Founded in 2010 by a pair of brothers with more than 30 years of combined experience in carpentry and framing, Hardcore Hammers is a boutique American company that specializes in producing rugged, artisan-made hammers, axes, and hand tools. Now operating out of an 18,000-square-foot facility in Hillsboro, Illinois, Hardcore Hammers undeniably crafts some of the best small-batch hatchets and splitters on the market. So, when Prometheus Design Werx recently set out to produce a capsule collection of limited edition outdoor axes, the team at Hardcore Hammers was an obvious choice for partnership.
Born out of a collaboration between Hardcore Hammers and PDW’s Special Projects Division, this limited edition release is comprised of two different axe models that are both offered in five different colorways. The first — and smaller — of the two axes is the SPD x Hardcore Hammers Survivalist. Weighing in at 28.8oz and spanning 17.625”, the Survivalist axe is a handheld hatchet with a 19oz 4140 alloy steel (aka “Ordnance Steel”) head that’s been forged in America before being adorned in a custom-tooled SPD Kraken logo headstamp. Paired with a Grade A American hickory handle, the axe’s head also sports a nail/tent stake puller notch and Hardcore Hammer’s patented recessed waffle hammer face.
Next is the larger SPD X Hardcore Hammers Ranger axe. This full-length model features the same 4140 alloy head and Hickory handle constructions, though its head is a bigger 4lb item while the handle measures 28”. Like its smaller counterpart, the Ranger features custom PDW SPD branding and Hardcore Hammer’s patented recessed waffle hammer face. Both the Survivalist and the Ranger are produced in five color combos, each of which is applied entirely by hand. What’s more, both models also come backed by lifetime warranties and are sold with custom sheaths that are handcrafted in Montana from saddlery-grade, top-grain leather.
Produced in limited numbers, the Prometheus Design Werx SPD x Hardcore Hammers axes are available now, with pricing starting at $225 for the Survivalist variants and $335 for the Ranger models.
