Best Tomahawks for Survival

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 6, 2024
While modern tomahawk models are dime a dozen, there aren't a lot of truly universal tools. These tactical tomahawk products, on the other hand, are versatile and can be utilized for a variety of purposes, from chopping wood to breaching metal doors. To help you choose the one that suits your needs, we have picked the top tomahawk models available on the market today for our reviews. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Type
Blade
Handle
Extras
Overall Length
Weight
Warranty
 
PROS

The kit comes equipped with a Boltaron™ sheath which is practically invincible to any damage. The sheath itself is compatible with MOLLE Tool System, which allows mounting it onto any backpack or belt.

CONS

The factory edge angle is a bit high for chopping wood effectively.

OUR VERDICT

This small axe model is designed to be used in any conditions. The durable steel blade allows chopping almost any material, thanks to the front dual-plain head edge. Light and fairly easy to use, this compact hatchet will definitely come in handy in extreme and regular camping conditions.

detailed parameters
Type

Axe front, dual-plain edge with spike

Blade

SK5 carbon steel (powder coated)

Handle

Glass-reinforced nylon handle with textured grip

Extras

Sheath with buckle strap included (MOLLE compatible), 3 lanyard holes 

Overall Length

13.75"

Weight

1.53 lbs

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The blade of this axe is forged using 1055 high-carbon steel, which doesn't get dull even if the tool is used on metals. Moreover, it is covered with black powder paint, which prevents the axe from rusting prematurely.

CONS

The wrapped paracord slides get loose when wet.

OUR VERDICT

If you are into smaller tools, then this axe will be your go-to pick. Exceptionally durable, it is easy to hold even with one hand. On top of that, it is as effective as full-size models, which makes it an ideal solution for camping in case you need to keep your baggage light on weight.

detailed parameters
Type

Axe with curved penetration spike

Blade

Forged 1055HC steel (powder coated)

Handle

One-piece handle with spiked pommel (hand-wrapped with black nylon paracord)

Extras

Blade-Tech™ molded polymer sheath with Tek-Lok™ belt clip included, Lanyard hole

Overall Length

10.5"

Weight

2 lbs

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The steel ferrule of this tool balances out the hatchet perfectly, which makes it easy to hold and perform full swings with ease to match. Regardless of how you hold the tool, you will be able to achieve stunning results with this model.

CONS

The grooves on the handle can be complicated to wash without cleaning solutions.

OUR VERDICT

Looking for a light axe that can be used to chop down anything? This model from SOG Tactical should fit that bill. The holes in the axe head help to reduce the overall weight significantly, which makes this model one of the lightest full-size tomahawks. Durable and balanced, it is ideal for both camping and tactical purposes.

detailed parameters
Type

Axe with spike

Blade

420 stainless steel with hardcased coating

Handle

Glass-reinforced nylon with grooves

Extras

Nylon sheath with belt loop included, Steel ferrule for stability

Overall Length

15.75"

Weight

1.5 lbs

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The head of this product is not fixed to the handle using bolts or rivets. Owing to this, you can take the blade off for sharpening at any given time. It is also easy to put it back on the handle and tighten the blade with relative ease.

CONS

The tomahawk comes without a sheath.

OUR VERDICT

Even though it is advertised as a tactical axe, this model also works great as a tool for outdoor household use. Thanks to its massive head that includes a hammerhead on the butt, the axe can be utilized as both a hammer and a wood hatchet. The Tennesse Hickory handle makes the hatchet look great and provides a tight grip - a crucial aspect for any hand tool.

detailed parameters
Type

Axe with hammerhead

Blade

Forged 1055HC steel (clear lacquered)

Handle

Tennessee hickory

Extras

The head is easily removable for easy sharpening

Overall Length

19.13"

Weight

1.99 lbs

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The patented Shock-Reduction grip makes swinging the tool as easy as it can possibly be. To add more, the rubberized coating enables a comfortable grip even with one hand even if you don't use gloves.

CONS

The axe is a bit unbalanced, which takes some time to get used to.

OUR VERDICT

This compact hatchet will be a great option if you are looking for a tactical tool that can be used in both urban and outdoor environments. The blade of the axe is sharp and durable enough to deal with both wood and thin metals. What is more, the pick on the butt side of the hatchet makes it a universal surviving and tactical tool.

detailed parameters
Type

Axe with spike

Blade

Forged 1055HC steel (powder coated)

Handle

Patented shock-reduction grip (rubberized)

Extras

Nylon sheath included, Lanyard hole

Overall Length

16"

Weight

1.5 lbs

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

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Columbia River Knife & Tool 2725 Kangee

A Superior Survival Tool

Made from a single slab of high-quality SK5 carbon steel, the Columbia River tomahawk is durable enough to withstand heavy-duty use which will come in handy in outdoor scenarios.

The dimensions of 13.8 x 7.2 x 1.5 inches make this model fairly easy to wield even with one hand. For a better grip, the handle is equipped with glass-reinforced nylon. Additionally, the handle has a textured grip surface so you can easily hold the tool even when your hands are wet.

The only gripe we’ve had with this model is the angle of the factory blade, which is a bit high. Due to this, chopping wood with the tomahawk might be somewhat harder compared to conventional axe models.

For your convenience, the tool comes together with a sheath that has a buckle strap. Moreover, the sheath is MOLLE compatible and has 3 lanyard holes. Owing to this, you can attach the sheath with the tool inside to your belt, which makes the compact hatchet easily accessible at any given time.

The weight of the tool barely reaches 1.55 pounds, which makes the axe easy to carry and wield at the same time. Combined with a high-quality grip that is easy to wash, this hatchet can be used in any weather conditions.

In the end, the 2725 Kangee tactical tomahawk from Columbia River will be a great pick for users that can’t imagine camping without a reliable axe. Robust and easy to wield, it will become a great addition to your toolbox.

Review of Columbia River Knife & Tool 2725 Kangee Tomahawk

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $145.27
Stock In stock
ASIN B00BBOBXD2

 

Black Label Shock N' Awe

Durability Is the Key

Despite its relatively small size, the Shock N’ Awe axe is perfectly balanced which makes handling it as easy as it can be. What also makes the model stand out is its Blade-Tech™ molded polymer sheath with a Tek-Lok™ clip that you can use to attach the tool to your belt.

The weight, on the other hand, is quite significant for such a small tool, reaching almost two whole pounds. Owing to this, you may require some practice to be able to switch directions of your swing.

As for the durability of the tool, the blade is made of powder-coated steel that is tougher than nails. To add more, the axe’s blade can be re-sharpened at any given time provided you have a decent sharpening stone.

Thanks to the addition of the spike on the back side of the head, you can easily penetrate most soft materials that you will encounter while camping. What is more, the spike is curved, which makes it ideal for breaking glass and other fragile materials in emergency situations. Thanks to the full-tang design, this functional hatchet won’t bend or get damaged easily.

Finally, if you are looking for a reliable camping tool but don’t want to opt for a full-size hatchet, this Shock N’ Awe tomahawk knife from Black Label will be right up your alley.

Review of Black Label Shock N' Awe Tomahawk Knife

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $62.76
Stock In stock
ASIN B00904SCDO

 

SOG F01TN-CP

Easy to Use and Maintain

In contrast with other models included in our reviews, this axe features a razor-sharp 420-grade steel blade that makes chopping wood easy as a pie. Likewise, the blade length of 2.75 inches allows using this tomahawk model as a regular wood hatchet. To add more, the back side of the tool features both a flat edge and a piercing spike that can be used in case of emergency.

Unlike other similar models, the SOG F01TN-CP is a two-piece tool that goes as a half-tang axe. Due to this, the manufacturer managed to reduce the overall weight of this compact hatchet, while maintaining it reliably durable compared to full-tang constructions.

The body is shock-resistant, which allows utilizing it in pretty much any situation. Moreover, the grip is reinforced with glass and additional grooves that make it easier to hold and handle the axe.

For added convenience, the axe comes equipped with a small nylon sheath that will hold the tool firmly on your belt. The 1.5-inch belt loop allows putting the sheath on any standard belt without any major issues.

All in all, the SOG F01TN-CP will be a good pick for users who are looking for a reliable model that can be used as camping, survival, and self-defence tool at the same time. Due to its affordable price, the tool is, perhaps, one of the best tomahawk models in the budget price range.

Review of SOG F01TN-CP Throwing Tactical Tomahawk

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $69.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B000PICTYC

 

Columbia River Knife & Tool RMJ T-Hawk

How a Tomahawk Should Look Like

The people at RMJ Tactical definitely know a thing or two about making high-quality survival and camping tools.

First things first, let’s take a look at the main part of the axe - its blade. It is made of 1055-grade carbon steel, which is highly durable, so you'll be able to utilize the axe with a variety of different materials. The blade tip itself is sharp from the get-go, however, it can be re-sharpened at any time using any regular grinding stone. What also makes it great is the fact that 1055 stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, which enables using the axe in any weather.

This compact axe is equipped with a hammerhead located on the poll, which will come in handy when you need to nail something down. On top of that, this model is optionally available with a spike or as a bearded axe.

The only issue we’ve had with this axe model is the fact that its handle becomes a bit slippery when it gets wet so using gloves is highly recommended.

Moving on, the handle of the axe is made of light but durable Tennessee hickory that provides a grip good enough for handling regular chores like chopping wood. That being said, it is still recommended to use working gloves to achieve a tighter grip.

All things considered, the RMJ T-Hawk is one of the top modern tomahawk models with a wooden grip. Light, sturdy, and exceptionally easy to maintain, it will prove your go-to pick if you are looking for a small axe without any unnecessary bells and whistles.

Review of Columbia River Knife & Tool RMJ T-Hawk Woods Chogan Tomahawk

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $51.71
Stock In stock
ASIN B00I04Q7LO

 

Estwing EBTA

A Great Compact Hatchet for Outdoor Use

The Estwing EBTA is more of a hatchet than a tomahawk in the classic sense of the word. Nevertheless, even with its unconventional design, it serves great as a simple axe and as a small wood and twigs chopper.

The full-tang design of this small axe allows performing full swings without risking damaging the handle or the blade. Moreover, its stainless steel ensures that the tool won’t get rusty over time.

Although the blade cannot be called razor-sharp by any means, it is sharp enough to use the tool as a compact hatchet. As for the handle, the axe is equipped with a reinforced shock-reduction grip that makes it easier to perform swings and hold the tool firmly while chopping. The comfortable and fairly durable grip reduces the vibrations of the metal tool up to 70%, which allows changing the direction of the swing on the fly.

For your convenience, the kit also comes together with a nylon sheath that can be connected to your belt. Thanks to this, the survival tool will be easily accessible wherever you decide to go.

Wrapping things up, the Estwing EBTA lightweight hatchet is one of the best tomahawk models available at its price today. Small, durable, and easy to wield even with one hand, it has superior capabilities to become your most used camping or survival tool.

Review of Estwing EBTA Lightweight Hatchet Tomahawk

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $38.03
Stock In stock
ASIN B00AYLJE8E

 

What Is a Tomahawk?

Traditional weapons and tools of the Native Americans, tomahawks have been around for a while. In the past, they were mostly used in battle conditions in hand-to-hand combat and for self-defence purposes against wild animals.

More often than not, these axes are not full tang and tomahawks are no exception to this rule. Most modern tomahawk models are usually two-piece tools and only a handful of specialized tools come in one-piece full-tang configurations. Additionally, modern tomahawks can act as a good alternative to regular hatchet axes but on a smaller scale.

The blade and the spike are usually harder than its handle or middle section, which allows using them for camping, hunting, military, as well as for self-defence.

While being useful in camping and other scenarios that include chopping wood, some models are also being used by law enforcement and military special forces for breaching purposes.

In case you are looking for more camping gear products, we also recommend taking a look at the best camping tables available on the market today. Good for both outdoor and indoor use, Swiss army knives are definitely worth keeping close when you need a precision tool.

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Publish Date: 2019-11-15 14:43:04