I opened my right eye at 4 in the morning and looked through the window at the gloomy sky, where the different shades of blue and purple danced around the clouds.
Misty morning air was creeping in through the window cracks, bringing forth the smell of moist wood.
I could feel the happiness inside me building up.
I slumbered back into deep sleep, dazed by the fresh morning air and knowing what we have up for tomorrow.
My alarm buzzed at 7 am. Way too late for my liking but I was on vacation in my friend’s house in Montana.
After the usual morning routine I poured myself a cup of coffee, picked up my Gränsfors axe from the porch and jumped into the F150.
The moment my hand felt the solid hickory handle I was in the zone and felt a sense of relief washing over me.
This is literally what I’ve been waiting for since I got this axe. Me and Emmett had to chop down two trees for firewood and there was lots of fun to be had.
Felling my first tree went by in slow motion.
Removing the bark with surgical precision so it doesn’t dull my saw…
Using the axe as a guide for the other end of the saw and making the first cut…
The gust of warm summer morning wind rustling my hair and carrying with it the scent of a freshly cut bark…
The head of the axe gliding beautifully through the air as I worked my way up the cut…
There comes a time in everyone’s life when being immersed in nature feels more important to your well being than anything else.
It makes you feel like the forest warrior.
And these 7 axes will help YOU find the forest warrior within you.
My shortlist of the best survival axes on the market right now
#1) Gränsfors Bruks American Felling Axe (best survival axe overall)
Why you’ll love it:
- Extremely well balanced
- Amazing workmanship
- Razor sharp
- Sits beautifully in the hands
- 31” curved handle
The Rolls Roys of axes — this is, by far, the best made axe money can buy. Me and the thousands of others who bought it can testify to that.
To show off its class, each Gränsfors Bruks axe is stamped with a forger’s initials so you always know who made it. It’s pricey (by far the most expensive axe on this list), but who owns it loves it — I’ve had it for over 5 years now and I can’t thank myself enough for getting it.
It comes with a curved handle and the whole axe just feels extremely well put together. From my experience, it can be used for both chopping and splitting. It’s perfectly balanced, made with care and just has a great feel to it.
Simply put, this is a tool that will stay in your household for generations to come.
And you’ll understand why the moment you pick it up.
#2) Schrade SCAXE2 (best small survival hatchet)
Why you’ll love it:
- Compact, 12” multi-purpose hatchet
- 4” stainless steel blade
- Ferro rod in the handle
- Hammer located on the back of the blade
- Ergonomic thermo rubber grip
- Sturdy and well made
If the Gränsfors Bruks is for the forest samurai, then the Schrade SCAXE2 is for the forest ninja — stealthy, sturdy and just big enough to make sure you get the job done.
This survival axe is perfect for all outdoor activities and will undoubtedly help you with anything from banging in the tent pegs to processing game and starting a fire (with the equipped emergency ferro rod).
For this price, you simply cannot get a better single-handed axe from a company that’s been making blades for thousands of happy customers.
#3) Estwing Camper’s Axe (best camping hatchet)
Why you’ll love it:
- 16″ handheld axe with sanded leather grip for maximum comfort
- Forged steel construction
- Perfect for any type of wood chopping or wood splitting work
- Made in the USA
If the bald eagle could wield a hatchet, I’m willing to bet it would be this baby.
This portable and lightweight hatchet is perfect for your bug out bag, camping, hunting trips and just straight survival mode when SHTF.
It’s made of steel that’s been drop forged and tempered which makes it as sturdy and stable as they come. The neck of this bad bod has been hand polished and the grip reduces vibration and provides maximum efficiency when working.
This is by far the best camping hatchet on this list and, at under 3 pounds, is extremely valuable for survival as well.
#4) Gränsfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
Why you’ll love it:
- Great alternative to the bigger Bruks axe
- 19” hatchet that’s under 2 lbs
- Sharp as a sword right out the box
- Excellent balance
- Solid hickory handle
- Vegetable-tanned leather sheet is a huge bonus
This thing is so sharp you could shave with it — this was my first reaction to this axe.
The Gränsfors Bruks Small Forest Axe is a perfect 19” axe for felling small trees, limbing branches and girdling.
It’s not exactly small enough for a backpack but you could get away with it if you’re strong enough, and I consider it great value for money.
The beautiful solid hickory handle feels supreme and the head of the axe feels solid. Needless to say, this is not just an axe, this is an investment.
#5) Fiskars Super Splitting Axe
Why you’ll love it:
- Behemoth of an axe at 36”
- Advanced blade geometry and good weight distribution
- Length and the blade provide more leverage for one strike splits
- Head design disperses wood from the blade
This is a mammoth of an axe that’s more fitting for killing zombies than it is for carrying around strapped to a backpack.
The Fiskars Super Splitting axe is no joke: the axe is made in Finland and is a product of a company that’s been producing outdoor gear for 350 years, believe it or not.
Handle is black composite and is very lightweight and has a great feel to it. The handle also provides a lot of grip, especially when you have gloves on.
And, as a plus, it’s got lifetime warranty. That speaks volumes on its own.