bushcraft and camping axes

Introduction

axes are very useful for camping - particularly for processing wood to make kindling (although you could baton a bushcraft knife for this purpose if you don't have an axe)
processing wood for kindling can be quite dangerous
most smaller axes do not have hardened steel on the rear of the head so should not be used as a hammer
see the following for some tips on how to safely use axes:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hukEChgGDw TAOutdoors “10 Bushcraft Axe Skills in 10 Minutes”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37d2J40rw7I TAOutdoors “10 Bushcraft knife Skills in 10 Minutes”

when splitting logs with a hatchet or axe, try having the head hit the log on a slight angle from the perpendicular with the wood surface - this reduces the axe head becoming stuck
- ensure your legs are spread apart in case you miss the log - you don't want to be splitting your shin!
- helps if your wood log is really dry!

most lower priced axes under $AU100 are NOT good for bushcraft nor for processing wood
steel is usually too soft and the handles are poor
buy if you only want them to process some kindling for a short period - even then you will probably need to sharpen it before use
possible ones in this category include:
- Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe - 10“ long ~$AU69

hatchet sized axes with straight handles with small heads
generally NOT useful for bushcraft or for processing wood but could be used for kindling
they are too light to use for processing wood well and you need to swing it harder which makes it more dangerous to use as you will have less control
they are really designed to be used as a weapon or for processing food

do not have enough beard to allow for detailed bushcraft wood working though
examples
- Hults Bruk The Jonaker Hatchet head weighs 450g, total 680g; and 9.4” long handle;
- Fiskars X7 camping hatchet ~$AU99 - good for splitting wood
- Schrade SCAXE10 Camp Hatchet - 11“ long stainless steel with rubber handle and a wide hammer head

these are 10-14” long handle hatchet sized axes and if you need it for more detailed work such as carving (eg. making wooden tent pegs), it will need to have a deep beard so your hand can get right behind the blade for accuracy and, as it is not as heavy, it will need to be kept sharper
great for kindling
great companion for your bushcraft knife
perfect size to fit in backpacks or on a belt loop
examples:
- Gransfors Bruk Small Hatchet
  - handle is 26cm long (~10“) and it weighs ~300g making it a great hiking axe but it is not cheap at ~$AU250
- Gransfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet
  - handle is 34cm long (~13.5”) and it weighs ~600g making it a great hiking axe but with more versatility than the small version but it is not cheap at ~$AU260
  - this is the traditional scouting and camping hatchet

at ~14“ long, these are slightly longer in the handle than the above hiking axes and the head is heavier so it is more aimed at processing firewood or making tools from wood
the beard is not as deep and along with the longer handle it is not as well suited to finer carving chores
examples:
- Fiskars Norden N7
- Hults Bruk Almike Small All Purpose Hatchet - 16” long; ~$AU395

larger again (?20“ long handle), great for chopping down trees and processing larger logs for firewood
great for colder climates when wood can be harder and you will need to process more firewood
can still be carried in a backpack whilst walking for short trips
too big for carving with
a rounded ‘flay poll’ is needed for use when skinning an animal otherwise an axe with an ordinary straight poll with sharper corners can easily damage the hide
examples:
- Gransfors Bruk Hunters Axe
  - 47cm (18.5”) handle, 900g, rounded ‘flay poll’ and costs ~$AU300
- Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe
  - 50cm (20“) handle, 1210g (head weighs 850g), and costs ~$AU240
  - as part of the head forging process the steel axe head is struck 40-60 times, thereby increasing its density and resulting in great durability
  - ideal for easier forestry work as well as for those hunters who want to be extra careful when skinning game

larger again designed for chopping down lots of trees or processing lots of wood
great for splitting larger logs
NOT for hiking or camping with
not very versatile and not useful for bushcraft
eg. Gerber bushcraft axe