Whether you are going camping for a few days, or just out on a hike for a few hours, there are certain pieces of gear that you should always carry with you, just in case. For instance, you never know when you are going to need a survival axe.

If you are camping, you are going to need to build a fire, and you need a way to cut firewood. Even if you are just on a hike, you may need to have a tool that will help you cut through heavy brush. And, you may also need other tools, and instead of carrying an entire tool kit around with you, some axes have pry bars, nail removers, etc. built right into the handles.

Whatever the reason, you need a decent survival axe. Here’s a look at eight of the most popular axes for campers, hikers, hunters, and general survivalists.

The primary use of felling axes is to cut down trees, which is no easy task. The USDA Forest Service even requires employees to go through extensive training before they chop down any tree. This means that to get the job done, you’ll need a high-quality felling axe.

Unlike those designed for splitting wood, felling axes cut across the wood grain instead of with it. For this reason, it needs to have a very sharp, thin blade, allowing it to sink deep into the tree trunk with every stroke. On the other hand, If the head is too thin it won’t be strong enough. Therefore, a good felling axe should provide you with the perfect balance of cutting force and ergonomics.

Now that you know what a felling axe is for and what it should offer you, let’s take a look at the options available to you. Here we have reviewed some of the very best felling axes on the market, taking into account features such as materials, weight, and price.