Typically thought of as a tool used only for chopping wood, the axe is in fact a much more diverse implement than most people realize. Over centuries this age-old tool has been used to sculpt, split and shape wood, however looking from a more modern point of view, an axe can also be used for camping, 4 wheel driving, fire and shelter making, defense and hunting as well as snow and ice trekking.
Whilst the tool itself can be used for all these activities, different axes are engineered for different use. The classical wood chopping axes are designed with a long handle and flat head, blade running parallel to the handle. Such axes as these have been refined over the years to split wood in the easiest and most efficient ways possible. Camping and shelter making related axes will often times be fitted with a shorter handle and a multi use head; a blunt or block end in addition to the blade edge. The multi use head allows the axe to alternate between being used as a wood chopping device, hammering tool or even a digging implement. Most axes can be used for fire making, however axes designed with a finer blade will be much easier to handle when shaving wood for kindling. Finer bladed axes with smaller handles are also much more useful for hunting and processing game, as their lightweight structure and shape can handle the delicate aspects of treating game.
When choosing an axe there are certain design specifications to consider ensuring the right axe for the job and for you. Axes come in many shapes and sizes, however the most obvious difference between products is the shape of the axe head and the bevel. If choosing an axe for wood cutting purposes, the head of the axe should be flat and elongated, blade running parallel to the handle; these are specially designed to cut across the wood grain, making the task easier. An axe engineered for ice climates or hiking will usually have a blade running perpendicular to the handle with the blade shape itself varying from a pickaxe like model to a standard axe shape. Slender axe heads are generally used for more delicate work such as carpentry or woodcarving, as the finer the blade the less suitable it is for heavier work.
There are so many good Axes out there for so many different applications a good place to start is to get an overall axe that serves many purposed and can be used to achieve so many tasks. If you find that you are building more shelters, splitting more firewood or doing more tasks that require more intricate work you can get an axe more suited to that application.
