Whether you’re a camping expert or you’re totally new to the activity, a camping hatchet is an essential tool for everyone’s packing list! Camping hatchets have many uses, from chopping firewood to keeping you safe in a survival situation.
Keep reading to find out more about the best camping hatchets for all your camping needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Fiskars X7 Hatchet
Best Budget:
Coleman Camp Axe
Best Beginner:
Schrade Full Tang Hatchet
Best Overall
Fiskars X7 Hatchet
One of the absolute best camping hatchets in our opinion is the Fiskars X7 Hatchet.
This hatchet is incredibly sturdy yet lightweight. Its well-balanced design makes it easy to manage, and its ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to hold.
Because the handle is hollow and made out of fiberglass, it’s fairly durable but not particularly heavy. You would barely notice it after throwing it in your backpack or duffel bag!
When splitting logs, this hatchet does a superb job of both slicing and wedging logs all at once.
The Fiskars X7 Hatchet arrives sharpened, and it stays sharp for a long time, even after continued use. It’s always ready to go!
As an added bonus, this hatchet comes with a full-coverage protective holder that makes storage super easy! However, while this holder is very handy, keep in mind that it’s not meant to attach to a belt loop.
This product seems almost immune to breaking, but even if it did for some reason, Fiskars has got you covered with camping hatchets for life. Under their lifetime warranty, you’d get a replacement hatchet in no time.
The only downside to this hatchet is that while it’s fantastic at chopping smaller and medium-sized logs, it can’t quite always tackle the largest logs without the assistance of a mallet. If you’re looking for a camping hatchet that can do this, the Fiskars X7 hatchet might not be the one for you.
If you’re looking for a sturdy, reliable camping hatchet that does it’s job quickly and effectively, you should definitely give the Fiskars X7 hatchet a try!
Best Budget
Coleman Camp Axe
If you’re in the market for one of the more inexpensive camping hatchets that will still serve you well, the Coleman Camp Axe is our pick! It ranks as our choice for the best budget camping hatchet.
The Coleman Camp Axe features a rubber handle that’s simple and well-fitting, even after gripping it for a while.
In addition, this hatchet has good balance and won’t leave you struggling when using it in the woods or around your campsite.
This hatchet comes sharpened, but you’ll definitely need to sharpen it as you go to keep it in working order. It works like a charm when it’s sharpened, but it has a tendency to lose its sharpness after some use. As long as you keep an eye on this, you’ll be good to go!
Unfortunately, this hatchet doesn’t come with a cover or similar protective mechanism, so you’ll have to find an alternative way to safely store it.
However, it does have a notch that will allow you to hang it from somewhere if you want to. This notch is designed for helping to pull tent stakes out of the ground, so it has multiple handy purposes.
The Coleman Camp Axe is also on the weightier side in terms of camping hatchets, so it might be a little too heavy to carry with you on a long hike. However, it’s the perfect size for car camping where you won’t have to transfer it far!
Despite some minor flaws, the Coleman Camp Axe delivers quality at a price that can’t be beaten!
Best Beginner
Schrade Full Tang Hatchet
For campers who are new to chopping their own firewood or people who are just starting out on their survivalist journey, the Schrade SCAXE10 11.1in Full Tang Hatchet is a great tool for beginners!
For starters, this hatchet is effective even when it’s not at its sharpest. Although it may take you a few more chops, the Schrade Full Tang Hatchet will cut through even the toughest branches despite needing to be sharpened.
When you do sharpen this hatchet, it slices through wood at lightning speed!
Additionally, this hatchet is great for beginners because it’s fairly light. Whether you’re bringing it on a hike with you or storing it in the car, it’ll take a lot for carrying this camping hatchet to tire you out.
Don’t get the wrong idea about the sturdiness of this hatchet, though. It’s hefty enough to chop wood without needing a mallet or other tool to help.
This quality makes it great for beginners as opposed to other camping hatchets because this hatchet is simple to use and does its job without the user needing detailed instructions.
Another helpful element about this camping hatchet is that it has pretty much everything you’ll need to keep it protected and store it.
Specifically, this hatchet comes with a plastic sheath for the head and has a lanyard attached to the handle that can be tied around a belt loop.
Finally, this hatchet falls on the less expensive end of the camping hatchet spectrum. That said, if you use this one for a little while and decide that you’ve built up enough skill to move on to a more involved camping hatchet, it won’t hurt your wallet too much!
If you’re new to the world of camping hatchets, you should definitely give the Schrade SCAXE 10 11.1in Full Tang Hatchet a shot!
Iunio Camping Axe
When you have a long haul to get to your campsite or just like to hike with some helpful tools on you, it’s essential to have a camping hatchet that’s fit for hiking. The iunio Survival Axe is one of the perfect camping hatchets for situations like those!
One of the unique features of this hatchet is that you’re able to disassemble and reassemble it.
That makes this camping hatchet super portable and easier to store in small spaces.
However, it also means that you can make the hatchet’s handle shorter or longer depending on your intended purpose. This quality makes it incredibly useful for all sorts of different tasks!
Even though the handle can come apart when you want it to, the axe head is tightly secured, and you absolutely won’t have to worry about it loosening or coming off during use if you’re using it correctly.
Furthermore, this hatchet has additional features that come in particularly handy for hiking and backpacking.
For example, the bottom of the handle contains a compass that can assist the more directionally challenged hikers who use this camping hatchet.
One downside of this hatchet is that it doesn’t come with a storage pouch or bag, which would be helpful to have when hiking. However, the camping hatchet does have a belt loop that you can attach to your clothing.
For hikers trying to find effective and innovative camping hatchets, the iunio Survival Axe will certainly deliver!
RoverTac Multitool Hatchet
If you’re looking for a camping hatchet that does it all, look no further than the RoverTac Multitool Hatchet.
This hatchet contains a seemingly endless amount of tools, from a fish descaler to a Philips screwdriver.
Plus, except for the hammer and the axe head itself, all of the tools are conveniently contained in the hatchet’s handle. That way, they don’t add a lot of bulk to the instrument overall.
Because this hatchet contains so many tools in such a small package, it has to cut back on the size of each tool. Accordingly, the hatchet isn’t as large as some other camping hatchets on this list.
Therefore, if you’re only in it for the hatchet, you may want to sit this product out. It does a great job with smaller pieces of wood but can’t always get through huge logs.
Despite its size, this hatchet packs a punch! Similarly, the collection of tools it contains are able to fix a host of camping problems and survival issues.
The RoverTac Multitool Hatchet is a must-buy for people who appreciate a camping hatchet with many uses!
Estwing Sportsman’s Axe
More experienced campers will love the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe! It’s a sleek and well-designed tool that does its job well.
This hatchet is incredibly sturdy and will withstand all sorts of wear and tear without showing even the smallest crack. The handle is also coated in a lacquer that protects it from damage by moisture and other substances.
Although the hatchet requires a little sharpening initially, it sharpens quickly and flawlessly to create the perfect edge.
It can also cut a wide variety of wood, from smaller branches to thicker logs. This makes it stand out from other camping hatchets, many of which can only split one or the other.
One of the main reasons that this camping hatchet is best suited for experts is its handle.
Because the handle is smooth from the lacquer, it can get slippery from water or sweat. Therefore, it’ll probably perform best for a camper or survivalist with a strong grip technique down.
Experienced campers who want to level up their wood-chopping experience will love the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe!
Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe
The Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe takes the cake out of all camping hatchets for the best lightweight camping hatchet!
Coming in at only 20.8 ounces, it’s one of the lightest options on the market. Part of this is due to its compact, portable size.
It’s the perfect size to fit in a camping backpack or to bring along with you on a hike!
![Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe - Coyote Brown Handle/Black Blade [31-003484]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31jL7mSzHVL._SL500_.jpg "The Best Camping Hatchets for 2023 7")
If you’re hoping to do some serious chopping, this tool may not be right for you. It’s great at cutting through smaller branches and pieces of wood, but it’ll need an assist with a hammer or mallet if you try to use it for logs and other larger pieces of wood.
Ultimately though, what you might lose in effectiveness, you definitely make up for in the ability to take it with you anywhere.
The Gerber Pack Hatchet Camping Axe is the perfect companion for all your on-the-go camping needs!
SOG Camp Axe
Last but not least, the SOG Camp Axe rounds out our list as the best camping hatchet that’s double-edged!
While this camping hatchet has your typical axe head on one end, the other end consists of a stainless steel hammer.
The hammer is equipped for many important uses, including driving tent stakes into the ground and helping to split up pieces of tinder after they’re chopped.
Although you might think that the addition of the hammer would cause one side to be heavier than the other, this hatchet is still extremely well-balanced. The extra function certainly doesn’t impact the effectiveness of the hatchet.
Something that’s unrelated to the hatchet’s double function but still important to know is that this particular camping hatchet has a shorter handle compared to similar products.
While this factor doesn’t affect how well the hatchet can split wood or how much the hammer can drive tent stakes, it could impact how you grip the handle.
It may also feel a little awkward if you have larger hands.
If you’re on the hunt for a camping hatchet that’s durable and practical in more ways than one, you need the SOG Camp Axe! With this hatchet, you get double the functionality without sacrificing quality.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Camping Hatchet
Now that you’ve read all about the best options for camping hatchets, there are a few factors you might want to consider to pick the best one for your own personal needs.
Most importantly, you should think about your budget when purchasing any camping hatchet.
Something else you’ll want to keep in mind when evaluating the best camping hatchets is your experience level.
Finally, one unique aspect of finding a camping hatchet that’s best for you is considering your campsite location.
For example, you’ll want to think about how long you’ll have to travel on foot to get to your campsite. If you know you’ll have to hike a while to reach your favorite campsites, a heavier camping hatchet probably isn’t the ideal option for you.
In addition, you’ll need to decide whether or not you’ll be able to keep your camping hatchet protected from the elements, particularly rain and snow. If not, you’ll want to make sure that you purchase a hatchet made out of materials that won’t rust or break down as easily when they get wet.
FAQs About the Best Camping Hatchets
If you’re still unsure which camping hatchets is best for you, maybe these questions and answers will provide the information you need to make a final decision.
Will I need to sharpen my camping hatchet before using it for the first time?
Camping hatchets are only at their most effective once they’re sharpened!
Some hatchets come pre-sharpened so they’re ready to go right out of the box. If you purchase a hatchet like this, you should be all set! Just make sure to keep sharpening it after use.
However, some camping hatchets come fairly dull and must be sharpened using a sharpener, whetstone or a similar tool. It really just depends on the brand of hatchet.
How should I store my camping hatchet?
It’s important to store your camping hatchet properly, so it isn’t exposed to conditions that will cause it to rust or erode.
Luckily, many camping hatchets come with their own cover or carrying case exactly for these purposes!
If your camping hatchet comes with something like this, then you should store it accordingly.
However, if your hatchet doesn’t have its own case, you’re going to want to find somewhere to store it that keeps the sharp blade covered for safety purposes, and that keeps the entire hatchet away from rain and other sources of moisture.
Can these camping hatchets be used to prepare food?
Packing light is essential for many camping trips, so it totally makes sense that you might want your camping hatchet to do double duty!
Some camping hatchets are totally equipped for food preparation, but it completely depends on the material that they’re made out of. For example, some hatchets are coated in substances that aren’t food safe.
Because of this, it’s always a good idea to pay extra close attention to the instructions and details on the packaging that comes with your camping hatchet.
Due to their size, camping hatchets aren’t always the most effective at cutting through bone. So a different tool would probably work best if you want to do some butchering during your camping trip.
Choosing the Best Camping Hatchets for You
Now that you’ve read up on our picks for the best camping hatchet for every situation, it’s time to select one that works for you!
Our line-up of products has camping hatchets for everyone, so you’ll be ready for your next camping trip.
Interested in finding out more about all the camping gear you need to be prepared? Check out our Camping Gear section for lots of suggestions!
