6 Best Forest Axes Recommendations

Published on: February 20, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Worried about constructing a big log house? Or, searching for something that will help out most in the forest camping or hiking? Well, forest axes are nowadays considered one of the primary tools in these cases. Even not only in these cases but suitable for heavier work also. For instance, logs splitting and big trees falling in the forest. 

As a plus point, forest axes blades designed at point angle are so smooth that they will compel you to use them in further camping or such heavy-duty tasks. Some of these are damn awesome, including the leather belt sheaths. But before that, ensure your workspace is huge enough for controlling its every swing.

Also, remove branches the axe grip touches. Considering now these special categorized axes demands, often branded tool manufacturers manufacture forest axes.

Importance of Choosing the Right Axe

It’s tricky to buy the right axe. There are different types of axes like- hatchets, splitting axes, mauls, felling axes, carpenter’s axes, historical battle axes, throwing axes, and more – there are hundreds of models on offer.

It would be best if you settled on your forest axe that supported your temperature and the way and where you plan to use it. The blade is additionally convex in design and sharp enough for shaving wood. This suggests that these axes are often used for felling and limbing trees and even processing firewood.

Type of the Forest Axe

There are various kinds of tomahawks, however, these are generally normal.

Splitting Hatches

A split tomahawk sometimes referred to as a splitting hammer, is used to split logs. These are not as sharp as a falling hatchet but are usually much heavier. Where there are split hammers weighing 12 pounds or more, many people will observe an 8-pound split hatch adequately.

 

Falling Hatches

The most widely recognized hatchet is the Falling Hatchet, sometimes called the camp hatchet or Hacking Hatchet, which is used to cut trees, cut branches, and clean brushes. These usually have a really long handle and a head that weighs between 2 and 4 pounds.

Hatchet

These are lightweight small tomahawks and large weights weighing about 1 pound and limited to 14 inches which can be used to hack small brushes, branches, and small trees with one hand.

Strategic

These cutting-edge tomahawks are something of a multi-reason instrument and are inclined toward survivalists, military, and in-your-face campers. The heads are regularly intended for quite some time, pounding, including cleaving, scooping, and prying.

Carpenter

These are utilized for woodworking, not for cutting wood or splitting logs. Typically, this is in the middle of a cut axe and an axe in size and weight.

Double Beats

These tomahawks have double heads. After all, one is more respectable for cutting down trees while the other is used for splitting a piece of wood and logs.

View the Top 6 Forest Axes, Below-

Like other powered axes, you will find a wide range of forest axes. Are you overwhelmed by the variety? Keep yourself fretless. We have researched and put up 6 excellent forest axes. Go through the article and enjoy specified and essential info at your fingertip.

1. GEDORE OX 620 H-1257 Forest Axe

• Weight: 4.63 pounds;
• Length: 28-inches;
• Handle material: Hickory wood;
• Head material: C60 grade steel;
• Misc: 4.7-inches blade, spare handle.

First up is the GEDORE OX 620 H-1257 Forest Axe. Features a 4.7″ thick large blade to provide control and create stability in cutting jobs, like woodworking and gardening purposes, as it is a big axe, bigger than our below-listed forest axes. Its head alone weighs 2.8 pounds. Hope you can understand how deep the edge can go through the woods. Also, it’s a 27.6″ handle, treated with linseed oil.

Let us focus on its long handle for a second. You may find tight fastening with the axe head when you give a closer look at its along with grain orientation, subjected to a sturdy swing. It is all because of both making the process and using the material. The material is the most familiar American Hickory wood. 

As a result, this craft best ensures no quick wear out while managing your gardening. Also, your woodworking projects have several desired shapes and lengths. A super mixture of the tapered collar, handle sleeves, fixing plate, and wood screw bond turns the hammer into an optimum forest axe. Further, we experienced its point of impact, the stronger blow or blast.

What we liked

• Compact felling axe design;
• For hard cutting and chopping;
• Spare handle;
• Oil-hardened axe head.

Disliked 

• No leather belt sheath to carry on.

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2. CRKT 2746 Forest Axe with Deep Beard Design

• Weight: 1.79 pounds;
• Length: 17-inches;
• Handle material: Tennessee Hickory wood;
• Head material: 1055 carbon steel;
• Misc: deep beard design, 4.5” blade.

If we talk about the convenience of this outdoor axe, CRKT is at the top. In this industry, CRKT has been manufacturing such lead-designed products for 25 years. In terms of quality and creativity, their knife designers are great at the scheme and quite fast to release industry-shifting innovations.

Such a decade after defining the decade product is CRKT 2746, which is a forest axe and means to do all outdoor chopping jobs. Its reliable performance and consistent behavior will reflect the rugged material from which it was built.

Featuring a forged 1055 carbon steel blade on the axe head is a true example. Also, the Tennessee Hickory Handle differentiates itself from other wooden handle forestry axes. Though it does not come with a leather or any soft material-made belt sheath, it will help you tuck itself into your bag. 

The deep lineup 17-inches handle provides unparalleled quality. Taking into account, the whole steel-constructed body comes with an accurate density for power and durability. All we can say is that it is a mission-ready, magnesium phosphate-coated tool that will not disappoint you at all.

What we liked

• Carbon steel and handcrafting construction;
• Lightweight;
• Taper shaped;
• Nice stained handle.

Disliked 

• The edge is quite dull.

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3. Snow & Nealley Forestry Belt Axe

• Weight: 2 pounds;
• Length: 14.5-inches;
• Handle material: American hickory wood;
• Head material: steel;
• Misc: 8.13” cutting edge, leather belt sheath.

Searching for a perfect lightweight forest axe? This could be the smart choice for outdoor enthusiasts to do camping, hiking, and trapping. The all-purpose arrangements are easy with this Snow and Neally manufactured forestry belt axe. It is not just an axe, something more to help you survive in the jungle by gathering all your equipment.

Regardless of many bushcraft axes, this brand is well-established in America. So, in general, this one should have been manufactured in America with an American popular Hickory wooden handle if we consider its head, made of pure steel and weighs only 1.14 pounds.

They are holding an edge that is correctly pre-sharpened to run through thick stocks, giant trees, and lumber. How about splitting the firewood for a home? Well, it is also possible as well by the young camper’s axe.

This handcrafted axe is specifically manufactured for hunting, fisherman’s chopping, and more trapping type difficult jobs. We make sure that it will not default to adhere to the standard purposes in longer use from our experience. 

What we liked

• Quite inexpensive;
• Medium size;
• Sturdy and powerful;
• Brown leather belt sheath.

Disliked 

• Smaller head default for bigger tasks.

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4. Hults Bruk Almike Universal Hatchet

• Weight: 1.75 pounds;
• Length: 16-inches;
• Handle material: solid American hickory; 
• Head material: Sweedish steel;
• Misc: finger notch and leather sheath.

The Hults Bruk is an easy-packing forester’s hatchet that is worth its name by doing universal jobs. Such as campaign material cutting, big tree trimming, and more. Even if you wish to cut off big lumbers for survival purposes, it accomplishes the work done within two seconds.

Though it is quite large to carry in your bag, you can fasten it outside your backpack and hike to the campsite. 

It’s only 1 pound head, made of Swedish axe steel as well as forged carbon steel. Means being hammered by a hydraulic press at once. The axe head is capable of doing as many versatile jobs as possible as the design is skewer and less narrow, unlike other models. So it can show its maneuverability to split firewood with its integrated 16” long American hickory handle.

The finger notch is a breeze. If you want, you can close up your hand over and above the handle. That’s how you will feel more controlling power to manage your desired tasks. As a result, it becomes elementary to carve and shave the lumber or firewood. Sounds like a top-shelf forest axe, right? 

What we liked

• Designed finger notch;
• Profiled for profound universal camping jobs;
• Tough and long;
• Well-finished wooden handle.

Disliked 

• Ineffective for taking down larger trees.

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5. Cold Steel All-Purpose Performance Forest Axe

• Thickness: No
• Head: No;
• Primary Edge: 4 1/2”;
• Hawk Length: 6 1/2”;
• Height: No;
• Handle American Hickory;
• Steel/Material: Drop Forged 1055 Carbon;
• Overall: 27″.

Our last listed one is Powerhouse Cold Steel, which is more than a forest axe. Why? Its lightweight but shock-absorbing power can heal you within a moment. Also, it is enabled to protect you from thunder while doing outdoor survival equipment collection. 

Highlighting a European-style head with a 4″ edge and a 4 1/2″ forefront, it takes a major nibble with each swing. Also, it includes an extremely tough, strong straight-grained American Hickory handle. In our broad field tests in the outback of Australia, the Trail Boss was utilized to hack encouraging, clear streets and trails, assemble blinds, and even slash down a reasonably measured tree.

The cold steel trail boss is minimal enough to hold your grip all day or hit your pack, yet intense enough for tasks that scream an axe or hatchet for good. Highlighting a European-style head with a 4 “edge and a 4 1/2” front line, each oscillation takes a large chump. 

In addition, it incorporates an extremely solid, strong straight-grained American hickory handle. In our extensive field experiments on the Australian outback, trail bosses were used for igniting, clearing roads and trails, creating blinds, and even cutting down a reasonable approximate tree.

What we liked

• Shock-absorbing power;
• Well-maintained;
• Good storage in a warm place;
• Reasonable.  

Disliked

• No issue.

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6. CRKT 2730 Camping Hatchet

• Weight: 1. pounds;
• Length: 3.50″;
• Material: 1055 carbon steel blade, Tennessee hickory handle;
• Handle material: Tennessee Hickory handle;
• Blade Thickness: 0.52″.

Searching for any 15-inches beatable maul? Well, CRKT 2730 not only will fit in your demand list but also be useful for valid and potential workings in a sturdy environment.

In general, it is a veteran-designed and tested camping hatchet and a lightweight survival toolkit in the forest. In terms of creativity, it means building products capable of continuing as a lead generation in most hiking parts. Compared to other similar hatchet versions, the pack has been refined down with 1055 carbon single-forged steel. That seems to be the minute details, as well as wilderness, on every last level.

With the “cut effective and chop effectively” motto, Elmer Roush set out such an industrial-shifting idea. From the drawing board to out of the factory, it supports a top Tennessee hickory handle snugly. This part is not only ergonomic but also good-looking and compact enough. The steelhead hammer finishing on the back end considers itself an all-around savvy axe, which is cool enough to break the yard firewood and carpentry tasks.

This ready-made .835” thickness blade with 0.52” length forged steel, is ready to customize your combat situations even in the backyard or outdoors. Are you ready?

What we liked

• Handy;
• Beautifully balanced;
• Lightweight;
• Protects the edge;
• Good quality.

Disliked

• Don’t include a sheath.

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How to Select a Forest Axe?

Head Weight

The profile of a forest axe’s head is the determining factor. Whether the fact decides its maneuverability at cutting and splitting or not. In the case of cutting only lumber or wood, a thinner profiled one is the best. The thinner the head, the weight ratio is kind of that. All its power can go through the contact point. Even where the thickest wood’s edge meets with the axe edge. So all you do, the greatest force split and directed into it. 

Whether a wider profiled axe head means delivering a wedge shape tip. It allows for rapid splitting actions over woods or logs with a huge force. That is directed into the logs to make the process easier and faster. We agree such axes are heavy-weight-to-ratio and difficult to carry. You can use a thinner one instead. 

Handle Material

Whether you are a pro or a hobbyist, you should use the axe which will give easy access to split or cut off the woods and logs in the forest camping or kind of survival issues. In general, 2 types are available regarding axes’ handles, wooden and metal made.

A wooden handle is long enough, yet effective too. The most crucial factor in opting out is, it can absorb shock power. For instance, you are busy with equipment collection in the forest. Most of the time, trees get affected by sudden thunders in the rainy season. Even during carpentry, wooden handle profiles are great and trendy too. Whether it runs vertically down its length, it is worth checking out its making wood’s grain.

As for metal handles, not enough for cutting edges. Though they are good enough considering the durability and power of wooden ones. These are useful for pocket-sized and smaller hatchets. 

Protective Sheath

It is worth checking out the fasteners that secure the knot between axes and handles. A cracked axe can worsen its condition more and give unnecessary damage to you.

The protective sheath of leather or something else made can protect your axe or hatchet head from being damaged. Also, prevent your carrier-like backpack from getting torn up by the sharp edges. The belt sheath is also a breeze as it assists your axe to tuck with the bag, as long as you travel for hiking and camping. 

Read more: Finding 10 Best Jigsaws for Woodworking

FAQs

What is a Good Size for a Forest Axe?

A typical axe with a handle measures about 20 inches. But a forest axe is a type of longer part to hold a heavy-weighted head. A forest axe is required in forests for climbing and felling middle and big-length trees. With a longer handle, it craves and blows more power at the time of every swing.

However, the best aftermarket forest axes range from 25-32 inches. But it is best if it concludes with 25-28 inches whether some of these contain smaller handles, which is better for controlling swings.

How Heavy Should a Forest Axe Have?

A forest axe is something ideal either for felling large trees or climbing that felled tree. Well, it is kind of a forged axe to a curved bit. The curvy feeling makes it more suitable for chopping into fresh pines. People get confused and ask that any heavy-weighted axe head can cut wood with more power. It is wrong.

The thinner the forest axe head, it is capable of providing a smoother shape. Instead of it, thicker ones speed up the chopping power into the wood. 

Typical axes’ heads weigh around 2 pounds. But forest axes should have between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds for being well-balanced.

What Wood And Steel Made One is Good Enough?

Is it crucial to get at what a forest axe does and whether it matches your requirement? Some of our described forest axes differ from custom maintaining ones.

According to the characteristics, trendy ones offer durability, power, and versatility within the compact design, whether one has a longer handle or a shorter handle.

For example, one of the above forest axes is GEDORE OX 620 H-1257 and Hults Bruk hatchet. The first one has a long handle, and the second is a short handle, and both need to compromise on compactness.

 We agree that wooden handle profound persons should have to sacrifice more for woodworking capability. Whether steel-made ones offer easy-to-install and accomplishment. But good woods like Hickory and Tennessee offer something better to achieve targets than steel handles. Even if you want a real steel-made grip, then buy drop-forged and good-coded carbon steel. 

Final Thought

If you are a pro, you should have a better sense of your demands at the bottom line. Once you are a hobbyist or a beginner, trust manufacturers and target one forest axe which has been built to last. Even our buyer’s guide will help to set you up for the smartest axe pairing.

The above-listed five forest axes precisely go with you into the forest, for anything without extreme forces.

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