Best Tomahawks for Survival

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.