The other axes we tested are too small to split much more than kindling. Of these, the Gerber Freescape is a great option. Also made by Fiskars, it's a smaller version of the X11. It works just as well at a smaller scale. The carving axes come sharp and ready to use but eventually you will need to sharpen it yourself. This video shows the method we use. Next go ahead and bevel the edges on both sides – grain and flesh. (you wont see the decorative line here because in reality I forgot and did it next!). Now you have two identical sheath patterns, except the top one has a tracing of the welt pattern on it.

Above is the completed decorative line around the entire sheath. You can further stamp yours, or carve it too. The Helko Werk Leather Axe Sheath (Double Bit) is made from high-quality cowhide leather with a vegetable tan to ensure its durability and water/moisture protection. It has a heavy-duty welt (which is the part that protects the sharpened edge) with plated rivets to aid the stitching and prevent the sharp edge from damaging the leather. Now, place the axe on top of the sheet. Use a marker to outline the axe head onto the duct tape sheet. Make it bigger than the actual axe head to give us some extra room within the sheath. The Review Outdoor Gear Axe Sheath has been specifically made for a particular style and make of axe – the Gransfors Bruks American Felling Axe, which is a larger axe used for cutting down trees and saplings. The reason we include this sheath in our guide is that so many people use this axe and also because it works on similar-sized axes too.

All of our handmade leather goods come with a lifetime unconditional guarantee on workmanship, which means that you can be sure that it will be made to very highest standard. Lay the leather out and use a punch to make holes for the snap and rivets. Now punch the stitching holes. I didn’t have a punch small enough so I use a fork to create even marks and a small drill bit to drill the holes. Make sure the stitching holes match up when the leather is folded over. You may have heard about making axe sheaths with duct tape. So, does it work, or everybody is making a fool of themselves? Well, even though it’s not a standard replacement for a sheath, it works well if you’re looking for something DIY. In this article, I am going to explain how to make an axe sheath with duct tape. It’s a pretty straightforward method and shouldn’t take too long to finish. So, let’s start making a sheath for that beautiful axe of yours. How to Make an Axe Sheath with Duct Tape: Step-By-Step

VERDICT: This is a great axe sheath for general use and keeping your axe’s head covered and lasting a lot longer. There is very little that can go wrong, and it is built to last, which is what you need for protective axe sheaths. The leather is durable and supple and covers the entire top of your axe for utility and style. Do this on a workbench so that there’s no defect on your sheath. Handle your axe carefully to avoid accidents. Prepare properly before making the DIY axe sheath. Step 1: Make a Sheet of Duct Tape Designed primarily for gardeners and arborists who use their axe a lot, you can use this sheath on many different shapes and sized axes and hatchets. It will work on blade lengths up to 5 3/8 inches, and the adjustable strap means you get a secure fit. It will even work on some more unusual types of the axe. Here are some of the different types of axe sheaths you may come across and a brief explanation of what they are: Splitting Axe SheathTake the shape you just cut, folded in half, and trace it onto another part of the manila folder. Make sure the fold on your shape and the folder are aligned at the top edge as seen above. Our top choice for a smaller, camp-style hatchet, the Fiskars X11, is also hard to beat. It earns top performance scores and has a mid-range price tag. The Gerber 14" Freescape is a smidge cheaper and more compact, providing less power. It's a solid investment, but it is a branded Fiskars product, and they sell a similar version for less. So, we're not blown away with the Freescape's value. VERDICT: The Helko Werk Double Bit is a heavy-duty axe sheath that will protect your double-bit axe for years. It is larger than many other sheaths as it protects both edges and the whole head. The welt is snug and secure and will ensure your edge remains sharp and undamaged while being carried around. Overall, given the craftsmanship, this sheath is a great buy and one of the best axe sheaths on the market – provided you have a double-bit axe. A good axe head sheath should cover the whole of the axe head right up past the ‘Cheek’ of the axe to the ‘Throat’ intersection (i.e. where the Handle passes through the Lug and Eye just above the Cheek), and not just up to the ‘Beard’ or ‘Cheek’ as do so many other designs seem to do. Incidentally this intersection point also tends to be the narrowest point of the axe head, which conveniently enables us to contour our sheaths, and closure flap, snugly into this area; thus providing an unsurpassed level of ‘slip & slide’ stability, good overall axe head coverage and most importantly the prevention of accidental sheath removal.

I adjust the edge guide to about twice the distance of the stitch grove, or about 3/8 inch. Then carefully impress the tool into the leather. It takes a bit to get used to this tool, curves can be especially challenging, so go slowly and thinkthrough your moves! My stitch groover is set to be about 3/16 inches from the guide on the right. This puts my stitches about that far in from the edge. I would consider this a minimum for an item like this, you may choose 1/4 inches if you have less experience. In this guide, we share the world’s best axe sheaths for all types of axe head shapes and sizes. You will learn the difference between a splitting axe and a chopping axe sheath, as well as between an axe and a hatchet sheath. Our recommendations come from hours of handling and testing different axe sheaths to see which works best.

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Most all-purpose or general axes have a thinner and smaller axe head than a splitter to ensure it has the right balance of heaviness and practicality to use for a variety of things. This is where you will find the largest range of axe sheaths available, from full coverage to just a blade protector with a strap. Double Bit Axe Sheath The main benefits of any protective axe cover are that your blade edge is protected from the elements and safe to handle when not in use. An axe sheath does both by providing a lightweight but strong and durable cover, usually made of leather, coupled with a strong welt to protect the sharp edge and a secure strap or cover to keep it all in place. The sheath itself has a very appealing finish of dark and shiny leather, along with stitching, three rivets, and a strap utilizing a snap button to secure it to your axe head. They are handmade in Spokane, Washington, and use an additional folding technique around the welt construction to ensure your edge stays sharp and clean, and there is no possibility of it cutting any stitching on the sheath, increasing its lifespan. Install the rivets and snaps following instructions that came with the tools. Install any other embellishments like decorative rivets, etc.

Splitting axe sheaths are designed for larger, heavier axes’ and axe heads that are used primarily for splitting up tree trunks for firewood. As such, the sheath is larger and wide to compensate for the increased head size. Due to the heavy-duty nature of this style of axe and its head being considerably wide and heavier – an edge protector is most commonly used as opposed to a full head covering. Chopping Axe SheathAxes and hatchets are one of the most important items in a bushcrafters tool kit. You can use an axe for various things, from chopping and splitting firewood to carving, bushcraft, and even hunting. Without them, living in the woods, building shelters, and maintaining a fire would be incredibly difficult. After we compare these tools' performance in the field, we also rank their value. Models with high scores and low price tags will always be a great buy. The most well-rounded option in the test, the Fiskars Chopping Axe excels at felling trees, can cut firewood, and is nimble enough to accomplish detailed tasks. Costing little more than much smaller, and thus less powerful, hatchets, this option offers an impressive value.