Small Axes
A small axe or a hatchet is one of the most powerful tools per ounce you can carry in the outdoors. It splits wood for fire, shapes tools, processes game, helps with shelter building, and handles camp chores that are too big for a knife but too small for a full-size axe.
But many beginners misunderstand how small axes are meant to be used. They swing too hard, chop at the wrong angle, grip incorrectly, or try to do “big axe tasks” with a small, lighter head.
This guide shows exactly how to use a small axe with safety, accuracy, and efficiency, even in tight spaces or low-energy situations.
What a Small Axe Is
A small axe (also called a camp axe or hatchet) is a compact chopping tool that:
1. They Give Maximum Cutting Power With Minimal Weight
A short handle + sharp edge = very efficient wood removal.
2. Easier to Control Than a Big Axe
Less risk of:
-
Glancing blows
-
Overstrikes
-
Out-of-control swings
3. Perfect for Fire Prep
You can:
-
Split small rounds
-
Make feather sticks
-
Produce kindling
-
Create tinder curls
Pairs with:
→ Fire Starting Tinder For Beginners
→ How to Use a Ferro Rod Fire Starter
4. Great for Crafting Tools
A small axe shapes:
-
Bow staves
-
Stakes
-
Trap triggers
-
Walking sticks
-
Mallets
-
Camp tools
-
Cooking stakes
Pairs with:
→ How to Use a Wood Scraper
→ How to Use a Saw
Using a Small Axe
Step 1: Grip the Axe Correctly
Choking Up for Precision
Hold the handle just under the head.
Use this for:
-
Carving
-
Feather sticks
-
Detail cuts
-
Notches
This turns the axe into a powerful carving knife.
Mid-Handle Grip
Hold halfway down the handle.
Perfect for:
-
Light chopping
-
Kindling
-
Limbing branches
Gives good control without huge power.
Full-Handle Grip
Hold at the end of the handle for:
-
Splitting
-
Chopping thick limbs
-
Felling small trees
This grip gives full leverage.
Step 2: Learn the Three Cutting Angles
Small axes are about accuracy, not brute force.
Angle 1: 10–20° (precision carving)
Thin slices
Feather sticks
Sharpening stakes
Fine shaping
Angle 2: 25–35° (general cutting)
Most chopping
Most kindling work
Handle shaping
Stakes
Angle 3: 45–60° (splitting)
Heavy chopping
Splitting rounds
Wedges and batoning
Shelter poles
Step 3: Stabilize the Wood Before Cutting
A small axe is safest when used with controlled, braced wood.
Best setups:
-
Wood on a stump
-
Wood between your boots
-
Branch against a tree
-
Wood on the ground
-
Log on log
-
Knee + stump bracing
Never chop wood held in your hand.
Step 4: Start with Controlled, Short Strokes
Beginners swing too hard.
Small axes do their best work with:
-
Short
-
Accurate
-
Controlled
-
Repeated
strokes.
Your goal is: placement first, power second.
Step 5: Use the “V-Cut Method” for Chopping
To cut through a limb:
-
Chop at a 45° angle
-
Chop on the opposite side
-
Create a V shape
-
Remove the chips
-
Repeat until the wood separates
This prevents binding and wasting energy.
Step 6: How to Split Wood With a Small Axe
Small axes split beautifully when used properly.
Method A: Straight Split
-
Place wood upright on a stump
-
Set the axe on top of the round
-
Tap the back of the axe head with a baton or small log
-
When embedded, pull the axe outward to split
This avoids risky overhead swings.
Method B: Side Split (safest technique)
-
Lay the wood horizontally
-
Put the axe on the side of the wood
-
Strike the back of the axe with another stick
-
The wood splits cleanly and safely
Perfect for beginners and kids.
Method C: Wrist Splitting
For thin sticks:
-
Hold the stick on a stump
-
Strike lightly with a controlled flick
-
Use multiple small strikes rather than big ones
Great for one-hand splitting.
Step 7: Making Feather Sticks
A small axe excels here.
-
Choke up near the head
-
Use thin slices
-
Keep strokes shallow
-
Rotate the wood after every 2–3 cuts
-
Build long, thin curls
Pairs with:
→ Fire Starting Tinder For Beginners
→ How to Use a Ferro Rod Fire Starter
Step 8: Carving With a Small Axe
A small axe is a carving tool when choked up.
Use for:
-
Traps
-
Stakes
-
Notches
-
Bow grips
-
Flatting wood
-
Shaping handles
-
Craft spoons (yes, really)
Technique:
-
Rest the axe head near the wood
-
Control with wrist, not elbow
-
Take micro-slices
-
Always carve away from your body
Step 9: Limbing Branches Safely
-
Stand on the opposite side of the branch
-
Chop with downward, diagonal strikes
-
Use small, controlled chops
-
Rotate around the limb as needed
-
Keep your legs and feet clear
Never chop upward toward yourself.
Step 10: How to Baton With a Small Axe
Batoning = striking the back of the axe with a stick to split wood.
Perfect for:
-
Splitting kindling
-
Making boards
-
Processing firewood
Technique:
-
Place axe on wood
-
Strike the back with a stout stick
-
Keep blows centered
-
Continue until wood splits
-
Control chips and splinters
Advanced Axe Skills
1. Making Tent Stakes
A small axe lets you:
-
Split the blank
-
Point the end
-
Create a notch
-
Flatten sections
-
Refine with a scraper
Pairs with:
→ How to Use a Wood Scraper
2. Making Trap Components
Perfect for:
-
V-notches
-
Peg stakes
-
Trigger bars
-
Press plates
-
Rock deadfall triggers
Pairs with:
→ How to Use a Saw
3. Shelter Building
A small axe excels at:
-
Cutting ridge poles
-
Shaping stakes
-
Flattening joining surfaces
-
Splitting roofing slats
-
Limb removal
4. Fire Prep
Use your small axe to produce:
-
Kindling
-
Tinder curls
-
Fatwood shavings
-
Notches for bow drills
-
Split fireboards
How to Maintain a Small Axe
1. Keep It Sharp
A dull axe is dangerous.
Sharpen with:
-
Stone
-
File
-
Ceramic rod
2. Oil the Head
Light oil prevents rust.
3. Strop the Edge
Improves cutting efficiency.
4. Check the Handle
Tighten wedges
Avoid cracks
Oil wooden handles
5. Store Safely
Use a sheath or wrap to protect the edge.
How to Improvise Small Axe Functions
If you don’t have a small axe:
1. Heavy Knife + Baton
Use baton force for splitting.
2. Sharpened Stone Hand Axe
Ancient but effective.
3. Machete Choked Up
Works for chopping and carving.
4. Strong Branch Wedge
Use as a splitting wedge with a baton.
5. Folding Saw + Knife Combo
Cuts and splits wood in tandem.
Common Beginner Mistakes
-
Swinging too hard
-
Using poor angles
-
Trying to cut unsupported wood
-
Hitting with the handle instead of the head
-
Holding the wood with hands while chopping
-
Splitting in the air
-
Working too close to legs or feet
-
Not choking up for precision work
Expert Tips for Axe Mastery
-
Let weight do the work — don’t muscle it
-
Use controlled strokes, not wild swings
-
Keep the axe razor sharp
-
Aim for accuracy, not power
-
Stabilize wood whenever possible
-
Practice carving — it makes you more precise
-
Rotate the wood often for even cuts
FAQ
Q: Is a small axe enough for all bushcraft tasks?
A: Yes — aside from felling large trees, a small axe can do most camp chores.
Q: Can a small axe split logs?
A: Yes, especially with batoning or side-splitting.
Q: How sharp should my axe be?
A: Sharp enough to shave thin curls but durable enough not to roll.
Q: Is a small axe safer than a big one?
A: For beginners, absolutely — far more control.
Related Skill Series Posts
(© 2025 Grim Workshop. All Rights Reserved. Grim Workshop, Survival Cards, and all related marks are registered trademarks of Grim Workshop. This article is part of the Grim Workshop Skill Series educational archive. No content may be reproduced, republished, stored, or adapted without written permission. For compact chopping tools, EDC bushcraft gear, and outdoor survival kits, visit www.grimworkshop.com.)
