Awesome Axes

An axe that’s powered by a shotgun shell seems like a really bad idea. But the risks didn’t stop Integza from building such a thing. His custom axe has a magnetic plunger on its tail which directs energy from an exploding shell forward to drive its blade into wood. It’s an incredibly effective but dangerous way to split logs.

Gear Aid’s Balta hatchet is a compact and versatile camping tool. In addition to splitting wood for kindling, it can hammer in and pull out tent stakes. It features a full-tang 420 stainless steel blade with a stonewashed finish and a textured grip. Comes with a plastic blade protector with a built-in belt clip.

The V10 is a compact, 10″ long axe that’s perfect for carrying in or on your backpack. It weighs just 1.27 pounds, and its high-carbon steel blade is good for chopping branches, small logs, and kindling. Its handle is made from reinforced fiberglass with an ergonomic TPR grip. Includes two kinds of blade protectors.

This innovative folding axe from CRKT and Caswell Design can safely fit in your pocket or gear pouch. Its patent-pending mechanism deploys a D2 steel blade and spike with a flick of the wrist and locks securely into place. When closed, it automatically engages its safety so it won’t accidentally open. Drops 4.2.2025.

This 19.5-ounce survival axe from SOG chops firewood and hacks through branches with ease. It’s got a claw/spike tool on its back end and a hammering surface on its side. Its 3″ blade is made from stainless steel, and its handle is glass-reinforced nylon wrapped in paracord with a firestarter rod hidden inside.

(PG-13: Language) A normal axe has no moving parts, so we’re not sure there was a need to complicate matters. Still, this spring-loaded axe from DiesInEveryFilm is noteworthy for its unique design and ability to demonstrate Newtonian physics by minimizing rebound.

Weighing just 19 ounces, SOG’s FastHawk is a great addition to any camping pack or bugout bag. The 12.5″ long hatchet has a heavy-duty 420 stainless steel blade that chops branches and small pieces of wood with ease. It’s got a spike on its back end, and its side can be used for hammering. Includes a ballistic nylon sheath.

Most axe heads are made from steel because it’s a strong and inexpensive metal. Knives Project created this shiny golden axe from a brass ingot instead. He cut a piece of steel from an old wrench to give the axe a sharp and durable edge since a fully blade would deform.

Chop and split wood like a boss with this heavy-duty tactical axe from survival outfitter Cold Steel. It has a 3.5″ carbon steel blade with a sharpened rear point and a lightweight 19″ handle in dark brown. It’s great for throwing too and comes with a sturdy and secure sheath for safe transit.

To know The James Brand is to love their commitment to superior tools that look as great as they perform. For the TJB Hatchet, they partnered with legendary German axe-maker Adler for an extra sharp forged-steel head on a 14” American hickory handle that’s ergonomically curved to feel great in the hand.

This compact axe from Schrade is ideal for backpacking. It weighs just 1.44 pounds thanks to its glass fiber and TPR rubber handle, while its 3.8″ titanium-coated stainless steel blade makes quick work of chopping tasks. Its reverse side has a textured hammer pommel, and it comes with a ferro rod for starting fires in its handle.

This compact axe from Exceed Designs is CNC-machined from a block 6AL-4V GR5 titanium. Its modular design lets you swap heads between light, medium, and heavyweight units. It’s available with a 9.75″ or 8.15″ long skeletonized handle with an optional paracord wrap and a Horween leather or Kydex molded sheath.

With all that high-pressure water around, we imagine that a firefighter’s steel tools can rust pretty easily. Awesome Restorations found a beat-up old axe and painstakingly disassembled, cleaned, and refinished it to its original state, then engraved a cool design into its sides. Sandblasting rust off of metal always looks so satisfying.

Gerber’s versatile tool combines two useful functions in one. It looks like a regular axe, but its grippy handle conceals a saw which is held in place magnetically when not in use. It’s a great way to save space when packing for camping trips. Plus, its steel axe head and elongated, glass-filled nylon handle provide great striking force.

A few years back, maker Peter Brown attempted to build an axe with a handle made from gummy bears and resin. Unfortunately, it turned into a sticky mess after sanding. Now he’s back to try it again, but this time he molded his own faux gummies from resin so they’d hold up better to the process.

This versatile garden tool combines the benefits of a machete and an axe, easily clearing thick brush and vegetation. Its curved blade is great for getting rid of vines and skinny branches, while its hatchet head is ideal for chopping thicker ones. Its 18″ blade is fitted with an ergonomic handle and includes a nylon sheath.