AMERICAN MADE camping axe?

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DeltaCypher0

Joined
Jun 5, 2012
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I recently got a 2Hawks Woodsman Tomahawk, and due to my ignorance on chopping tools, I learned the hard way that a tomahawk is not the ideal tool for processing fire wood and other general chopping tasks. So, I'm in need of some knowledge on camping axes. I want to be able to process decently large branches into split pieces for fire. Also, I'd like to use this axe for building natural shelters. I know Gransfors Bruks and Wetterlings are very popular brands, but I'm looking to invest my money into an American company. I have only been able to find Council Tools as a worthy contender, but I have also heard some negatives on their steel holding an edge. I also am leery to the enamel they put on their axe heads. I'm looking for a quality American axe, probably something similar to a boy's axe with a 26' handle. Thank you in advance for all the great information!
 
Estwing Long Handle Camper's Axe is 26" and American made. I haven't used one myself but they are pretty popular. I'm sure you can find lots of info on them.
 
I picked these items up at the local Flea. The camp axe needed an edge but once I put it on it's been splitting smalls for me without to much trouble. I say check out Eastwing for an American made product.
http://www.estwing.com/


26" Campers axe
 
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Agreed. I restored a preWWII Kelly that is a beautiful tool compared to most currently available US made axes. It will likely chop better, will last longer, easily rehandled later, you get the pride of restoring it, easily passed down to your son/family.
 
Council tools is probably your best bet for a good performing american made axe, bought new.
 
Operator1975 said:
Vintage/antique is the way to go IMO.
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That would be my first choice. A vintage boy's axe is my favorite for this type of work. You get steel equal to anything currently coming from Northern Europe along with the proper geometry of an American style axe.

My 2nd choice would be a Council. Just keep it out of the dirt and the edge should last long enough. You're gonna have to sharpen any axe occasionally so just get used to that. The Estwing ain't bad, either. Some will complain that the all steel handle transmits more shock to the user than a wood handle would. That's true but most of us never use an axe for enough hours per day for this to really make a difference. The other drawback of the Estwing is that the cheeks are rather slim so it's a little sticky as a chopper.

If you decide to stray from 'Made in America' then both Fiskars and Husqvarna give good value in a mid-sized axe. Lastly, the cheap import boy's axes at the hardware store are very handy in size and weight despite their lower quality steel. I bet it would takes years for anyone here to actually wear one out. We all want glamor and mystic in our edge tools but from a practical standpoint that's not always the most economical way to go.
 
True Temper has a True American line. I'm not sure if they have a boys or camping ax in that line. You can fit any 2 - 2 1/2 pound head with the shorter handle to make a camping ax.
 
+1 for Estwing.

They are more than reasonably priced at Home Depot and on top of that nearly indestructible.
 
Square_peg said:
If you decide to stray from 'Made in America' then both Fiskars and Husqvarna give good value in a mid-sized axe.
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I have to agree with this. The best camp axe I have ever had was a Fiskars. That company makes some VERY respectable chopping tools.
 
VINTAGE or COUNCIL TOOL...

Estwing's ARE NOT AXES...!!!

They are a bar with a POS blunted edge on the end :pissed:

Fiskers is a POS piece of plastic. Same as the Gerber's...

Get a real axe fellows... I just can't take this anymore...
 
Bo T said:
True Temper has a True American line. I'm not sure if they have a boys or camping ax in that line. You can fit any 2 - 2 1/2 pound head with the shorter handle to make a camping ax.
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Foreign made POS axes...

Buy VINTAGE... Ugh... :confused:
 
DeltaCypher0 said:
I recently got a 2Hawks Woodsman Tomahawk, and due to my ignorance on chopping tools, I learned the hard way that a tomahawk is not the ideal tool for processing fire wood and other general chopping tasks.
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If I may comment on your statement, the thing you misjudged was not the tomahawk but rather the model of tomahawk you selected. On the Two Hawks website the Woodsman model is described as; "The WOODSMAN is an ultra-light heavy-duty belt or pack axe designed for the folks who have to "make miles" the hard way. Trappers and packers love it!" This model as stated would be an excellent choice for someone that puts a lots of miles on their hiking boots and has to carry their hawk on their belt or back. It will do lots of woodsman chores well but as you learned is not a dedicated fire wood chopper.

The Longhunter is better and the Voyager model probably the best. Its description is: "The VOYAGER is a heavy Hudson Bay canoe axe, precision made from modern steel to serve even better than its ancestors did in the 1700's. A bit too heavy to pack on the belt, this one is best used in camp for the serious cordwood."

The Voyager would fit the requirements you stated and is still built in the US. Something else that may help you decide is to consider how you are planning to carry it in the field? Are you car camping (drive up site) or hiking longer distances? Day camp, short term or long term?
 
bearhunter said:
VINTAGE or COUNCIL TOOL...

Estwing's ARE NOT AXES...!!!

They are a bar with a POS blunted edge on the end :pissed:

Fiskers is a POS piece of plastic. Same as the Gerber's...

Get a real axe fellows... I just can't take this anymore...
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Yes, thank you.
I bet a properly sharpened prybar would outchop a factory estwing of similar mass.
 
I have an Estwing hatchet and camp axe. The hatchet is great the camp axe is a dog the head does not have enough weight to do any real chopping. I have a Council 20" handle Miners Axe with a 3.5 lb. head and it is great.
 
bearhunter said:
VINTAGE or COUNCIL TOOL...

Estwing's ARE NOT AXES...!!!

They are a bar with a POS blunted edge on the end :pissed:

Fiskers is a POS piece of plastic. Same as the Gerber's...

Get a real axe fellows... I just can't take this anymore...
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:rolleyes: No.
 
My Sears Craftsman hatchet claims to be made in USA (printed on the side of the head). I did have to re-profile the edge with a file.
 
Search for a boys axe or cruiser at auction (2-2.5#) - make sure it is an old one and it isn't ground down to oblivion. American axes were as good as any that have ever been made up until the 1950s or so.

E.g. the plumb in the middle - mine looks like an old POS because it isn't cleaned up yet in that pic, but it is all there and cleaned up nicely:


These are harder to find - old Kelly boys axe I redid.



Plumb cruiser on the far left -
 
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