Louis Martin Custom Knives
Handmade Axe Knives
An axe knife combines the chopping geometry of a hatchet with knife-level craftsmanship and portability. Louis Martin axe knives are hand-forged with high-carbon steel heads and fitted handles, ideal for camping, bushcraft, and collection.
Quick Answer
An axe knife combines the chopping geometry of a hatchet with knife-level craftsmanship and portability. Louis Martin axe knives are hand-forged with high-carbon steel heads and fitted handles, ideal for camping, bushcraft, and collection.
The axe is humanity's oldest manufactured tool. Louis Martin's handmade axe knives bring three generations of blade expertise to this fundamental form — each piece individually forged, fitted, and finished for decades of hard use or proud display.
Characteristics & Construction
These notes describe axe knives in general. Lot pieces are picked from stock, so features such as blade length, handle material and construction vary piece to piece.
Head Geometry
Grinds vary from piece to piece. A convex-ground bit, the traditional forged edge, splits wood better than a flat grind and resists damage from knot contact.
Handle Options
Handle materials vary from piece to piece. Whatever the handle, check that the head sits tight before you chop.
In Stock In-Stock Lot
Axe Knives: 10-Piece Lot
A hand-picked lot of 10 axe knife pieces from stock. No two are alike, and features vary piece to piece. Every knife ships with a sheath. Choose your steel below.
Assorted is a mixed lot of axe knives, no two the same. 10% off all lots for a limited time. Free US shipping. 60-day returns. See our shipping and return policies.
Also on our eBay store (97.5% positive across 57,600+ ratings) and in our daily live Whatnot auctions (4.8★, 12,400+ reviews), at in-person shows, and for wholesale volume. Carry rules vary: see knife laws by state.
Care & Maintenance
Full care guide →- 1
Oil the head
Apply a coat of linseed oil or axe wax to the head after use. This prevents rust and maintains the forge-finish appearance.
- 2
Season a wooden handle
New wooden handles, hickory especially, benefit from 3–4 coats of boiled linseed oil, applied one week apart. This seasons the wood and swells the fibers for a tighter head fit.
- 3
Sharpen with a file
Use a 10-inch bastard mill file to sharpen the axe bit. Work from the cheek toward the edge at the existing bevel angle. Finish with a whetstone for a refined edge.
Axe Knives: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an axe knife?
What are axe knives used for?
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One of a kind
Each piece is the only one we made. Sold once, gone for good.
Hand-forged since 1993
Forged, ground, and finished at our own facility.
Warranty in the box
Every knife ships with our warranty card.
Free US shipping
Dispatched within 3 business days.
What Live Buyers Say
"great packaging and great over all product. shipped fairly quickly will definitely be buying from this guy again"
"These guys are legendary and their blades are sick!"
"Outstanding quality and Craftsmanship, incredible customer care, and fast shipping. I will be returning to shop again."
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