Best splitting axe

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If you're hunting for a splitting axe or camping hatchet, we swung 12 of the best to help you find the perfect fit. After researching over 40 compelling options, we bought the top contenders to test blade-to-blade. We cleared birch trees in Maine, split oak rounds into firewood, and stacked kindling for a long northern winter. Down south, we bucked up fallen locust logs and chopped down and limbed every invasive autumn olive tree we could find. It's hard to know how well an axe will bite, split, and deliver force without swinging it.

Best splitting axe

After foolishly agreeing to have nearly two cords of large pine rounds dumped on our driveway last spring, we spent the summer hauling, drying, splitting, and stacking wood with each of these axes in order to find the best and bring you our recommendations. This particular load of wood put our lineup of splitting axes and our axe-wielding testers through the wringer. We faced freshly cut pine rounds ranging from 14 to over 30 inches in diameter that gave us all the twisty, sappy grain structures and dense, chunky knots we could handle. While we were lucky enough to split some rounds with one or two easy strikes, other more heinous pieces took up to 20 or 30 well-placed blows for the timber to finally relent. We purchased and tested a wide variety of the top splitting axes from around the world, from hand-forged heirloom-quality pieces of Scandinavian descent, to more modern designs with higher-tech materials, to American-made hardware store-style tools. Its 5. Its hand-forged steel head has a relatively thin blade that widens to a broader wedge shape, making it efficient for splitting without bouncing off of harder woods or getting too deeply embedded in softer woods. The splitting maul design also has a poll on the opposite side of the blade that can be used for striking a splitting wedge or pounding stakes. The The handle also includes a protective steel collar below the head that helps protect the handle from accidental damage. While the Gransfors Bruk Splitting Maul has a higher price tag than most, it is both an effective and versatile tool as well as an heirloom-quality piece of craftsmanship. From the first look to the last swing, it has a premium aesthetic, feel, and performance. Under normal use and with proper care, we could see this axe being passed down to the next generation. These models have varying weights and lengths but a similar overall design. Standout features include the comfortable and lightweight inch composite handle and a unique head shape that is very efficient for splitting.

Cutting axes have a sharp, narrow blade with a long cutting edge, and are designed to cut against the grain of the wood for tasks such as trimming branches or felling trees.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. It can be a time for reflection and even meditation. That said, your enjoyment of the chore will be dramatically affected by the tools you choose. But the right axe for splitting wood can prevent all of that. One with a comfortable and ergonomic handle, heavy head, and sharp blade will make the job much more efficient and enjoyable.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. It can be a time for reflection and even meditation. That said, your enjoyment of the chore will be dramatically affected by the tools you choose. But the right axe for splitting wood can prevent all of that. One with a comfortable and ergonomic handle, heavy head, and sharp blade will make the job much more efficient and enjoyable. But how do you know what axes are suited for splitting wood? We rounded up the best of the best so you can find the right axe for splitting wood and other tasks you may encounter. Growing up in Wisconsin, the cold winters test your resiliency.

Best splitting axe

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more. Enjoying the warmth of a wood-burning fireplace is priceless to many, but buying firewood can be expensive. Axes can be, and most often are, job specific. Some of the best axes are specialized for certain types of splitting or felling, while a few offer multiple uses. To help narrow the field to the best axes for specific tasks, we considered 20 axes, tested 13, and whittled those down to the top picks for our list.

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Get the Gransfors Bruks axe at Amazon. A lighter axe will be easier to swing and will likely cause less fatigue over repeated swinging, but will generally provide less splitting force than a heavier axe assuming the same swing speed. This one will do the job, and do it surprisingly well for its size. Made of a single piece of carbon steel with a polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE coating and a rubberized grip, this seems like a hatchet that will last. The process is simple and effective. Since the widest portion is centered over the hickory handle, it feels light and lively in hand, even though the head itself is made of dense, heavy, high-quality steel that seems to hold an edge exceptionally well. The axe head is forged from Swedish axe steel. Nearly all axes are supplied with a head or blade cover. But remember to also consider these factors before buying your next axe. Cutting axes have a sharp, narrow blade with a long cutting edge, and are designed to cut against the grain of the wood for tasks such as trimming branches or felling trees. Compared to many of the traditional axes in our test, the kindling cracker is expensive but there are a couple that cost more and it does come with a five year warranty. This material can also handle external influences. WOOX might then be your perfect match. You can then remove your hand and strike the wood again, until it splits.

Splitting wood is essential if you want to use the logs you have for fuel. Also, the process has a satisfying feeling when you cut down a seemingly daunting chunk of wood into smaller pieces.

Fiskars owns Gerber, so this is just a smaller version of the X27 mentioned above. The handle and head are held together by a unique Rotband-Plus connection system that is confidence-inspiring and aesthetically pleasing. This axe is also light and compact enough to work in the small spaces and awkward positions that felling trees requires. We've had versions of these axes for years and have yet to detect a crack. After using both, our tester preferred the leather handle because of the additional safety provided by the knuckle guard. Pros Large, heavy head helps power through tough logs Affordable price. But the right axe for splitting wood can prevent all of that. The Best Hand Saws Tested in The axe head is forged carbon steel and the handle is shaped and slightly flared at the base, making the axe very comfortable to hold and ensuring a secure grip. Fiskars uses modern materials and production techniques. Estwing forges the Sportsman's Axe from a single piece of steel in the U. It has a large, massive head that quickly narrows to a concave shape and a fairly narrow blade edge. Estwing Fireside Friend.