While the pocket knife聽is probably the essential tool, the axe聽is a close second. It can chop, hammer, cut, and be used as a weapon. But there's a lot of options聽so we talked with Troop Brenegar, the buyer for 聽and New West Knifeworks, in Jackson, Wyoming, about what you should look for when buying an axe.
“Recently, we鈥檝e seen a move away from the tactical, and toward more hand-made tools with a focus on aesthetics,”聽Brenegar says. “Axes today are like functional art; They鈥檙e easy to look at, but they're also very functional.” This can make buying an axe聽or hatchet more difficult as you now have to think as much about craftsmanship as utility.
His single most important piece of advice for those looking for an axe? Pay attention to how the head was made.
鈥淵ou want a head with a quality steel of course, but it also needs to be forged, rather than cast,鈥 Brenegar says. 鈥淐asted steel is cheaper and weakens over time. Forging puts more layers into the steel and makes it stronger.鈥
Here are Brenegar's top聽picks.
Council Tool Wood-Craft Pack Axe ($140)
Council is one of the oldest axe makers in the US and 聽is聽really innovative鈥 there鈥檚 nothing else like it on the market right now. While most axes are designed for one specific purpose, this one really versatile. It can split, chop, or carve equally well.
Gransfors Bruks Splitting Axe ($170)
The quality and design of the 聽is聽impeccable. Built for splitting firewood, it features聽a big, five-pound head made of forged steel with a protective steel collar that guards the handle against errant strikes. They make a smaller size for tinier firewood too.
Hults Bruk Motala $380
If you think of a Viking battle axe, . It鈥檚 a double bit throwing axe, and it鈥檚 terrifyingly sharp. It would look absolutely amazing on your mantle.
Council Tool Hudson Bay Hatchet ($35)
This is a that鈥檚 made to be worn on your belt as an everyday carry for when you鈥檙e camping. The two-pound head is perfect for chores around camp, from splitting logs or clearing brush to hammering tent stakes.
New West Throwing Tomahawk ($110)
Handmade in Idaho, is a functional style made with forged carbon steel head and a strong hickory handle. The head isn't fixed so it can slip off if there鈥檚 a bad throw.