A sharp blade and a powerful swing are sometimes what you need to get the job done. Tactical chopping tools, in the form of tomahawks, hatchets, and small axes, allow you to turn natural and manufactured materials to literal rubble with just a few strikes. Let’s look at some top options on the market today.
10 Tactical Tomahawks and Axes for the Field and Beyond
These tools are highly effective in both rural and urban environments. They can be used to fell small trees, sever roots, splinter doors or windows, split kindling, and more. Though their size, steel, and material composition may vary, their one common trait is that they obliterate anything that stands in their way, and they do it very well.
01 – TOPS Knives Wolf Pax 2
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Both easy-to-handle and powerful enough to fell a small tree or break down game, the Wolf Pax ax is a handy addition to your outdoor gear assortment. Its Micarta handle allows for a firm grip, while its three-plus-inch blade hacks through most natural materials. The Wolf Pax’s compact design allows for a simple attachment to your belt or gear bag.
No matter if you’re hacking through brush or splintering an interior door for renovation, the Wolf Pax delivers big. The unit comes complete with an ultra-tough Kydex sheath.
Specifications
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
- Overall length: 10.13 inches
- Blade length: 3.06 inches
- Blade steel: 1095 RC 56-58
- Handle material: Tan Canvas Micarta
- Includes black Kydex sheath
MSRP: $300.00
02 – TOPS Knives VI Ax
This ax is a true beast of a blade. Skirting the line between an ax, hatchet, and tomahawk, the VI Ax offers devastating power backed by hardcore construction and a 1075 steel body. The ax offers a large five-inch-plus cutting edge, a black Linen Micarta handle, and an intimidating spike poll.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
This chopper is useful for both rural and urban tasks and easily secures to your pack or gear bag for easy transport. Inspired by the brutal axes of the Vikings, the VI Ax tears through nearly anything that stands in its way.
Specifications
- Overall length: 15.25 inches
- Blade length: 5.25 inches
- Black traction blade finish
- Handle material: Black Linen Micarta
- Included black leather sheath
MSRP: $435.00
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
03 – 5.11 Tactical Peacemaker Tomahawk
Designed by Special Forces veteran and tomahawk designer Justin Gingrich, the Pacemaker doesn’t hold back when it comes to performing in-the-field. The Peacemaker was designed for tactical perfection with full tang construction, a heat-treated steel blade, and a skeletonized frame for optimal weight reduction. Its textured handle allows for a secure grip and power transfer to the impact point.
The tomahawk also features a tactical pommel for versatility when the unexpected comes your way. The Peacemaker comes complete with a protective sheath and four-position MOLLE/belt clip.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Specifications
- Overall length: 14.00 inches
- Removable scales for paracord wrapping option
- Full tang construction
- SCM 435 steel with black electro finish
- Includes Nylon sheath with fiberglass reinforced scales
MSRP: $152.00
04 – Gerber Gear Downrange Tomahawk
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
The Downrange Tomahawk doesn’t hold back when it comes to versatility. It delivers results no matter which incredible feature you may be using. Integrated within its durable body is a high-performance cutting-edge, perfect for both urban and rural applications. It features an incredibly tough prybar at the tail, useful for opening doors or removing nails. A solid hammer head, ideal for pounding tent stakes or smashing debris, rounds out this hawk’s incredible range of uses.
An integrated carrying handle, super-strong G-10-scale-covered steel body, and an included carrying sheath complete this Jack-of-all-trades.
Specifications
- 420HC Steel body
- G-10 Handle material
- Integrated prying handle
- MOLLE-compatible sheath
- Rear hammer head striker
MSRP: $262.49
05 – CRKT Kangee Tomahawk
Modern design meets age-old reliability in the Kangee Tomahawk. This solid chopper offers a sure-grip handle that runs the length of the shaft. In addition, both a front blade and back spike are honed to a razor-sharp edge. The Kangee focuses all your power behind the swing to maximize the impact point, giving you the best results possible.
Firewood? Saplings? Overhead branches? No problem at all with this streamlined and powerful contemporary tool.
Specifications
- SK5 Carbon Steel construction
- Glass-reinforced nylon handle with textured grip
- Powder coat blade finish
- MOLLE-compatible Kydex sheath with buckle strap
- Lifetime warranty
MSRP: $150.00
06 – Ka-Bar Hatchet Hawk
An amalgamation between a tomahawk and a hatchet, the Hatchet Hawk is a workhorse around camp or in your own backyard. This fully tang constructed chopper features a 5Cr15 stainless steel head, a grooved thermoplastic rubber handle, and a pommel hole for hanging or adding desired cordage.
The Hatchet Hawk can tear through natural materials, such as kindling, roots, and small saplings, as well as adapt to more urban environments. The Hawk includes a heavy-duty black polyester sheath for safety and protection when not in use.
Specifications
- Overall length: 16.00 inches
- Blade steel: 5Cr15 stainless steel
- Blade length: 5.00 inches
- Convex blade grind
- Handle material: TPR
MSRP: $54.99
07 – TOPS Knives Micro Hawk
Good things come in small packages. However, in the case of the Micro Hawk, great things come in a small, workable tool designed for a vast number of tasks. It offers a lightweight compact body, an extra-sharp blade, and the durability to stand up to almost any natural material.
Paracord wrapped around the skeletonized frame is useful for both comfort and survival if the need arises. A black Kydex sheath is included to keep this stout, hard-as-nails helper always nearby.
Specifications
- 1095 RC 56-58 Steel construction
- Black traction blade coating
- Solid, yet lightweight design
- Paracord wrapped handle
- Black Kydex sheath with rotating sheath clip
MSRP: $245.00
08 – SOG Tactical Tomahawk
Tactical applications are a cinch for this modern update to an old-time classic. This tomahawk tool can be used for breaching, excavation, extraction, and obstacle removal. Not to mention providing personal self-defense in tight, confined areas.
Its sharp blade, backed by the user’s powerful arm, hacks through most man-made and natural materials with ease while maintaining pinpoint accuracy. A formidable weapon or a multi-use tool, either way, you can’t lose.
Specifications
- 420 Stainless steel head with hard-cased coating
- Fiberglass reinforced nylon handle
- Side hammer checking provides accurate hit placement
- Textured, sure-grip handle provides stability when swinging
- Included nylon safety sheath with belt loop
MSRP: $47.99
09 – Gerber Gear Bushcraft Hatchet
Designed for hardcore fire-making or shelter building, the Bushcraft Hatchet has a few secrets up its sleeves. The Bushcraft Hatchet features a single forged ax head, an overstrike guard, a rubber overmold grip, and a large cutting edge over five inches long.
Discreetly designed, the hatchet offers a secret, water-resistant compartment hidden inside the handle itself. Use it to store a lighter, fire-making gear, paracord, a small fishing kit, or just about anything to help you when out in the woods. Power, precision, and an integrated storage chamber, the Bushcraft Hatchet has all your bases covered.
Specifications
- Overall length: 15.25 inches
- Blade length: 5.50 inches
- Rubber overmold grip
- Water-resistant gear compartment
- Porting for weight reduction
MSRP: $57.95
10 – SOG Survival Hawk
At first sight, the Survival Hawk appears to be just that, a tomahawk. But upon greater scrutiny, you’ll soon realize it’s a veritable multitool. Its three-inch blade will make short work of most materials, while its hammer poll and nail puller offer unique urban applications.
Need a fire to burn all your chopped wood? No problem. Hidden inside this hawk’s handle is a fire-starter that will shower sparks upon your awaiting tinder. Multitasking is a must under harsh conditions, and this hawk accomplishes this with ease.
Specifications
- Multi-purpose head includes blade, nail puller, and hammer
- Ferrocerium Firestarter integrated within the handle
- Reflective paracord-wrapped handle
- Weight: 1 pound, 3.50 ounces
- Overall length: 12.10 inches
MSRP: $69.95
