In reply to jonnie3430:
For an axe, depending on what's going on on the axe head, you might be able to just fix a 1/4" screw through the axe permanently and then screw a little ball head on when you want. That's what I did on a Grivel Matrix Light hammer. Not sure if I have any handy pics of mine though.
here is a generic pic of the hammer
http://d176nk147hpzpn.cloudfront.net/c/cragx/images/products/large/8152/1/6...
I used the hole toward the hammer end. Two rubber grommets, a 1/4" screw (make sure it is 1/4" UNC - the thread pitch does matter!), and plenty of glue AND a couple of washers and a nut.
This ball head
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Ball-Socket-Head-38mm/dp/B00006JCPK
Here it is in action
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blue-straggler/6873239542/in/set-7215762931167...
I did it this way because I wanted to be able to mount a camera on the axe head and even try self-portraits while climbing (with remote release), which didn't work at all, but it was neat enough as a lightweight monopod as seen in my pic.
However mine has limitations, as you can see, the ball head is mounted "horizontally" so you need to work around that constraint, and there is no quick release - got to screw the head onto the axe and then screw the camera onto the head. A head with a QR plate would be too bulky for what I'd wanted to do.