4 Best Survival Axes For Your Emergency Kit
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Having a solid survival kit can and does save lives, whether you are lost in the woods, face a natural disaster, or your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. The survival axe is one such instrument.
The problem is that with so many alternatives, determining which one is best for you can be practically impossible. This post will go over five of the best survival axes on the market right now.
Best Survival Axe: Reviews
Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe
Let’s say you’re seeking for a multi-functional, lightweight survival and camping axe. This Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe is a good alternative to consider in that situation, not to mention that it has a sleek and attractive style.
Highlights
One of the most notable features of the Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe is its modest weight. You wouldn’t guess it weights only 7 ounces by looking at it, making it a really light alternative.
This axe’s lightweight construction makes it quite portable, as it won’t contribute to your pack’s weight. Furthermore, keep in mind that the Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe is 26 inches long, which makes it rather huge, but not so big that it limits its overall portability.
In terms of length, it’s long enough to handle all of the basic tasks that an axe would handle, yet short and light enough to be portable. There is also a 16-inch option if it is too long for you and you prefer something more portable.
You might believe the Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe isn’t very robust because it’s thin and light. This is not the case because it is made of ultra high quality 1055 steel that has been drop forged and tempered, resulting in an axe head that is extremely durable.
To ensure the sharpest and most durable cutting head, the blade is polished, honed, and hand sharpened. It’s worth noting that this axe is entirely handcrafted in the United States.
The rubber shock-reduction handle on the Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe absorbs up to 70% of the produced impact, keeping your hands from hurting as you swing it.
The Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe is available in black and traditional silver finishes.
Pros
The Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe has the advantage of being an all-around nice axe in terms of the most important attributes. It’s not too huge, not too heavy, but big enough for all fundamental tasks; it’s produced of solid steel in the United States, and it has a nice grip.
- 26 and 16-inch models available
- Silver or black finish
- Forged and tempered steel
- Hand sharpened and honed
- Shock reduction handle
- Quite portable overall
- Very sharp – long-lasting edge
- Excellent durability
Cons
Special Edition Estwing The sheath for the Camper’s Axe is reasonably inexpensive. It isn’t terrible, and it isn’t a deal-breaker, but it isn’t very spectacular.
- Sheath could be better
- Handle may rust when exposed to excessive moisture
- More of a basic axe than a survival axe
iunio Survival Axe
This iunio Survival Axe is a terrific product if you are seeking for a true survival axe with several incorporated lifesaving gear and devices. It’s practical, can be used for a variety of applications, and it’s inexpensive.
Highlights
The finest aspect about the iunio Survival Axe right away is that, because to its creative design, it can be used for a variety of purposes.
This axe has a multi-sectional handle that can be screwed apart in several locations. Each section of the handle can be screwed apart, and each section contains a different survival tool.
When you remove the handle, you’ll find a safety hammer, a compass for navigation, an emergency whistle to summon aid, a flint rod fire starter, a fish scaling tool, and a bottle opener within.
You won’t have to carry each tool individually because they’re all neatly enclosed in the handle.
Remove the tool from the handle when you wish to use it; you can then screw it onto the current handle (the bottom part). Each tool, in essence, has its own handle.
The iunio Survival Axe is one of the most convenient and flexible survival weapons available thanks to its combination of features and tools. There’s also the fact that you can remove half of the handle from the axe and use it as a little hatchet.
The axe head is composed of high carbon steel, making it both sturdy and light, and the back of the axe head also functions as a hammer. The iunio Survival Axe’s handle is composed of quality aluminium alloy, making it lightweight and robust. It’s a compact, lightweight, and portable survival axe with a variety of functions and extra survival equipment.
Pros
The good part about the iunio Survival Axe is that it is more than just an axe. It’s the kind of survival tool you can use to make a fire, build a shelter, signal for help, gut and scale fish and other animals, and more. This is a true survival tool, something to consider for your bugout bag.
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Hollow handle with many tools included
- A true survival axe
- Length adjustable handle
- Axe head doubles as a hammer
- Looks very neat
- Affordable price
Cons
Although it is lightweight and portable, the bad part about the iunio Survival Axe is that its durability is limited. To allow it to fit all of those other tools, the handle of this axe is hollow.
There are many sections where the handle comes apart, so it has many weak points. In reality, this is not an axe that should be used for actual wood splitting, at least not for big pieces of hardwood.
- Minimal overall durability
- Not intended for heavy-duty wood splitting
Estwing Sportsman’s Axe
Estwing’s hatchet is a significantly smaller and more compact axe than most people are used to.
It has an extremely sturdy construction, is composed of high-quality materials, and should last for decades, whether you call it a short axe or a hatchet.
Highlights
The Estwing Sportsman’s Axe stands out because it’s the perfect size for a survival and camping axe.
For starters, it weighs around 2 pounds, which isn’t too heavy for a strong axe like this; this means you can easily carry it with you and use it for extended periods of time without becoming fatigued.
At the same time, the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe is 14 inches long, which is long enough for most basic axe tasks like splitting smaller pieces of wood, chopping down small trees, and producing kindling, but not so long that it becomes difficult to operate or transport. It’s not the biggest axe in the world, but it’s portable and convenient.
This axe is more comfortable to handle thanks to the real leather grip that has been polished and varnished. This results in an axe handle that has outstanding grip and traction, even when wet, as well as being highly long-lasting due to the lacquered leather.
The Estwing Sportsman’s Axe is made of heavy-duty forged steel, with the axe head and handle being drop forged from a single piece of steel.
This has to be one of the toughest axes on the market, not to mention the fact that it’s made in the United States.
Pros
We really like the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe because it is small, portable, and still very durable. It might not look like anything special, but it’s a high-quality and long-lasting tool.
- Very durable design
- High-quality steel
- Drop forged out of a single piece of steel
- Comfortable and durable leather grip
- Good weight and size for survival/camping
- Reasonable price
Cons
What’s not so great about the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe is that it’s really just a hatchet, not a specialized survival tool (although this should not be a deal-breaker because it is a high-quality product).
Also, there have been several reports of people receiving this product, and it not being a full 14 inches long as advertised.
- Not for full-size axe purpose – not for splitting full logs
- May not actually be 14 inches long as advertised
- A great axe in general, but not really a specialized survival axe
Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool
Because it includes a tiny axe, a hammer, and other tools, this is a true survival multitool.
It can be used for modest tasks, but not for chopping down trees. It’s a really versatile and functional instrument with a lot of different parts.
Highlights
The Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool has a lot of various functions, which is extremely cool.
First, it includes a small hatchet blade; while it isn’t long enough to cut down giant trees or split massive logs, it’s more than adequate for making firewood, kindling, and other modest tasks.
The axe head is composed of 420 stainless steel with a unique polish, making it relatively sturdy and rust-resistant for its size (although not rustproof). The full tang design of the Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool increases overall durability and gives a superb balance.
A hammer, a pry bar, a nail puller, and 8 different hex sizes are all built into the axe head, making the Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool a true survival multitool. There’s also a metal glass breaker to help you get out of a damaged or sinking automobile, as well as a 6-inch saw blade that can cut metal and wood.
The Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool appears to be little, and it is. It has a length of 11.5 inches and a weight of 1.6 pounds. It’s small enough to be portable, yet hefty enough to prevent it from collapsing the moment you strike something with it.
Pros
The good part about the Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool is that it is a true survival tool that can serve many different purposes. Many people will appreciate the many built-in functions in such a compact package.
- Many different functions
- Looks nice
- Good price
- Portable
- Well balanced
- Easy to access functions
- Good for smaller applications
Cons
The axe feature on the Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool isn’t all that amazing. It isn’t intended for heavy-duty applications requiring a lot of hitting, but it can be used to split tiny pieces of wood. It’s possible that if you hit a tree hard enough, it will bend or shatter. This tool also appears to rust rather easily.
- Not really ideal for chopping wood, especially larger pieces
- May rust with time
Shrade SCAXE2 Axe
This Shrade SCAXE2 Axe is a fantastic alternative to consider if you’re searching for a compact, lightweight axe, or more realistically, a hatchet. It’s tough, it’s functional, and it looks great.
Highlights
If you need something small and portable, the Shrade SCAXE2 Axe is a good choice. This axe is very typical in weight, weighing 1 pound 6.4 ounces. It’s light enough to wield without tiring, but hefty enough to deliver a good amount of force with each hit.
Its length is just under 12 inches, making it tiny enough to be portable while still large enough to do most axe-related tasks — with the exception of splitting massive logs and felling trees.
It comes with a black thermoplastic belt sheath that you can attach to your belt to keep you and the axe both secure and accessible.
The fact that the axe head and blade are comprised of 3Cr13 titanium coated stainless steel, which gives a high level of durability, is especially noteworthy. It’s a sturdy axe head that can withstand a lot of abuse without bending, breaking, or chipping, and it also boasts a razor-sharp edge.
The Shrade SCAXE2 Axe includes a rubberized grip and a handle constructed of a blend of PA and TPR, filled with glass fibre.
The handle is shock-absorbing, cold and moisture resistant, and exceptionally sturdy, lightweight, and comfortable to hold. Another feature worth mentioning is that the axe head’s back doubles as a hammer, and it comes with a ferro rod kept inside the handle for starting a fire.
Pros
The cool part about the Shrade SCAXE2 Axe, besides its awesome look, is that it’s really durable.
This axe is made of very high-quality materials from top to bottom. In terms of the reasonable price, we think this is one of the best axees around.
- Decent overall quality
- Good weight and size
- Comfortable handle
- Comes with a hammer and firestarter integrated into it
- Reasonable price
- Looks very nice
- Ideal for smaller jobs
Cons
The one flaw with the Shrade SCAXE2 Axe is the fire starter, which is admittedly not of the finest quality.
Second, this is not an axe designed for heavy-duty tree felling and timber splitting. It’s possible that a hard tree will break if you hit it hard enough.
- Not ideal for large applications
- Firestarter is relatively low quality
Survival Axe Buyers Guide
Before you go shopping, have a look at the following purchasing considerations. When purchasing a survival axe, what should you look for?
Purpose of Use
First and foremost, consider the axe’s intended use. Is it a full-size axe that can be used to fell trees and split logs? Is it a hatchet or a smaller axe for chopping saplings and producing kindling?
Is it a true survival axe with characteristics such as fire starters, glass breakers, hammers, saws, and other tools?
Head and Blade of an Axe
The axe head and blade are the next items on the list. You should consider the blade’s substance, which should be high-quality stainless steel, high carbon, and/or titanium coated.
Also, consider the size of the blade, as this will have a direct impact on its range of functions and versatility. Finally, see if the axe has full tang (handle and head are one piece), which means it will be more durable.
Sharpness and Thickness
Pay attention to the blade’s sharpness and thickness. A thick blade will not be as sharp as a thin blade, which is good for wood splitting since you can use a lot of power.
For producing kindling and other minor applications that require more precision and sharpness while using less force, you might opt for a thinner and sharper blade. When it comes to felling trees, a thin and sharp blade is not optimal.
Length of Handle and Sturdy Grip
On the one hand, a longer handle allows you to exert more force when felling trees and splitting logs. The longer the handle, however, the heavier and less portable the axe becomes.
Pay attention to the grip as well as the length of the handle. You’ll need a grippy grip with plenty of traction. You don’t want your hands to fall off the handle in the middle of a task.
Distribution of Weight
Last but not least, pay attention to the weight distribution. If the axe is small, it’s best to divide the weight evenly between the head and handle.
A wood splitting axe, on the other hand, should have a reasonably heavy head. The more force you can generate with a heavier head, the better.
Survival Axe Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between an Axe and a Hatchet?
The main difference is that an axe is significantly larger and is usually designed to be used with both hands.
It’s designed for chopping down trees and splitting wood. Hatchets are much smaller and lighter axees that are designed for one-handed use for lesser tasks.
Is a Survival Axe Good for Splitting Wood?
In general, no, because survival axees are usually meant to be lightweight and portable.
It’s a little axe that can be used as a portable survival tool but isn’t big, heavy, or sturdy enough to split wood. Some high-quality hatchets, on the other hand, may be huge and hefty enough to split moderate-sized timber.
How Heavy Should an Axe be?
A typical wood splitting axe can weigh up to eight pounds (it needs to be heavy to split big pieces).
Hatchets could be half that weight, plus or minus. A survival axe is made to be portable and may include hammers, saws, and other helpful tools; it should not weigh more than 3 pounds.
It should be heavy enough to assure durability while also being light enough to be portable.
Survival Axe For Your Emergency Kit
In the end, we recommend either the Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool or the iunio Survival Axe if you require a true survival axe with many essential and vital features. Any of the others, on the other hand, are excellent choices if you require an axe for actual wood splitting and other comparable tasks.
