Different Kinds of Axes: How to Use and What o Use For
The axe has been used by people from all across the globe for thousands of years. It has proven its purpose in the building, cutting, chopping, and shaping of wood. From woodworking to fire making, an axe is an essential tool for the outdoors.
But there is not just one choice for an axe that is suitable for everyone. Axes come in plenty of different shapes and sizes that are customized for their purpose. Some can do one thing well, such as felling or splitting axes, while others have more versatility and can be used for a variety of functions. All axes share a commonality in their main focus: to cut through wood efficiently and concisely with consistency.
Something to keep in mind while browsing your next axe is the length and the weight of the axe. The bigger the axe, the less control you will have over accuracy as it takes more energy to swing. A smaller axe deals in precision but is less powerful. Our selection of Axes and Hatchets consists of Gransfors Bruk and Hunts Bruk where quality, as always, is guaranteed.
Felling Axes
To do any sort of wood chopping, you’re going to need a way to get a tree to the ground. Felling axes are used to chop down standing trees, traditional lumberjack style. This is done by standing offset of the tree and swinging laterally into the tree trunk continuously at an angle degree that ranges from flat about 45.
Length: 35”
Axe Head Weight: 3 lb.
This axe has two blades, one on each side. A classic style used since the stone age. The two bits of the axe is historically a symbol of life, with one end being the moon coming, and the other the moon going. Although this axe wasn’t built for symbolism. The blades appear symmetrical, but one blade is sharper than the other and meant for the actual felling of trees, and the other side is blunt and purposed for chopping the wood into smaller pieces for a fire or more rugged work. Dual bladed, dual purpose. The double bit axe has a straight handle to add to the symmetry, and with that and the two bits, there is an advantage in the balance of swinging this axe.
Length: 31” – 35”
Axe Head Weight: 3 lb. – 3.33 lb.
A staple in the axe game. This axe comes with either a curved or straight handle which can be decided upon personal preference. We carry 35 and 31-inch length options to gauge any job. The American Felling Axe serves its purpose of felling large trees, but this axe is equally capable of sectioning logs and limbing trees. An extremely sharp blade accompanies this axe which makes it a great all-around axe to have around for chopping, bucking, and felling of all sizes.
Length: 26”
Axe Head Weight: 1.75 lb.
Hults Bruk has been making axes since 1697, and this axe is a testament to their craftsmanship displayed time after time. A balance between weight and power enables this axe to be used for felling, sectioning, and limbing medium-size trees.
Splitting Axes
Logs are split usually into halves or quarters. To do this, find a large round log you can set the wood you want to split on. This prevents the axe from coming down into the ground at the end of the swing. Splitting a log with an axe requires a downward swing that strikes the log in the middle. The heads of the axe are designed to break the wood apart as it continues through the log.
Length: 20”
Axe Head Weight: 2 lb.
Handcrafted and purposed for splitting logs. This axe can be managed with one hand but might prefer two. A thin and sharp bit where the blade first meets the wood. As it travels quickly through the wood, the steel collar acts as a wedge to separate wood into two pieces.
Length: 27”
Axe Head Weight: 3.5 lb.
The big brother. The large splitting axe has many of the same characteristics of the small splitting axe but is made to handle more, as it is heavier and longer with a larger blade. This axe is designed to split large rounds of wood with power, thanks again to that concave steel collar.
Woodworking Axes
Used to shape, cut, and split wood for the use of carpentry and other wood building projects.
Length: 18”
Axe Head Weight: 1.5 lb.
This axe offers crafty precision in cutting and shaping wood. Ideal for general woodworking projects. You can notice the shape of the axe head was designed to have your hand placed in the groove. That groove gives you ample control of your cuts. The poll of the axe is useful for hammering, so you can keep it in your hand throughout the length of your project. Stability and sharpness are guaranteed.
Length: 14”
Axe Head Weight: 2 lb.
The artist’s choice. Ideal for carving bowls and other artistic woodworking projects. This is a short axe with a curved blade and a curved handle for precise chops and carvings. It almost meets the criteria for a hatchet but is slightly longer for larger cuts.
All-around Axes
These axes are great for campers, hunters, and outdoorsmen who need a tool that can manage all the tasks they want to get done.
Length: 14.75”
Axe Head Weight: 1 lb.
A perfect companion on your camping trip. This small axe can tackle the duties of chopping small trees up and preparing your group for the night’s fire.
Length: 25”
Axe Head Weight: 2.5 lb.
This an all-around forestry tool; a medium-sized axe, about as big as you’d want if you’re spending extended periods in the woods doing camping or bushcraft. Suitable for felling small and medium-sized trees with ease, while also giving you the ability to stock the fire with chopped wood. This isn’t an ideal axe for splitting but it can be used for that purpose when called upon.
Hatchets
A hatchet is often a multi-purpose. A common survival tool that can be handy for chopping and collecting limbs off of trees. It is also common for it to be used for splitting kindling for fires. Hatchets are smaller than traditional axes and are commonly swung with one hand.
Length: 19”
Head Weight: 2.2 lb.
A one-handed splitting machine. The head of this hatchet is specifically designed for splitting wood with a thin sharp blade that transitions to a broader section on the cheeks. The grip is sturdy and reassuring due to the circular grooves towards the end of the handle as well as the protective steel collar. Also, the thin blade at the bit of the head provides for that butter like feeling while cutting through smaller firewood.
Length: 9.5”
Head Weight: 1.3 lb.
If your list for a woodchopper requires packability, this one is as good as yours. Small enough for carvings and precision while containing the reliability to chop small logs and branches.
Length: 14”
Head Weight: 1 lb.
With the same head as the hand hatchet, the wildlife hatchet is the same level of quality with an added couple inches. Use this hatchet for carving and general chopping or lawn care work.
Length: 9.4”
Head Weight: 1 lb.
The ultimate one-hander. The Jonaker boasts Swedish forged steel with an American hickory handle. This hatchet is compact and perfect for lightweight duties such as kindling and de-limbing. To add to the collaboration, we’ve created an all in one hatchet package. With this small but mighty hatchet, we’ve included one of our very own axe holders. Your belt rejoices.
Happy chopping, friends!
Be the first to comment on “Different Kinds of Axes: How to Use and What to Use For”