Buck Compadre Camp axe, Whatcha think?

bubbaskyjacker

bubbaskyjacker

Joined
Feb 24, 2008
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So I know close to nothing about axe's, tomahawks. How ever I have a need to get one. Never owned one, how ever I have split a lot of wood when I was younger.

So I have looked around art sweet rmj tactical Hawks, sog, estwing, crkt, hb forge, 2 Hawks. ect.

Traditional Hawks seem to be a bit aggressive and don't seem to be good at camp tasks. I like tactical Hawks but at the $200- 400$ its out of the question.

Then shot show came around. I stopped by the buck booth and they have a new compadre series.

The series is ugly, but you won't misplace it. 5160 1/4 steel, walnut handle . It's design looks good, seems to bridge the gap between a heavy kindling axe and a aggressive hawk. Seems to be just the right size for backpacking and the handle feels good!

It would be nice in black or grey, with a micarta handle. But at 76$ I think it's pretty decent.


What do you hawk and axe lover think!

http://www.buckknives.com/product/compadre-camp-axe/0106WAS-B/
 
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I like the made in USA part - $120 seems a bit steep (MSRP) but perhaps not so bad for $76. Nothing wrong with trying out new equipment. I think if you're looking for a proven piece of gear there are other options with solid history and better performance per dollar spent.
 
You said at the beginning that you need to get an axe. The questions is, why? What do you need it for, how are you going to use it?

I may be missing something, but I personally don't get products like this. List is $120, and Dymondwood? Some kind of plywood? Anyway, what is this supposed to do? Will it cut or split better than a $40 traditional large hatchet/small axe? No way. Better bushcraft than a slim hatchet or carving axe? No. What is it for? Bushwhacking? Get a machete. This thing reminds me of a cheap heavy kitchen knife or cleaver. Actually, I have a vintage full tang 3lb heavy cleaver that would be a better camp choice than this thing I think. Anyway, I guess everything has it's place, but the price for a tool like this seems stupid to me.

Think about it this way- think about your use cases for this tool, then think about whether there is not a better alternative for less than half the price. I think that the answer will be yes in every case.
 
I would just get an Estwing Sportsman's Axe over that personally. That is if you have to have the one piece construction. I prefer wooden handles, the ability to place your hand comfortably anywhere along the handle is important to me.

I don't think that Axe would make a good spliter, or chopper for that matter. I guess I don't really see the point of it.
 
Or, you could pay $70 and get a hand forged H&B Medium Camp Axe. Perfect for anything you'll do around the campsite. Unlike a lot of other axes that cost much more, you'll not find very many of these in the FS sections of online forums.

Full disclosure - I own one. :D
 
You're not getting a lot of enthusiastic comments I see! My take on this: the blade is rather thin (made from plate steel) so it won't be much of a splitter (not that conventional hatchets are renowned for that either) and there isn't much weight (inertia) behind this head either. A generous poll (the flat end opposite the blade) is usually a handy feature for hammering and the 1/4 inch (?) that's on this one ain't gonna do much for you. Then there's the moolah involved. Even an age-old Estwing version (love em or hate em!) is half that price. $5 for a rattle can of fire engine red and you'll see it in the autumn leaves just as easily.
Thanks though for submitting this for opinions.
 
I see that as well, that is fine I wanted opinions of people that actually own axe, hatchets and Hawks . I do like the hb forge medium camp axe.

The granfors are a bit too much at the moment, I would really need to be into Hawks to support price, unless you want to sell me one of yours for 80$ :thumbup:

Ps I don't like that it is red! It's very dated Looking.
 
bubbaskyjacker said:
I see that as well, that is fine I wanted opinions of people that actually own axe, hatchets and Hawks . I do like the hb forge medium camp axe.

The granfors are a bit too much at the moment, I would really need to be into Hawks to support price, unless you want to sell me one of yours for 80$ :thumbup:

Ps I don't like that it is red! It's very dated Looking.
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There is no need to spend a great deal on an ax. You mentioned splitting wood and backpacking in your OP. I'm guessing you want something to use primarily for processing wood for a fire when doing backwoods camping. There are plenty of options that would work in this category.

Cold Steel American Tomohawk Company Trail Hawk
Fiskars X7
Husqvarna Hatchet
Estwing sportsman's Axe
Vaughan sportsman's Axe (extremely small and light)
Council Tools Camp Axe
Condor Scout Axe
Marbles Camp Axe (made by Condor)

To name a few and none of these are over $50 I believe all of them will perform better than the Buck.

I forgot my favorite option, old used axe restoration. Great way to get a really nice and personal axe or hatchet.
 
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bubbaskyjacker said:
...I do like the hb forge medium camp axe.
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Hand forged.
Made in the USA.
Not limited to just chopping wood like a typical axe.
Two different handle sizes available to choose from.

Take five minutes to read their website, and specifically Mary's Updates. You'll be hitting Buy Now quicker than you can say "American Made."
 
300Six said:
My take on this: the blade is rather thin (made from plate steel) so it won't be much of a splitter (not that conventional hatchets are renowned for that either) and there isn't much weight (inertia) behind this head either. A generous poll (the flat end opposite the blade) is usually a handy feature for hammering and the 1/4 inch (?) that's on this one ain't gonna do much for you. Then there's the moolah involved. Even an age-old Estwing version (love em or hate em!) is half that price.
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This covered pretty much all I wanted to say. But I'll add this, you'll get much more work out of a $20 hardware store Chinese import hatchet. I'm not joking the slightest bit. Stamped plate steel hatchets are worthless. Someone above compared them to kitchen cutlery. That's a good comparison.
 
300Six said:
You're not getting a lot of enthusiastic comments I see! My take on this: the blade is rather thin (made from plate steel) so it won't be much of a splitter (not that conventional hatchets are renowned for that either) and there isn't much weight (inertia) behind this head either. A generous poll (the flat end opposite the blade) is usually a handy feature for hammering and the 1/4 inch (?) that's on this one ain't gonna do much for you. Then there's the moolah involved. Even an age-old Estwing version (love em or hate em!) is half that price. $5 for a rattle can of fire engine red and you'll see it in the autumn leaves just as easily.
Thanks though for submitting this for opinions.
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Square_peg said:
This covered pretty much all I wanted to say. But I'll add this, you'll get much more work out of a $20 hardware store Chinese import hatchet. I'm not joking the slightest bit. Stamped plate steel hatchets are worthless. Someone above compared them to kitchen cutlery. That's a good comparison.
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I agree both of you. This "axe" type is a modern world manufacturing processes son, its only advantage is the manufacture simplicity, from a user point of view is one of the the worst type of axe you can conceive. It doesn't have any axe head geometry, making it a instant looser compared with any real axe, and the one piece steel handle makes it a perfect vibration amplifier, making you getting tired faster and any working day more lesion prone.

I don't undestand how a manufacturer who has implemented a Shock Mitigation System in their knives has done such a basic mistake.
 
An axe has the center of mass in line behind the cutting edge, this tool is going to have the center of mass somewhere down in the handle area. I'm guessing in use it acts much more like a machete or a billhook than like an axe.
 
Oxbow said:
An axe has the center of mass in line behind the cutting edge, this tool is going to have the center of mass somewhere down in the handle area. I'm guessing in use it acts much more like a machete or a billhook than like an axe.
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Probably like a billhook with a quarter the versatility of one.
 
So I see that no one likes this as an "axe" which I understand it wouldn't compare to a real one.

How ever this seems similar a single piece hawk? People seem to like those. There are even a few makers on here that have good reviews I think they were 1/4" and some spring steel, available with or with out a spike. Essentially the same style. At least to me. Would it be better if this was considered a hawk?

Just trying to gather information, not trying to be an arse. My emails come across brash so I have been told.
 
I am not at all knowledgeable about tomahawks, but it seems clear that there are different design trade-offs involved with a tactical tomahawk vs an axe. Having the center of mass in the handle closer to your hand would make sense if you are trying to move very quickly. A tree or a piece of firewood is hopefully not trying to kill you back, so you can take your time with your swing. Lighter weight in the head makes it a better weapon but a less effective woodworking/processing tool. That feels right to me, but I've not actually ever held a tomahawk.
 
I'm usually not a fan of one-piece 'hawks either unless you're doing wrecking work.
 
Agree that it is very similar to a one piece hawk. I don't care for those either. Perhaps if I were military looking for a tool to pry, hack, slash, dig and anything else I could throw at it. For working with wood I feel those type of designs are very poor. Just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt.
 
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