Tested: The Best Axes For Every Outdoor Situation

Though not as useful in everyday carry situations, axes are still remarkably handy-bladed tools when outdoor adventure is on the docket. And while the item type might seem pretty straightforward — a sharp-edged metal head attached to a long handle perfect for swinging — there are actually several sub-categories with designs modified for purpose-specific utility and each sub-category boasts a bevy of available options. Well aware of this reality, we’re diving headfirst into this realm, getting our hands dirty — and stocking up on firewood — for this guide to and hands-on review off the best axes for every situation.

Selection & Testing

There’s a pretty staggering number of available axes currently out there, so when we first set out to get our hands on the wider product space’s very best, we knew we’d have to start by immediately narrowing things down right off the bat. We accomplished this by breaking the space up into sub-segments where we then made several picks for each — such as best splitter, best felling axe, best maul, and so on. While some of it did boil down to personal experience, we largely made these selections by looking to criteria such as size and length, handle curve, leverage, and ergonomics, traction and grip, head shape, weight, and construction, and handle material — as well as how everything was pieced together. 

In order to get a feel for how each axe on our shortlist actually performed, we kicked off a hands-on testing period. To keep things more objective, we took a downed tree and using a chainsaw, cut it into even one-foot sections, which provided us with what was essentially the same-sized log for each axe to strike —thereby creating a baseline and barometer for performance. In an effort to get to know these axes even better, we also conducted an accuracy test, a limbing test, and a kindling/feather-sticking test. What’s more, we also opted to closely scrutinize each axe’s overall craftsmanship and build quality, and review the sheath that each unit shipped with. 

Though these kind of hands-on tests are super informative, the reality is that the only way to really get to know an axe is to use it for an extended period. So, that’s exactly what we did, picking up each axe and chopping firewood with it for up to an hour per day — allowing me to stock up on firewood well-before the winter season rolls along. After becoming much better aquatinted with every selection on our shortlist, we then narrowed it down to the final selections below.

Council Tool 2lbs Hudson Bay Camp Axe

Best Value Axe: When it comes to the world of axes, the Council Tool Company is far more than a producer of fine axes, it’s a bonafide institution with a more-than-130-year history of churning out some of the finest axes, splitters, and hatchets that money can buy. And while it’s obviously changed quite a bit since John Pickett Council founded the company in 1886, its tradition of providing the public with world-class axes very much lives on today — as evidenced by Council Tool’s 2lbs Hudson Bay Camp Axe.

The Good

The axe is pieced together around a forged tool steel head that’s sharpened by hand, in America, before being coated in boiled Linseed oil. The head’s poll-end is also heat-treated. Achieving a Rockwell scale rating of 48 to 55 HRC, the head features a tapered bit that makes it perfect for light chopping, limbing, and splitting. To my surprise, it even excelled at bucking logs. The convex shape of the head’s cutting edge is just perfectly calculated, as well, not too thick, and not too thin. 

Additionally, its lighter weight and shorter length also make it markedly easier to make cuts with some real precision, as the head pretty much always struck exactly where I wanted it to and was generally a lot easier to control compared to the longer heavier axes I tested. And it accomplishes this without hugely sacrificing chopping or splitting power. Sure, it doesn’t pack quite the same punch as its larger counterparts, but it nonetheless offers stellar power and performance, and not just relative to its size. 

The head comes mated to a lightly-curved 24-inch American hickory handle — though roughly an inch of its length is removed during manufacturing, meaning it actually spans around 23”. While this ever-so-slightly lowers its leverage and chopping abilities, it more than makes up for it by being even lighter, more compact, and easier to carry. I also really liked how the size of this axe allowed me to swing it with one or two hands. 

Supplementary Strengths 

The thing is also the very definition of built-to-last. Its forged tool steel head is hydraulically seated onto handle before being secured via a hardwearing double wedge system. The handle’s eye section is also dried to a sub-10% moisture level to further mitigate shrinkage and loosening. This basically means that whack after whack after whack, the head will remain firmly fixed to the two-foot hickory handle. 

At nearly-two-feet in length, it’s by no means a pack axe, but Council Tool’s 2lbs Hudson Bay Camp Axe nonetheless manages to pull off a pretty brilliant balancing act of sorts, being just small enough to easily carry on your shoulder or sling through a backpack while being just big enough to afford some real chopping power and utility in and around camp. 

It’s also just a great — and surprisingly versatile — all-arounder of an axe. Though it doesn’t do any one thing phenomenally, it generally performs well across the board. It feels great in-hand — even more so when wearing tactical or work gloves — and the handle’s curve no doubt bolsters leverage to an impressive degree. It also feels a lot more like swinging a full-size axe than it does a more compact two-pound model. With a sub-$85 MSRP, I’d also argue this version of the Hudson Bay Camp Axe offers some pretty phenomenal value — especially when you consider everything you’re getting for your money.

The Not So Good

While I was generally pretty blown away by how much I ended up enjoying using this axe, there were a few minor areas that did bother me — granted all of them are minor gripes, plus they’re all massively outweighed by the axe’s laundry list of strengths and highlights. Though the handle’s ergonomics are fantastic, this axe’s hickory construction just felt a little less finished and polished (both in the figurative and literal senses) compared to the axes I used from Adler, Gränsfors Bruk, and even Motor City Axe. And, while I appreciate that Council does sell some pretty stellar leather sheaths as optional add-ons, the Hudson Bay Camp Axe doesn’t ship from the factory with one as standard. 

Verdict: Striking the perfect balance between size and chopping power, the Council Tool 2lbs Hudson Bay Camp Axe is a compact yet capable option for those seeking an axe that’s rugged, built-to-last, and wildly versatile. It also doesn’t hurt that it just so happens to be made by an American heritage brand dating back to 1886. 

Gerber Bushcraft Axe

Best Modern Axe: The Gerber Gear brand’s Bushcraft Axe is a thoroughly modern take on a full-size axe, jettisoning the traditional hickory handle construction in favor of a holler glass-reinforced polymer shaft that allows it to be both incredibly strong and lightweight.The synthetic polymer handle has also been fitted with rubberized inserts that not only bolster traction and grip, but they also do a particularly effective job at absorbing and mitigating vibrations being transferred through the handle to your hands.

The Good

Spanning 26.25” overall, this axe boasts a GFN handle with a somewhat novel yet no doubt effective curve and ergonomic design. Sporting a single-piece closed-die head and overstrike guard, the Bushcraft Axe’s head consists of a forged carbon steel item with a 6.87-inch blade. Fortified via a matte black powder-coated finish, the head also features a bit with cut-out relief sections dead-center between the toe and heel. This detail no doubt gives the axe an even more unmistakably modern aesthetic, but the relief sections also bolster its overall chopping abilities and penetrating power. 

The very bottom of the handle boasts triangular openings on either side. You can press in on these openings which unlocks a removable water-resistant gear storage magazine for storing dry tinder, matches, etc. The insert also comes wrapped in 9’ or paracord. The same rubberized inserts used on the throat and back of the handle is also found on the handle’s shoulder which makes it quite a bit easier to pull from a log when it gets wedged in. 

As far as sturdiness goes, I really didn’t notice any different between the Bushcraft Axe’s hollow GFN handle and the rest of the hickory handle models I tested — though I can confidently say that the GFN construction and its rubberized inserts collectively do a much, much, better job of lessening vibration. At the same time, this detail also helps to mitigate fatigue. Additionally, the handle’s end knob also provides a ton of extra leverage, which allows the entire thing to deliver just a bit more power than it would have otherwise — plus helps capitalize on the weight of the head. 

Supplementary Strengths 

While most traditional curved-handle axes see the shaft bend back just beneath the head, Gerber’s Bushcraft Axe does the opposite, curving forward. While it did take me a bit more time to adjust and get used to this angle and design, I ultimately found it to be a worthwhile design decision as it very much appears to improve leverage and overall chopping and splitting power. And, with the exception of Spyderco’s tomahawk, every axe I tested can have the butt of its head serve as an impromptu hammer. Gerber’s Bushcraft Axe, however, proved to be the most effective and easy-to-use in terms of functioning as a hammer — and by a pretty significant margin in my opinion. 

Also, some polymer constructions, while undeniably durable, have a somewhat cheap and almost plasticky feel. This isn’t the case with Gerber’s Bushcraft Axe, however, as it just has a really solid and robust feel to it. And, while purely subjective, I’m super fond of the angular aesthetic of the axe’s beard — and head as a whole.  

Paired with an included nylon sheath, Gerber’s Bushcraft Axe also offers some pretty fantastic bang-for-your-buck, considering the facts that it can legitimately go toe-to-toe (or bit-to-bit) with models costing several times as much and that one can be picked up for around $70. Gerber also offers its Bushcraft Axe is grey or coyote color options, and in both 15” and 26” versions — the latter of which we opted for when testing. Regardless of which version you opt for, they all come backed by Gerber’s lifetime warranty. 

The Not So Good

Though I genuinely think it’s a really solid model — as you may have guessed based on me including it on my list of today’s best axes — I did have a few qualms with Gerber’s Bushcraft Axe. For starters, aside from its removable handle insert, I wouldn’t describe it as a bushcraft axe and I’m honestly a little perplexed by why Gerber opted for this monicker as it’s far more tactically-minded than it is bushcraft-focused. And, while it’s a neat feature, I ultimately found the removable handle compartment to be a bit superfluous. I think a more utilitarian option would have been to bestow the handle with a small removable fixed blade or saw like Gerber has done with prior axes it’s offered — and like Aclim8 has done with its COMBAR lineup.

My biggest complaint with this axe is the sharpness of its head’s factory edge — or rather lack thereof. Upon receiving the Bushcraft Axe, I was pretty surprised to see the thing is basically unsharpened. At first I thought I might have received a defective unit, but after talking to other users and poking around online, I discovered this is just how Gerber makes it — which is also a bit perplexing to me, as the Portland-based tool and knife brand obviously knows how to deliver a razor-sharp factory edge, but for whatever reason has opted not to do that in this case. Fortunately, once you do get it sharpened — which you’ll have to do yourself — the axe’s forged carbon steel admittedly does a really good job of retaining an edge 

Verdict: The Gerber Bushcraft Axe is an unmistakably modern interpretation of a full-size axe that relies on modern materials to deliver impressive levels of performance — and a blatantly tactically-inspired design — all while still coming at a very fair price. 

Motor City Axe Utility Splitting Maul

Best Maul: Though it was founded less-than-a-decade-ago, Motor City Axe is still an outfit that’s deeply rooted in tradition. It all started when MCA’s founder David George unearthed his late grandfather’s Kelly Axe and Tool Co. hatchet in a garage. The rugged and robust nature of the nearly-century-old tool essentially made George think “they really don’t make ‘em like they used to…but they really should.” This prompted the Detroiter to start crafting his own hand-worked axes, first for himself, then for friends and family, and then eventually on Etsy, before ultimately launching his own website and boutique brand in 2018 — and as they say, the rest is history. Guided by three key principles — durability, family, and adventure — the Detroit-based brand now produces an impressive catalog of everything from hatchets and splitters to throwing axes. If you’re top priority is raw chopping power, then the axe you want is MCA’s Utility Splitting Maul.

The Good

Like the rest of MCA’s offerings, the Utility Splitting Maul is made by hand in America in small batches before being individually hand-painted in Detroit. Comprising the maul is a full-length 36-inch American hickory handle fixed to a 5-pound head crafted from rugged forged tool steel. The two pieces are mated together using a single steel barrel wedge. While its nearly dead-straight handle doesn’t have a very pronounced throat or belly, the reality is it doesn’t need the additional leverage a bit of curve in the shaft would provide, as its 5-pound head is a legitimate powerhouse. Its ample heft allows it to easily split right through practically ever log I swung at. 

Though the company does sell axes with bare hickory handles, one aspect that makes it so unique and noteworthy is that MCA offers it axes with a variety of different hand-painted — or rather hand-dipped — color schemes. I opted to test Motor City Axe’s “Up North” variant of the Utility Splitting Maul, with its red, blue, and green color way that comes complemented via a yellow stripe and a small carved pair of trees. Not only does the paint give the axe a lot more character and personality, but it also bolsters grip a bit. 

I was also somewhat blown away by the fact that this USA-made maul can be picked up for just over the $150 mark, as the overall quality and craftsmanship of this item would have lead me to believe it costs close to double its actual price. MCA also offers custom branding on the handle for a small additional fee of less-than-$10. 

Supplementary Strengths

Motor City Axe also makes both blade covers and head covers for its axes — including the Utility Splitting Maul — that are each made in America by local partner Wild Bill and offered in a trio of color options (light brown, dark brown, and black). And while they’re beautifully made using old-world craftsmanship, these sheaths unfortunately aren’t sold with MCA’s axes and must be purchased separately. This is one area I’d like to see changed as I’d really prefer if a sheath came with the axe as standard — even if it slightly brought up the price. 

Unlike some of the other axes I tested such as the Adler Super Splitter, Council Tool 2lbs Hudson Bay Camp Axe, and even Gerber Bushcraft Axe, MCA’s maul doesn’t boast any noteworthy or innovative features, or a particularly involved design, and is more-or-less a case of “what ya see is what ya get” — though in this case that’s far from a bad thing, as what you get is a simple but beautiful, well-crafted splitting maul that provides some serious chopping and splitting power.  

The Not So Good

I took an instant liking to Motor City Axe’s Utility Splitting Maul, and the thing only grew on me more and more the longer I spent using it. With that said, there were a few downsides in my eyes. For starters, I wouldn’t mind seeing MCA take a page out of the Adler playbook and add some grit or texturing to its paint to further enhance traction and grip. What’s more, while there’s no doubt about this maul’s unparalleled chopping and splitting abilities, the beefy head that affords it these abilities also makes it a bit harder to more precisely aim and control — though it’s hard to fault MCA for this as this has more to do with splitting mauls in general than it does this brand’s particular take on one. 

Verdict: Made in America in small batches by a boutique brand, the Motor City Axe Utility Splitting Maul is an absolute powerhouse of an axe that packs a punch unlike anything else I tested. If you’re looking for an extremely capable splitter that boasts top-notch quality while still coming at a fair price, look no further. 

Adler Super Splitter

Best Splitter: There are a few elite brands that are widely considered something akin to household names in the axe and hatchet realm. And with a history stretching back to 1919, Germany’s Adler is very much one of those brands. And while the company boasts an expansive catalog of different styles of axes — including a collaboration with The James Brand — the unique nature of Adler’s Super Splitter initially drew me to it, though it was ultimately its performance that landed it a spot on this list. 

The Good

Clocking in at 31.5” in length, the aptly-named Super Splitter features an American hickory handle paired with an idiosyncratically-shaped head that sees the traditional bit design supplemented via wedge-shaped  sections on either side. This design is not only eye-catching, but it also allows the head to more effectively wedge itself into logs, which more easily splits them wide open. Boasting an HRC rating of between 47 and 55, the Super Splitter’s head is crafted from forged C60 carbon steel and is fixed to the handle using a pair of barrel wedges. With a head tipping the scales at just over 6lbs, it’s got plenty of weight behind it too. 

I honestly wasn’t sure if this design would just be a gimmick or if it would actually prove itself to be effective and provide a real advantage, and after extensively using it, I’m pleased to report it’s very much the latter. I was impressed with it when I first used it, but it wasn’t until circling back and trying it again after testing the rest of the axes on this list that I became fully aware of just what a game-changer the wedge-shaped additions to the head truly are. I also imagine the wedge portions on the head probably increase its overall strength and structural integrity. 

Supplementary Strengths

The bit on this splitter is also quite a bit shorter than every other axe I tested, which allows the head to even more effectively sink into and crack open logs. I did find it a little tricky to get used to properly aiming it, but after maybe half-an-hour, it feels pretty natural. The handle is mostly straight, but has just the right amount of curve to it to provide some extra leverage and chopping power — another design element I very much appreciated. 

Another one of my favorite aspects of Adler’s Super Splitter is the reinforced metal guard found at the top of the handle’s belly, just below the axe’s beard. When you swing an axe and miss, it most often ends up striking the log just below the bit. As such, this alloy reinforcement is just a really practical addition to an axe — and quite frankly is one that I’m surprised isn’t a lot more commonplace in the axe and splitter space. Shipping from the factory with a leather sheath, the Super Splitter also benefits from Adler’s signature two-tone handle setup, which sees the bottom of the handle cloaked in a paint with a grip-bolstering textured grit. 

The Not So Good

There truly isn’t much that I didn’t like about Adler’s Super Splitter, but there were a few minor downsides that I did take notice of. The 6.2-pound weight that helps bolster the axe’s chopping power also makes it particularly heavy to carry and wield. This same ample heft also makes it a bit harder to deliver more precise cuts and strikes. 

Verdict: If you’re looking to get a lot of wood chopped, Adler’s Super Splitter is just the ticket, with its unique wedge-shaped head and reinforced alloy guard, this German-made model boasts a formula that gives it performance unlike almost anything else out there. 

Gränsfors Bruk American Felling Axe

Best Felling Axe: They say not to fix what isn’t broken. And with Gränsfors Bruk dating back to over-a-century-ago and making axes today very similarly to when it was founded in 1902, the Swedish brand perfectly epitomizes this notion. Representing everything a quality traditional axe should be, the Gränsfors Bruk American Felling Axe is a fairly simple and straight-forward design, though it’s also a highly-effective one — as my testing proved over and over again. 

The Good

Made in Sweden, the American Felling Axe is made up of a roughly 33.5-inch American hickory handle mated to a 5-pound head. This felling axe’s head is composed of carbon steel, but not just any carbon steel. This model utilizes a proprietary steel sourced from Ovako that’s exclusive to Gränsfors Bruk and is derived entirely from recycled scrap. In terms of composition and attributes, it’s incredibly similar to EN9 or 1055 carbon steel — albeit more eco-friendly thanks to the up-cycled nature of the alloy. 

One clever trick this felling axe has up its sleeve is its head design. Right where the top of the handle’s shoulder connects to the blade, the head sports round collar-like sections that hugely mitigate side-to-side play when trying to remove the axe from a log that it’s gotten wedged into — unlike every other axe I tested that features a head that squared off across the bottom. This element hugely cuts down on the potential for the axe’s head to come loose — and is another one of those details that seems like it should be widely adopted across the board in this space. 

Supplementary Strengths 

Not unlike the item found on Council Tool’s 2lbs Hudson Bay Camp Axe, the American Felling Axe’s handle boasts just the right amount of curve to it to provide some real leverage and increase striking force and splitting power — a detail that just seems straight up practical considering that this is a felling axe, after all. The 4.7-pound head also manages to offer some serious chopping and splitting abilities, while still being fairly easily to use in a more precise manner — such as trying to continue opening up a partially-split log. 

And, while it doesn’t necessarily have any real impact on its performance, Gränsfors Bruk’s American Felling model is simply a beautiful axe. Sure, it doesn’t bring any novel features or materials to the table, but it ticks just about every box one could hope for when shopping in this space. It’s also abundantly clear that this axe was built to offers years and years — if not decades and decades — of use, which is why the Swedish heritage brand sells a wide range of accessories for its axes to help extend its overall lifespan. This includes everything from diamond files and sharpeners to oil and leather wax. 

The Not So Good

Despite my best efforts and several days thoroughly scrutinizing every detail on this axe, I ultimately came up short and was unable to find any real complaints. Sure, it’s not the lightest or most mobile-friendly of axes, but as a purpose-built felling model, this is to be expected — and is something I really can’t fault Gränsfors Bruk for. I won’t go as far as to say it’s a perfect axe, but in my opinion this is probably about as close as they come to it. 

Verdict: If you’re in the market for a traditional axe that in no way skimps on performance or splitting abilities, the Gränsfors Bruk American Felling Axe is almost certainly what you want. The fact it’s made by an iconic Swedish brand with a more-than-century-long history is just the icing on the cake. 

Hardcore Hammers Raptor Axe 28” Blackout

Best USA-Made Axe: In 2010, Hardcore Hammers was first established. And after building its name on the strength of the boutique brand’s American-made hammers, the company eventually began producing hatchets before more recently moving on to deliver full-size axes — like the Hardcore Hammers Raptor Axe 28” Blackout. Made in America, this blacked-out axe boasts an American hickory handle — offered in 28-inch or 36-inch — that comes fixed to a top-shelf 4140 steel head. 

The Good

While the 4140 steel does a pretty superb job of maintaining its edge, the ample hardness that allows it to do this also makes it a bit harder to sharpen when the time to do so finally comes around — though I’d say this tradeoff is well worth it (just like it is with high-end blade steels on premium EDC knives). Its handle design is simple, yet just from using it it’s abundantly clear that the design is in fact highly calculated. Rather than just being a murdered-out axe that looks cool, the blacked-out Raptor legitimately offers some wildly impressive performance. 

The axe also provides excellent chopping power — an area partially owed to its bit’s heel extending slightly further down than on most heads. I also found the generously-sized blade made it much harder to miss my target. I was also legitimately blown away by just how ridiculously sharp this axe’s factory edge was, as its bit’s bevel is more on par with pocket knives than it is most axes on the market. This is made all the more impressive considering that two of the other axes on this list are made by companies best-known for being knife brands (Spyderco and Gerber).  And, even though it’s handle is constructed from regular American hickory, it somehow manages to absorb vibrations much better than the rest of the hickory-handled models I tested — though it does trail behind Gerber’s Bushcraft Axe in this regard, but not by as much as you’d think. 

Supplementary Strengths 

Between the shape of its head, its legitimately razor-sharp bit, and the ample additional leverage that the curved handle provides, Hardcore Hammer’s Raptor axe truly doesn’t trail that far behind more robust dedicated splitters and mauls — like Motor City Axe’s Utility Splitting Maul and Adler’s Super Splitter. The fact this fully-blacked-out axe ships with a matching black leather sheath is another small but cool touch that I thoroughly appreciate. I also found the 28-inch Raptor Axe to do a great job of functioning as a hammer, which frankly shouldn’t be surprising considering how Hardcore Hammers got its start making hammers that share the same quality, attention to detail, and craftsmanship as the axes that it now makes. 

Another major part of what separates this boutique American-made axe from other options on the market — including other high-end axes — is its overall build quality. Hardcore Hammers’ axes boast a level of craftsmanship and fit and finish that’s just superb — and more importantly couldn’t be repeated when producing axes on a large scale. In addition to the two length options, Hardcore Hammers also offers the Raptor with bare-alloy or blacked-out head finishes, and with a trio of handle color choices — though the coolest in my opinion is unquestionably the completely blacked-out model. 

The Not So Good

I really did struggle trying to uncover any issues or downsides with Hardcore Hammers’s Raptor Axe 28” Blackout, as the reality is that it’s just a super-calculated, thoroughly-considered, and expertly-executed option. The price is admittedly pretty steep, but I’d also argue you’re definitely getting what you pay for here, between the materials, excellent build quality, and the insane amount of time and research that must have gone into its design, 

Verdict: Sporting a completely blacked-out finish and shipping with a matching blacked-out sheath, the Hardcore Hammers Raptor Axe 28” Blackout is an immensely capable chopping and splitting tool that brilliantly blends form and function. If you’re in the market for a slightly more fashion forward axe — and don’t mind spending a few extra bucks in the process — then this is almost certainly the axe for you. 

Spyderco Warrior Hawk

Best Tactical Axe: Whether it’s splitting, mauling, felling, or just for general use in and around camp, every axe on this list thus far has been engineered for processing wood in one form or another. Spyderco’s Warrior Hawk, on the other hand, is a very different breed of axe. While Gerber’s Bushcraft Axe sports some tactical influence from a visual standpoint, the Warrior Hawk is a straight up piece of tactical gear, designed for everything from hand-to-hand combat to breaching to light chopping and splitting. 

The Good

Penned by American designer and combat and knife-fighting expert Laci Szabo, this tactical tomahawk boasts a very robust 0.307-inch-thick full tang construction brought to life in rugged D2 alloy — a tool steel that’s much more commonly used for crafting the blades on pocket knife — before being further fortified via a titanium carbonitride coating. The super beefy D2 construction comes cloaked in a set of sculpted G-10 scales. What’s more, just like the rest of Spyderco’s American-made offerings, the Warrior Hawk’s craftsmanship and build quality is top notch. 

While there’s absolutely no doubt whatsoever that it lacks the power of its bigger and longer counterparts, Spyderco’s Warrior Hawk does actually deliver a surprising level of utility in outdoor and off-grid scenarios, as it may only span around 14”, but its super beefy full-tang construction and nearly-6-inch blade length legitimately allow it to sink into and cut through logs and wood. This area is furthered by the shape of its head, which features two sides that meet at a tanto-esque point, allowing it to focus all of its weight and energy to a single point of contact. It’s also perfect for processing kindling, making it a great tool to pair with a full-size axe for fire-building. 

Supplementary Strengths 

Though it comes at an admittedly steep price, there’s also a certain undeniable cool-factor that this tactical tomahawk possesses, and while it may not really effect performance, it’s nonetheless a major selling point in my eyes. While it doesn’t actually serve any purpose from a utilitarian standpoint, I really appreciate how Laci Szabo incorporated one of Spyderco’s signature thumb hole openings into the deign of the axe’s head.  And, wlongside the tomahawk itself, this item also ships with a heavy-duty padded, zipper-secured nylon carrying case, and a custom-molded, snap-fit Boltaron sheath. It doesn’t come cheap, but it really is something special. 

The Not So Good

There are a few downsides to the Spyderco Warrior Hawk, though most of them are pretty blatant. As touched on above, it just doesn’t possess anywhere near the same level of chopping or splitting prowess as every other model on this list. What’s more, despite being a good deal smaller, it’s also quite a bit more expensive than everything else on this list, with an MSRP of $550 — though it can be picked up for less through select retailers, albeit not by that much. Another issue I have with the modern tomahawk is that it won’t fit into its padded carrying case when in its Boltaron sheath. Lastly, Also, though it provides a ton of grip, the sculpted G-10 handles can be a bit rough on the hands. Having said that, the scales feel absolutely perfect when wearing workwear-style or tactical gloves. 

Verdict: The Spyderco Warrior Hawk is a compact yet versatile tactical tomahawk that’s the very definition of tough-as-nails, with its super beefy 0.307-inch-thick full tang D2 construction, G-10 scales, and focused striking head. While it obviously can’t go toe-to-toe with full-size splitters or axes, this USA-made Spyderco model is an incredible tool for breaching, demolition, prying, and hand-to-hand combat. 

Axes Comparison Chart

What To Look For When Shopping

While there are countless minute details one could pore over when shopping for an axe, there are really only a handful of key areas that truly matter when looking at almost any kind of axe — areas we’ll be breaking down directly below. 

Use: Before choosing the best ax for you, make sure you know what you need it for. We’ve outlined the four main types of axes below and what they’re used for.

Materials: In terms of materials, the ax’s head will almost always be some type of steel. However, the handle material will vary greatly. These can range from wood to fiberglass to steel (as an extension of the head, often wrapped in another material), with each having its own advantages. Wood looks classic and provides some power while fiberglass is much lighter and more shock-absorbent.

Length: Again, this will vary depending on the type of ax you’re using. Longer axes will provide you with more power, which can come in handy for tough logs, but can also sacrifice some control in your swing. Longer axes also don’t travel nearly as well. If you’re unsure, perhaps look for some balance between short and long.

Weight: The weight of an ax, like its length, will not only change its purpose but also how much power goes into your swing. Heavier axes give you a more powerful hit but you’ll get tired much faster. Also, note that everyone’s strength is different.

Ergonomics: Affecting your leverage and force, an ax’s handle ergonomics – meaning, how it is shaped, is textured, and fits into your hand – will greatly determine how comfortable it is to hold it.

Honorable Mentions 

Putting a heritage-inspired spin on Fiskar’s signature design language, the Fiskars Norden N12 Splitting Axe is a stylish and surprisingly affordable splitter with a Neo-retro look that ultimately earned it a coveted Red Dot Design award. Made in Finland, this axe consists of a 20.7-inch hickory handle mated to a carbon steel head via a patented FiberComp collar and shaft joint. Though it came extremely close to earning a spot on our main list, the Norden N12 was ever-so-slightly beaten out by Council Tool 2lbs Hudson Bay Camp Axe — which is admittedly less stylish, but performed noticeably better. 

Barebones has long been offering quality tools at a more-than-fair price — an MO evidenced by the company’s Felling Axe. The Barebones Felling Axe sports a design inspired by 19th-century forestry felling axes but sees it brought to fruition in more modern 1055 carbon steel — before being paired with a surprisingly premium 900-denier polyester sheath. Because of its sub-2.5-pound weight, it simply lacks the class-leading chopping and splitting power of several of the above axes on our list, relegating it to an honorable mention. 

Part hatchet and part axe, the TOPS High Impact Axe is a Leo Espinoza-designed tactical model that actually delivers some real splitting and chopping abilities thanks to a 3.5-pound weight and a length of 20” that provides more than enough leverage for wood processing — plus this latter area is helped along by the curve at the bottom of the handle. Boasting a super, super beefy 0.380-inch-thick 1075 construction with a black traction coating and canvas Micarta scales, this axe doesn’t really excel in any one particular area, though if you’re looking for an option that’s generally competent across the board, it’s a great pick — so long as you can swing its $500 MSRP. 

Made by a boutique, world-renowned tactical tool and weapon specialist, the RMJ Tactical Loggerhead is a tactical take on a compact axe. Spanning 15” in total, the Loggerhead is crafted from a combination of 80CRV2 carbon steel with a Tungsten Cerakote finish, and an insulated rubber over-molded handle that protects its carrier from vibrations, as well as up to 2,000 volts of electricity. Sadly, due to RMJ being in-between production runs, we weren’t able to get our hands on a unit for testing, forcing us to relegate it to an honorable mention. 

Tested: The Best Camping Hatchets For Backcountry Use

Interested in a more compact option that still boasts its fair share of splitting capabilities? Then be sure to head over to our guide to and hands-on review of the best camping hatchets for backcountry use.