The Best Camping Hatchets of 2023

Few brands enjoy the legacy that Gränsfors Bruk does, where creating fine hand-forged axes has been the bread and butter since 1902. The Wildlife Hatchet ($185) is close to the smallest in the brand’s line-up, but there’s little stopping this hatchet from doing big work, and becoming the best overall in our testing.

When you can count the number of blacksmiths involved with a forge on both hands (plus a few toes), you know you’re getting a well-refined axe head. Each smith even stamps their initials into the head once they’re satisfied with the job, and we were very happy with the grind on this axe, even straight off the shelf.

At 1 lb., 5 ounces, this hatchet is one of the lightest made by Gränsfors Bruk, designed to be a lightweight companion on hikes into the bush. It finds itself amongst the ‘Forest Axes,’ which feature an elongated axe head and a long rounded edge, and are designed to cut across the grain, as opposed to a splitting axe.

Swinging the Wildlife Hatchet, you can tell that a lot of thought went into the balance between the axe head and the handle. We especially appreciated that the handle had been pre-dried prior to having the axe head set, and the linseed oil and beeswax treatment had it wearing into our hands on day one.

A legacy hatchet from a legacy brand; there’s plenty of history to back up the choice of bringing this forest tool along. Read up on our best overall hatchet choice in our in-depth review.

If money is tight, look no further than Fiskars X7 ($44). Like Gränsfors Bruk, Fiskars has been in the business for many years and has earned a strong reputation. This Fiskars hatchet holds to this longstanding tradition and provides buyers an affordable option to keep around camp or throw in the backpack for longer adventures.

The Fiskars hatchet is well-built to split wood into kindling and is best suited for small to medium-sized logs. This light and portable hatchet has a sharp blade out of the box.

However, it does require a bit more regular maintenance than other hatchets on our list. Still, the power behind the axe head is strong enough to handle most basic splitting needs, and the light weight allows users to increase chopping speed.

The Fiskars engineers created this hatchet with affordability in mind, and it truly performs without costing an arm and a leg (when used properly).

Morakniv has made a name for itself by creating sharp, strong, and beautiful knives in Ostnor, Sweden, for over 400 years. With such history, it’s no surprise that its Lightweight Axe ($60) is our pick for the best runner-up camping hatchet.

While this hatchet is light enough to use for both car camping and backpacking adventures, its weight does not compromise performance when splitting smaller pieces of wood around the fire. Although the Morakniv is not a heavy-duty winter hatchet, it’s an excellent option for chopping smaller pieces of wood to build fires around camp.

The exceptionally sharp blade makes this hatchet a perfect tool for bushcraft projects — from building shelters to carving intricate designs into wood. The reinforced plastic handle holds up to most projects, and it helps keep weight down if you decide to keep this handy tool by your side on longer backcountry expeditions.

The limited lifetime warranty provides excellent insurance if you plan on putting this hatchet to use.

When it comes to purchasing tools, the most beautiful option might not be the most functional. Still, it’s hard not to acknowledge the classic good looks of the Adler Rheinland Hatchet ($84). Thankfully, this camping hatchet boasts incredible durability and ease of use as well.

While a bit more expensive than some competitors, the Adler Rheinland Hatchet backs up its price point in both function and fashion. The wooden handle was designed with ergonomics in mind, making it comfortable and safe to hold and use.

The axe head itself is a large curved blade, allowing users to maximize contact points on the logs they are splitting. The sharp and strong steel blade, in conjunction with the incredibly well-crafted wooden handle, will eliminate any concerns of strength and durability after you swing it for the first time.

As a bonus, the wood waste created from manufacturing is used to generate energy that helps run the factory — making Adler an environmentally friendly choice. For quality construction and ergonomics, the Adler Rheinland is one of the best camping hatchets for self-sufficient outdoor applications.

While likely not the hatchet you’d want to use to split an entire cord of wood, the Gerber Pack Hatchet ($45) makes a compelling case for itself when it comes to light-duty work far from the trailhead.

With a full-tang build, we had no qualms truly swinging this tool right off the bat in order to test its chops. We were pleased to see that Gerber included finger grooves in the overmolded handle to allow for choking up on the hatchet — something that smaller tools like this excel at. With this, we were able to produce feather sticks with ease.

At 1 lb., 8.5 oz., this isn’t the heftiest hatchet on our list, but we found it to generate enough swing weight to cleave small limbs and produce kindling for whipping up a quick campfire. The rubber grip felt confidence-inspiring — even for damp hands.

We were, unfortunately, let down by the sheath of this hatchet, as it is only a simple fabric design with no embedded plastic lining to ensure the sheath doesn’t degrade over time. The attachment straps were also not the most confidence-inspiring, though they certainly do get the job done. 

Chuck it in your pack and forget about it — until it’s time to build the campfire that is. The Gerber Pack Hatchet is a capable tool in a compact package that’ll make the case for bringing it along almost every time.

It’s hard to argue with a company that has been hand-forging steel in the same Swedish foundry since the late 17th century. And that’s why the Hults Bruk Almike ($169) makes our list as one of the best camping hatchets of 2023.

The hand-ground axe head on the Hults Bruk Almike is struck multiple times throughout the process to increase the final product’s density and durability. Just one glance at the axe head will make you realize just how reliable this blade truly is.

When combined with the curved hickory handle, you will be hard-pressed to find a camping hatchet more suited for chopping small trees and splitting wood around the fire. Not only is the handle comfortable to hold, but the curvature and overall shape are also hard to beat in terms of elegant design.

The Hults Bruk Almike is smooth and sleek, and it’s accompanied by a beautifully crafted leather sheath to further the aesthetic appeal of this highly functional bushcraft tool. For a more detailed look at this impressive hatchet, check out our long-term review.

For a compact, durable, no-frills camping hatchet option, look no further than the Gerber 14-inch Hatchet ($55). At first glance, this hatchet’s sleek design may not inspire confidence, but don’t doubt the Gerber name. Its 14-inch hatchet maintains the company’s longstanding reputation by providing a tool worthy of all campsites, be they roadside or tucked away into the backcountry.

Weighing 1 pound, 6 ounces, this especially lightweight option is perfect to throw in a backpack or keep tucked away in your car or camping vehicle of choice. The molding over the top of the glass-filled nylon handle provides excellent comfort, usability, and shock absorption.

The forged steel axe head holds up to heavy use when splitting smaller logs for kindling or approaching more intricate bushcraft projects. Overall, this is one of the best hatchets for mastering the basics.

The SOG Camp Axe ($54) makes our list as another reliable, lightweight tool to accompany campers on both front-country escapes and deep wilderness missions. Weighing only 16 ounces and under one foot in length, the SOG Camp Axe is an easy addition to any backpack.

Despite being incredibly compact, this tool is strong enough to handle most camp tasks and does so with ease. In addition to a 3-inch blade on the axe head, the opposite end of this tool boasts a hammerhead to assist in pounding tent stakes into hard ground or tackling other unpredictable camp tasks.

Like the Gerber 14-Inch Hatchet described above, this SOG alternative also has a glass-reinforced nylon handle. This construction promotes heavy use and requires zero maintenance to keep it in working condition.

SOG has a comprehensive commitment to keeping customers happy. If you take care of your SOG Camp Axe and use it as it was meant to be used, the team at SOG is committed to helping you maximize its functionality and lifespan.

If you are in the market for an American-made hatchet for smaller jobs around camp or the garden, consider the Estwing Sportsman’s Axe ($51-68). Coming in both 12- and 14-inch varieties — both lightweight — this is a great hatchet to have around if you don’t plan on putting it through consistently heavy use.

The head and handle of this axe are forged in one piece. Given this unique construction, the Sportsman is exceedingly comfortable to handle and provides solid balance when in use. The leather grip is both beautiful to look at and functional to use.

The 2.75-inch cutting edge is plenty to handle the lighter use tasks for which it was designed — think chopping green wood for shelters or woodworking, splitting small pieces of deadwood, and stripping bark.

While not the most heavy-duty axe on our list, it is a solid hatchet option for lighter projects at home and the occasional camping trip.