Carbon Steel Axes

Plain high carbon axes, the working end of the range. No pattern, no etching, just forged steel hardened at the bit and hung on a hickory handle. This is what you buy when the axe is going in a truck, a woodpile or a pack and you want it to earn its price rather than sit on a shelf.

Carbon steel takes a hard edge and comes back with a file, which matters when you are miles from a bench grinder. It rusts if you leave it wet, so wipe the head and give it a light coat of oil.

For pattern work, see Damascus axes. For the traditional shapes, see viking axes and tomahawks.