DeWalt 20 oz. 1 pc. Steel Camper's Axe

Why I packed this axe for a weekend trip

I brought DeWalt’s camper’s axe on a shoulder-season campout to see how a compact, one-piece steel hatchet stacks up against wood-handled standbys. Over three days I used it for kindling, limbing small saplings, trimming roots, and driving stakes. It’s a stout little tool with a forward-biased balance that favors chopping over fine carving, and it rewards a confident swing.

Design and build

This is a one-piece steel hatchet with an 11.75-inch handle and a 20-ounce head, coming in around 1.25 pounds total. The head’s scalloped cheeks are meant to help release the blade from the cut, and DeWalt wraps the handle in a grippy, rubberized sleeve to tame vibration. The finish is a matte black coating that looks good new and shows honest wear quickly.

One-piece steel has clear advantages: there’s no head-to-handle joint to loosen, and you can throw it in a trunk or truck bed without babying it. The trade-off is that steel transmits shock more readily than wood or fiberglass. DeWalt’s grip mitigates some of that, and the modest weight keeps blows from feeling too harsh, but it’s still a different feel than a hickory-handled hatchet.

The included plastic sheath is a hard-molded cover with a belt loop. It protects the edge and your gear in transport and snaps on/off without fuss. Retention is decent, though not fail-safe—more on that below.

In the field: chopping, splitting, and camp chores

• Kindling and small splits: On wrist-thick rounds and split scraps, the axe does well. The 20-ounce head has enough authority to pop small splits with a single controlled strike. Those scalloped cheeks do help prevent the head from wedging deeply in green wood, and they offer a subtle advantage in releasing from sticky, sappy cuts.

• Limbing and trimming: For branches up to about 2 inches, the balance feels right. The edge geometry—once tuned—bites cleanly, and the compact handle lets you place cuts precisely around the trunk without fighting the tool.

• Roots and trenching: Choked up with a hand above the swell, the axe feels secure for cutting small roots. The rubberized grip maintains traction when wet and muddy, which I appreciated working around damp soil.

• Stakes and camp tasks: The poll is flat enough to drive tent stakes. You’ll still want a mallet for delicate stakes, but in a pinch it works. It’s not an all-day hammer, but it’s serviceable.

• Carving and finer work: The steel handle, while slim, doesn’t give the same nuanced feedback as wood. You can feather sticks and notch notches, but this is not the axe I’d pick for extensive bushcraft carving. It’s optimized for chopping.

Edge, steel, and sharpening

Out of the box, my sample arrived serviceable but conservative—more of a utility edge than a razor. Ten minutes with a mill file and a few passes on a ceramic rod transformed it. The steel took a fresh edge promptly and held it respectably through a weekend of mixed softwoods and a few knots. I didn’t see chipping; a faint roll showed after a glancing blow on a knotty round, which stoned out quickly. That suggests a hardness balanced for impact, which is what you want in a short camp axe.

If you want it cutting at its best, plan to sharpen it. I like a 25–30-degree inclusive angle for general camping work; more acute for fine chopping, more obtuse if you know you’ll be splitting or hitting dirt. Keep a pocket stone in the kit and touch up as you go—it pays dividends with this tool.

Ergonomics and vibration

The handle shape is straightforward and neutral, with a slightly oval cross-section and a rubber wrap that stays tacky in cold and damp. Bare-handed, the grip is comfortable for short sessions. Over longer, heavier chopping, steel’s tendency to transmit shock becomes noticeable. Gloves help. Compared to a hickory or composite-handled hatchet, there’s a bit more sting on abrupt stops and mis-hits, but not enough to disqualify the tool for typical camp chores.

Balance leans forward, which is good for bite and helps the head do the work. The short handle naturally limits swing arc and power, which is a good safety feature around a campsite but means you’re not tackling big-diameter stock. For its size and weight class, it feels lively and confidence-inspiring.

Sheath and carry

The hard plastic sheath protects the edge and surrounding gear effectively. I like it for pack storage and tossing in a tool bin. The belt loop is narrow and fits smaller belts better than wide work belts; it’s fine for occasional carry but not my choice for mileage on the trail. Retention is adequate, though the cap can pop off if snagged. For transport inside a pack, I prefer adding a short strap or a wrap of hook-and-loop to prevent accidental release.

One nice touch: the sheath opens and closes quickly without wrestling snaps or straps, so it’s easy to cover the edge when you set the axe down in camp.

Durability and maintenance

After several days of chopping, splitting, and a couple of accidental ground strikes, the finish showed expected scuffs, and the edge needed a light touch-up. The one-piece construction inspires confidence—no worries about a loose head or a cracked eye. The rubber grip remained firmly bonded with no twisting.

As with any carbon steel tool, keep the edge lightly oiled if it’ll ride in a damp environment. The black coating resists rust reasonably well, but the edge and any worn surfaces will flash rust if ignored.

DeWalt backs it with a limited lifetime warranty, and the form factor is simple enough that long-term maintenance is just sharpening and occasional rust prevention.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

This hatchet makes sense for:

• Campers and overlanders who want a compact, durable chopper for kindling, small splits, and light limbing.
• DIYers who prefer a maintenance-light tool that can live in a truck or shed without worry about handle swelling or head loosening.
• Occasional users who prioritize durability and straightforward use over traditional feel.

It’s not the best choice if:

• You do extensive fine carving or bushcraft where a longer handle or wood haft gives better feedback.
• You need to process large rounds regularly; a longer-handled axe or maul will be much more efficient.
• You want a sheath optimized for belt carry; the included loop is narrow and the retention is more “cover” than “holster.”

Small improvements I’d like to see

• A slightly more secure sheath closure or a secondary strap would inspire more confidence in a crowded pack.
• A touch more factory sharpness would help first impressions; the steel responds well to sharpening, so it’s a missed opportunity.
• An optional lanyard hole or pronounced flare at the butt could add security for gloved hands in cold weather.

The bottom line

DeWalt’s camper’s axe is a tough, compact hatchet that favors durability and straightforward function. The one-piece steel build means you can use it hard without worrying about a loose head, and the forward balance and scalloped cheeks give it solid chopping manners for its size. It asks a small investment in sharpening to shine and benefits from gloves if you’re chopping for extended periods. The sheath is perfectly adequate for storage, less compelling for belt carry.

Recommendation: I recommend this axe for campers, truck kits, and homeowners who want a rugged, toss-it-in-and-go hatchet for kindling, light splitting, and occasional limbing. It’s not the most refined tool in hand, and traditionalists may prefer a wood handle, but if your priorities are durability, compact size, and low maintenance, this is a reliable, good-value companion. Pair it with a quick touch-up on the edge and you’ll get a long service life from a small, capable package.