A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing a Survival Axe

Axe safety, axe-orientated ifak, injuries through tiredness from a too-heavy axe, stance, footwear, axe- maintenance, technique. Almost a whole channel bin itself right there. Thanks 👍

Great class! I'm 66 years old and have 7 various axes and I still fumble through the finding the right ax for the job. Not any more. Thanks Dan!

The Alton Brown of bushcraft. So glad I have found this channel. This is helping get my 8 year old son involved

I really like watching this guy. Humorous while giving valuable information. So enjoyable! 🙂

Years ago I read the novel “Danger West” and a company was hiring to create a trail through a stream bottom. The interview was to tell the candidates to choose an axe in a hardware store. Those that got hired were the ones that asked if they could bring their personal axes.

I recently went canoe camping for the first time with friends in Algonquin and everyone chuckled when they saw me bring my full length axe (Cold Steel Trail Boss) because we already had a folding saw and hatchets. Buuuuuuuut lo and behold, the bulk of viable wood we found were relatively wide diameter trees. With the rain, we needed a hot, slow burning fire and plenty of fuel. Fortunately, my axe did what their hatchets could not do easily: blast through thick logs like nothing. The long handle makes it a bit awkward for fine detailed work, but it did just fine making shavings. It holds an edge really well and is easy to sharpen with a simple sharpening stone (brought that too just in case). Used it to hammer our new tent stakes too and made a few wedges with it to split a particularly resistant log. The full axe is relatively light and honestly it straps on pretty easily. The most important thing I think regarding axes is learning how to actually use them and being confident about the swing. I cringe when I see someone about to take a huge swing and I see, just inches away, a large stone in the ground. Like bro, just cut it AWAY from the rock! Little things like that make a difference between a good axe-user and a dangerous one. While the full length axe is more cumbersome than a hatchet or shorter handle axe, I find one simple truth: the large axe can do pretty much everything a small axe can, but a small axe cannot do everything a large axe can. Great videos! Subbed :)

I use an old roofers hatchet from the 1950’s. It’s never failed me.

Just looking at all the different patterns of axes (past and present) should be a clue that no single axe is going to excel at every task. Most, if not all can be used beyond the specific intent of their design, but at some cost of efficiency, ergonomics, control, precision, etc. Great info Dan, thanks!

Articulate, experienced, genuine - - - you're doing a fine job, Dan! 🤠

I keep my "survival" axe in the survival toolbox in the bed of my survival truck parked in my survival garage.

This has got to be the best simplified "explanation" video on axes. It goes into the what, why and when of axes. I learned more here than at a survival class where they were trying to tell us that we all needed the same axe, theirs! Thank You! And I just subscribed!

You have a true gift for explaining things in ways we can all understand. Thanks a lot — much appreciated…

You just answered a lot of questions I've recently had - brilliant vid, sir.

Thanks for a very informative video. You're a naturally good teacher, who knows hold the attention of the student. Be well & safe. Cheers.

Dan , I'm a recent subscriber, and I have to tell you...I like your video's more and more all the time...informative, humorous, all without being condescending or egotistic. Thank you. You covered handle length, bit or head weight, and bit thickness, One thing you did not cover is axe head style. tomahawk, hatchet, felling, splitting, double bit, tactical, as what is best or more practical overall for "bushcraft" . thanks again.

Great summary on axes. Touched on everything I thought about when getting my first "bushcraft" (utility) axe. One thing I did as a newbie was to get a bit longer of a handle to make some of the camp chores a bit safer. I believe its a 23 inch. I want to downsize to about a 19-21 inch but just have not got there yet. You are making me think about going smaller now but I might just "need" to get a secondary trappers hatchet or something haha. As a personal choice I had to make sure it was a Hudson Bay style axehead as well. I like the aesthetics more and if you don't like your axe you will use it less. Also I like how the shape lets me choke up for finer tasks. Not sure if that curvature is made specifically to enable choking up but it sure seems like it is.

I recently started watching your videos. I like the way you simply and understandably explain things without talking down to people or making people feel stupid. Your videos are very informative and direct. Thank you.

i'm impressed how spontaneous your vids are. i believe these tips are mandatory viewing for every survivalist, and you make it fun and engaging.

Really enjoyed this video man, you’re not arrogant or cocky. It made listening to you educational and enjoyable, thanks man.

He's wearing a flannel shirt. Instant credibility