Cold Steel Trail Boss Axe, 27 Inch

Good size axe, but did have some problems. Final review:This axe is a great size for me. I have many axes; an American felling axe, a large double-bit axe, a splitting axe, and an array of hatchets for both splitting and cutting, but this is the first axe I’ve gotten in this middle size. About half of the blade was very sharp and half was dull. I started to re-profile the edge a bit to help it bite in better and sharpen the dull spots. The steel quality seems pretty good, especially for this price point. I wasn’t sure that I’d like the head shape but it seems to work well in actual use.I had a tree come down in the storm (Pax) hitting the Northeast US and just wanted to clean up some of the smaller branches that came close to my house. Admittedly, this wasn’t the hardest wood I’ve encountered, but the Trail Boss made short work of many of the smaller branches. As mentioned in my original review, I only worked for about an hour, chopping nothing larger than my wrist and most of it only as thick as my thumb to get it ready for using a chainsaw on anything bigger later on, but the head loosened almost immediately and by the end was starting to slip up.After I emailed them some pictures and called them a week later to follow up, Cold Steel has shipped me a replacement handle as I requested with minimal effort on my part. I see from the reviews that I’m not the only person to have this issue, so I imagine that it’s a quality control issue. Don’t be afraid to contact them if your axe loosens up early on. After I knew that they wouldn’t ask me to ship it back to them I tried to fix the old handle and was able to tighten everything up using a hammer and a punch, so ill hold onto that as a spare handle and use this one longer to see if it loosens or breaks again.I’ll need to find or make a sheath for this and I wish they offered an inexpensive one, but I don’t hold that against them as most axes I have never came with a sheath.Overall, besides my early problem, I think this will be a solid addition to my collection and I look forward to using it more.Original review:In October I purchased a Trail Boss to use while camping in winter. Unfortunately, due to an insanely busy holiday season I was only able to use it for the first time today.I had a tree come down in the storm (Pax) hitting the Northeast US and just wanted to clean up some of the smaller branches that came close to my house. I worked for about an hour, chopping nothing larger than my wrist and most of it only as thick as my thumb to get it ready for using a chainsaw on anything bigger this weekend. This tree was fairly soft wood as well, so I didn’t expect any problems, but the head loosened almost immediately and by the end was starting to slip up.I have contacted Cold Steel customer service and will update this review when they reply. This axe could be 4-5 stars if this was just a fluke and they replace/repair it without too much effort on my end, but as the axe is now it’s unsafe and unusable.UPDATE: After a week I called Cold Steel and they immediately sent out a replacement handle per my request. I updated my review with a final review assuming everything works well after the repair. I’ll update if there are any more issues.

Great general pupose axe. I bought this axe after seeing Wranglerstar’s review and I couldn’t be happier with it.First of all, I’m not a professional woodsman, but I have been splitting firewood my whole life. I currently own two regular axes and a splitting axe. I bought this one specifically to leave in my pickup. I was concerned about the handle due to a difference in color. Although the handle is definitely cut from a single piece of wood, dissimilar colors usually denote a difference in density and the wood will have a tendency to split at the color seam. I have noticed that most pictures of the handle splitting on others’ reviews happens along a similar seam. However, after 10-15 minutes of chopping, mine is showing no signs of cracking and the head is still tight. I do have some divets from where the handle struck the firewood, but no cracks have formed. (BTW, you’re always going to hit the handle some; there’s no avoiding it.) I’m sure the handle will one day break (welcome to the world of axes), but that’s why they sell replacements.The axe head cuts like a dream and mine came super sharp with no flaws. But remember, it’s not a maul or a splitting axe. If you try to use this to split a big, solid piece of green ash down the center, you’re going to be greatly disappointed. However, for splitting old dead stuff (in this case,cottonwood) and if you work from the outside in, it’s truly awesome. The wide head with a thin profile allows it to slice straight through easy. Also, because of it’s light weight, it’s very accurate. Don’t expect to get a full length, over the head swing, though, because of the short handle.You’ll notice in the last picture that it’s sitting on a piece that I didn’t finish. That’s because it’s one giant knot. I’ll have to use the splitting axe to finish that one.

The Perfect Axe. Firstly, at this price point the caveats I’ll present are a non issue. Awesome axe, if you can only afford one, this is it. The length is perfectly balanced, it feels lighter in hand than a fiskars X15, but it cuts and pops chunks out more effectively than a sharpened 36″ hardware store axe, while still being thick enough for light splitting, and being easy to use one handed. I used an 8″ file to debur the edge and the temper is perfect; took and held a shaving sharp edge, and survived a miss into the dirt without damage; for comparison my Fiskars axes take a bit of work to get to shaving sharp given how soft they are, but tend to chip easily. The head is mounted very securely with two german style rings, and the grain of the hickory came straight, inspiring confidence. The only annoyance on the handle is the laquer that is so ubiquitous, but some sand paper and wax and it came out beautifully; there aren’t any replacement handles available as far as I know, but it’s so inexpensive that if I break the handle, I’ll just buy the axe again. The only real downside is the lack of an available mask, as the provided blade guard is a temporary measure; I made a kydex cover, but if you don’t have this skill, this european head style is too large for a hatchet mask but too small for a felling axe type. I love this for everything from canping, to winter backpacking, to assaulting lumber like a medieval warrior, it really is the perfect all around axe.

What’s the price again. Update below. I can’t believe how well this axe performs. It’s not pretty and I did profile the bit to suit me, but that’s it. I took it out today and put it up against A 10” dead standing Bull Pine (American hard pine or yellow pine) Bull Pine is a bull. Extremely tough full, of knots…it has earned its name. The axe ate through it in no time. I cut it up with a hand saw and split some out with no trouble at all. I made two Bull Pine wedges with the axe and drove them into a a seasoned honey locust piece about 12” across. So the axe can drive. I then split another piece of locust with the axe several times and the bit did not roll or flatten. Still razor sharp. I’m sold man. These axes are unbelievable for the price. Perfectly functional in a Bushcraft environment and durable enough for felling and splitting.Update… the little axe that could is still going strong. I’ve noticed a hot spot down near the palm swell, but I can sand that down some more. The head is still firmly affixed to the handle after cutting old rock hard locust. The bit has not chipped or rolled one bit. The only thing I need to do is hit it with a file…then a puck and strop. I can’t believe that this axe has helped up so well for the price.

Perfect Axe. (Look for update at the bottom)Great Axe! Will Last a LifeTime if taken care of. Great Build Quality. Had a sharp enough edge to chop with but i put a sharper edge on it that is razor sharp. Sharp enough to cut the hair on my arms. Its a beautiful axe. And the design is one of the best ones for axes. Definitely made to Last and cut down a forest. Super lightweight for its size.Would definitely buy it again and recommend to buy one, Im surprised its this inexpensive. I would easily see this as a $100 axe. Definitely keeps up with the more expensive axes for sure. Never thought id be so happy over an axe. But its like Christmas when it arrived and gave me joy.Update: so its now may of 2022 and I have been using this axe a lot now. And it’s still going strong. It’s still in 1 peice and chopping wood like butter. I have miss chopped a couple times and hit the axe handle at full force. I do have a diy paracord axe collar that helps to protect the axe. But my point is it’s strong. True Hickory strong. I have sharpened the axe a couple times. I like to keep my axe razor sharp. After all this time I still recommend this axe. I think this axe is the best axe you’re going to get for the money. This is comparable to $100 axe still is my opinion.

A proper tool. Sometimes you can pick something up and it just feels well made, you can tell it’ll do the job. This is one of those tools. The bit is well weighted, not too heavy not too light, it has plenty of cutting edge and holds that edge nicely. No it’s not shaving sharp out of the box, but unless you’re shaving with it, it doesn’t need to be, you’re cutting wood. Speaking of wood, the handle is all there and the grain orientation is actually correct. I don’t like spending money, but this seems like it was worth the price.

Great Ax. This is a quality Ax. I would recommend this ax to everyone. Quality product for the price.

Great product. Needs a good sharp edge after you het it, but it is very well constructed. Should last a lifetime.

American made, razor sharp 3/4 axe. Good price for high quality American product. Fast delivery!

EXCELLENT Weight and feel with this. When the delivery driver started to hand me the package, I said “I bet that its a little heavy”. The young man said “It’s not too bad”. When he handed the long package to me, the axe end of it almost fell to the ground. This material is MUCH finer that I thought. Nice heavy wood and a sharp edge with comes with an excellent rubber protector to keep on it. The rubber axe blade protector will keep it from bumping into and/or scratching the “wrong” things that may rub against it in the closet or garage. Nice addition ….. Ready to burn some wood !