bush craft axe

A boys axe is typically a 2-1/4 lb. axe on a 28" handle. It's also called a 3/4". It's a handy size for boy and man alike. But it's probably too big for those boys to do any bushcraft with. It's more of a small felling axe, splitting axe, limbing axe.

You say you want something bigger than a hatchet. Are they already skilled with a hatchet? If not start them there. Vaughan sells a made in USA camp axe (hatchet) for $26. Sears markets the same tool with Craftsman label for $20. You could buy 3 of them. The edge will need a little fine tuning.

This size hatchet is adequate for felling poles and shaping camp implements. When they have developed some skill with the hatchet then get them a 24" Hudson Bay.

And even more important to bushcraft is a decent hunting/utility knife like the Mora Companion. Baryonyx Knife Co. sells these for bargain prices.

http://www.baryonyxknife.com/comgca.html

You could buy 3 craftsman camp hatchets and 3 Mora Companions for $100.

Also, a Tajima G-Saw 240 is a great addition to a bushcrafting kit. Very affordable and a powerful little pull saw. Kids will kink the blade while learning to use it so buy extra blades.
 
I really appreciated your very helpful post. we have been working with hatchets and their pocket knives for a year now and they have shown good respect for safety and their tools. so, it's time to step them up to the next level. the 24 inch range Is what I was thinking also as they can grow into it a bit. saws and fixed blades were the next items on the list so thanks again for those suggestions also. the hudson bay axe looks like a really great tool.
 
amills said:
I really appreciated your very helpful post. we have been working with hatchets and their pocket knives for a year now and they have shown good respect for safety and their tools. so, it's time to step them up to the next level. the 24 inch range Is what I was thinking also as they can grow into it a bit. saws and fixed blades were the next items on the list so thanks again for those suggestions also. the hudson bay axe looks like a really great tool.
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One more option would be used 1 3/4 lbs Plumb National or Super Scout axe.
vintage-plumb-axe-head-lb-12-oz_1_7ebd3386ab451d12872d9531d8f156e1.jpg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-plumb-axe-head-lb-12-oz-2004970582
plumb-super-scout-axe-boy-scouts-26_1_7165e5b9cd4fbf65e4660242b3406c8b.jpg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/plumb-super-scout-axe-boy-scouts-26-2007943038
vintage-restored-plumb-boy-scout-axe_1_eb3e1c50063659f009cf2fd18eaff531.jpg
 
I am quite fond of the Council Tool Hudson Bay axe. In a 19" handle its not likely to work loose. It comes with a sheath. Its a great all-round tool for felling, splitting, and hammering. The flat cheeks allow it to be used as a hewing axe or carpenters axe. You can choke up behind the blade to use it as a plane or chisel. Perhaps this is why it was so popular a style among early frontiersmen.
 
My favorite camp axe is a vintage claw hatchet re-hung on an 18" riggers hatchet handle. Good weight at 1-3/4 pounds. Thin cheeks for carving but still convex for splitting kindling. Hardened poll and a very useful claw as a bonus. And the claw of a claw hatchet is actually useful because of its short fulcrum unlike the Tommy Axe's almost useless claw which lacks power due to its long fulcrum. But the Tommy Axe is a better chopper because of its fuller cheeks.
 
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