Best Small Axe for Camping and Splitting!

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emelex

Joined
Oct 19, 2015
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Hi all. I was camping with my boyfriend, and he mentioned wanting a "small axe" for camping trips, particularly for splitting campfire wood at campgrounds, and I would also assume for chopping wood at remote campsites. He currently has a velvicut axe with a 23" length. I prodded a little bit and asked if a hatchet would do the trick, but he said that a "small axe" is what he was looking for.
I'm looking to buy him an axe for his birthday, and have been doing a ton of research, including this forum.
The front runners are:

GB Splitting Hatchet 439 (19")
GB Small Forest Axe 420 (19")
GB Outdoor Axe 425 (14.5")
Wetterlings Outdoor Axe #118 (19.25")


I think he wants something packable, mainly for motorcycle camping. However, I know he wants splitting capabilities. I'm thinking the Outdoor Axe might be too light? Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance...
 
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I love my Gransfers Bruks splitting hatchet with the 19-inch handle. The head is a little heavy, but it will handle much tougher rounds than an ordinary hatchet.
 
Can't go wrong with either of these axes.
I have a GB SFA- love it!
I'm looking at a H&B Forge Camp Axe for the next purchase.
 
i'll put my two bits in and say look for a vintage axe. For a fraction of the cost you can get a superior tool. Any of the big makers like Craftsman (as long as it's stamped Craftsman) Dunlap, Mann, Collins, Kelly, Plumb (the list goes on) will run you MAYBE 50-100 dollars tops hafted, sharpened and ready to rock. Their steel is of a higher carbon content than the Gransfors from what I remember so they'll hold an edge better and longer. I think my best allaround camp axe I'd have to say is my Walters montreal pattern boys axe-hatchet type deal. 2 or so lbs, thick bit, but a thin enough edge for it to chop very well.

All I'm saying is that before you spend 150 dollars on a tool, consider something vintage, and domestically made.
 
Being that he has a boys axe, used the term small axe, and didn't seem interested in a hatchet my bet is on him wanting a GB Small Forest Axe. It's definitely a popular choice these days.
 
thanks, I appreciate that input. any advice on where/how to shop for these vintage models?
 
The most readily available source would be ebay. If you search local antique malls and junk shops they may be cheaper.
 
and he mentioned wanting a "small axe" for camping trips, particularly for splitting campfire wood at campgrounds, and I would also assume for chopping wood at remote campsites.
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No direct experience with it, but I've been thinking of a Snow and Nealley Penobscot Bay Kindling Axe for exactly that purpose. May be worth a look.
 
emelex said:
He currently has a velvicut axe with a 23" length.
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That sounds like a Velvi-cut boy's axe or 3/4 axe. It's perfect for what you're describing. What doesn't he like about it? Does he just want something smaller?
 
Square_peg said:
That sounds like a Velvi-cut boy's axe or 3/4 axe. It's perfect for what you're describing. What doesn't he like about it? Does he just want something smaller?
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yep, looking for something smaller. I think packability being the key.
 
Another idea would be a Silky saw, maybe something like the Katanaboy. It is more packable and light than an axe and can produce firewood quickly with very aggressive teeth. It would also be a nice companion for a small axe, without adding much weight. The price is in your range.
 
Katanaboy is too big and the blade kinks too easily. It has its uses in trail work but for camping or hiking I'd choose something shorter like the Silky BigBoy, the Silky 270mm or the Tajima 240mm. Silky 270 with fine tooth blade is my current favorite.

I think your boy friend would be most happy with one of the smaller Gransfors products. Not that I think it's the best choice - but I think he would be happiest.

Just think about adding on a Tajima 240. Not too big or too expensive but still one heckuva cutter.
 
The Small Forest Axe is what he's looking for, as has been eluded in previous posts - the SFA is exactly the next step down as well, so it makes the most sense to me. The Wetterlings Outdoor Axe is very similar and I want to say, isn't the Bushman, the Les Stroud thing, a little bit more wedge shaped? I think it might be designed for a little more effective splitting. I'm not sure but I know there are threads I've seen where the profiles are compared side-by-side. I think if I was going to drop the coin, I'd probably consider it over the SFA.


ETA: Yes, I did a quick google search and the Bushman is more wedge-like .... although it is apparently 22" so there might be a size/weight penalty there for your requirements. But according to GBs website and Wetterlings website, the SFA and Bushman are almost the same weight and I want to say my SFA is 20" on the dot.
 
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Depending on the type of wood, the Gransfors isn't really the best for splitting. A vintage would be better for that, although you may need some help to find what would work and not need fixing up. But as square_peg said, he may want the Gransfors. If in an area with lots of soft wood it's a good axe.
 
You could award him a gift certificate towards an online purchase from (for instance) Lee Valley Tools who carry Swedish boutique hatchets and axes. I personally would hate to fork over $150 for something that rarely gets used because of a meant-well but wrong choice!
Myself am a fan of vintage domestic and these can be had from flea markets, EBay and garage sales for a heck of a lot less than the budget you have. One; the find would likely need some sort of male bonding (or better yet; male-female bonding!) user attention (new haft/sharpening/cleaning) and Two; the bottles of fine wine you will be able to buy with the left over cash won't go over badly either.
 
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What are we splitting? 4 inch rounds, or bigger? What kind of weight is allowable? What overall length is allowable? How will it be packed? And it goes on and on.

I am not a euro guy, and always lean towards vintage axes. But they usually require work in some form whether it be sharpening, hafting, tweaking, etc, while the euros come ready to go to work.

Has a decision been made?
 
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