With enough daylight, opposable thumbs and a Berserker from Columbia River Knife and Tool, an industrious woodchuck would clear the entire back 40, stack kindling and still find time to stop for tea at 10 and 2. Failure to do so is uncivilized, even for a hardworking rodent.
The Viking-style axe profile on the Berserker is guaranteed to scare curious bears back into the forest, but the utilitarian, bearded edge is built for tackling those too-close-to-home saplings that serve as cover for curious bruins. Weighing in at slightly more than 2 pounds—the axe, not ambushing wildlife—with 4.65 inches of blade, it also makes short work of fireplace fodder. It’s constructed from 1055 carbon steel to minimize resharpening chores with a manganese phosphate coating for a weather-defying finish.
The handle is double-burned, genuine Tennessee hickory and spares are available from the company. The Berserker, after all, looks good enough to spend time lounging proudly on a wall, but the no-nonsense design won’t let it stay there long. MSRP is $75. Visit crkt.com to order.