US
Cold Steel

Cold Steel Trail Boss Axe 27 Inch

  • 27 inch overall length, hickory handle
  • 4 1/2 inch cutting edge on a 4 inch blade
  • 1 lb 13 oz head, 2 lb 9.5 oz total
  • 1055 carbon steel blade
  • European style head, plain edge

Last refreshed Jun 24, 2026 · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.

Our verdict

A carry-length camp axe with a hard-biting carbon steel head for kindling, trail clearing and modest felling. No sheath is listed in the box, so plan your own edge cover before packing it.

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ASIN: B001CZ9UY4Category: Axes

Overview

Backcountry trails and camp woodpiles are the settings Cold Steel designed the Trail Boss for. A European style carbon steel head on a straight-grained American hickory handle gives more reach than a hatchet while staying light enough to carry in hand or strapped to a pack.

Cold Steel balances a fairly heavy head against a mid-length handle, so each swing carries real momentum without the bulk of a full felling axe. Edge protection is the gap, since only the axe itself is listed in the box.

Who it's for

Campers, hunters and trail crews who chop kindling, clear limbs and build blinds on foot will use its reach and head weight well. Households splitting stove wood all winter need a heavier splitting maul.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Straight-grained American hickory handle
  • Weighted head bites deep per swing
  • Carry length fits on a pack
  • Handles kindling, trail clearing and small felling
Cons
  • Sheath not listed in the box
  • Not NATF legal for competition throwing
  • Hand wash only care
  • Too light for bulk firewood splitting

Performance notes

Cutting depth comes from head mass at the end of the handle: the weighted European head drives the edge into wood at moderate swing speed. Straight-grained hickory absorbs shock, which reduces sting in the hands. How sharp you hold the edge decides whether it bites into knots or glances off.

Specifications

BrandCold Steel
Dimensions & fit
Blade Length4 inches
Item Weight2.6 pounds
Item Dimensions L X W27 × 4 inches
Construction & materials
Blade Material1055 Carbon
Handle MaterialHickory,Steel
ColorMulti
Included components
Unit Count1
Number Of Packs1
Included ComponentsAxe
Warranty & support
Manufacturer Warranty DescriptionManufacturer Warranty
Other details
Head TypeHatchet
Blade EdgePlain
Number Of Items1
Style NameAxe
Item Type NameCold Steel, Trail Boss

Frequently asked questions

Is the Cold Steel Trail Boss a throwing axe?

No. The listing states it is not NATF legal. It is built for chopping kindling, clearing roads and trails, building blinds and chopping down a fair sized tree.

Does the Cold Steel Trail Boss come with a sheath?

Included components list only the axe. No sheath is listed, so plan for a separate edge cover.

How should I care for the Cold Steel Trail Boss?

Hand wash is the listed care instruction. The head is 1055 carbon steel and the handle is hickory.