About.com Rating



The Bottom Line

This camp axe is of a handy size that bridges the gap between hatchet and full-size axe. It won't replace those tools, but it can do a good job of substituting for them in a pinch, with the added bonus of light weight and short length. While it does have flaws, for the most part this is a good product for hunters and campers.

Pros

• Light weight and handy size.
• Nice long cutting edge, and the hook formed by its heel is useful for moving wood.

• Lightly textured plastic handle provides good grip without being overly rough.
• Polypropylene & fiberglass handle should last for a long time.
• Holds an edge well (after I sharpened it).
• Sheath covers the cutting edge, which is important - especially after you sharpen it.

Cons

• Made in Taiwan.
• Wasn't very sharp when I got it.
• Sheath doesn't have a belt loop or any other provision for attachment or carrying.
• Rounded butt makes a poor hammer.
• Suggested retail price of $94.00 is far too high.

Description

• Mid-size camp axe for chores around camp and in the field while hunting.
• Tapered head helps prevent sticking in wood.
• Long cutting edge, with a hooked point at the heel (bottom part of cutting edge) to use in moving wood.
• One piece head is hot-forged of high carbon 1055 tool steel and is hollow ground.
• Length of mine is 23 7/8 inches; specs call for 24 inches.
• My axe weighs 2.40 pounds with the black nylon sheath (which is basically a blade cover).
• Black nylon sheath with embroidered buckhead logo weighs a mere 0.08 pounds.

• Handle is made of injection-molded polypropylene and fiberglass, so it's tough and should last.
• Handle design allows for good handling all along its length.
• They say a steel wedge or tang extends from axe head down into the handle, to make it stronger.
• Designed by Russ Kommer.

Browning Outdoorsman Camp Axe Review
When I first saw this axe, I was taken back in time several decades. When I was just a brat, Dad used to have a handy little wood-handled axe very similar to this one - and he loved it. That's when I knew I wanted to put my hands on this axe and put it through its paces.

First Impressions

When it first arrived along with some Browning Outdoorsman Shears, I was pleased with the overall shape and design, but hated the packaging. You know the type - plastic clamshell heat-welded together. But I got it opened up and tossed the packaging aside - after determining that the itsy-bitsy fine print on the bottom of the back says "Made in Taiwan." Bummer.

The ax was not especially sharp and had an especially dull spot near the lower end (heel) of the cutting edge. I used it to knock back some brush when a friend and I erected a ladder stand in the woods, and it did fair to middling.

Trying it on a Hog

A couple weeks later, I shot a wild hog and tried this axe while shucking it out. The design of this axe makes it possible to grab the handle right under the head and use it for skinning or butchering - but its factory edge was far too dull. I find this entry in my notes:

Axe would work well for skinning a big critter - if it was sharp. Kept purely as a critter-hewing axe, it may work for that, but it's not sharp worth a damn. Works okay for chopping tree limbs, but I'd want it to be a lot sharper for working on critters.

I later used a file to sharpen this axe to a good sharp cutting edge.

Whitetail Trial

After bagging a nice whitetail doe, I used this axe during quartering for the removal of one shoulder. I noted that "now that I have sharpened it, it works fair and would be handy for quartering larger animals."

The long handle makes it less handy for skinning and butchering deer-size game, but I can really see how this thing could shine for operating on larger animals.

Around Camp

This is a nice axe to keep around camp, and it does a good job of holding the very sharp edge that I gave it when I filed it sharp. I've done some cleanup around camp with it, and it's still plenty sharp.

Shortcomings

Where this axe falls short is when used to drive something, be it a tent stake, a loose nail, or a wedge when cutting timber. The rounded butt (poll) of the head makes it pretty narrow, but worst of all makes it very prone to slip off of whatever you're trying to drive.

For carrying, you'll need to carry it by hand, put it inside a pack, or lash it on somehow. The sheath just covers the cutting edge, and doesn't provide any provision for hanging or otherwise attaching the axe to your pack or person.

Conclusion

This is a good little axe, and I'm happy to keep it nearby in camp, in the woods, and when shucking out large game. The head will rust, as will all high carbon tool steel, so keep an eye on it and oil it from time to time. Expect to break out a good file and sharpen this small axe after you get it, so you'll have more of a cutting tool than a bludgeon.

- Russ Chastain



Disclosure: A review sample was provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.