Best Woodsman Axes (Choosing Guide And Editors Picks)

Published on: February 19, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by Eric Devin

Axes, especially woodsman axes, are important cutters, even if you follow the trends in modern times. Though log burners are more powerful than axes. They are also very efficient to keep heating a house even in the middle of winter. If we are not wrong, you need an axe to make yourself capable of regularly cutting down logs to a usable size.

Besides, great for camping or in a sports environment creating reasons, where downsizing the logs can be very useful. For instance, axe throwing is a very enjoyable and competitive popular sport.   

A huge variety of hatchets and axes in stores create difficulties to haul a perfect one to meet your demands. But we have done huge research to save you time and money. Below listed 10 woodsman axes may not leave you struggling in stores, later you can thank us for helping you.

Factors to Consider for Woodsman Axe

Axe or Hatchet

Hatchet or axe, which one do you want to head into the battle? This a common question while searching for a woodsman axe. Well, working with one hand holding a tool demands a hatchet. On the other hand, trying to accomplish bigger jobs demands an axe, especially a woodsman axe even for surviving like Bear Grylls or for high-time camping and sports maintenance jobs.

Hatchets are anything schemed into 14-inches longer or under. Whether the axes scheme over 14-inches, 21-inches, and more than that sizes. Hatchet could probably be the best option if you are going to try on the kindling or small logs. If we take into account the safety issue, it is better to use a hatchet than an axe.

Handle

Whether it is about cold chopping in the dead of winter or outdoor camping, you need a definite axe or hatchet. Most commercial axe brands use machinery to produce axes in bulk. We agree that the whole axe body processing, especially the handle shaping with metal is very much tough.

Commercial axes are not less strong than their hand-forged counterparts, as well as the steelhead and the hand-carved handles. Moreover, the handle’s grip should provide comfort while cutting down large trees or for small trimming times. It is worth checking out the axe handle for further jobs.

Safety Features

It is fun when your woodsman axe gives access to efficient cuts depending on the balance. Even an inverse thing can happen, the leg power depends on how bulky the tool you select. Many commercial axe brands offer a lot of safety equipment out of the axe box. Such as thick leather gloves, goggles, shoes, and so on. 

Likewise, in terms of durability, it is worth checking that the axe’s blade is stainless steel or carbon to last longer. Safety features are another precautionary issue. So check out before leaving the store.   

Quick Solutions

Why is a Woodsman Axe Handle Curved?

The curved handle of a woodsman axe is quite identical to other types of cutters. People simply liked the texture, of single-bit axes from the factory around the first half of the 19th century. Read more: 6 Best Log Splitters for Home Use

However, it has become standard to use in camping, survival, and lightweight, as well as heavy-duty jobs. Double-bit axes handle offers quite a straightforward handling. So you can use it too, for instance, breaking a chain on a hard surface, as if the chain absorbs the force strike.

How Do You Sharpen?

Keeping your woodsman axes sharp is important because sharp blades can deliver effective, efficient, and safe operations. Sharpening the axe is quite easy, even at your home by yourself. Either you can use a coarse whetstone and oil stones, or a rock and a file.

For hard sharpening, apply the bench grinder or Dremel tool. Safety is the most important issue that you cannot look over. We recommend wearing eye and ear protection and safety gloves while sharpening around your axe blade, neither one wrong move can create injuries on your bone. Read more: 9 Best Axe Sharpening Stone

How to Replace an Axe Handle?

To replace your fiberglass axe handle, tape the hammerhead bottom first. Then embrocate two parts of the head with the previous mixed-up epoxy. Replace the handle with a better one and secure it with something not to slack further. Engulf the oddment of the epoxy on all sides of the handle. 

Regarding wooden wedges, drill and create a small hole. Place a screw, then fasten it tight. Tap the screw with a pliers pair and pull. Remove the wedge and take a hammer. Punch kind of a chisel to drive out the old handle and replace it with a better one. 

View Our Recommended Woodsman Axes, Below

1. CRKT Jenny Wren 2726 Woodsman Axe with Sheath

• Weight: 1.12 pounds;
• Type: Tomahawk axe;
• Axe length: 10.06”;
• Blade length: 2.59-inches”.

Aiming for an all-purpose camping axe? This beautiful axe is more than you are looking for to attach to your gear, giving you the feeling of both a hammer and a blade. Its practical usage made its position in our woodsman axe listing. 

Featuring an SK-5 stainless steel blade on the head and has a black oxide-coated finish that makes it lightweight through holes. The 2.59” razor-sharp blade is attached to the 5.7” width axe head and textured hammer back.

The injection-molded handle ensures a firm grip while working at camps. So, you can’t slip out by chance. If your luck by chance gets slipped, no need to worry about accidents. Because a tough nylon belt sheath is protecting the head, like a blade guard. 

Another amazing construction was made up of powder coating. Not only gives a smooth finish but helps in natural forest tree cutting that you may tuck with your backpack whether it’s summer or camping time.  

What we liked

• Big enough;
• Protected the head by nylon belt sheath;
• Weight-reducing thru-holes;
• Rigid handle;
• Survival tool;
• Triple-edged head.

Disliked 

• Nothing found.

---

2. Husqvarna || 23″ Wooden Multi-Purpose Axe

• Weight: 4 pounds;
• Type: multi-purpose axe;
• Axe Length: 23”;
• Blade length: N/A.
• Searching for a solid, sharp, and well-balanced woodsman axe? Then this is the right choice only for pros. 

We found something great and solid in this multi-purpose axe that will also amaze you. Guess what? Specially designed for tree felling, branch trimming, log climbing, and clearing bushes all around outside your house. Do not worry about its durability and portability after knowing all these tasks you can accomplish them for a long time.

Because the head blade is made of hickory and hand-forged Swedish steel. Also, an attached wooden and steel wedge is there to secure the axe head and fasten it as well. A long handle allows precise cuts at frequent times for long. Obviously, being installed in the leather cover from the factory.

Do not forget to dry or dart-free before covering up. Then store it in a cool place for further usage. 

What we liked

• Long handle;
• Leather cover;
• Durable;
• Portable;
• Lightweight.

Disliked 

• The handle might shrink in warm conditions;
• Gets a rust attack too quickly.

---

3. CRKT R3001K Woodsman Chopping Axe

• Weight: 5.29 pounds;
• Type: Woodsman chopping axe;
• Axe Length: 13.18”;
• Blade length: 3.16”.

Looking for a 100% risk-free axe? Here we go with the CRKT R3001K, also with a budget-friendly woodsman chopping axe. 

It comes up with something advanced which offers much more durability than stainless steel and wooden shafts ones. Because steel-made woodman axes bend too quickly after aggressive cuts. But its hi-tech structure technique ensures 100% risk-free rapid actions.

If you want to have better durability with it, have patience. As the attached heat-treated and drop-forged grade-A carbon steel hardened the cutting edges, providing a cleaner and deeper contact with the workpieces. About the blade thickness? It is around .908-inches with Black Magnesium Phosphate Coating. 

If you are worrying about well-balanced actions, we suggest not doing so. Because the whole innovative design gives proper weight distribution, including an encased over-molded blade. Featuring polypropylene with glass-reinforced nylon makes sure your non-slip grip, as well as the reinforced back spine, does.

What we liked

• Efficient contact;
• Aggressive cutting angles;
• 100% risk-free;
• Stronger than wooden shaft;
• Fiberglass handle;
• Non-slip TPR grip;
• Protective carrying sheath included.

Disliked 

• Nothing found.

---

4. Fiskars 375581-1002 || 28-Inch Woodsman Axe

• Weight: 3.69 pounds;
• Type: chopping axe;
• Axe Length: 28”;
• Blade length: N/A.

Scheming for something with an unmatched bit more power behind it? This Fiskars 375581-1001 is capable of knocking off trees at a single phase, like other features designed beneath itself for heavy-duty tasks. Likewise, it can accomplish light tasks of bigger logs, having more deeper cuts at each hit.   

Featuring a hardened blade and advanced geometry from the factory ensures maximum performance with its ultra-sharp edges. This combination rather allows the blade for more penetration during each swing. So you can chop your wood and lumber three times deeper than before as we mentioned. Are you doing it with less effort, not yet straining your arms? Even the blade’s low-friction coating will not let the axe head get stuck through the woods.  

What do you think? Is it not a perfect choice for chopping in less time?

What we liked

• Prevents overstrike breakage;
• Inseparable perma head;
• Includes blade guard;
• Ultra-sharp edge;
• Advanced blade geometry;
• Lightweight body and handle.

Disliked 

• Not including sheath.

---

5. Schrade SCAXE2L || 15.7in Large Survival Axe

• Weight: 1.15 pounds;
• Type: survival axe;
• Axe length: 15.7”;
• Blade length: 4.2”.

Is the survivalist like bear Grylls impressing you a lot that enforces you for a large survival woodsman axe? Here we go with the perfect survival axe categorized by Schrade SCAXE2L. 

Featuring a hammer pommel is so damn like an extensive Ferro rod that stores inside the shaft. Fastens the 4.2-inches blade from behind the head. Made out of a reliable 3Cr13 titanium coated S.S. blade, guarded with a black-colored glass fiber fill PA. So have confidence while working with it, because the black ergonomic rubber grip will not let the blade get loosened or separated from the head.

You can sharpen your axe blade before using it for each task, with a sharpening stone or fire starter out of the box. Including a polyester belt sheath rather provides access to quick and easy jobs as well as the rubber grip does.

What we liked

• Lightweight yet large survival axe;
• Hammer pommel;
• 4.2-inches titanium coated blade;
• Fiberglass guard;
• Ergonomic grip;
• Included a blade sharpening stone.

Disliked 

• Polyester belt sheath;
• Expensive.

---

6. Estwing Sportsman’s Axe E24A || 14″ Woodsman Axe

• Weight: 1.7 pounds;
• Type: Sportsman’s axe;
• Axe Length: 14”;
• Blade length: 3.25”.

Another hatchet gift from Estwing series E24A, made of 1055 carbon steel as a sportsman’s axe for outdoor versatility. Likewise, for chopping logs, splitting firewood, and kindling, along with trimming small trees and branches. So it works similarly to both chopping and splitting axes outdoors. However, there are many differences between such axes types. 

Made out of one single steel piece, it confirms that it should stay together and delivers perfect and the highest force, including a uniform leather grip, which keeps the hand-sanded for a long yet comfortable finish. Also, a heavy-duty sheath, a kind of ballistic nylon, prevents your hands from being injured during performances. 

What we liked

• Forged steel construction;
• Genuine leather grip;
• 3.75-inches cutting edge;
• Nylon-based sheath;
• Too much lightweight.

Disliked 

• The joking case.

---

7. Estwing E6-DB || Double Bit Axe

• Weight: 7 pounds;
• Type: splitting axe;
• Axe length: N/A;
• Blade length: N/A.

Another suitable hatchet for hobbyists from the Estwing series E6-DB, also being so handy to take for long camping. 

The bits are symmetrical, though not adequate for felling or log splitting. Also, larger than a typical hatchet. Being forged in one piece of steel construction gives maximum durability and strength for the life span of hardwood works as a splitting axe. We have experienced such passion on each inch, from the hand-polished blades to the patented shock reduction grips. It helps it to stand it out from the outdoor tools crowd. 

Another unique feature is its double-headed neck, which is great for both splitting and chopping, especially for military professionals if we take into account their weight and balance, so damn perfect.   

What we liked

• 4-snap closures;
• Drop forged and tempered; 
• Like a viking’s surge;
• Power chopper;
• Patented shock reduction grip.

Disliked 

• Big size;
• Poor poly-fabric-weave type sheath.

---

8. Fiskars IsoCore Maul 751110-1003 || 36-Inch Woodsman Axe

• Weight: 10.4 pounds;
• Type: woodsman axe;
• Axe Length: 36”;
• Blade length: 4.75”.

Aiming for something looks like an axe but not an axe, just a splitting maul? Well, this one is the perfect one for you. We mentioned that it is a wood-splitting maul from Fiskars IsoCore Maul 751110-1003, so do not expect the same as Fiskars X27 offers. 

This splitting beast is too well balanced for felling a tree, compared with a heavy-duty chainsaw. As a plus point, it helps to reduce joint pains and muscle fatigue while doing a specialized job, splitting firewood.

As well as the rugged premium steel-made axe disguised into a concave shape, better for each swing you make. Its patented, Iso-core shock-controlling mechanism takes up strike shock and vibration. Also, its dual-handle nabs any lingering vibrations at the same time.

Apartment tough logs, an inseparable sturdy head will not snap off, intense to maximum force, optimizing the blade geometry. A good performance handle is designed to secure your hands as well as the handles. So the strategic handle texturing can assist in firm grip while reducing blisters and withstand a sturdy work environment.

What we liked

• Durable;
• Outstanding construction;
• Absorbs vibration;
• Strategic handle;
• Inseparable solid head;
• Portable.

Disliked 

• May crack while splitting oak.

---

9. Fiskars 378841-1002 X27 || 36″ Super Splitting Axe

• Weight: 5.85 pounds;
• Type: splitting axe;
• Axe length: 36”;
• Blade length: N/A.

The most popular splitting woodsman axe is from Fiskar, ideal for taller users bursting medium-to-large-sized logs. People quite get confused while searching for the woodsman axe as they categorized several, like chopping and splitting. But both types are so damn different. For those people’s clarification, a splitting axe has a V-shaped cheek as a counterpart of the head, whereas chopping ones do not have so. The wide V-shape of the axe head makes splitting wood effortless.

Regarding the Fiskars X27 design, you can rip a possible amount of logs in a single strike as its textured non-slip grip will help a lot to do so. So you may have reduced hand strains from the power-to-weight ratio. You will also have improved controlling power at an increasing swing speed, similar to an aluminum baseball bat. Considering bevel convex blade geometry, unlike others manufactured, adds power and makes the blade from wood with rapid actions.  

What we liked

• More power at impact;
• Virtually unbreakable;
• Superior blade design;
• Optimal power to reduce weight ratio.;
• Fibercamp handles.

Disliked 

• Nothing found.

---

10. CRKT 2745 Birler Compact Axe

• Weight: 1.14 pounds;
• Type: compact axe;
• Axe length: 16”;
• Blade length: 5.5”.

Proud to work with our last deep-lineup compact axe from CRKT 2745. Yet, this Birler tactical pack is so lightweight that you can rip as pack weight as possible. 

The Tennessee Hickory wood-made handle is so sturdy that the axe will not move awol on you when you need to take over heroic actions. Similarly, break down tall trees and huge doors often to rescue a fellow soldier from the fallen down trees. So you can understand how much power this hatchet has installed in itself with an inverse side hammer. 

Aparting the mentioned applications, the 1055 carbon blade holds an edge well. If you are fighting considering the weight-ratio fact, it is easier to carry the Birler in your hand.  

What we liked

• Mission-ready customized tool;
• 1055 carbon steel blade;
• Hot forged;
• Tennessee Hickory wooden handle;
• Lightweight;
• Durable and portable;

Disliked 

• Not included sheath.

---

At Bottom Line

There versatile inches of axe or hatchet are available. First, decide which type of tasks you have to do regularly or occasionally. Choose the exact one by following our buyer’s guide. We have confidence that you will act as a potential buyer to choose the best aftermarket axe or hatchet, whatever you call it.

Though you can buy any from the above-listed ones, that will save you the time you know.

You Might Also Like:

• Finding the Best Forest Axe
• 8 Best Bow Saws for Cutting Logs