Never yet having to clear a blown in portage my axe or hatchet has never seen the light of day between camps. Lucky me. Otherwise they'd be carried in hand and used across the first carry. Whichever I've chosen to bring along stays safe and sound inside a pack, as I haven't any sewn pocket on the outside. The axe handle protrudes from the top of my canvas pack but not so much as to be a snag-happy hinderance. In camp they'll reside in the wood processing spot, brought indoors overnight. I am leery of my own forgetfulness so I usually prefer to "put things away" as I do things.