Axes & Field Tools / GEAR NOTES
Zippo AxeSaw: three camp jobs, one place in the truck
An unusual combination that makes the most sense for camp setup and occasional wood work.
By Last Stand Supply Co. · Archive date: May 15, 2024
Published October 24, 2026. Archive dates organize this retrospective collection; they are not original publication dates.
Why I like the idea
Packing for camp often means collecting three tools that spend most of their time beside each other: something to chop, something to saw, and something to tap stakes into the ground. The Zippo AxeSaw brings those functions together. I like the thinking behind it, especially for vehicle-based camping where keeping equipment organized matters more than shaving every ounce. A combination tool earns its place when it reduces clutter without making the common jobs awkward. The AxeSaw is worth considering on exactly those terms, rather than as a replacement for a professional collection of forestry tools.
The useful part of the design
The saw blade stores inside the handle, and the protective head cover takes on a second role in the saw arrangement. That means the components travel together instead of becoming separate pieces to lose in the gear pile. GearJunkie’s field review found the hatchet particularly effective and described the saw as useful, with a qualification about its grip. Those observations support a sensible way to think about it: a camp hatchet with additional options when the next task calls for a different approach. The convenience is strongest when you move between short, ordinary camp chores.
Match it to your trips
I would look at the AxeSaw for a car-camping box, an organized shed, or a vehicle setup where storage space is limited. Having the saw available can be helpful when a controlled cut is more appropriate than chopping. The mallet function adds another campsite use without needing a separate item in the same box. Still, a tool that combines jobs does not remove the need to choose suitable material and work within its instructions. I would rather use it for the modest work it suits than force it into a larger task just because it was the nearest tool.
The compromises are real
The saw grip is the most useful criticism in the reviews. Because part of the cover becomes a handle, its shape may feel broad for smaller hands. That matters more during a long sawing session than a quick cut. The mallet surface also should not be treated as a hardened workshop hammer. Finally, the whole package is more substantial than a minimalist folding saw. If you already have dedicated tools you love, combining them may offer less benefit than it first appears. Convenience should make your own kit better, not simply make the packing list shorter.
My recommendation
For occasional camp work, the AxeSaw has a convincing purpose. It keeps several useful functions together and invites a more organized approach to packing. I would recommend it most readily to someone building a vehicle or campsite tool kit, with realistic expectations about the saw grip and mallet. Check the listing for the current item, then decide whether those three jobs are ones you regularly need covered.
What works
- Hatchet, saw and mallet functions together
- Saw blade stores with the tool
- Useful for vehicle-based camp setups
Worth considering
- Saw grip may not suit smaller hands
- Dedicated tools suit prolonged work better
Sources & product-version notes
Product references and owner reviews informed this original assessment. Their testing experiences are not presented as our own.