Carrying an axe, bow saw, and mallet into camp takes up valuable space. The Zippo AxeSaw combines all three tools into one compact package designed for camping, trail maintenance, yard cleanup, and emergency preparedness.
The AxeSaw is built around a full-size camping hatchet with a saw blade stored inside its hollow handle. Its protective axe-head cover becomes the second handle when the tool is converted into a bow saw. Turn the tool around, and the back of the head provides a broad mallet surface for driving tent stakes.
It is an unusual design, but it is more practical than it initially appears. The hatchet is the standout feature, while the saw and mallet provide useful secondary functions when you do not want to carry several separate tools.
Best for: Car camping, overlanding, backyard firepits, campsite preparation, emergency kits, and light trail cleanup
Zippo AxeSaw Specifications
Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
Tool functions | Hatchet, bow saw, and mallet |
Overall length | Approximately 20.3 inches |
Total weight | Approximately 2.6 pounds |
Hatchet steel | 420 stainless steel |
Cutting-edge length | Approximately 4.5 inches |
Saw-blade length | Approximately 15 inches |
Saw material | Hardened stainless steel |
Saw storage | Saw blade easily stores inside the axe handle |
Protective cover / saw handle | Safety sheath with rubber over mold grip and durable non-slip mold |
Best use | Camping, light property maintenance, and rugged outdoor conditions |
Notable features | Compact multifunction design for outdoor versatility |
Specifications should be confirmed with the seller before ordering because manufacturers can revise products and packaging.
What Is the Zippo AxeSaw?
The Zippo AxeSaw is a multipurpose outdoor tool designed to replace three common pieces of camping equipment. It works primarily as a hatchet, but it can be converted into a 15-inch bow saw without requiring separate brackets or tools.
When the saw is not needed, its blade stores inside the AxeSaw’s hollow handle, a blade safe setup that helps with protecting the saw blade between uses. The safety sheath protects the sharpened hatchet head during transportation. The safety sheath doubles as the second handle when you assemble the saw, keeping the blade safe while adding a secure grip to the frame.
This clever storage system keeps all the necessary components together. You do not have to search through your camping equipment for a loose saw blade or an easily misplaced connector.
Three Tools in One Compact Design
1. Camping Hatchet
The hatchet is the strongest part of the Zippo AxeSaw. It has a 420 stainless-steel head with an approximately 4.5-inch cutting edge.
Its long handle provides more leverage than a small hand axe while remaining manageable around a campsite. At approximately 2.6 pounds, it has enough weight to split kindling and process modest pieces of firewood without becoming excessively heavy. In practice, the 5 inch steel hatchet is best suited to chops chop small or medium fire wood and can also help with shaving fire wood for tinder.
The relatively thin inch steel hatchet head can bite deeply into green limbs and smaller logs. It is especially useful for:
- Splitting kindling
- Removing small branches
- Cutting brush around camp
- Processing small firewood
- Clearing light storm debris
- Making wooden stakes
This is still a camping hatchet rather than a full-size splitting axe. It should not be expected to process large hardwood rounds or replace a professional forestry tool.
2. Fifteen-Inch Bow Saw
The saw blade is stored inside the handle when the AxeSaw is in hatchet mode. To assemble it, first open safety sheath access, then begin attaching one end of the blade to the main handle, secure the other end at the head cover, use the tensioner handle to tighten the connection, and close cam lever to lock it in place. The Zippo AxeSaw’s bow saw also uses a self-adjusting tension cam that helps keep the blade tight while sawing wood.
Once assembled, the result is a functional 15-inch bow saw with an aggressive tooth pattern. It can cut branches and small logs—roughly limbs up to 4 inches in diameter—that would require considerably more effort with the hatchet alone.
The saw is helpful when you want cleaner cuts, need to remove a fallen limb, or have to reduce firewood to a manageable length before splitting it.
The main limitation is the size of the protective cover when it is used as a saw grip. Its wide, curved shape can be uncomfortable for people with smaller hands. It remains usable, but you may need to adjust your grip during longer cutting sessions.
3. Tent-Stake Mallet
The back of the hatchet head functions as a mallet head for pounding tent stakes into hard ground, as well as garden stakes and similar objects.
This eliminates the need to use a rock, firewood, or the sharp side of a hatchet when setting up a tent. The broad surface gives you a safer and more controlled striking point, and it is one of the hammers ideal for different size tent stakes around camp.
However, the mallet surface includes protective material that can be damaged by rocks, steel objects, or missed swings. It should be treated as a campsite mallet—not as a hardened steel hammer.
Use it for:
- Plastic tent stakes
- Aluminum camping stakes
- Wooden stakes
- Light garden stakes
Avoid using it to drive nails, strike hardened metal, or break rocks.
Build Quality, Stainless Steel, and Materials
The AxeSaw uses a quarter-inch-thick 420 stainless-steel hatchet head. Instead of a heavy forged head, Zippo uses shaped plate steel to control the tool’s overall weight and balance, and these materials and design features are crafted to withstand rugged outdoor conditions.
Although 420 stainless steel is not considered an exotic premium steel, it offers qualities that make sense in a camping tool. It provides good corrosion resistance and added corrosion protection for wet camping storage and outdoor use, is relatively easy to sharpen, and can maintain an effective working edge when properly cared for.
The handle must perform several jobs. It serves as the main hatchet handle, stores the saw blade, and becomes part of the bow-saw frame. Despite being hollow, it is reinforced to handle normal campsite use.
The safety sheath also has a dual purpose. It protects the cutting edge during storage and becomes the opposing grip when the saw is assembled, with its integrated non-slip rubber over-mold grip improving handling when used as the saw handle.
Chopping and Splitting Performance
The Zippo AxeSaw performs best when used as a hatchet. Its balance and longer handle help generate enough momentum for splitting kindling and chopping through modest branches, making it a good axe for campsite wood prep, though not a replacement for a heavier splitting tool.
The sharp, relatively thin edge can cut particularly well through wet or green wood. One controlled swing can penetrate deeply, reducing the number of strikes needed for smaller jobs.
For dry, knotty wood, the thin profile may not separate a log as efficiently as a heavier splitting hatchet with a wider wedge. However, it remains a capable option for normal campsite fire preparation.
The AxeSaw is best matched with wood that can be safely supported and processed using one hand or controlled two-handed swings. Larger logs should be handled with a proper axe, splitting maul, or powered equipment where permitted.
Sawing Performance
The hardened stainless-steel saw blade uses aggressive teeth designed for cutting wood. It works well on limbs and smaller logs that would be tiring to chop through.
Converting the tool requires some practice, but the process does not involve loose fasteners or additional tools. Once you become familiar with the mechanism, switching between the hatchet and saw becomes relatively quick, and the assembled frame stays stable to provide more power in use.
The wide secondary grip is the biggest drawback. People with large hands may find it acceptable, but users with smaller hands could experience reduced control or increased hand fatigue.
For occasional campsite cutting, the design is practical. For hours of trail maintenance, a dedicated bow saw with a conventional handle will probably be more comfortable.
Portability and Storage
One of the best reasons to choose the AxeSaw is its compact design. Instead of finding space for three individual tools, you can carry one approximately 20-inch package.
That makes it particularly appealing for car campers, RV owners, overlanders, and homeowners who want a versatile tool that does not occupy much storage space.
At around 2.6 pounds, it is light compared with carrying a separate hatchet, saw, and mallet. However, it is still too heavy and bulky for most ultralight backpacking trips.
The Zippo AxeSaw makes the most sense when storage efficiency matters more than minimizing every ounce.
Zippo AxeSaw Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combines a hatchet, bow saw, and mallet
- Saw blade stores inside the handle
- No separate conversion tools are required
- Strong performance as a camping hatchet
- Approximately 15-inch saw blade
- Balanced design despite the hollow handle
- Stainless steel provides corrosion resistance
- Reduces the number of separate campsite tools
- Useful for camping, yard cleanup, and emergency kits
Cons
- Saw grip may feel too large for smaller hands
- Mallet surface can be damaged by rocks or hard metal
- Not intended for professional forestry work
- Heavier than a simple backpacking hatchet
- Dedicated tools may outperform it during demanding jobs
- Requires practice to convert quickly and safely
Who Should Buy the Zippo AxeSaw?
The Zippo AxeSaw is a good choice for people who want a versatile, space-saving tool equipped for moderate outdoor work.
It is especially suitable for:
Car Campers
Car campers can keep the AxeSaw with their tent equipment and use it to prepare firewood, cut fallen branches, and drive tent stakes, helping them spend time setting up camp efficiently instead of carrying multiple separate tools.
Overlanders and RV Owners
Storage space matters inside an overlanding vehicle or RV. A multipurpose tool reduces clutter while covering several basic campsite jobs.
Homeowners
The AxeSaw can handle light yard cleanup, small fallen branches, firepit wood, and garden stakes without requiring repeated trips to the tool shed.
Emergency-Preparedness Kits
A tool that can chop, saw, and strike has practical value during storms and power outages. Its stainless-steel components also provide better corrosion resistance than many untreated carbon-steel tools.
Hunters
Hunters may find it useful for maintaining camp, clearing small branches, processing firewood, handling downed trees, and taking on other moderate cutting jobs around a base camp.
Who Should Choose Something Else?
The AxeSaw is not the best option for every user.
Backpackers counting every ounce will probably prefer a compact folding saw or lightweight hatchet. Professional trail crews should carry dedicated axes and saws designed for sustained use. Homeowners regularly splitting large firewood rounds need a full-size splitting axe or maul.
The AxeSaw delivers versatility, but its convenience involves compromise. It should be viewed as an excellent hatchet with useful saw and mallet capabilities rather than three professional-grade tools combined into one.
Safety Tips
Any tool containing an exposed axe head and saw blade requires careful handling.
- Inspect the tool before each use.
- Confirm that all saw components are securely connected, and on the Zippo AxeSaw’s bow saw, make sure the self-adjusting tension cam is set and the close cam lever is fully shut so the blade remains secure.
- Keep hands away from the blade during assembly.
- Wear eye protection when chopping or sawing.
- Maintain a safe distance from other people.
- Place wood on a stable chopping surface.
- Never swing the hatchet toward your legs or feet.
- Do not use the mallet surface to strike hardened steel.
- Clean and dry the tool before storage.
- Keep the safety sheath installed during transportation to keep the blade safe and the axe head covered.
- Store it where children cannot reach it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zippo AxeSaw a real axe?
The AxeSaw functions as a camping hatchet rather than a full-size axe. Its approximately 20-inch length and 4.5-inch cutting edge make it suitable for kindling, smaller logs, brush, and branches.
How many tools are included in the Zippo AxeSaw?
The AxeSaw provides three primary functions: a hatchet, a 15-inch bow saw, and a campsite mallet.
Where is the saw blade stored?
The saw blade stores inside the hollow axe handle. This keeps it protected and reduces the likelihood of leaving an important part behind. An additional saw blade is not typically included in that handle storage unless the seller states otherwise.
Do I need tools to assemble the bow saw?
No separate wrench or screwdriver is required. The tool’s existing components form the saw frame, but you still need to finish attaching the blade and secure the built-in mechanism before use.
Can the Zippo AxeSaw split firewood?
It can split kindling and smaller pieces of firewood. It is not intended to replace a full-size axe or splitting maul when working with large, dense hardwood rounds.
Is 420 stainless steel good for a hatchet?
420 stainless steel provides good corrosion resistance and is relatively easy to sharpen. It is a practical material for a general-purpose camping hatchet, although it does not offer the same toughness or edge retention as some premium tool steels.
Is the AxeSaw suitable for backpacking?
It may work for short trips where cutting tools are necessary, but its approximately 2.6-pound weight is excessive for most ultralight backpackers. It is better suited to car camping, overlanding, RV travel, and base camps.
Can the mallet be used as a hammer?
The mallet is designed primarily for tent stakes and similar lightweight jobs. It should not be used as a substitute for a hardened steel hammer.
Is the Zippo AxeSaw good for survival kits?
Its multiple functions make it useful for vehicle-based or home emergency kits. Buyers in California should check the product listing or packaging for any Proposition 65 warning, including reproductive harm. It is probably too large for a compact personal survival kit or lightweight bug-out bag.
Where can I buy the Zippo AxeSaw?
The AxeSaw is listed on Amazon under model 40475 and ASIN B0753JL125, so you can shop for it there directly. Price and availability may change.
Final Thoughts: Is the Zippo AxeSaw Worth It?
The Zippo AxeSaw is a genuinely useful multipurpose camping tool rather than a novelty. Its greatest strength is its performance as a well-balanced hatchet. The integrated bow saw expands the size of wood it can process, while the mallet handles routine tent setup. In that sense, the “mighty AxeSaw” label some sellers use is understandable, though the real appeal is simply having a practical all-in-one camp tool.
There are compromises. The saw’s secondary grip may be uncomfortable for smaller hands, and the mallet should only be used for appropriate campsite tasks. Dedicated tools will also be better for demanding or professional work.
For car camping, overlanding, backyard fire preparation, light trail maintenance, and emergency storage, however, the AxeSaw offers an attractive combination of performance and convenience. It takes up less room than three separate tools and keeps every essential component in one package.
If you approach it as a capable camping hatchet with a useful saw and mallet built in, the Zippo AxeSaw can earn a permanent place in your outdoor equipment. Order today!
