fragile (it's just an angle thing, you could probably reprofile it if you were desperate) than the Estwing, but it cuts a little better too - you just have to avoid rocks (as you should be anyways).

I can’t comment on that one, but I have the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe 12” and I definitely like it thus far.

Looks like they are priced fairly similarly on Amazon at the moment. I paid closer to $50 USD for mine, so the current Amazon price looks appealing (especially with Prime).

I also like the Morakniv knives. I have them strewn about my house, vehicles, and my GF’s house. Most all of them are the cheaper $15 version, but I have had zero problems for light to medium tasks.

Happy hiking!

I bought a Fiskars X7 14" hatchet for $23 at WalMart and use it regularly.

I love that hatchet. I attached the plastic sheath to the MOLLE webbing on my pack with two carabiners so it doesn't swing around much. It hacked easily through a 6" diameter Oak limb that had fallen from a tree and after de-limbing, I choked up on the handle of the hatchet to carve a bow-drill kit. I was surprised how versatile the hatchet is. The steel is a little on the soft side, so it will need to be honed regularly, but the softer steel is also very easy to hone with a puck or a stone, so I really don't mind doing it.

I actually just got rid of my Ontario RAT-5 because I simply stopped using it once I got that hatchet. I already had a Mora so I really only used the RAT-5 for batoning.

Best part is, it weighs <2lbs with the sheath. It's a cheap way to figure out if a camp axe or hatchet will work for you. If you like it but want a little more chopping power, you can get the X15, 23.5" chopping axe off Amazon for like $35.

Or, if you decide you like it and want something higher quality, look into Council Tool's Velvicut Boy's Axe or Velvicut Hudson Bay Axe, or something hand-forged by the Swedish elves at Gransfors Bruks or Wetterlings.

Be aware of your technique though. Hatchets and small axes are very dangerous if you aren't cognizant of the swing. If you miss with a short axe, it won't hit the ground, it'll just swing around into your leg, so always use a large safety log underneath your target log to catch the axe, or get down onto your knees if you're chopping something low to the ground. Just generally try not to swing the head of the axe below your hips, it's a waste of calories anyway. Use the lanyard hole on the handle to loop a string around your wrist, because when you get tired, it will come out of your hand, eventually.

If you don't like the axe, you may consider a folding saw, like a Sven 21" or 15", Bahco Laplander or Silky 210 and/or a large survival knife, like an Ontario Spec Plus SP50, Ka-Bar Becker BK7 or an ESEE 6.

Honestly, I'm not in love with the Bark River knife. They say it's convex, but it feels kind of like one side is convex and the other side is straight. I'm left handed so the convex side is on the wrong side for me, the convex is good for feather sticks if you're right handed though.

The hatchet will lose it's edge much quicker but it's much easier to sharpen than that Bark River knife. CPM-3V is very hard and takes forever to sharpen, so that's something to consider.

I'd get the hatchet and save your money. Maybe look into getting small splitting ax, that's probably the next bushcraft/camping cutting tool I'm going to buy. Something like this. I haven't done much research on Mauls yet.

I don't own that yet, but my feedback on the hatchet I linked earlier would be that it's too thin and doesn't split wood as well as a more specialized too. I just recently learned about Mauls and I fuckin want one, they've got a sweet name and they're heavy and split wood much better than a camp ax. When I used the hatchet last weekend I found it difficult to chop through firewood that was bigger than approx. five inches across.

http://i.imgur.com/yFLLE.jpg http://i.imgur.com/6Y9rf.jpg .... Just thought I'd show this. There are very expensive German axes out there. I will get one. Till then this axe was purchased on amazon with the sheath for $25. Good balance, light and the axe head come to a very very thin edge. A little sharpening and this can be a great carving axe, as well as split wood. So, you don't need to spend $100 for a great axe. Cheers. http://i.imgur.com/W1Cai.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Graintex-CA1754-Single-14-Inch-Hickory/dp/B003H9M1DA/ref=pd_cp_hi_2/177-2135312-5036648

http://www.amazon.com/Nupla-22212-Rawhide-Blade-Campers/dp/B004UMH0U2/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1331700167&sr=1-1

I would have to kindly disagree. The BIFL part of a traditional axe head is that you can easily rehang(replace the handle) it yourself. What if Fiskars stops honoring their policy like so many other "BIFL" brands? Then you be stuck up shit creek without paddle. Give me a piece of wood and a rasp and I can make a handle in less than an hour.

The other gripe I have about the Fiskars (I own one myself) is that they vehemently tell you to never use the back end as a striking tool. It makes since, once you realize how the head is attached to the handle, and this to me takes away half the use of the tool. That said, it hasn't stopped me from using the back end for striking in a pinch, just not something you should be doing with it.

EDIT: If you want to downvote me, please entertain me with reasons why I am wrong. I hand make tools and use them a lot. I have used these type of axes as well as traditional ones and I feel like my arguments are sound based on first hand experience.

EDIT #2: Checked out Fiskars website on their warranty info. It appears that all axes sold now are covered for 25 years. I wouldn't consider that BIFL in my book. What happens is the plastic in the handle breaks down after time and exposure. Eventually it will break. Fiskars is betting that will be more than 25 years down the road.

EDIT#3: In spirit of what this is is all about, I would recommend a Husqvarna in any size and style with a wooden handle. They are Swedish made, and use a traditional design, allowing the purchaser to replace the handle. If you don't care to make a replacement handle yourself, they can be bought for less than $10 at any hardware store or on Amazon.

I don't think all of these points can be met with just a single knife.

Any knife strong enough to be used to baton wood over and over again isn't going to be inexpensive.

Partial serrations aren't very good, and in my experience, having a half serrated and half plain edge makes the knife okay at both but great at neither.

If you were going to rely on a knife as a survival knife, wouldn't you want it to be high quality as to not have it break on you when you need it most?

My suggestion would be a small camp axe, with a separate knife used for your serrated needs. Something like this Wetterling along with a small serrated knife like this SpyderCo.

OK.

So, there are essentially three materials the ax head could be made from: Iron, Steel and Mythril.

Iron is the most fragile at about 200MPa ultimate tensile strength, Steel will range from about 500 to 2600MPa depending on composition and Mythril is estimated to be above 90,000 MPa.

Based on this screencap it looks like a pretty standard bearded ax.

The one in the link is about 30" long with a 6.6" blade width which is pretty close to what is shown on screen.

To make things easy we will say the blade is 1.2cm thick, 16.7cm wide and 18.5 cm tall.

I used this load calculator to estimate:

• 91,000 lbs of force if the ax head is Iron
  
• 225,250 to 1,171,298 lbs of force if the ax is made of Steel
  
• 40,544,928 lbs of force if the ax is made of Mythril
  
  For comparison a human swinging a sledgehammer would be around 1000-4000 lbs of force.
  
  Materials science is not my specialty so I may be way off.

Husqvarna wooden stuff is the best bang for your buck. Probably not in store, but free shipping on amazon. Though it's around 90.

Husqvarna 32" Wooden Splitting Maul https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WJ1NYW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VL01Bb3WD4RX8

Husky will be your cheapest. Fiskars is the step up, have heard it is a big improvement. It should be in stores.

I use the splitting maul. Its awesome. My favorite tool I own. Some of my buddies think its strange I enjoy splitting wood. But this maul makes it enjoyable.

http://www.amazon.com/Gransfors-Bruks-450-Splitting-Maul/dp/B000WIOE7A

It kinda sounds like he has a lot of stuff and that you don't necessarily know every tiny thing he has / uses / lurves, which is understandable, because people who really think on their EDC-type stuff often buy and trade a lot of crap. I'd almost suggest trying to get out of the EDC-items box and getting him The Axe Book or Back to Basics, both of which cover skills around outdoorsy things. AB will cover how to cut down all kinds of trees with an axe; BTB covers all kinds of homesteading, food growing, basic skills required for such. Both have lots of neat illustrations and seem to come from pretty competent writers. The Axe Book has made me want to get a decent axe, which obviously isn't an EDC item, but it's a nice to have one. If you get something like that, just keep in mind, axes aren't made out of stainless steel, so he'll want some mineral oil / gun-lube type oil to keep rust away.

Otherwise there's always Celox and an Israeli combat bandage for the 'super bad emergency contingency' part of one's EDC. I like to have something like that in my day bag or in my car, just in case.

this one is REALLY good! https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-576926201-Curved-Handle-Multipurpose/dp/B004WJGXAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467604448&sr=8-1&keywords=husqvarna+axe

A Good hatchet! https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-576926401-13-Curved-Hatchet/dp/B004VLKLJE/ref=pd_bxgy_468_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=M2MACRPSRKX1VZSM8FJ2

If you want a great axe and not pay a crap ton for a Hultafor or Gransfors Bruks I highly recommend Husqvarna axes. They are made with Swedish steel and have decent handles. I keep a 26" Multipurpose in my vehicle and it has served me well.

I friggin' love this thing. I thinned the handle significantly and re-profiled the bit to be a straight wedge, got it razor sharp and I hope to carry it forever.

Get this: Estwing Carpenter's Hatchet It's a timeless, handsome tool that you will never outgrow and weighing in at 1.9 pounds. I use an old craftsman carpenters hatchet with my camping gear that I inherited from my uncle that is perfect for my needs but if I were to buy new I would get the Estwing. (that sexy one piece forge)

There are a ton of axes out there that fit your profile straight out of the box. You're just looking for a European style forest axe.

This is your best "budget" option.

These

are

some

... pricier options.

Don't ruin a perfectly fine American axe trying to replicate a European axe. There's no reason for it.

As for whether your design is good for "camp tasks," well, that depends. You'd need to define some things.

1. What kind of camping? Are you driving out or hiking? If you're driving out, don't fuck around. Bring a full sized axe.
   
   
2. What kind of "camp tasks" are you going to be doing? If you're just going to be limbing for smaller firewood, then even a hatchet will do you well. If you're going to be felling, bucking and splitting whole trees, then car or hike you're better off with a full sized axe. Bucking is a ton of work and a heavier axe helps the tool do the work rather than your arms. If you watch this dude's axe content, you'll see that even he (who prefers smaller axes) does note that you really have to whip smaller axes to get the same effect as a larger axe.
   
   
3. What kind of wood are you working with? If you're working with tough hardwoods, American axes are made to deal with that type of wood better than European/Scandinavian axes that are mostly tooled towards pines and other soft woods.
   
   
4. How much experience do you have with using axes? American axe patterns tend to be a little more forgiving of bad technique since they're bulkier and often not hardened quite as much. (They're still heat treated, but a softer edge is easier to sharpen though it does dull faster.) European axes tend to be a bit harder, but that means they're harder to sharpen and if you chip them (say, on an overstrike or an imperfection in the tree) they're much harder to work out.

I got my dad this maul for Christmas, He loves it, it splits like a dream, if you can lift it, it does the rest

Splitting Maul!

Buy yourself a decent hatchet. Better than a hawk for processing wood and a hatchet will have a far more substantial poll for use as a pounding implement (No striking steel on steel though!). If you are determined to have an actual hammer head, you should look into a Carpenter's Half Hatchet(aka a shingling hatchet)


In all of my time in the outdoors, I have never found any need for a pry bar. Digging sticks and wood levers? Absolutely. Pry bar? Nope.

A bearded axe looks like this
https://www.amazon.com/Viking-Age-Fully-Functional-Bearded/dp/B01M6C98EG

And the metal thing under the blade is useful for hooking an opponent’s shield so it can be pulled off and they can be attacked easier. For example, if you were charging at me with your shield up, I could hook my axe to the top of your shield and pull it (and you) forward faster, causing you to get off balance and perhaps fall over. This makes a counterattack easy for me. The handle just increases range
Edit- new words to clarify

Fair enough. Are you looking for a half hatchet in particular? That seems to fit your description the best. Flat bit, hammer poll. They are generally on a standard 12” handle, but I’m sure you could find a replacement 18” to throw on it.

EDIT: Estwing is something to look at. Very good product and on a steel handle. They have the campers hatchet and a campers axe that are both close to what you’re looking for.

Estwing Camper's Axe - 14" Hatchet with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction Grip - EO-25A https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8STIVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_062YBbD41Y5CK

Estwing Fireside Friend Axe - 14" Wood Splitting Maul with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction Grip - E3-FF4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HAEI1A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_r.2YBb972F01R

Such awesome axes.

Little spendy, and if you want to get one a little cheaper with little less fit and finish you can get a Husqvarna forest axe which is currently produced by Gransfors Bruks for Husqvarna, for about half the price of the full meal deal from gransfors

I've got the crkt woods chogan hawk and I love it. It's a little heavier than the standard tomahawk, but I like that a lot. You end up getting a lot of chopping power in a little package.

Many people love the cold steel trail hawks, I prefer the CRKT hawk for a budget option.

Thanks. I have this one that hopefully will work. Doesn't seem angled though

Nicholson 06706N Axe File, 8-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006DWT7HG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MB6QCbRT6QF3G

I got their 14" camper's axe and it's been great.

As shown here on Amazon. I've had one for nearly 30 years and it holds up great.

People seem to like this one which is only 40 bucks

Of course, if money were no object, I would want the on that op has haha

I do not have a hawk yet, and just recently got my first hatchet. (wetterlings) But my limited experience with my hatchet has me curious about the versatility of a hawk.

Here's the link to CRKT's website: http://www.crkt.com/woods-chogan-thawk-axe-2730

I bought mine off of Amazon from this listing: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I04Q7LO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit: is there a better sub for this post?

I have the husqvarna 26" axe which is made by hults bruks. It has been a fantastic axe and keeps its edge very well. I also have a gransfors bruks axe and the quality of the husqvarna is nearly identical.

https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-576926201-Curved-Wooden-Multipurpose/dp/B004WJGXAQ

I normally clip off the pin, use a metal file to file it as flush as I can, and glue a rare earth magnet to the back using E6000 glue. The glue you can get at any craft store. You should be able to get the magnets there too. Depending on how many you want to make though these ones are probably a better deal.

These are great bang for the buck hand forged in sweden. A real top notch axe at a great price. Husqvarna

Gransfors Bruks aslo make BIFL axes but at a bit higher price point. You can also check out Axe junkies.com if you really want to nerd ou on axes. Rumor has it the Husky axes are forged by Granfors.

Most likely some kind of lacquer or varnish.

Get an axe file (like this one) and a Lansky puck. You can find a lot of great tutorials on how to sharpen an axe on youtube.

Vaughan carpenter hatchet

https://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-22-Ounce-Carpenters-Hatchet-Treated/dp/B0002IGHAM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=vaughan+hatchet&qid=1555884173&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Cold Steel Axe Gang are my personal favorite and a favorite of most people I know unfortunately on backorder for a while

Or the Prandi


https://www.amazon.com/Prandi-German-Style-Hatchet-PRA0308TH/dp/B0742LLJ3Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2RZBM9EQLOGMX&keywords=prandi+hatchet&qid=1555884296&s=gateway&sprefix=prandi&sr=8-1

I like the one with the leather handle, available in the UK too!

Or the carpenter version.

For 100 bucks and you are after bushcrafting... I would recommend this.

Wetterlings Hatchet - 70

Mora 1 - 13

Gerber slide saw - 10

I really like this and used it exclusively to make about 10 ft³ of kindling for this season:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HAEI1A/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_f1uHDb9WX61KP

I would highly recommend the CRKT Chogan

OP you hit the jackpot, looks like its worth....30 bucks

http://www.amazon.com/Brook-Hunter-MT-W-AXE-Premium-Mo-Tool/dp/B001PTG8F6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1452906789&sr=8-9&keywords=hatchet+multitool

I also vote for the Husqvarna ‘multi purpose axe’. Shaped like the other swede forest axes, in a ‘boy’s axe’ size which I prefer over the larger axes for most work.

$75 on Amazon

I've been a scout camp counselor for six years and used axes of all kinds including granfors and wetterlings. The Husqvarna 26in axe is made by wetterlings and is easily the very best axe for your money. That's really all I have to say. I would also never buy a strait handled axe for actual use (apart from a double sided axe, but even they have a flared pommel). Tomahawks are a different story but they arent for doing work.

If you have any questions hit me up.

3. Knife Sharpening Stone Combination Dual Sided Grit With Base for Sharpening and Polishing Tool with Non Slip Base for Kitchen Knives, Hunting Knives, Pocket Knives and Tool Blades (400/1000) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H38Y3GL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_D5dzDbP2PQNX3
   
   
4. Lansky Puck - Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Sharpener - Blade & Tool Sharpener https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B8FW0Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.5dzDbXZ9RWB2
   
   
5. Nicholson 06706N Axe File, 8-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006DWT7HG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q6dzDbFGRVZVW
   
   I just copied what I saw in a wranglerstar YouTube vid. I purchased these three items and they will be my dedicated axe sharpening devices.

Any examples of it? I must admit I'm intrigued.

Edit: Found the culprit. https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-576926201-Curved-Wooden-Multipurpose/dp/B004WJGXAQ

CRKT Chogan Tomahawk:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I04Q7LO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_P9pEzb857T61B

With this sheath:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M7H0LT4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.-pEzb5E6JBR0

If you wanted to buy one

I have an Estwing Tomahawk I can put up tomorrow.

an axe, and
[something to sharpen the axe](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ASUL4I
)

This is the one I've had for a couple of years.

https://www.amazon.com/Estwing-Fireside-Friend-Axe-Construction/dp/B000HAEI1A

Over time, the part you strike has deformed. I'll probably get a couple more years out of it. I split wood to ordinary chunks with a hydraulic splitter. I use this maul to break a few pieces down even more to get the fire going. For a weekend camping trip, a beer box full of smaller pieces is nice to have.

http://www.amazon.com/Estwing-Carpenters-Hatchet-Leather-Grip/dp/B0002JT0C8/

13" Legnth Weight 20oz. Cutting edge is 3.5/8in.

Remember that the lighter the axe head, the more work you have to do and the shorter the handle, the more dangerous. Unless you are 3 feet tall, boys axe or 3/4 axe with a 2.5lb head is in no way too small. The Husqvarna should be a good bet.