Fire, Knife & Axe

Use Fire and Woods Tools With Skill, Control, and Respect.

Fire, Knife & Axe Guide 03

Axes and Hatchets

Axe Skills

An axe or hatchet can do jobs that are too large for a pocket knife, such as splitting prepared firewood or trimming downed wood when cutting is permitted. It is also one of the most powerful hand tools used in camp. Safe axe work depends on a controlled work area, a sound tool, correct technique, and focused supervision.

Use only when appropriate:

Do not cut live or standing trees unless the land manager has specifically authorized it. Many campouts need little or no axe work at all. A camp saw is often a better tool for cutting wood to length, while an axe or hatchet is better suited to splitting or controlled chopping.

Axe or Hatchet?

A hatchet is a small, one-handed axe. A larger axe normally uses a longer handle and may be designed for two-handed work. Scouts should use only the size and type approved by their leaders and appropriate for the task.

Basic Parts of an Axe

  • Head: the metal working part of the axe.
  • Bit: the sharpened cutting edge.
  • Toe and heel: the upper and lower ends of the bit.
  • Poll or butt: the back of the axe head. It is not automatically a hammer; strike with it only when the tool manufacturer says that use is safe.
  • Eye: the opening in the head through which a traditional handle is fitted.
  • Handle or haft: the part held by the user. Traditional handles are often wood; modern axes may also use fiberglass or composite materials.
  • Grip and knob: the lower portion of many handles is shaped to help the user maintain control.

Inspect Before Use

  • Make sure the head is firmly attached and does not move on the handle.
  • Look for cracks, splits, deep damage, or loose hardware.
  • Make sure the cutting edge is in usable condition and not badly chipped.
  • Check that the handle is dry and gives you a secure grip.
  • Do not use a damaged axe. Remove it from service and tell an adult leader.

Care and Storage

  • Keep the head clean and dry to reduce rust.
  • Protect the bit with a properly fitted sheath or mask whenever the axe is stored or transported.
  • Store the axe where the edge cannot contact people or other gear.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for wooden, fiberglass, or composite handles.
  • Keep the cutting edge sharp enough to work efficiently; a badly dull edge can cause the user to swing harder and lose control.

Sharpening

Axe sharpening removes a small amount of metal to restore a strong, even cutting edge. This is best learned in person from a qualified leader. Secure the axe so it cannot shift, wear eye protection, keep hands clear of the edge, and use an appropriate file or sharpening stone. Maintain the original edge shape rather than trying to make the bit thin like a knife blade.

The Axe Yard

An axe yard is a clearly controlled area for axe and saw work. It keeps bystanders away from swinging tools, flying chips, and moving wood. The exact setup can vary by unit or camp, but the basic idea is consistent: create more space than the tool user could reach with the tool, remove trip hazards, control entry, and allow only the people needed for the task inside.

  • Clear brush, loose gear, and tripping hazards from the work area.
  • Check overhead as well as around you.
  • Mark or clearly communicate the boundary so others know where not to enter.
  • Allow only one active axe user in the immediate chopping area unless qualified supervision specifically directs otherwise.
  • Use a stable chopping block when appropriate so the bit does not strike dirt or rocks.

Carrying and Passing an Axe

  • Use the sheath or mask whenever practical during transport.
  • Carry a small axe or hatchet with the head controlled and the bit facing away from your body.
  • Do not carry an unsheathed axe over your shoulder.
  • When handing an axe to another person, control the head and present the handle so the receiver can get a secure grip.
  • Do not release the tool until the receiver confirms control. Units may use a verbal acknowledgment such as “thank you.”
  • Another safe option is to secure the axe at the chopping block and have the next user enter only after the previous user has left the work area.

Basic Chopping and Splitting Safety

  • Use a stable stance and make sure your feet and legs are outside the path the axe could travel if it misses or glances.
  • Keep the work low and supported on a chopping block rather than chopping toward the ground.
  • Use controlled swings. Power comes from good technique, not from swinging as hard as possible.
  • Stop immediately if someone enters the work area.
  • Do not chop when tired, angry, distracted, or unable to maintain control.
  • Wear sturdy closed-toe footwear; follow leader or activity guidance for additional protective equipment.
No ordinary axe throwing:

Do not throw axes or hatchets as part of normal woods-tool use. Organized throwing activities, where authorized, are separate range activities with specialized supervision, equipment, and safety rules.

Totin’ Chip

The Totin’ Chip covers the proper handling, care, and use of the pocketknife, ax, and saw. Scouts BSA members earn the privilege by demonstrating safe skills and accepting the responsibility to use woods tools correctly, respect people and property, and follow the Outdoor Code.

Remember

  • Use an axe only when it is the right tool for the job.
  • Inspect the tool before every use.
  • Work only in a controlled axe yard or other leader-approved work area.
  • Keep people, feet, legs, and loose gear out of the tool’s path.
  • Sheath, clean, and store the axe when the work is finished.

Knowledge Today. Adventure Tomorrow.