I have been going to local sporting goods stores and hardware stores for the last three months trying to find a reasonable, lightweight ax. I carried a CS Trail Hawk for a couple years and ultimately wasn't happy with it. I gave the Trail Hawk, I bought two of them, considerable time thinking that maybe it would grow on me. It's a good hawk for the price, but didn't suit me. So, today it came down to three camp axes; the Buck Camp ax, Fiskar 14" Hatchet and the Kershaw Camp ax. I was able to handle all three and it didn't take long to pick my new companion for outdoor adventure, the Kershaw Camp Ax. It comes with an awesome kydex sheath and only weighs 14.5 oz. The carbo steel blade takes a great edge. Plus, there is a lot more cutting edge to the Kershaw than the Fiskar. I'm not a fan of Kershaw knives, but this ax kicks ass. And the guy only sold it to me for $20 and change, new.
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Finally Found One
- Thread starter cgusek111
- Start date
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- Apr 14, 2006
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Codger_64
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The sturdy Kershaw Camp Axe is drop forged in a single piece for reliable durability. Drop forging aligns and stretches the metal's grain structure for improved strength. For secure grip, we added a non-slip Krayton handle and a handy sheath to protect the blade.
Features:
Blade Length: 3 1/2inches (9.0cm)
Blade Steel: One-piece, drop forged high-carbon steel
Overall: 11inches (27.8cm)
Handle Material: Krayton
Weight: 14.5oz
Features:
Blade Length: 3 1/2inches (9.0cm)
Blade Steel: One-piece, drop forged high-carbon steel
Overall: 11inches (27.8cm)
Handle Material: Krayton
Weight: 14.5oz
Yep. That's the one.
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- Apr 20, 2001
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A buddy of mine bought one of those at Grand Prairie Knives when we ran up there for him to pick up his uniforms at Scott Air Force Base, and took it when he went back on his second tour in Iraq, as a "door bell ringer" 
he gave it high marks, said it was a tough one!
he gave it high marks, said it was a tough one!
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- Sep 26, 2005
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That sheath does look good. I saw the same one as part of a set, came with a folding saw, in the S.I.R. mail order catalog. It was under the name Outdoor Life though. It says 1050 steel,10.74", Krayton handle, for 36.99$. I should have bought it.
I don't think it came with a sheath though.
I don't think it came with a sheath though.
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- Mar 18, 2006
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It's a good hatchet, but it's not 14.5 oz. Apparently it's OK to borrow weight specifications from hammer descriptions where the "swing weight" or head weight is listed rather than actual weight. A 16 oz. Estwing hammer, for example, actually weighs 24oz. overall and a Craftsman 12 oz. ball peen weighs 16oz. The Kershaw hatchet weighs 19 oz. plus sheath.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2006
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- 416
i have been using the Gerber Back Paxe for months now and find it a very tough tool that gets the job done, splitting, chopping, and hammering. it is a pleasure to carry as the handle is hollow and light but indestructible.
recently i was shopping for a hatchet for christmas for my 10 YO who will graduate to boyscout in February. i eventually decided on a Buck axe because it had a better feel and i liked its looks. the only problem with it is that it has no way to hang off a belt. the only thing i could think of was using a small carabiner to hook through the big hole in the axe head.
on my elk hunt this fall i discovered that an axe is a must carry item for emergencies. you can cut wood with a saw, but you need a good axe to split it to burn better. it also is handy as a hemmr.
- Eric
recently i was shopping for a hatchet for christmas for my 10 YO who will graduate to boyscout in February. i eventually decided on a Buck axe because it had a better feel and i liked its looks. the only problem with it is that it has no way to hang off a belt. the only thing i could think of was using a small carabiner to hook through the big hole in the axe head.
on my elk hunt this fall i discovered that an axe is a must carry item for emergencies. you can cut wood with a saw, but you need a good axe to split it to burn better. it also is handy as a hemmr.
- Eric
I tried the Gerber BackPax too. I carried it on a few camping trips and that little thing wore me out. It is small and compact, but I don't think it carried the weight to chop worth a flip for my needs. The balance seemed a little off as well. The more weight you have in an ax the less effort it takes to split wood. Fiskars 14", the Buck and the Kershaw have the right balance and weight behind it to cut plenty without wearing your arms out. You made a good choice with the Buck.