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CRKT Birler Compact Axe: Outdoor Camping or Pack Axe, High Carbon Steel, Tennessee Hickory Handle 2745

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 449 ratings

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Brand CRKT
Handle Material Hickory,Steel
Color Stainless Steel
Head Type Tactical
Item Weight 18.14 Grams

About this item

  • Strong And Durable: 1055 carbon steel holds an edge well
  • Durable: Tennessee hickory is a dense material that withstands hard use
  • Compact Chopper: Size allows you to take this mighty axe anywhere
  • Designed by Elmer Roush in Brasstown, North Carolina
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, see company site for details
See more product details

Customer ratings by feature

Light weight
4.0 4.0
Sturdiness
4.0 4.0
Value for money
3.8 3.8
Ergonomic
3.6 3.6

From the brand

Product Description

Forged to keep you from being SOL in a FOB.

The Birler tactical pack axe is light enough to cut down on pack weight, yet it’s still burly enough to get everything you need done on a mission.

Elmer Roush of Brasstown, North Carolina knows a thing or two about axes and life in the battle theater. He spent a fair bit of time in Vietnam. Today, in the Forged By War program, he’s applying his 40 years of blacksmith experience as well as techniques from thousands of years ago to create exceptional tools such as the Birler.

This is an axe that won’t go AWOL on you when you need to break down doors, build floors and take down tall trees to rescue a fellow soldier. The blade is forged from 1055 carbon steel and is virtually indestructible. Just like those who use it. The sturdy Tennessee hickory handle ensures that the Birler won’t fold on you when the fighting gets tough.

Looking at the Birler you’d be amazed that it’s such a heavy weight when it comes to work, yet such a lightweight when it comes to carrying it into battle.

If you’re fighting to reduce every ounce as you head into battle, carry the Birler in your hand.

For information on how to replace the handle to your Birler, visit CRKT's website.

About the Forged By War program

In 2013, Ryan Johnson of RMJ Tactical, designer of elite, military, tactical tomahawks, approached CRKT with the news that he had been working with a few combat veterans that had returned from war with varying degrees of post-traumatic stress (PTS).

To help work through their challenges, they have been designing and forging steel into custom tools. Drawing from their experience earned in combat situations, they have been creating tools they wished they had available to them in the battlefield.

CRKT cares deeply about our returning veterans and we saw a way to give back to the community that created them. In 2016, we launched the Forged By War program.

These are mission ready tools, designed by veterans, with 10% of the CRKT net profits of the program donated to the veterans' charity of choice.

Mission ready tools that are Forged By War. Learn more on CRKT's website.

Elmer Roush's charity of choice for this tool is the Green Beret Foundation.

*Although we know the temptation is great, we do not advise throwing this specific tool for safety and potential void of warranty reasons.

Specifications:

Blade Length: 5.165" (131.19 mm)
Edge: Axe
Steel: 1055 Carbon
Blade Finish: Clear
Blade Thickness: 1.113" (28.27 mm)
Grind: Hot Forged
Open Length: 16" (406.4 mm)
Weight: 1.14 lb (0.52 kg)
Handle: Hickory
Style: Axe

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From the manufacturer

CRKT, Columbia River Knife & Tool, Seismic, Pocket Knife, Everyday Carry, EDC
CRKT, Columbia River Knife & Tool, knives, knife, edc

Innovation and Integrity. To Us, Nothing Matters More.

These convictions come first. Innovation means building products that will continue to lead and define the industry in terms of creativity and utility; it means constantly asking ourselves how we can be better. For the past 25 years, we’ve released industry-shifting innovations and worked with some of the most renowned custom and independent knife designers in the world. What really ties it all together though, is our true guiding light.

We are guided by integrity—this is critical to how we’ve chosen to do business. It means interacting with our customers and each other honestly and directly. It also means building products that perform reliably and a brand that behaves consistently, decade after defining decade. We were born in Oregon, and our knives and tools truly reflect the rugged terrain from which they come. That, to us, makes all the difference.

Customer Reviews
Blade Length 3.500" (88.9 mm) 4.528" (115.01 mm) 5.165" (131.19 mm) 4.094" (103.99 mm)
Overall Length 19.13" (485.9 mm) 16.125" (409.58 mm) 16" (406.4 mm) 26" (660.4 mm)
Weight 1.99 lb (0.9 kg) 1.79 lb (0.81 kg) 1.14 lb (0.52 kg) 2.05 lb (0.93 kg)
Blade Material 1055 Carbon Steel 1055 Carbon Steel 1055 Carbon 1055 Carbon Steel
Handle Material Tennessee Hickory Tennessee Hickory Tennessee Hickory Tennessee Hickory
crkt, ken onion, bladesmith, blade smith, knife designer, production knives, production custom

Driven by Designers

We’re proud to work closely with a deep lineup of world-class designers and we take great pride in carrying out their creative, industry-shifting ideas.

Product information

Technical Details

Additional Information

Warranty & Support

Amazon.com Return Policy:Amazon.com Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee: You can return many items you have purchased within 30 days following delivery of the item to you. Our Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee does not affect your legal right of withdrawal in any way. You can find out more about the exceptions and conditions here.

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CRKT Birler Compact Axe: Outdoor Camping or Pack Axe, High Carbon Steel, Tennessee Hickory Handle 2745


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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
449 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the quality of the axe, saying that it's well constructed and the blade is top notch. They appreciate the comfort and weight. However, some customers have reported issues with the handle, mentioning that it is thin, rough, and has a broken tip. Opinions are mixed on appearance, sharpness, fit, and value.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

75 customers mention53 positive22 negative

Customers like the quality of the axe. They mention that it is well constructed, holds up beautifully, and has a top-notch blade. Some say that the ax is unbalanced, but the head is very secure and does not move on the handle. Overall, customers are satisfied with the quality and functionality of the product.

"...The Hickory handle is comfortable and durable...." Read more

"Really great, and ergonomic. Nice quality steel, and handle is nice hard reddish wood- handle was a little rough, and felt like it would have..." Read more

"...for a weekend in the mountains and found it to be just about perfect for bush craft...." Read more

"...past been very happy with CRKT products, however it seems their quality has slipped, big time. This hatchet has many issues right out of the box...." Read more

17 customers mention17 positive0 negative

Customers find the handle of the axe comfortable, ergonomic, and feels great in hand. They also appreciate the shape and feel of the wood, which is perfect for providing a positive grip.

"...The Hickory handle is comfortable and durable...." Read more

"Really great, and ergonomic...." Read more

"...For a 19" it swings nice and has a nice heft to it. The handle is very comfortable and the ability to choke up on it for detailed tasks is nice..." Read more

"While it is an attractive hatchet that has a decent feel and heft, the bottom tip of the handle is broken off, 1/4” or more.. just like the hatchet..." Read more

13 customers mention13 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the weight of the axe. They mention that it is very light, albeit slightly less rugged. Some say that it has a good weight and balance, and is a trusted companion for years. Overall, most are happy with the product's weight.

"...Its light in the pack, I think will be a trusted companion for years...." Read more

"No it’s not perfect at delivery but I love the look, the shape and the weight...." Read more

"...The axe is very light, as expected, and will struggle with heavier workloads, so plan to use this one fireside on dry wood...." Read more

"...It has a comfortable handle and pretty light for what it is but you'll spend some time sharpening it because CRKT didn't...." Read more

46 customers mention28 positive18 negative

Customers are mixed about the appearance of the axe. Some mention it has a beautiful design, the head looks very well done, and is quite nice. Others say that it's small and wimpy looking, and the edge is very dull.

"While it is an attractive hatchet that has a decent feel and heft, the bottom tip of the handle is broken off, 1/4” or more.. just like the hatchet..." Read more

"No it’s not perfect at delivery but I love the look, the shape and the weight...." Read more

"...The forged head is solid and a great design. It arrived fairly dull, but after a few passes on my Arkansas black, the blade is sharp and ready to..." Read more

"...First of, visually and proportionally, it's gorgeous. The cut and finish of the head and handle are exactly what I was looking for...." Read more

37 customers mention15 positive22 negative

Customers are mixed about the sharpness of the axe. Some mention that the blade itself was fairly sharp, and the ax head sharpens well. However, others say that it's not sharp enough to split fireside wood into kindle.

"...It is not as sharp upon arrival as I expected but it holds a great edge. The Hickory handle is comfortable and durable...." Read more

"The axe head is great sharpens well, holds up under use. The handle is too smooth to get a good grip...." Read more

"...The edge itself is very dull and needs sharpening before use...." Read more

"...fairly dull, but after a few passes on my Arkansas black, the blade is sharp and ready to go...." Read more

24 customers mention9 positive15 negative

Customers are mixed about the fit of the axe. Some mention that it fits their fingers snuggly by the head, and wears perfectly in the belt. However, others say that the haft is just a bit too small in diameter, and the handle felt small.

"...The haft is poorly fit and clearly the wood used to make it wasn't allowed to dry out properly, as it shrank significantly after manufacturing...." Read more

"...It wears perfectly in the belt due to the cut of the beard and there is enough material on the back to safely and accurately drive spikes and/or..." Read more

"...This hatchet out of box is shaped like a splitting maul, so even with a sharp edge it still wouldn't bite into the wood like it should have...." Read more

"...The handle is too thin and is oddly shaped at the end making it extremely difficult to grip for any kind of vigorous chopping...." Read more

16 customers mention11 positive5 negative

Customers are mixed about the value of the axe. Some mention it's the best compact ax for the money, has good quality for the price, and is worth owning. Others say that it'd be better to spend more money on a better product.

"...Still feel it was worth the money." Read more

"Overall: OK "bang for buck" value. Particulars: This is decent hand axe, although I was disappointed with how "unfinished" it was...." Read more

"...back where the head meets the handle, and the third is that the price is too high for a gap that big (see pictures)...." Read more

"...it holds an edge and swings true. it’s worth owning in my experience." Read more

51 customers mention13 positive38 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the handle of the axe. They mention that it's thin, rough, and has a broken tip. Some say that the head is loose on the handle. Overall, customers are not happy with the quality and functionality of the product.

"...Nice quality steel, and handle is nice hard reddish wood- handle was a little rough, and felt like it would have absorbed sweat and water, which..." Read more

"...hatchet that has a decent feel and heft, the bottom tip of the handle is broken off, 1/4” or more.. just like the hatchet I returned...." Read more

"...Mine arrived perfect. There is no play in the handle. The forged head is solid and a great design...." Read more

"...First and most troubling is that the head is actually loose & wobbles around on the haft...." Read more

CRKT Birler first impressions - pricey for the finish
4 Stars
CRKT Birler first impressions - pricey for the finish
I recently purchased the CRKT birler compact axe. First of, visually and proportionally, it's gorgeous. The cut and finish of the head and handle are exactly what I was looking for. The curvature at the end of the handle was perfect for providing positive grip and indexing to get the head to strike exactly where intended. I am also able to use it as a throwing axe and hit on target.As delivered, it was not sharp enough to split fireside wood into kindle. On my first attempt, the axe pushed out and away from me and dug into the concrete slab behind my chopping board base. The good news is that the edge rolled and did not chip on impact. In the end, I had to sharpen it for better penetration and control. With a sharpening the edge geometry works very well is accurate and and the roll is gone along with any unexpected movement in the strike.The axe is very light, as expected, and will struggle with heavier workloads, so plan to use this one fireside on dry wood. The axe is laminated in an enamel of sort that is wearing through after chopping up my first couple of bundles of wood. It wears perfectly in the belt due to the cut of the beard and there is enough material on the back to safely and accurately drive spikes and/or nails.I have three small criticisms so far. The first is that some of the stain came off in my hand as I was sharpening and cleaning it. The second is that there is a gap in the back where the head meets the handle, and the third is that the price is too high for a gap that big (see pictures).Otherwise, a fun and useful tool so far.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Martyn Vee
5.0 out of 5 stars CRKT MADE THE NECESSARY CHANGES.
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2019
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Martyn Vee
5.0 out of 5 stars CRKT MADE THE NECESSARY CHANGES.
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2019
CRKT must have learn, for the axe that came to my door was perfect in every way.
We shopped down my father in law and I, at least 2 and a half cord of wood from mapple and birch trees. We used a few axes during the process and honestly, the hatchet performance was excellent from the start! the handle is a personnal choice but it was quite ok for what we needed and without even any sharpening we splited those pieces of wood without any problems. The head was holding well and is not loose at all. Overall, I got this hatchet as a Bday gift and we intend to use it on camping trips. This axe is super ok. Some say the handle is slim but we didn't find anything to say about that. It was even more easy to use than most hatchet you find on the market. Coming from an man in his 70, another from his 60 and myself soon to be in his 50's .... Well, it's pricey, it looks cool,it shop's well and if it's a gift, go for it! I'd buy it again and on top of it; it gives back to the veterans!
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One person found this helpful
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alessandro
3.0 out of 5 stars Non ci siamo
Reviewed in Italy on January 2, 2020
Jose Antonio Valadez Torres
4.0 out of 5 stars Buen producto
Reviewed in Mexico on September 29, 2019
rikk
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2016
Dylan Hill
4.0 out of 5 stars Review from a bushcraft bladesmith.
Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2021
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Dylan Hill
4.0 out of 5 stars Review from a bushcraft bladesmith.
Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2021
My first CRKT product up for review. I am a Canadian bushcrafter and bladesmith out of Ontario looking for good products to recommend for the price. I am a firm believer in you don't need to break the bank for something that gets the job done. So let's break down the good the bad and the ugly. The good thing was the price point, I didn't pay full price I actually got it on sale for 80$ canadian instead of the usual price that has ranged from 90$ -100$ or so. The design its self is pretty neat and beautiful to look at. I love the little beard on the head that allows you to choke up on the axe to do finesse work and long enough handle that I was able to do a 2 handed swing. Its a little heavier than the hatchet im used to carrying which was the fiskars x7 14 inch but its not a bad weight and I hardly notice it. The bad is the condition it was in when they sold it to me, Was it ever rough. The head had 1/4" of where there was no edge at the top of the axe and the handle was rough it gave me a sliver as I was taking it out of the box. Not a deal breaker for me tho because I make this stuff daily so I ground my own edge and I re sanded and stained the handle. As for the ugly I can't really say that it is everything about it looks absolutely amazing. Its sturdy its durable and its pretty compact. Over all I gave it 4 stars because I did have to tweak it a bit but thats what you get when you buy factory products and not from smith's. Value for money got 4 out of 5 because if I paid full price and had to do the fixes I wouldn't be to happy but I am glad I can add it to my collection. 5 stars for both the light weight and sturdiness. If your a seasonal outdoors enthusiasts you already know its probably not for you but if you starting to get in the bush and learning its not a bad idea to start here.
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