SOG Camp Axe - Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet

Name: SOG Camp Axe - Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet
Price: 54.87 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.1 (99 reviews)

Curated from 99 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: February 4, 2025

SOG Camp Axe - Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet

Brand: SOG

Price: $54

Snoop Score:

4.1

Sentiment

4.4

Popularity

1.3

Technical

4.3

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Snoop's Take

The SOG Camp Axe is a compact camping and survival tool designed for versatile outdoor use, featuring a 3.1-inch stainless steel blade that combines a hatchet and hammer in one. Consumer feedback highlights its lightweight and portable design, with users stating, "it's small enough to easily fit into my motorcycle bags when I'm camping and it's probably the best camping/outdoors purchase I've ever made." However, some users noted issues with balance and effectiveness for wood chopping, mentioning that it is perceived more as a tactical weapon than a practical tool for woodcraft. Despite mixed reviews, the SOG Camp Axe is recommended for those seeking a lightweight and compact option for casual camping and outdoor activities, but may not meet the needs of serious woodworkers or those seeking a robust chopping tool.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Axes & Hatchets

I think the easiest solution would be fill in the grooves with paracord or o-rings, and then use tennis grip tape to wrap it.
Positive Feedback

It looks ill-balanced
Negative Feedback

4.1

SOG Camp Axe - Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet

Buy on Amazon for $54

Wood Splitting and Kindling

5 / 10

Camp Setup and Shelter

5 / 10

Survival and Emergency

5 / 10

Throwing and Recreation

5 / 10

See how this compares to all Axes & Hatchets

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Durable handle solutions

“I think the easiest solution would be fill in the grooves with paracord or o-rings, and then use tennis grip tape to wrap it.”➕

“I just wrapped mine with hockey tape years ago. Has held up well. It's a great wee hatchet.”➕

Compact and easy to carry

“Other good options include the SOG Camp Axe and Gerber Freescape Hatchet if you're looking for something compact and easy to carry.”➕

Good for beginners in axe throwing

“I had better luck with the SOG as a beginner.”➕

Compact and lightweight design

“Looking into getting a good hatchet any recommendations.”➕

Good for throwing

“Had a quick hawk by sog wasn't the worst for throwing chopping it was not good at however but the blade shape on yours is different”➕

Blade shape is different and potentially improved

“Depends on what you want to do looks like it's more sharpened then the one I had”➕

Compact size for easy transport

“I bought one just because it's small enough to easily fit into my motorcycle bags when I'm camping and it's probably the best camping/outdoors purchase I've ever made”➕

Lightweight and easy to carry

“I've never used one of these before but it looks like it's very light.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Ill-balanced design

“It looks ill-balanced”➕

“Yea most of them are pretty useless compared to a good wood handled axe but I want to try something different”➕

Not suitable for actual wood use

“Most of these types of axes are mainly used by military/law enforcement as a breaching tool, similar to the US Army SPAX.”➕

Perceived as primarily a weapon

“I would suspect that given the company who made it, and the "tactical" appearance, that it was designed primarily as a weapon.”➕

Heavy and poorly balanced for chopping

“Having handled a few full tang "tactical" hatchets/tomahawks, I really wasn't impressed with the weight and balance.”➕

Uncomfortable handle grooves

“Love packing and using the little guy but the grooves in the handle with sore a hand up in no time”➕

“Use light gloves when chopping”➕

Product failure during critical use

“When he needed it most, it decided to become two.”➕

“Sog makes crappy Chinese level tools.”➕

Perceived as low-quality tools

“I wanted to love em all so bad because I'm a huge fan of S&W firearms. 😮‍💨”➕

Not practical for most uses

“I was recently gifted this tactical tomahawk and I don’t know how best to integrate it into my set up or what to use it for other than the obvious breaking down wood.”➕

“Gotta agree with the others here. I’m scratching my head to find something where the cost/benefit of bringing this axe would be greater than if you brought something else.”➕

Not effective for wood chopping

“Throwing at a stump is exactly the correct answer.”➕

“I would argue that a true tomahawk is much more functional.”➕

Spike not as sharp as expected

“My spike isn't that sharp... its sharp but not As sharp as I thought.. good or bad.”➕

Overpriced and uncomfortable to use

“This thing costs $98.0 for a supreme all steel hand axe, this thing sucks to use because metal carries vibration energy every time you hit something with it, it’s the worst thing in the world, overpriced garbage.”➕

Poor quality metal leading to quick dulling

“Had one, spent $25 or so. Used it on one camping trip, dulled out very quickly, chipped the top point of the blade by just barely hitting a rock with it.”➕

Not effective for woodcraft or chopping

“Honestly those are pretty useless for woodcraft. Why not just get a hatchet?”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
LIANTRAL Camping Axe, Folding Survival Hatchet	$26	8.7	Details	Buy
Freelander Tactical Axe 2 Pack	$39	7.9	Details	Buy
Gerber Gear Pack Hatchet - 3.5" Steel Blade Axe	$36	7.5	Details	Buy
WLQiu Camping Axe and Survival Hatchet	$31	7.3	Details	Buy
SZCO WatchFire 10” Camping/Survival Hatchet	$15	7.3	Details	Buy
Husqvarna 9.4-Inch Hiking Hatchet	$76	7.2	Details	Buy
Estwing Sportsman's Axe - 12" Camping Hatchet	$44	7.1	Details	Buy
HX OUTDOORS Mercenarys Tactical Engineer Axe	$79	6.6	Details	Buy
KSEIBI Wood Axe, Small Outdoor Camp Hatchet	$16	6.5	Details	Buy
LIANTRAL Survival Camping Axe	$31	5.4	Details	Buy
Coleman Camp Axe	$10	5.4	Details	Buy
WEYLAND Survival Hatchet & Camping Axe	$29	4.8	Details	Buy
7th Science Gear Camping Axe - Survival Hatchet	$22	4.5	Details	Buy
Freelander Survival Axe with Hoe	$42	4.5	Details	Buy
Shinoske Camping Axe, Survival Hatchet, Folding Portable Tactical Axe	$21	4.4	Details	Buy
SOG Camp Axe - Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet	$54	4.1	Details	Buy
NIPURA Outdoor Camping Hatchet Axe	$21	3.9	Details	Buy
Hitdudu Camping Axe, Folding Portable Survival Hatchet	$25	2.0	Details	Buy
Hitdudu Camping Axe, Survival Chopping Hatchet with Sheath	$24	0.6	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Discussion on various axe lengths and their utility in camping

“Any suggestions for smaller hatchets? For wilderness backpacking and light car camping.”➕

“I mostly use the larger one but keep it in my vehicle.”➕

“Great for splitting. I don’t know how the plastic they use has held up but so far it has.”➕

“I really enjoy this light longer handled hatchet.”➕

Discussion on the utility of axes for various tasks

“Absolutely love my GB small forest axe. Used it for all manner of things from typical 'axe' stuff to fleshing animal hides.”➕

Comments on various ax brands and their utility.

“To me the carry hawk is perfect as a camper hatchet, like one from boys scouts, i prefer the pipe axe for the hammer on it but more so the blade itself is wider so bigger beard, i think that's tbe word when there's a wider head with a bit of a hook for holding real close to tbe head for kindling and tbe lime, small jobs.”➕

“estwing hatchets rock”➕

“But I wouldn't trade that thing for the world.”➕

“If you’re ever so inclined you can restack the handle with new leather.”➕

Discussion on intended use of the axe

“What's your intended use?”➕

Inquiry about the axe's functionality

“Good for doing what?”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Axe-throwing as a fun activity

“Anyone been to either Bury the Hatchet or Hatchet and Hops? Any recommendations on one over the other?”➕

“I'm still in awe that giving people high ABV beers and axes has been a viable business model”➕

“Bury the Hatchet is a blast. Never been to Hatchet and Hops.”➕

“You can BYOB, it was really fun.”➕

Exploration of handle replacement ideas

“If it's bolted on could you replace it with a wooden handle?”➕

The axe is primarily used for throwing rather than practical tasks

“they are great for that. Weighted perfectly.”➕

“I have the same one and use it to throw at stumps as well lol.”➕

Personal anecdotes about using tomahawks for throwing

“I found mind not that good for throwing out of the container. I think it needs a different sharpening on the blade.”➕

“I tend to over rotate it throwing right handed, but left handed works great for me.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Discussion on using the right tool for chopping

“Big chopper knives will never be better at chopping than an axe.”➕

Discussion on budget camping axe recommendations

“Best *budget*camping axe for cutting firewood”➕

“Most axes at the hardware store are below that range.”➕

“I’m a fan of Fiskars products.”➕

“Whatever you choose get a sharpening stone and keep it sharp I like to sharpen my axe while I relax at the fire the axe helped make.”➕

Discussion on comparing SOG with Smith & Wesson for beginners

“I find Smith and Wesson I'm getting 1/6.”➕

Advice on maintaining axe tools

“Take your time, learn to sharpen your tool (YouTube has videos that will show you how), take good care of it by oiling the blade after you use it, sharpen it regularly, keep it clean, and it will last you the rest of your life.”➕

“I bought a $18 Morakniv plastic handled knife a few years ago and yeah. Still a great knife that's capable of batoning a bit too because I know how to maintain the edge.”➕

Confusion about brand identity

“Seems like a m48 brand?”➕

Discussion on resale value of branded axes

“You should have held onto it and resold it in the future. There is a huge second hand market for this brand via the kids these days.”➕

“The axe is still available online so it won't carry a high resale value.”➕

Comparison with other brands like Estwing

“Estwing. It's actually a hatchet, and will function far better as one than a mall ninja 'tomahawk' ever could.”➕

“My buddy owns the SOG hatchet and I have an estwing. We both agree that mine is better in every way but looks.”➕

“Their sportsman's axe looks pretty legit. I don't have any plans to play Davy Crockett and get into tomahawk fights, so the tacticool 'hawk isn't what I need, just a light weight hatchet.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Discussion on various axe brands and types for camping

“Good camping axe? Any recommendations on camping axes that will hold up to regular use?”➕

“fiskars anything. really the best option for price point. just gotta sharpen em occasionally, i got a 400/1000 grit block i use on my hatchet and maul that works great”➕

“Gränsfor Bruk makes great axes! My partner uses the Scandinavian Forest Axe. Pricey but very reputable, gorgeous, and reliable.”➕

“Something from a hardware store with a hickory handle. Wood diffuses vibration from getting to your hands, and the handle can be replaced if it’s ever damaged.”➕

Discussion on tactical tomahawks being perceived as gimmicky.

“there’s probably truth to that since it seems like it’s people greatly overestimating the chances they’ll need to use them as an actual melee weapon that seem to carry them”➕

“they have heavy heads, are useful for camping, chopping, and could absolutely be used for breaching, even tho there are better tools”➕

“the only "tacticool" quality about them really isn't about the tool itself, but that the user probably doesn't know how to fight with it and will instead use it for things that a camp axe would be better suited for”➕

Cultural commentary on consumer behavior regarding luxury brands

“Unless it’s food, water, medicine or shelter then I say it’s fair game.”➕

Comment on the absurdity of the luxury market

“The Supreme branded axe is overpriced? The same Supreme that sold Supreme branded _bricks_ for $30 that are now going for ~$150? You don't say.”➕

Anecdotes about durability of other brands

“Don't buy something just because the name sounds cool buy it because it's quality and won't let you down.”➕

“Liked it so much I got one for everybody I know.”➕

“I've got the mid-size Estwing camp axe and it is a dream for chopping and splitting smaller logs.”➕

“My Gransfors-Bruks Wildlife Hatchet has been durable and very good in my experiences bushcrafting.”➕

SOG Camp Axe - Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet

Curated from 99 real Reddit conversations

SOG Camp Axe - Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet

Snoop's Take

SOG Camp Axe - Compact Camping and Survival Hatchet

Wood Splitting and Kindling

Camp Setup and Shelter

Survival and Emergency

Throwing and Recreation

What it does well!

Where it needs some work!

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Core Power Plays

Hidden Hero Hacks

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

Cautionary Callouts

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