The Trail Hawk weighs 1 pound 3 ounces, and you won't have a problem justifying all of it. In fact, you can leave the big Bowie knife at home and take something smaller for the light cutting work, because the Trail Hawk is better at just about everything else. From hammer poll to blade edge, the axe measures 6-1/2 inches with a cutting edge 2-1/4 inches wide. The high carbon steel is properly tempered with a hardened hammer face and resilient blade. Common sense uses of the hammer side would include driving nails or wooden tent stakes.

The American hickory handle is plain straight-grained wood, smooth but unfinished. That's the kind of handle I like to see, since lacquer ordinarily just hides poor materials and dissolves if you wear DEET. A little sweat and elbow grease will give the handle all the shine it needs.

The set screw which helps hold the handle in the head seems pointless, and if the handle doesn't fit properly, it makes sense to get rid of the screw and put in a new handle. Otherwise, Cold Steel's Trail Hawk is an economical choice and well-designed for today's needs.

See the SOG Fusion Tactical Tomahawk for a modern, lightweight trail axe.

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NEW Cold Steel Trail Hawk American Hickory Handle US $32.35   Auction Ends: 24d 1h 13m

Trail Hawk High Quality Sheath Tough Black Cordura Nylon Made By Cold Steel US $11.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 4d 3h 51m

If you build things when you go to the woods -- like primitive shelters or smoking racks -- or even if you just like to cook over a natural wood fire, any axe is better than a knife. The power of the swing focuses on a smaller cutting edge, making short work of what would be a major job with a knife. With a practical axe along, you can save your good knife for finer work.

With a full weight of only one pound, the high carbon steel Paxe isn't heavier than the usual full-sized Bowie knife, and the 8.9-inch overall length lets it fit easily into backpacking gear. The Paxe's wrap-around handle of fiberglass-filled nylon won't work loose if used properly, making this build nearly indestructible in skilled hands.

Shortcomings are simply that it's a short axe without much power behind it, and if you aren't careful and do miss a swing, you may smash your knuckles instead of the handle. Swinging harder isn't smart -- use the Paxe for small jobs and depend on the weight of the axe head to do the work. If you swing short with this small hatchet, the blade could arc very close to important things like your legs. A full-sized axe actually gives you a better safety margin.

Few of us care to pack a full-sized axe into the high mountains, but the Gerber Paxe is just enough axe to make that challenge tempting. The Paxe comes with a ballistic nylon belt sheath to make storing or carrying the tool even simpler.

See the Gerber Camp Axe for a larger version of this pack tool suitable for anyone able to carry heavier gear.

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Gerber 31 000912 Axe Back Paxe Ii Clam Packaging 31000912 US $30.31   Auction Ends: 5d 1h 47m

NEW GERBER KNIVES 31 000912 BACK PAXE II CAMP AXE RUGGED TOOL KNIFE WITH SHEATH US $27.95   Auction Ends: 25d 18h 51m

The antiqued finish of the high carbon steel axe head looks a little rough, but any good tool looks better when it's seen some use. The axe head already has the slightly pitted look of an axe that caught some waves from time to time. The dark hardwood of the handle adds to the multi-mission look of this old weapon and even recreates the slight curve of the original. Made for throwing as well as for ordinary chopping, the handle curve alters the angle of the flared blade just enough to increase the chances of a good stick.

The very portable Francisca Axe measures only 18-1/4 inches at the handle with a cutting edge 3-1/2 inches wide. Total weight is 1-1/2 pounds, not much more than a large Bowie knife. That small size didn't prevent the Francisca from finding a place in close combat in the Viking era. Either thrown or swung, the axe easily penetrated chain mail armor. CAS Hanwei includes a leather guard for the edge, so the Francisca Axe could be safely tucked in a pack or lashed to gear. Many replica swords aren't durable, but this fully functional axe is the real thing. Don't be afraid to take it on the camping or hunting trip.

See the United Cutlery Black Ronin Tomahawk for a multi-edged modern tomahawk built for target throwing.

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Damascus Steel Francisca Chopping Cutting And Throwing Axe Hand Made US $300.00   Auction Ends: 20d 6h 14m

ANCIENT MEDIEVAL IRON FRANCISCA AXE RARE RT 72 US $599.00   Auction Ends: 19d 3h 59m

The Hudson's Bay Camp Axe made by Snow and Nealley is a very advanced form of this old design with a flat poll good for hammering tent stakes and a head of high carbon steel better than anything sold at the old trading posts. In style, it's still the same thing with a weight of only a pound and three-quarters at the axe head, compared to three-and-a-half pounds for a standard single bit. With a hickory handle only 24 inches long, it's big enough for major camp work but light enough to portage, as popular with today's canoeists as with the trappers and fishermen who ran the same routes centuries ago.

Many of the old trade axes lacked the quality you'll find in this modern Snow and Nealley. Trade axes from older days often included pipe bowl peens and hollow stem handles, for enjoying a good smoke. Many that survive show broken pipe bowls, a misfortune that resulted when someone tried to use them for hammers. Other better tomahawks were made with rounded eyes -- less practical for driving stakes but very easy to fit a handle to in the woods. Replacing the handle on this axe will require something better than the nearest branch, but it's an inexpensive and common pattern even now and should be on hand at a hardware store near you.

For a full-sized single bit axe, try Snow and Nealley's Best Axe.

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Vintage Collins Hudson Bay axe with original handle US $45.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 4h 52m

Norlund Tomahawk Axe Hudson Bay Type Original Handle vintage tool 25 1 2 long US $34.00   6 Bids Auction Ends: 1d 23h 17m

That's really the only drawback to this axe's nearly one-piece construction. Owners shouldn't have problems with broken handles or loose axe heads if the tool is used properly. The glass-filled nylon handle completely surrounds the tool steel axe head and is molded seamlessly to it. Lightweight and only 1-1/2 feet long, the axe still delivers plenty of chopping power with most of the two pounds focused in the axe head itself. That puts the force of the swing where the axe cuts. When the axe strikes, very little of that force comes back to your hand.

For either chopping or splitting, you'll find that wrapped handle a bother if you tackle anything big. In a deep notch, the handle catches the wood and deflects the blow, and the axe could stop short if you're splitting tough hardwood. No tool is unbreakable, and twisting the axe to break it loose could cause structural problems. The axe is still tough enough that careful users with some skill and common sense should experience no trouble.

Gerber includes a belt sheath of ballistic nylon fabric, a sensible and safe way to carry this useful woodsman's tool.

For a larger version of this durable modern axe design, see the Fiskars Pro Chopping Axe.

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Gerber Injection Molded Solid Forge Steel Camp Axe NEW US $38.99   Auction Ends: 2d 2h

Gerber Gator Combo Axe II Camp 2 in 1 Saw Axe Survival Hunting Tool Great Gift US $56.99   Auction Ends: 21h 27m

In many genuine tomahawks which did survive the work of the American frontier, you'll see that this style got through intact while many of the fancier versions were retired after polls broke. Pipe axes were especially vulnerable to that sort of damage. The round eye of this type eliminated most of those breakage problems and allowed owners to easily fit new handles on the spot. A fire-hardened tree limb tapered to fit the tomahawk's eye was quick, cheap, and almost as good as seasoned split stock.

The Cold Steel Tomahawk provides today's campers with a 5-1/2-inch-long axehead and a cutting edge 3-1/2 inches across. Including the 19-inch long American hickory handle, the Frontier Hawk weighs only 20.4 ounces. Drop-forged in Taiwan from 1055 high carbon steel, the Hawk has a protective coating of black paint to prevent rust. A rubdown now and then with light oil once the paint wears away will keep the axehead in perfect condition.

Cold Steel promotes this tomahawk as appropriate for frontier reenactors, since this style was in common use on the changing American frontier from the time of the French and Indian Wars until the late 1800s.

See the Emerson Tactical Survival Tomahawk for a modern style designed both for the survivalist and the military professional.

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Cold Steel Frontier Hawk Tomahawk Throwing Axe 90FH 90F US $21.95   Auction Ends: 23d 2h 28m

Hand made Leather belt sheath for Cold Steel Frontier tomahawk hawk axe US $22.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 3h 52m

In fact, even if you're just carrying this axe along a trail, you'll be safer with the leather sheath Cold Steel offers as an accessory. There are too many sharp edges on this hawk to allow simply tucking it into your belt. With a nine-inch-wide axe head, the hawk is plenty big enough for camp chores, and a 22-inch American hickory handle provides all the power you'll need for dividing up big game or doing some creative woodscraft.

In martial applications, the tomahawk performs somewhat like the Japanese kama or sickle but was built for use in America's hardwood forests, not the grain fields. Some of the techniques of the kama cross over neatly to the tomahawk -- both faces of this particular style can trap an attack or hook an opponent's limb. In the brush, though, you'll be much more likely to trap a tree limb on the backswing if you get overzealous. Check out both ends of the arc to be sure you keep control.

Cold Steel's Spike Tomahawk is drop-forged in Taiwan from high carbon tool steel. The hawk has been painted to prevent rust, but don't expect the coating to last long in use. Rub the axe lightly with machine oil to prevent corrosion.

See the SOG Fusion Tactical Tomahawk for an advanced version of a combat tomahawk used in Vietnam.

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Cold Steel Spike Hawk Tomahawk Throwing Axe 90SH NEW US $26.95   Auction Ends: 7d 4h 52m

Cold Steel Spike Hawk Sheath Olive Drab Kydex US $16.00   Auction Ends: 11d 2h 58m

The drop-forged 5150 high carbon steel of the axe head fits a slot in the strong polypropylene handle. Strong steel fasteners bolt the axe head in the slot, so there's no worry about fitting handles or keeping the handle tight. Ordinary tools now solve that problem. You won't be able to make one of these handles yourself, but Cold Steel sells inexpensive replacements, and the whole process of re-handling is greatly streamlined. Cold Steel rates the poly handle as stronger and more shock-resistant than hickory -- but especially if you use the axe for target throwing, you can expect some damage to accumulate.

In size, this tactical tomahawk rivals one of Cold Steel's traditional frontier styles with an overall length of 19 inches. Modern design and the shift to poly cut the weight of this full-sized throwing hawk to 24 ounces. Unlike many of today's tomahawks, the Trench Hawk was meant for modern hunters and travelers and comes with a Secure-Ex sheath for safe transport and storage. All cutting edges are completely covered, so the Trench Hawk can be stowed inside packs as well as strapped to the outside of your gear.

The 8-3/4-inch axe head provides 3-1/2 inches of axe edge on the main blade and a double-beveled dagger spike as the second face of the tool. The spike pommel finds few practical uses in everyday life but adds wicked potential to the weapon in combat. If you use the axe for camp work, you'll need to be especially aware of your backswing.

Consider the Cold Steel Spetsnaz Shovel as another option for double-duty camping gear.

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Cold Steel New Trench Hawk Tomahawk Throwing Axe 90PTH US $44.39   Auction Ends: 26d 19h 11m

Cold Steel Trench Hawk With Securex Sheath Self Defense Axe US $39.95   0 Bid Auction Ends: 5h 33m

G-10 handle slabs bolted to the steel tang give a solid grip and provide finger notches for extra security. Overall weight of 18.6 ounces is light enough for backpacking and justifiable if you plan to stay for a while. The 11.1-inch-long axe provides 2.4 inches of cutting edge and handles small chopping chores well. A black oxide finish gives the axe a tactical look, and a nylon belt sheath makes it easy to carry or to stow in other gear.

While it's a good axe, small camp axes don't handle every type of camp work. This axe is only 0.186 inches thick, so the back of the axe head won't drive stakes efficiently. The short handle places your fingers in close proximity to anything you're hacking, so be careful that you don't smash your fingers if you're chipping a notch in a large log or splitting some kindling for the fire.

Hardened only to Rockwell 51 to 53, the axe edge is tough but will need sharpening frequently. The F09-N Hand Axe was forged in China to SOG's specifications.

See the SOG Fusion Tactical Tomahawk for another light field axe made in the Vietnam Special Forces pattern.

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SOG New Hand Axe Fixed Blade Hunting With Sheath F09 N US $33.99   Auction Ends: 14d 9h 36m

SOG Knives Hand Axe Black Stainless W Sheath New 99330 US $36.62   Auction Ends: 29d 4h 8m

The carpenter's axe is more finishing tool than chopping tool, forged with a thinner blade and longer bevel so the craftsman wielding it can pare shavings from the face of the workpiece or chop the waste from open mortises. For vertical cuts across the grain, you'll probably prefer a mallet and chisel or a crosscut saw. If the grain is straight and clear, this axe does clean work when chopping out waste wood. The hardened poll of the axe is ground flat for hammering but works better for tapping framing joints together than for driving nails.

For controlled work up close, when roughing out a billet of wood for a new handle or a small squared post, the axe was designed to allow a grip almost above the center of the cutting edge. Holding the axe just below the head lets you pare fine shavings instead of swinging and chopping. Keeping the edge of the axe straight when sharpening preserves the tool's ability to create flat surfaces. You'll need good whetstones to maintain the narrow bevel and keep the cutting edge in working shape.

This hand-forged axe from Gransfors Bruks Axe Forge of Sweden lacks paint or unnecessary polishing but shows the marks of hand craftsmanship without any need to cover up flaws. You'll find the initials of a Gransfors Bruks smith set in the axe head. Through the company website, you'll even be able to match the mark to the man who made the axe.

For a hand-forged axe designed to meet the needs of the hunter and outdoorsman, see the Gransfors Bruks Outdoor Axe.

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Estwing Knives Carpenters Hatchet For Cutting Soft Wood 11 1 2 Axe New E31H US $41.56   Auction Ends: 16d 21h 3m

Fiskars 121440 X10 Carpenters Axe US $92.11   Auction Ends: 18d 4h 35m