A Guide to Axes and Bushcraft

[@elmigwar]

Very consise video. Thank you for the effort and time. I've been into bushcraft and camping since long time here and your points are in the good direction. Hope to see more of your videos. Cheers 🪓🪓

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thank you for your kind words. Hopefully it helps steer good decisions 😁

[@GabeHelms7048]

Amazing video, I've been camping since my earliest memories. I've had my Estwing camp axe for years and for the price it's hard to beat in my book and damn near indestructible.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

I’ve never owned one but a lot of people enjoy them

[@GabeHelms7048]

@@artoftheoutdoors I'm a welder/steel worker by trade and love my knives,tomahawks, and tools and am partial to everything full tang . Lol

[@Jerry-l5i4x]

Thank you, if a person knows nothing about axes (like me), then listening to someone who explains it like the way you do makes me confident enough to get the right one for me. Again, thanks

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Amazing! I’m glad it was helpful to somebody 😁

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. Excellent discussion!

[@artoftheoutdoors]

My pleasure. Thanks for the feedback

[@just-dl]

I’m not big on hatchets in general, except as a dedicated kindling tool. I don’t want to knock them, but I prefer a large knife and “medium” axe. My current axe choice (to buy soon!) is 23” handle, 1.5lb head and 2.5lb total. More than 3” if cutting edge. I suspect it’ll be awkward to pack. But the weight is reasonable. The length is good for bigger efforts. I like the GB small forest axe dimensions. 19-20” handle is even easier to pack. Less reach but same head weight and edge. This is what I’d travel with. I’m not anti-hatchet, so in a group, I’d love to have a couple people with hatchets and maybe someone with a full length axe.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. All good points

[@cabal1318]

Nice overview! Thank you! 👍🏼

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Glad it was useful 😁

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

I used to collect and mod hardware store hatchets. Yes, some are not good. But there's also brands like Estwing, Fiskars, and some others that are surprisingly good quality, particularly for the price. I agree about the tomahawks. They are cool little tools and weapons, but they are not best and processing wood.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks for the comment! I agree, there are lots of good options that are not too expensive

[@danewood2309]

I disagree it depends on the tomahawk , I have a Biscayne Axe made in 1760 , which is what many of the original "trade tomahawks" were, especially in Canada, the head weighs in at 600grams ( 1lb 7 ounces ), is about the same size and shape as the gransfor bruk wildlife hatchet head, and once you add a 19" handle to it it weighs in at 2lbs .. perfect for a small belt or rucksack axe . Buying something like a French Farm Axe or German Rhineland pattern 600 gram axe gives you a good multi purpose axe, quite cheaply. When I go out I carry either my 2001 Wetterlings Hunter with a 21" handle, my 1999 Wetterlings Hatchet with the 14 " handle or my French Biscayne Axe with the 21" handle

[@drums2go615]

Brother, recently I purchased a 20-in 2 lb fireman's ax from harbor freight. You have to sharpen it often but it's pretty cool. It's got some weight behind it and I also purchased a 36-in. I believe Collins acts 4 lb for splitting and I love it

[@arctodussimus6198]

Very nice video with very good information. I enjoyed it very much. 👍🏼👍🏼 I have been carrying a forest axe in my jeep for over 30 years. Many times I have come upon a tree across the road with some poor slob trying to get his chainsaw started. I like to carry a hatchet if I’m going to be out for more than a couple of days. But I’m a tomahawk guy.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Very handy to keep around for sure 👍

[@MrErik038]

The very best video on axes, and ive seen many! Your my new teacher! My N7 ive grinded it fullconvex to razorsharp... it cost me 3 axes to buy&try-out before i got it. Now wanting a granfors 😂 The longer beard i like for fine tasks.. pfff its a leurning experiance. Thank you!

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks mate I’m glad this info was useful

[@stevenburton5356]

Very good video bud top quality information keep the videos coming 👍

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks a bunch!

[@amandaclarke4173]

Great video, many thanks.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dandes7113]

Thank you for this video. I am just toying with an idea of purchasing a solid bushcraft axe and this helped me a lot. That Fiskars model looks like a good price/quality ratio option, although doesn’t look so classy as the others you presented.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks! I’m glad the info was useful. Not as classy, but it did win some international product design awards when it was launched if that makes you feel better about it 😁

[@GymmyJosh]

Fiskars is single use like he said. Once the handle inevitably goes it’s done.

[@dennisleighton2812]

It's interesting to me how axe enthusiasts wax lyrical about their favourite hatchet/axe, and I can see how using them can be a lot of fun. I enjoy working with an axe when I'm at home and needing to feed a wood burning stove. However, we're talking here about the use of these tools out in the wild. Clearly, to lug around a hefty 3 1/2+ lb axe while camping out in the woods is "a pain in the arse" - your words. But, to dial back to a little hatchet at around 2+ lbs, one loses a lot of functionality, to the point that it may not be worth toting around that extra weight. So, how does one reconcile this conundrum? Well, firstly what do we need the tool to do? We need to reduce long "poles" into shorter logs. Does a hatchet/forest axe do this well ? No. At best you'll get (eventually) a chunk with irregular ends which make it very difficult to process any further, as well as tired shoulders and arms after a while. (I'm not a great big strapping bloke, see.) So, what's the alternative? Clearly it is a decent saw (eg like a Silky Bigboy, maybe Gomboy) Outback version. For me this is easily the No1 tool, and not negotiable. It is, and remains, the most efficient tool for this work. Next, we might need to reduce the logs to usable size. A note at this point: Primarily I would look to collect wood in the sizes that I need when using them. Like, I would look for say 3-4 inch wood if I'm making a fire to boil water or cook a meal, as I probably won't need to render such logs down any further. The kindling and tinder needed would be collected separately in the sizes needed. If I need a fire for warmth for a longer period I'd need bigger logs, but I'd try to avoid the need to split down bigger logs. I'd rather spend the time looking for more suitably sized wood. Splitting thick (9"+ logs may sometimes be necessary as an exception to the rule.) Splitting such big logs can also be done using wooden wedges. All other wood processing can easily be done with a good large knife (weighing half that of a forest axe, and about the same as a hatchet). I own a Cold Steel Trail Master and I can do all that type of work with it, including to baton down smaller logs in extreme need. I do not see that toting a hatchet around as well could add value to that. I also do not subscribe to the "one-tool-option" school of thought, and would always also carry a belt knife/bushcraft knife, as well as a multi-tool knife. However, I do concede that in the case of some sort of regular camp site, lodge, or similar, or where there is a vehicle of some sort (car, truck, quadbike or animal) available, where weight is not that much of an issue, I would of course add an appropriate axe (something like an Estwing Camp axe, or similar). It's just common sense. Thanks for the video and your enthusiasm!

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Hey Dennis, thanks for the thoughts on the subject. I agree with you on a lot of your points, particularly about carrying a saw. 100% an invaluable piece of kit to have with you. I have found living here in Finland in the Cold months that the axe is the best tool for processing my wood. I don't tend to carry a large knife so splitting frozen logs usually requires an axe. Also, I have find that, due to spoon carving, I've gotten pretty accurate with the axe to the point that I can quickly make things with it that my knife would take longer and more energy/time to make. That's the fun of the outdoors though isn't it, there are a million ways to do things. Thanks for the comment!

[@dennisleighton2812]

@@artoftheoutdoorsThanks for the reply tp my comment. Being from a much warmer climate I do tend to forget about the influence of cold. I think I would hesitate to go outdoors in weather you guys would happily do so! I guess one gets axe guys and also big knife guys. And then one gets multiple tool guys like me (as opposed to multi-tool!). At least it means we get loads more great videos to discuss, and learn from. This time it was time for me to learn something! All the best, mate!

[@aarondaniel1974]

My Fiskars broke on my third time using it. I feel like that plastic can be much more brittle in cold temps. I'll stick with Gransfors Bruk.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Definitely a defective product then Aaron. People here in Finland swear by them and we regularly get -40 here. Gransfors is a solid option but are by no means a BETTER option.

[@recon_jon6151]

Estwing is arguably the best all around..and definitely the most durable... They have out performed so many marked up "high-end" axes. Performance and edge retention..and are solid, forged steel full tang.

[@aarondaniel1974]

@@recon_jon6151 Estwing is a quality product, but, lacks the look and feel of a quality heritage ax. I don't mind paying extra for that esthetic.

[@Generic_Title]

I broke a Fiskars synthetic handle on my hatchet…you are correct, almost impossible to fix. A friend who collects and fixes axes tried multiple times with no success.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

So they do break then! How did you do it?

[@Generic_Title]

@@artoftheoutdoors improper use on my part…it involved logs oversized for the hatchet and a 5lb mallet. I will say, it took a beating before finally letting go. Under normal use, I’d suspect it to be almost indestructible lol

[@Jimbo.jack47]

great video thanks

[@artoftheoutdoors]

I’m glad you liked it dude

[@GymmyJosh]

I would have liked to see you mentioned the types of alloys used but thanks this was good

[@artoftheoutdoors]

That’s for another video I think

[@MsLori62]

Great video.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thank you

[@theaverageguy3884]

Thanks for a great review. Wish you did mention length and weight 👍

[@artoftheoutdoors]

I’m glad you enjoyed

[@MASI_forging]

Beautiful video 👏👏

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thank you 😀

[@Northpolenoir]

Tomahawks are useful for camping long term its really easy to make new handels. I love them but they have many down sides.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

I’m sure they have their place for sure. I never got on with them personally

[@skipper9400]

@skipper9400 I also bought a Council Tools Pack Axe, and have modified it to suit my needs...I did convex the edge, getting rid of the stupid scandi edge....IMHO it has no place on an axe...I have knives to carve with if I need to, however I rarely do that because I ALWAYS carry Jute twine, and Fatwood...cut the twine is 3 inch segments, break it down to fluff, and it will catch fire from any spark instantly, and if you have some shavings of dry wood, you're good to go....fatwood lights easier offa the jute and burns longer than plain shavings, and that's why I use them....I'm 76 years young now, and easier is better LOL.....I also ordered a Boys Axe handle, (they share the same Eye Size), and re-hafted the Pack axe with it, as the 23" handle it came with was too short....the 28" handle made all the difference in the world with the axe, as it is now a VERY good small firewood-camp wood splitter, and the extra 4" of handle is carried just as easily in a pack as the 24" handle...the difference in length is negligible, packing it, and you can always choke up on the handle, but you cannot lengthen it.....and it's a LOT safer splitting with it now, no need to get on your knees if you have a splitting block to put the wood on to split...all in all it's truely a great axe now, and I've had Granfors brux and all the rest...this is the best packing axe that I know of.....the other thing I would say to all who want to go play in the woods, is just this: TAKE A FOLDING SAW !! and here's why...cutting thru DRY wood for fire making, (or any reason), is just dumb unless you HAVE to, as that is a very good way to roll or chip even a good axe's edge, and there are plenty of good folding saws out there , I carry, (and love), a Corona RS 7245.........OnWard.........

[@artoftheoutdoors]

A saw is a great tool to carry also

[@Gunslinger-1962-martin]

🙌 I'm your next subscriber 👏👏👍👌 regards Martin 🍻

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks Martin!!

[@mrq1701]

What are your thoughts about handle guards for hatchets, specifically the Wildlife Hatchet. Do they ruin the grip for fine carving work?

[@artoftheoutdoors]

I’ve never used them personally. I can’t say I’ve missed them

[@EastSky]

this is very off topic (fantastic videos btw, i like how you keep things detailed yet easy to understand for anyone) where can i get those pants??

[@artoftheoutdoors]

These are by a Swedish brand called Garphyttan

[@EastSky]

@@artoftheoutdoors thank you so much for the reply! i'll definitely look into them. i actually plan on moving to Sweden as soon as my partner is through with Uni, it's been my dream for years

[@arkadiuszchworos3098]

Nice overview. Gränsfors 420 would be another option, a bit longer but cheaper. I'm wondering what type of pants you have here? Cheers mate.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks! All good options for sure. The pants are Garphyttan workwear crafters 😁

[@arkadiuszchworos3098]

Many thanks mate.@@artoftheoutdoors

[@aaronkalahar-_-_-]

They are sick pants!

[@robertduran5920]

I went on my first bushcrafting camp trip for this last 1 1/2 months (bro and I bought some property and were looking to build), and I learned the hard way those cheap axes are not worth it. we bought a cheap 20 dollar estwing and it was garbage. I splite one piece of pine with it and the edge chipped and rendered it useless. Question: Would that Huskafor Ekeland hunters axe be good for general wood processing, splitting and felling for homesteading projects? My brother and I will be camping on our property periodically as we build a house for our family and want to be sure we some good equipment. We learned some hard lessons about equipment failure if you go too cheap and don't quite know what works best depending on the conditions you're working in. Thank you for the video, and I hope to hear your opinion on what might work best for my circumstance.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Hey Robert! Yeah those cheap axes are so unforgiving. The Ekelund is an excellent choice for what you’re describing. Highly recommend it

[@richardkut3976]

Thanks again.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

My pleasure

[@emilecorbeil2007]

Not axe related, bit what pants are those? They look very tough and nice

[@artoftheoutdoors]

They are garphyttan. Swedish company

[@nellieprentice2440]

Where would you suggest to look for any of them ? That are really made to last and worth every cent. And what brand(s)? What is usually the price range for a good one(s). How about doing a segment on handsaws on how yo use them for survival situations

[@artoftheoutdoors]

A lot of my tools come from knives and tools. Com

[@nellieprentice2440]

@@artoftheoutdoors thank you very much

[@bjrnerik1768]

Good video

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks Bjørn

[@Omnivorous1One]

Was that Fiskars axe the 14 inch or 17 inch? Also what size would you recommend for the most multipurpose or all arounder? Mainly useful for survival

[@artoftheoutdoors]

The one in the video is a Gerber, I believe it’s the larger one. Best all rounder I’d go with a Hultafors Ekelund. Hope that helps 👍🏻

[@chillywings]

Great video. But one thing you didn't mention was handles. I see all your axes have wood handles. What's the reason for that? Full tangs are going to be stronger and more durable, presumably at the cost of weight. But I assume composite handles are lighter than wood. So is there a reason other than weight to stick with wood?

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Hi! Thanks for watching. Not all the handles are wood. The Gerber you see is a composite. I do prefer wood personally though as I love it’s organic and tactile nature. It’s also easier to replace

[@therealrogue3863]

hello i just saw your survival knife video and was wondering what your opinion would be on the extrema ratio contact

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Hey there! Thanks for reaching out. I don’t have any experience with those knives unfortunately

[@Btc1ml]

What the most common camping axe length?

[@artoftheoutdoors]

I would say for trekking with your axe in your pack, somewhere around 30-40cm is ideal

[@TheHman22]

Have you fashioned a sheath that mounts to your ghost grappler yet? :)

[@georgebeattie1976]

sharp 🗡️🗡️

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Sharp tools need sharp minds 😁

[@georgebeattie1976]

@@artoftheoutdoors “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.”

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Lincoln was taking his time chopping that tree hahaha

[@LairdDavidson]

While Fiskars/Gerber are decent quality and they are good to use there's something almost spiritual about owning Hultafors, Gransfors, etc hand forged axes. Looking at them and holding them in your hand feels good. Modern axes, while they can be practical, not so much.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

I think that’s just the marketing working. A nice wooden handle does feel better though… I agree

[@slowtaknow]

I of course disagree on the tomahawk not being a viable option, yes it's light and all the negatives that come with it, but it's light and easy to carry and rehandle if needed. I wouldn't try crafting spoons or bowls with it as well as trying to process anything over two or three inches, it excels at processing small firewood, thinner branches for structures, pot hooks and similar, and gathering fatwood and similar. I have a council tool camp Carver for carving and I have a few full / fuller sized axes for felling, limbing, and bucking. Know what you're doing before you go and bring the right tool. Don't get me wrong, I like the video, but I am a tomahawk fan😂

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Sure! Each to their own of course. I wouldn’t recommend one to someone who has never bought an axe and I looking for advice on what to pick up to get out the woods

[@recon_jon6151]

No Estwing, solid 1 piece forged axe or hatchet?.. I'll stick with Estwing

[@artoftheoutdoors]

They’re hard to come by in this part of the world. Also the 1 piece can be a little more difficult to use in -30 conditions. But I hear they are good

[@recon_jon6151]

@@artoftheoutdoors Yeah it don't get negative 30 here.. I get 0° F sometimes..cool video

[@tonydevault3844]

Every tool has advantages and disadvantages. Find out what works best for you and what you prefer then find the best quality tool you can afford. There is no right or wrong other than too low quality or cheap Chinese knockoffs.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

You’re right

[@lycanmagic1664]

Ok I have to correct him here. The tomahawk or hand axe were tools first then weapons. And the tomahawk axe ces in many different blade types and camp craft. In many cases the tomahawk can be your only bush craft tool. Also the " tomahawks" have the advantage of being removable from the handle for easier use in crafting and to make a canoe tool and other adventures projects. It was not originally a weapon. It was even issued to troops in the U.S. Indian wars it was such a useful tool & weapon. Get your facts straight. Also take an axe out with a tomahawk and compare the 2 your self.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

I advise against them for people looking for a good woodcraft tool. A tomahawk is definitely not a good tool to start with. Also I have used them many times and I find them completely subpar to a gransfors hatchet

[@travelonward1811]

​@@artoftheoutdoorsI grew up with tomahawks starting as a child. I am carib and proud of it. The tomahawk may be inferior in your cold wooden biome. But here in the islands a nice thin cheeked tomahawk like crkt will be much more usable. This is also why machetes find success here. Thin blades create deep cuts which is needed in our green island jungles. You are basing your tool rating off your locale. But there're so many other bushcrafters and just straight natives that use these tools religiously for living over a hatchet

[@BuckFu]

I bought one of the crkt tomahawks with the removable head. It’s cool for what it is. I think it actually has two good uses, first it makes a great paper weight and second it looks very nice. I grew up using real axes and hatchets, I hate the taper you have to have in the handle to remove the head, it makes it unusable. I really want to sell it but I hate to screw someone over.

[@travelonward1811]

@@BuckFu skinning , weaponry, carving, crafting , chopping , splitting, throwing , hammering. Idk about you, but it seems like there's a lot more than paperweight. I've taken this tomahawk out so many times on bushcrafting no axe needed and built shelters from 0 to 100 no problem. Sounds like you have a lot of experience and trust in axes making big claims about a completely different tool. The tomahawk is not an axe. And an axe is not a tomahawk. Two different cultures , multiple differences.

[@pennsyltuckyreb9800]

​@BuckFu Tons of "real axes" that are slip fit axes similiar to tomahawks like Rinaldi, Basque axes (that have been around for centuries).... 🙄 Tomahawks are simply small ship boarding axes that were adapted into trade axes for Natives. Otzi the Iceman's axe was effectively a tomahawk style axe that was used as both a weapon and effective tool. It just comes down to what size and type axe you need for the type of wood and work you expect to encounter.... and how much work you really need to accomplish. No one is humping around "real axes" when you also have a rifle and ammo in tow and trying to be light and quick on foot up and down mountains all day. I had to really work on a better edge, but my small, cheapo Cold Steel Trailhawk can easily chop through a 6" tree in short order. Is it more of a pain than having a "real axe"? Sure. But how often do I need to chop down larger trees? Rarely. Even in winter. Drop me off in the middle of nowhere in a Canadian winter.... yeah, I'll bring one of my "real axes" then. Though, if all I had was my Trailhawk, I could make it work with a little more elbow grease.

[@lucdrouin2625]

Hello from Canada. Don't buy any axes from Princess Auto in Canada. Absolute cr4p! Don't chop and can not be sharpened. Weirdest thing I ever saw so don't take the subject of doing your axe research and evaluation prior to buying an axe. I would not have enjoyed being stuck in the woods with that cr4ppy useless Princess Auto axe.

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Thanks for the comments

[@artoftheoutdoors]

Noted! I’ll steer clear of those thanks