The Brant & Cochran Dirigo Belt Axe by BNC features a wooden handle and metal blade with a brown leather sheath, shown on a white background—an ideal packable tool for campfire enthusiasts.
The BNC Brant & Cochran Dirigo Belt Axe is a single-bladed Maine wedge pattern axe with a polished wooden handle and shiny U.S. tool steel head, shown on a white background.
A close-up of the Brant & Cochran Dirigo Belt Axe by BNC, showing its Maine wedge pattern head on a wooden handle. The U.S. tool steel blade is partially polished, with shiny silver contrasting a darker, rusted area near the top, set against plain white.
A close-up of the BNC Brant & Cochran Dirigo Belt Axe, featuring a polished metal blade and curved wooden handle, shown on a white background.

Brant & Cochran Dirigo Belt Axe

From $425.00 $0.00 /
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The Brant & Cochran Dirigo Belt Axe scales down the proven Maine wedge pattern into a packable 1.75-pound head on a 17-inch handle, delivering surprising power in a size that travels easily from backpack to belt. This compact Maine-forged axe maintains the same U.S. tool steel, heat treatment, and craftsmanship standards as its larger Allagash Cruiser sibling, creating a trail-ready tool that handles everything from kindling to camp maintenance.

Key Features:

  • 1.75-pound Maine wedge pattern head
  • 17-inch hickory handle
  • Forged from U.S. tool steel
  • Heat treated to Rockwell 56-58 hardness
  • Hand-honed sharp edge
  • Maine-made leather sheath included
  • Optional laser engraving available
  • Compact belt or pack size

Specifications:

  • Head weight: 1.75 pounds
  • Handle length: 17 inches
  • Pattern: Maine wedge
  • Steel: U.S. tool steel
  • Hardness: 56-58 Rockwell
  • Handle material: Hickory
  • Sheath: Custom Maine leather
  • Customization: Laser engraving available

Ideal for:

  • Backpacking and trail use
  • Campfire preparation
  • Kindling splitting
  • Wood stove maintenance
  • Vehicle emergency kit
  • Belt or pack carry
  • Day trips and short excursions
  • Gift giving with personalization

Benefits:

  • Compact size for easy transport
  • Maine wedge pattern proven over generations
  • Same quality as full-size models
  • Sharp edge maintained through proper heat treatment
  • Leather sheath ensures safe carry
  • Engraving option creates heirloom value
  • Versatile for camp and home use
  • Individually forged to exacting standards

Portable Power in Maine Tradition: The 1.75-pound head weight paired with the 17-inch handle creates a tool that defies expectations—light enough for all-day carry yet capable of real work when needed. The Maine wedge pattern, refined over generations in the North Woods, provides the thin profile needed for efficient chopping combined with enough mass behind the edge for splitting tasks. Each head undergoes individual forging and heat treatment to achieve 56-58 Rockwell hardness, the optimal range that maintains sharpness without becoming brittle. The hand-honing process creates what Maine craftsmen call a "wicked sharp" edge that bites deep despite the lighter weight. This attention to detail means the Dirigo performs well above what its compact size suggests, whether you're processing kindling at camp or maintaining trails.

Heirloom Quality in Compact Form: The option for laser engraving transforms this working tool into a personalized heirloom that connects generations through shared outdoor experiences. The same U.S. tool steel and hickory construction as the full-size Allagash Cruiser ensures this smaller axe will serve reliably for decades, developing the patina and character that mark well-used quality tools. The custom Maine-made leather sheath protects the sharp edge while adding another layer of regional craftsmanship. At 17 inches overall, it fits equally well on a belt, in a backpack, or tucked behind a truck seat, always ready when cutting needs arise. Whether you're maintaining a campfire, processing wood for the home hearth, or seeking a meaningful gift for someone who appreciates quality American tools, the Dirigo Belt Axe delivers Maine axe-making tradition in a size that goes anywhere.

Available for pickup
In stock at 873 US-1, Woolwich, ME 04579 · Usually ready in 24 hours

In stock at 873 US-1, Woolwich, ME 04579

Brant & Cochran Dirigo Belt Axe

Available for pickup

873 US-1, Woolwich, ME 04579

Usually ready in 24 hours

873 U.S. 1
Woolwich ME 04579
United States

+12074427938

The Brant & Cochran Dirigo Belt Axe scales down the proven Maine wedge pattern into a packable 1.75-pound head on a 17-inch handle, delivering surprising power in a size that travels easily from backpack to belt. This compact Maine-forged axe maintains the same U.S. tool steel, heat treatment, and craftsmanship standards as its larger Allagash Cruiser sibling, creating a trail-ready tool that handles everything from kindling to camp maintenance.

Key Features:

  • 1.75-pound Maine wedge pattern head
  • 17-inch hickory handle
  • Forged from U.S. tool steel
  • Heat treated to Rockwell 56-58 hardness
  • Hand-honed sharp edge
  • Maine-made leather sheath included
  • Optional laser engraving available
  • Compact belt or pack size

Specifications:

  • Head weight: 1.75 pounds
  • Handle length: 17 inches
  • Pattern: Maine wedge
  • Steel: U.S. tool steel
  • Hardness: 56-58 Rockwell
  • Handle material: Hickory
  • Sheath: Custom Maine leather
  • Customization: Laser engraving available

Ideal for:

  • Backpacking and trail use
  • Campfire preparation
  • Kindling splitting
  • Wood stove maintenance
  • Vehicle emergency kit
  • Belt or pack carry
  • Day trips and short excursions
  • Gift giving with personalization

Benefits:

  • Compact size for easy transport
  • Maine wedge pattern proven over generations
  • Same quality as full-size models
  • Sharp edge maintained through proper heat treatment
  • Leather sheath ensures safe carry
  • Engraving option creates heirloom value
  • Versatile for camp and home use
  • Individually forged to exacting standards

Portable Power in Maine Tradition: The 1.75-pound head weight paired with the 17-inch handle creates a tool that defies expectations—light enough for all-day carry yet capable of real work when needed. The Maine wedge pattern, refined over generations in the North Woods, provides the thin profile needed for efficient chopping combined with enough mass behind the edge for splitting tasks. Each head undergoes individual forging and heat treatment to achieve 56-58 Rockwell hardness, the optimal range that maintains sharpness without becoming brittle. The hand-honing process creates what Maine craftsmen call a "wicked sharp" edge that bites deep despite the lighter weight. This attention to detail means the Dirigo performs well above what its compact size suggests, whether you're processing kindling at camp or maintaining trails.

Heirloom Quality in Compact Form: The option for laser engraving transforms this working tool into a personalized heirloom that connects generations through shared outdoor experiences. The same U.S. tool steel and hickory construction as the full-size Allagash Cruiser ensures this smaller axe will serve reliably for decades, developing the patina and character that mark well-used quality tools. The custom Maine-made leather sheath protects the sharp edge while adding another layer of regional craftsmanship. At 17 inches overall, it fits equally well on a belt, in a backpack, or tucked behind a truck seat, always ready when cutting needs arise. Whether you're maintaining a campfire, processing wood for the home hearth, or seeking a meaningful gift for someone who appreciates quality American tools, the Dirigo Belt Axe delivers Maine axe-making tradition in a size that goes anywhere.

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