An Ax is one of those tools, like a hammer, that everyone overlooks, but is critical if you are in a survival situation.

Here are some general tips on where to find an Ax that meets your needs, now and when having one is critical.

Good Sources for Ax Reviews

When I start hunting for good tools, I’ll often click over to Amazon.com and see what they have for sale. I’m not necessarily going to buy anything there, but I do appreciate their extensive review sections on many products. They don’t carry everything – in fact, a lot of the really good tools are not available there – but at least it’s a jump-off point. I like to read the best and the worst reviews so I don’t get too excited about something that might be junk. You have to make sure folks aren’t just posting reviews on items that are right from the box. When they read “Looks so great, can’t wait to try this out on some necking teenagers,” obviously they don’t have any experience with the tool yet, so I next that review.
After hitting Amazon, I hit YouTube and see if I can find experts. In the realm of axes (and homesteading), this guy seems to really know his stuff, plus his review process is in-depth. Check out this excellent three-ax review:

He’s honest about the tool’s various failings and strengths, plus he shows exactly how much chopping is taking place rather than just rambling. Lots of info packed in there… for free.

Beyond digging through Amazon, if I’m really interested in a topic… I read. And read. And read. For instance, when I decided to start foraging for wild mushrooms, I bought a bunch of books on mushrooms and started reading. Though that doesn’t compare with hands-on training from an expert, it’s the next best thing. With your head full of knowledge, you have a place to start.

Now, of course, all this may be overkill when it comes to choosing an ax. Your best resource is, as always, an expert. Search out forums, see if you can get your hands on some tools you can try out, and then start cutting.

Where to Buy an Ax

If I were to go ax hunting right now, I would start in two unlikely places: antique stores and ebay.
Once you’ve identified what you’re hunting for via good research, it’s not a bad idea to hunt out a solid, older, pre-Chinese ax head online or in an antique shop. I’ve bought amazing tools that were still in great working condition. A collector might be horrified, but I believe in using tools – not hanging them up on the wall.

Having a good Ax can be a game changer in a survival situation.

The tips above should help you get started.

To learn more on getting the tools you need to survive, visit The Prepper Project.