Menu
As a Hotshot Firefighter I used and abused Council Tool axes and pulaskis issued to Forest Service Firefighters. I personally own two Council Tool axes and a pulaski. These USA made axes stand up to the hardest use and easily take a sharp edge with nothing more than a 12″ bastard file. I like sharpening and finishing my axes, but if you’re not up to the task or OCD then you may prefer the pricier Velvicut line of Council Tool which has more refined finishing, sharpening, and polishing. Don’t read into the couch warrior reviews online; I know these axes will take whatever abuse you 21st century sissies can dish up.
I know how hard it is to find honest recommendations on American made gear. That’s why I started American Gear Guide which other sites are now copying. I take my recommendations seriously and only recommend the best of the best. Of course this is my subjective opinion but I’m confident that you won’t be disappointed. Here are a few reasons to trust me:
This is a superb bushcraft axe with top notch fit and finish that easily competes with the premium Swedish axes like Gransfors Bruk. It comes with a beautifully finished 2 lb 5160 steel head and a premium American Hickory handle. If you’re OCD and looking for a flawless American made general purpose forest axe then this is the one for you. Council Tool’s Wood-Craft Axe earns our Editor’s Choice for its excellence. I prefer the 24″ handle version but some will prefer the shorter 19″ handle.
Last observed price range: ~ $151
More Info/Current Pricing at Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing at Forestry-Suppliers.com
Another handy sized camp axe with a classic 2 lb hudson bay style head. I like this style a lot and find it makes a fantastic budget bushcraft axe. Though shorter versions exists, I prefer the 24″ handle for chopping with two hands. The newer “Sport Utility” model has a better fit and finish than they used to have; especially using a wood wedge to tighten the head rather than the ridiculous aluminum single bit wedge that I quickly replaced on the older version.
Last observed price range: ~ $72
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing at Forestry-Suppliers.com
A classic full size axe for felling trees and splitting wood. The capable Jersey Pattern Axe has a 36″ handle and a 3.5 lb head. If you want just one axe to handle your bigger axe felling chores then the Jersey Axe would serve you well.
Last observed price range: ~ $75
More Info/Current Pricing at AgriSupply.com
More Info/Current Pricing at Forestry-Suppliers.com
This is an excellent axe, and it’s the one that accompanied my Stihl 046 chainsaw as a Sawyer. The Boy’s Axe has a capable 2.25 lb axe head, a 24″ or 28″ American Hickory handle, and a good size poll for driving wedges. It’s small enough to perform as a great forest axe yet it can fell trees and chop wood all day… even if it is a lil’ shorter than usual for those tasks.
Last price range observed: ~ $61
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing at Forestry-Suppliers.com
The pulaski is the bread and butter of wildland fire tools. I used Council Tool pulaskis extensively while firefighting. I have one for personal use, which makes the perfect all around gardening, truck digger-outering, road-blocking tree-chopping tool.
Last observed price range: ~ $77-118 (depending on version)
More Info/Current Pricing at Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing at Forestry-Suppliers.com
The Velvicut Hudson Bay Belt Hatchet is a top of the line hatchet with exceptional fit and finish. It comes with a 1.25 lb 5160 steel head and a 14″ premium grain American Hickory handle.
Last observed price: ~ $105-140
More Info/Current Pricing at Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing at Forestry-Suppliers.com
This sweet little hatchet excels in both axe throwing and camp chores like splitting kindling and driving stakes. With its 16″ hickory handle and 1 lb 11 oz head this axe meets the specifications for competitive axe throwing organizations.
Last observed price range: ~ $55
More Info/Current Pricing at Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing at Forestry-Suppliers.com
The Double Bit Michigan is a very cool axe with a 3.5 lb head and a 36″ handle. The double bit allows you to sharpen one side thinner and finer while the thicker side is reserved for the knotty and dirty chop jobs.
Last observed price range: ~ $70
More Info/Current Pricing at Amazon.com
Estwing makes robust single piece steel axes. The Forest Service issued me an Estwing hatchet for Forest Inventory and Analysis surveys; they’re good, burly, nearly indestructible hatchets though a little heavy for long distance backpacking. The stacked leather handle is lacquered and could use some sanding and oiling if you’re a lacquer hater.
Last observed price range: ~ $45 (depending on version)
More Info/Current Pricing at Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing at Forestry-Suppliers.com
Here’s your classic sledge maul for the toughest wood splitting jobs. This maul comes with an 6 or 8 lb head and a 36″ handle. A few notes on this particular maul, the lacquer on the handle comes a little thick so if you don’t like lacquer you can remove it by spending a rewarding 10 minutes with sand paper then just rub over it with a cloth soaked in mineral oil, or boiled linseed oil, or Ballistol, whatever you prefer… Furthermore the head can use 10 minutes with a bastard file to sharpen her up. Not difficult, just rewarding to make it your own.
Last observed price range: ~ $65
8 lb Maul
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
6 lb Maul
More Info/Current Pricing from Forestry-Suppliers.com
If you ever want to purchase ANYTHING from Amazon, REI.com, Cabela’s, or Sportsman’s Warehouse… even for dog food or toothpaste, then you can help me without costing you a single penny. If you use my links to make a purchase within 24 hrs then I will receive a tiny credit that will help my site pay its dues and continue running. So all I ask is that if you find the free info here useful and you need to make a purchase at Amazon, REI, etc. then please use the links on this site. This costs you nothing extra but will help provide myself and this website a dollar or two to help keep on trucking.
You can bookmark the following sites and each time you purchase something it will help American Gear Guide in a small but significant way. Bookmarkable links: Amazon, REI.com, Cabela’s, or Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Popular Related Pages:
My personal recommendations for the top ten EDC folding knives made in the USA. If you’re looking for men’s gift ideas, this isn’t a bad place to start.
Only our favorite gear, the top American made equipment that earns our Editor’s Choice and Best Buy Awards.
My search for the best American-made phone cases and screen protectors has ended in success. Here are the results.
Here you’ll find a lineup of the best headlamps made in the USA for camping, backpacking, running, hiking, biking, fishing, and all things in the dark.
Find the highest quality survival preparation equipment to take on any emergency.
Want the best hiking, backpacking, or work boots made in the USA for Men and Women? Here they are!
Looking for the top sunglasses made in the USA? You’ve come to the right place.
Discover the best sleeping bags in the world, which happen to be made in Seattle, WA and San Jose, CA, USA.
Nothing but the lightest, the comfiest, and the most durable camping mattresses available.
