Top 12 American axe manufacturers in 2025

A good axe does more than just split wood, it earns its place in your toolkit. 

Whether you’re blazing trails in the backcountry, swinging steel on the job site, or stocking up your store with gear that lasts, choosing the right axe (and the right maker behind it) matters. 

In the U.S., axe manufacturing isn’t just a business, it’s a legacy. Many of today’s top brands have spent generations perfecting their craft, balancing performance with durability and design.

This guide brings together 15 of the best American axe manufacturers in 2025, from heritage blacksmiths to modern tactical innovators. 

Whether you’re looking for a hand-forged cruiser, a heavy-duty felling axe, or a compact tool for your next outdoor trip, these are the names to know.

Supplier name	Best for
Estwing Manufacturing Company	Everyday use, beginners, rugged work axes
Council Tool Company	Forestry professionals, heritage collectors
American Tomahawk Company	Tactical, survival, military use
Collins Axe Company	Casual/light-duty home or yard work
Peavey Manufacturing Company	Logging professionals, custom handle needs
Ames True Temper	Affordable axes for home and garden use
McCoun Tomahawks	Collectors, reenactors, hand-forged tomahawks
CRKT	Tactical users, bushcrafters on a budget
Snow & Nealley	Traditionalists, heritage-style outdoor axes
Brant & Cochran	Axe collectors, woodworkers, small-batch buyers
Hardcore Hammers	Bushcraft, camping, rugged all-purpose use
Winkler Knives	Elite tactical, military, law enforcement

1. Estwing Manufacturing Company

Estwing has been a staple in American toolboxes for over a century. Based in Illinois, the company is best known for its one-piece forged axes and hatchets, built from a single block of U.S. steel. 

Their signature shock reduction grip sets them apart, minimizing vibration and making each swing easier on the hands. 

Whether you’re camping, working in the yard, or looking for a reliable everyday axe, Estwing combines toughness with user comfort. Their tools are widely available and proudly made in the USA.

Established: 1923; Rockford, Illinois

Core products: One-piece forged axes, hatchets, tomahawks (e.g. Camper’s Axe, Black Eagle series)

Specialty: All-steel construction with patented Shock Reduction Grip

OEM/ODM: No public OEM service; focused on in-house manufacturing

Price range: $40–$200

USP: Durable, all-steel tools built for long-term us,  backed by American craftsmanship.

2. Council Tool Company

With roots dating back to the 1800s, Council Tool is one of the oldest continuously operating axe manufacturers in the U.S. 

Their lineup includes both everyday work axes and premium collector-grade models under the Velvicut line. 

Known for forging their heads in North Carolina and using high-grade American hickory handles, Council Tool blends traditional techniques with modern reliability. 

Forestry professionals, firefighters, and serious axe users have trusted the brand for generations.

Established: 1886; Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina

Core products: Felling axes, Hudson Bay camp axes, splitting mauls, Pulaski tools

Specialty: Heritage-style American-forged axes, Velvicut premium line

OEM/ODM: No formal OEM program, but does fulfill government and large-volume contracts

Price range: $80–$300

USP: Trusted by pros for over 130 years, 100% made in the USA, built for hard use.

3. American Tomahawk Company

American Tomahawk blends military history with modern engineering. 

Originally founded during the Vietnam War, the company was revived under RMJ Tactical and now produces high-performance tomahawks for tactical, survival, and outdoor use. 

Each model is made in Tennessee, using high-carbon steel and rugged handle options. 

Their tools are popular among law enforcement and military professionals, offering reliable performance in high-stress situations.

Established: 1966 (revived 2019); Chattanooga, Tennessee

Core products: Tactical tomahawks (Model 1, VTAC, Rifleman, CQC-T)

Specialty: Lightweight, impact-ready tomahawks designed for real-world use

OEM/ODM: Not offered; focused on direct sales and military contracts

Price range: $150–$300

USP: Military-grade tomahawks backed by combat-tested design and RMJ Tactical craftsmanship.

4. Collins Axe Company (Mann Edge Tool / Truper)

Once a giant of American axe production, the Collins name lives on under Truper’s ownership. While the tools are now manufactured outside the U.S., 

Collins axes are still widely sold in North America and offer accessible pricing for casual users. 

Their products stick to classic patterns, and while not premium-grade, they’re functional and affordable for light-duty chopping, camping, or firewood prep.

Established: 1826; Collinsville, Connecticut (brand now under Truper)

Core Products: Single-bit and double-bit axes, camp hatchets, splitting mauls

Specialty: Traditional axe styles at a budget-friendly price

OEM/ODM: Private-label under Truper; not an independent OEM supplier

Price Range: $20–$50

USP: A household name with historical roots, Collins remains a go-to for inexpensive axes that get the job done.

5. Peavey Manufacturing Company

Peavey Manufacturing is as traditional as it gets. Established in the mid-1800s in Maine, it’s the company behind the original “Peavey” logging tool. 

Today, they still make a variety of forestry hand tools, including axes, cant hooks, and timber jacks. 

Their axes are assembled and hafted in Maine, often using heads forged by Council Tool, a collaboration that preserves quality and tradition. 

Peavey’s tools are trusted by professionals in the logging and utility industries, and their made-to-order approach allows for excellent customization.

Established: 1857; Eddington, Maine

Core products: Logging axes, Hudson Bay axes, cant hooks, timber jacks

Specialty: Heavy-duty forestry tools with custom handles and heritage craftsmanship

OEM/ODM: Yes, accepts special orders and offers handle production for other brands

Price range: $70–$120

USP: Over 160 years of logging history, functional, work-ready tools built in Maine with room for customization.

6. Ames True Temper

Ames True Temper is a giant in the American tool industry, best known for shovels and garden tools, but their True Temper axe line is a go-to for practical users. 

These are the axes you’ll find in hardware stores across the country: straightforward, affordable, and built to last for household and light-duty outdoor tasks. 

While production is now global, the Ames brand remains rooted in U.S. toolmaking heritage going back to the 1700s

Established: 1774 (Ames); current HQ in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Core products: Single-bit axes, mauls, hatchets, splitting tools

Specialty: Accessible tools with fiberglass or hickory handles for general consumer use

OEM/ODM: Produces tools for retailers under various labels; not known for custom small-batch work

Price range: $25–$60

USP: Reliable and widely available, Ames axes offer solid value for money and everyday performance.

7. McCoun Tomahawks

McCoun Tomahawks is a hidden gem for collectors and reenactors. This Virginia-based family business hand-forges traditional tomahawks in small batches, preserving 18th-century patterns and craftsmanship. 

Their tools are more than just historical replicas, they’re fully functional, battle-ready tomahawks made from high-grade carbon steel. 

Every piece carries the soul of American blacksmithing, with many customized to buyer preferences.

Established: 2011 (family forging tradition since the 1960s); DeWitt, Virginia

Core products: Pipe tomahawks, spiked hawks, belt axes, throwing tomahawks

Specialty: Hand-forged 4140 steel tomahawks with customizable finishes

OEM/ODM: Accepts one-off commissions; no mass OEM production

Price range: $150–$400

USP: Historically accurate, hand-forged tomahawks with real-world functionality and collector appeal.

8. CRKT (Columbia River Knife & Tool)

CRKT isn’t just about knives, their axe and tomahawk line has become a favorite among outdoorsmen and tactical users alike. 

Working with custom designers like RMJ Tactical, CRKT offers well-thought-out tools that blend combat performance with camp utility. 

Their Woods series tomahawks and tactical T-Hawks provide solid materials, ergonomic design, and impressive edge retention, all at a mid-range price point. 

While production is international, design and quality control remain U.S.-based.

Established: 1994; Tualatin, Oregon

Core products: Tactical tomahawks, bearded axes, camp hatchets (e.g. Chogan, Kangee, Freyr)

Specialty: Designer tomahawks built for field use, combining tactical function and bushcraft form

OEM/ODM: No, designs are exclusive and sold under the CRKT brand

Price range: $50–$120

USP: Accessible, custom-inspired tomahawks, excellent value for tactical or outdoor enthusiasts.

9. Snow & Nealley

A true Maine original, Snow & Nealley has been making axes since 1864. 

After briefly shifting production overseas, the brand returned to local roots, now hand-finishing its axes in Smyrna, Maine using American steel and hickory. 

Snow & Nealley’s Hudson Bay and Penobscot Bay axes are known for balance, bite, and beauty. 

Whether you’re splitting kindling or heading into the backcountry, these heirloom-quality tools carry both history and hard use in every swing.

Established: 1864; Bangor/Smyrna, Maine

Core products: Hudson Bay axes, kindling hatchets, belt axes, cruiser-style double-bit axes

Specialty: Traditional American designs hand-assembled in Maine with premium materials

OEM/ODM: Not offered; focuses exclusively on its own branded products

Price range: $75–$150

USP: Authentic, U.S.-made axes with over 150 years of craftsmanship and collector-worthy details.

10. Brant & Cochran

Brant & Cochran has revived a piece of Maine’s axe history with their hand-forged “Maine wedge” pattern axes. 

Based in South Portland, this boutique brand focuses on high-carbon steel, hand-hung hickory handles, and old-school blacksmithing precision. 

Each axe is stamped with the blacksmith’s initials and year of make, making every piece a one-of-a-kind heirloom. 

Their Allagash Cruiser and Dirigo Belt Axe are prized by woodworkers, bushcrafters, and collectors alike.

Established: 2015; South Portland, Maine

Core products: Allagash Cruiser, Dirigo Belt Axe, Forester’s Friend double-bit

Specialty: Maine wedge pattern axes forged in small batches with serialized craftsmanship

OEM/ODM: Offers limited co-branded editions; not a volume OEM supplier

Price range: $250–$400

USP: Revives forgotten axe patterns with meticulous forging, every piece is built to last a century.

11. Hardcore Hammers

Born from the frustration of cheap tools, Hardcore Hammers creates axes and hatchets as rugged as they sound. 

Based in Kansas, the company uses high-grade alloy steel and American hickory to produce modern, overbuilt tools for serious outdoor users. 

Their Survivalist Hatchet and Raptor Axe combine chopping power with hardened hammer polls, ideal for bushcraft, camping, or trail work. 

Add bold designs and lifetime warranties, and it’s clear Hardcore Hammers isn’t messing around.

Established: 2010; Shawnee, Kansas

Core products: Survivalist Hatchet, Camp Companion, Forester Axe, Raptor Axe, Pulaski tools

Specialty: Tough-as-nails tools with modern finishes and dual-function design (e.g. hammer backs)

OEM/ODM: No, all products are sold under the Hardcore Hammers brand

Price range: $150–$250

USP: Brutally durable, U.S.-made axes built for hardcore use — with a lifetime guarantee to back it up.

12. Winkler Knives

Winkler Knives is the choice of elite military units, and for good reason. 

Founder Daniel Winkler blends blacksmithing tradition with combat-ready precision, producing high-end tactical tomahawks and rescue axes. 

Each Winkler axe is crafted with premium steel, ergonomic handles, and mission-driven design. 

These tools are not for weekend campers, they’re built for breaching doors, cutting through metal, and saving lives. It’s the top shelf of American axe-making.

Established: ~1988; Boone, North Carolina

Core products: Combat Axe, RnD Axe, Rescue Axe, Highland Hatchet

Specialty: Professional-grade tactical axes for military, law enforcement, and survival

OEM/ODM: No, handcrafted in-house; no private label production

Price range: $600–$1,000

USP: Battle-tested and handcrafted, Winkler axes are the gold standard in tactical toolmaking.

Whether you’re splitting firewood, heading into the backcountry, or stocking your tool shop, American axe manufacturers continue to offer some of the best tools in the world. 

From hand-forged heritage pieces to tactical tomahawks designed for the field, there’s no shortage of quality, innovation, and craftsmanship coming out of the U.S. in 2025.

Each brand on this list brings something different to the table, whether it’s a century-old legacy like Estwing or the custom precision of a Winkler tomahawk. 

The key is to choose a manufacturer that aligns with your needs: work, collection, resale, or outdoor survival.

LeeKnives specializes in OEM and private-label knife and tool solutions, and that includes axes. If you’re a retailer, brand owner, or distributor looking to design your own line of axes or expand your current inventory, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to discuss your axe sourcing needs, from design and materials to production and shipping. Let’s craft something great, together.

FAQs

Which brands are best for beginners or home use?

If you’re just starting out or need a reliable axe for light-duty tasks around the house, brands like Estwing, Ames True Temper, and Stanley are great picks. 

They’re affordable, easy to find in stores, and designed with comfort and practicality in mind. For a step up in quality without going full custom, Council Tool’s working-grade models are also a solid choice.

Can I get custom axes for branding or unique designs?

Yes, several American manufacturers offer customization options. Brant & Cochran and McCoun Tomahawks specialize in handcrafted, small-batch axes that can be personalized or co-branded for gifts, businesses, or retail lines. For bulk or OEM projects, LeeKnives also supports private-label production tailored to your brand.

How do I maintain an American-made axe?

Keep your axe clean and dry after each use to prevent rust. Oil the head with a light coat of mineral oil or gun oil, and treat wooden handles with boiled linseed oil every few months. 

Sharpen the edge regularly using a sharpening puck or file, a sharp axe is safer and more effective. And if it comes with a sheath, use it. It’ll protect both the edge and your gear.