Top 10 Best Survival Axes

Not only is this one of the most affordable tomahawks available out there but it's also quite well-made. It has a well-made steel head that is capable of handling most basic tasks such as splitting tiny logs, breaking windows, or even supporting wilderness navigation.

Besides that, this tool boasts tubular engineering which makes the entire axe quite easy to assemble and dissemble. This unique design can also come in handy when you’re short of space. Basically, the axe can be re-adjusted to different sizes, guaranteeing you of compactness.

On top of all that, this cool kid from iunio comes with a variety of handy survival tools. We’re talking about a compass, fish scaler tool, safety hammer, whistle, bottle opener, and flint.

That said, we honestly think that some of these extras are not really necessary in this day and age. For instance, you can always survive without a bottle opener. And aren’t compasses freely available on Smartphones already?

If you're looking for a badass ax, one that's capable of handling some hard-core survival tasks, this axe from Gransfors Bruks might be worth trying. Gransfors Bruks, Inc. is the name given to a Swedish manufacturer who has been producing axes since 1902.

So, you can bet that this axe is one that’s built to stand the test of time.

However, as this is a premium brand name, you can expect to pay a premium price for the product as well. Indeed, this axe costs almost 10 times the price of the iunio axe currently ranking number one on our list. Can you imagine that? 

The reason we’d still consider getting this tool, it’s price notwithstanding, is that it is quite well-made. It can handle some demanding tasks such as splitting average-sized logs.

At 2lbs, this forest axe is neither too heavy nor too light. However, if you’re looking to reduce the weight of your survival gear, you can always find a lighter axe out there.

Most axes are great until the head comes loose after several rounds of use. If that’s something that has bothered you in the past, the Estwing axe might be the reprieve you need.

The product is entirely made in USA and forged from high-grade steel. Thanks to its unique design, you won’t need to worry about the head coming loose.

Also, it has a gentle, shock-absorbent handle, that comes in handy when you're planning to work for long hours and would like to avoid hand fatigue.

In fact, the only reason why this failed to make it to the very top of our list is that the seller seems to be having issues with shipping. Quite a few people have complained of either receiving defective axes or differently colored ones.

One thing that stands out about this axe is the fact that it's a multipurpose one. It has a traditional axe edge as well as a spike for piercing. Some people may prefer to use the spike-edge for digging shallow holes or breaking rocks also.

However, this tomahawk is really light-weight and should never be abused. It weighs a paltry 24 ounces; that’s an advantage for anyone planning to travel light. This can be a huge downside, though, when you need to take on tough tasks.

Sometimes, all you need is a humble axe with a hickory handle that goes for well below 100 bucks. Indeed, the Boy’s Axe from Council Tool stands out with its simplicity and practicality.

Its head is made from hand-ground carbon steel. In other words, it’s as tough as a real axe should be.

However, it’s also quite basic. It doesn’t offer much to a survivor. That is, it doesn’t offer the extra features and versatility one may need when living in extra-ordinary times (other than the axe head).

Hults Bruk is yet another Swedish axe maker featuring highly on our list. Indeed, the manufacturer has been around since 1697. Yup, you read that right.

First things first, this is a light-weight tool. It weighs 2.2 pounds (1.5 pounds for the head and 0.7 pounds for the hickory handle).

Its head is entirely made up of high-grade steel which is hand forged and designed for optimal density.

You might want to go for this is all you’re looking for is a small axe that can split most medium-sized logs. It definitely won’t survive for long if used on extremely huge logs.

We look at the CRKT axe as probably the best hawk for survival tool available out there currently. It boasts a 1055 carbon steel hot forged head. As you know, this is one of the most resilient materials used to make axes.

Moving on swiftly, the hawk comes fully fitted with a Tennessee hickory handle. The handle is quite well-made and good looking. However, it does not typically last long when used for punishing tasks.

Fortunately, it's super easy to separate the head from the handle. And that means you can conveniently use a branch to replace the handle if you're in the wilderness and things go down south.

German has always won the manufacturing war – probably due to their strong history of apprenticeship. From that same great country comes the 1844 Helko Werk Bushcraft Axe.

Its head is made from C50 high carbon steel. One thing we really like about it is that it is drop forged. The beauty about drop forging is that it results in the production of authentic and extra-hardened steel.

Besides that, this ax's handle enjoys a fine finish of linseed oil. This gives it a great look and a comfortable finish.

Plus, the company behind it goes a step further and provides you with a full-grain leather sheath at no extra cost. That comes in handy when it comes to maintaining the head for the long-haul.

Are you a fan of multi-purpose tools? If the idea of owning an axe cum saw sounds good to you, this 18-incher from Schrade might be worthy of your attention.

Not only is it well built but it’s also a huge space saver. And remember, in a typical survival situation, these two tools can come in handy.

You need the axe for making firewood and poles for building your cabin. The saw comes in handy in woodwork.

This tool’s handle is made from glass-filled polymer and its head from titanium-enhanced steel head. Yet despite all those extras, it weighs in at a paltry 2.2 pounds.