Best splitting axe

Looking for a splitting axe? But not sure which one to choose?

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! Of course, a good axe also makes a big difference. To find out which is the best axe for splitting wood, we called in five of the most popular models and put them to the test. I cut wood with each axe for a week, but I also used them side by side, taking into consideration chopping power, swing weight, ease of use, and how they worked with small and large pieces of wood.

Best splitting axe

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. So we did the hard work for you, testing their balance, precision, and ability to hold an edge in real-world conditions. Whether you need a top-notch splitter, an excellent camp hatchet, or a new all-around favorite, we found a great option for you. A folding saw or pocket knife are other handy tools to have around when you're out camping in one of our favorite tents. If you need to get serious about your wood-cutting endeavors, check out our reviews of the best chainsaws on the market, including battery-operated options. We've also tested the top-rated fire pits on the market if you just want to stay cozy at home. If you need a tool that can put up a stack of firewood and take down mid-sized trees, the Fiskars Chopping Axe is the best option we've tested. The inch handle and sharp blade lend enough power to make quick work of the 6 to inch trees we cut down. This axe is also light and compact enough to work in the small spaces and awkward positions that felling trees requires.

The head has a blade on one side and a sledgehammer on the other for splitting wedges. However, they liked that the wood handle offers extra grip from ergonomic finger grooves.

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.

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.

Aljamain sterling weight

The rest tend to be too small. The best of both worlds! Cons Longer handle may not be ideal for everyone Lighter weight is less powerful than heavier axes Composite handle cannot be replaced if it breaks though it is very strong. However, the price is exceptionally high, and the two-year guarantee is disappointingly short for the price and this level of quality. It would be easy to injure yourself with this axe. Estwing forges the Sportsman's Axe from a single piece of steel in the U. He grew up felling and milling trees to build fences and barns on the family dairy farm. Models with high scores and low price tags will always be a great buy. Q: Is a dull axe better for splitting wood? March issue with FREE tomato and flower seeds. The curved wooden handle delivers the brawny blade with minimal effort to maximal effect. It struggled a bit on anything over 15 inches or so in diameter, easily getting stuck in the wood on hard and fast swings into larger log pieces.

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. Perhaps you could use any axe you may have, but that will only make the work more difficult, tedious and rough on your hands.

They were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:. 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. We tested these blades right out of the box to compare their sharpness. Sharp, small, and durable, the Estwing Sportsman's axe is a stout tool that's great for splitting kindling and trimming limbs. The hickory handle has a FiberComp overlay collar to provide protection against damage from overstrikes. Share on pinterest. Cons Heavy head with short handle feels awkward for splitting Still requires a full swing to be effective Short handle puts user closer to impact zone. This load of wood was the perfect testing ground to find the best axe for splitting wood. It's a little more compact than you are used to from the average splitting axe. Down south, we bucked up fallen locust logs and chopped down and limbed every invasive autumn olive tree we could find. We go hunting for tasks to tackle with this tool because it's so great to use.