Ranking of the best axes in 2020

No matter how society changes from generation to generation, there are things that do not disappear from human activity. Everyone, of course, remembers from the school curriculum the ancient man with the stone ax. So this ancient instrument will be discussed in this article, more precisely, about its modern species and functional diversity.

How to choose

What types are there

The differences between the axes, first of all, lie in their purpose. Depending on this, their external characteristics are also determined: the length of the handle, the angle of sharpening of the blade, etc. Therefore, first you need to outline the selection criteria and decide for what purposes the tool is purchased.

The so-called splitting axes are intended for splitting firewood. They are usually massive and heavy, with a large sharpening angle forming a sharp wedge and a long handle.

We offer joiner's and carpenter's axes for wood processing. With the same goals, but with more advanced functionality, universal tools for felling can cope. The weight of such products is average - from 0.8 kg to 1.5 kg, the sharpening angle is small, about 35 °, the length of the handle is 40-50 cm.

A hiking assistant with a self-explanatory name - tourist, speaks for itself. It is a lightweight, small tool that is designed to be carried comfortably on outdoor trips.

There are many more types, but the ones listed above are the most common.

Weight

An important parameter is weight. When choosing a construction tool, you can face conflicting feelings. On the one hand, it is easier to work with light weight and use less effort to swing, but, on the other hand, the more weight, the faster the log will split. Therefore, here you also need to take into account for what purposes the tool is purchased. Many manufacturers offer models from 1.5 kg as cleavers. Such a means for processing wood, of course, is suitable for splitting, but only small diameter logs. A real cleaver cannot be light, because the power of the blow depends on its weight. For wood splitting, the weight must be more than 2 kg.

For not heavy work on processing wood, chopping off branches from a tree or for hiking, a product weighing 1-1.2 kg is suitable.

Although before buying, everyone selects the weight for themselves, holding it in their hand and realizing how easy it will be for him to work.

Lever

The most popular models are made with a hardwood handle - a traditional material that has proven itself to be reliable and comfortable. Many tree species provide shock-cushioning resilience.What to look for in such a pen is the fibers. They must necessarily go along the handle, and the material itself must be free of cracks. The disadvantage of such a handle is drying out over time, so you should choose options for coated handles.

An undesirable option is all-metal handles. Most often, such tools come with a rubberized handle, because without this addition, the ax can slide in the hands. But even with such an addition, the disadvantages are high weight, exposure to the environment and recoil to the hand during impact.

The good characteristics of the fiberglass pen have made it popular in the market. The fiberglass handle, as it is also called fiberglass, allows you to increase the service life, does not corrode, reduces vibration upon impact and withstands heavy loads.

The plastic handle is less secure than previous options, but it absorbs shock with ease and is lightweight.

Blade

One of the most important details is the working part. It is made of steel. The most durable is considered to be alloyed, but also a widespread hydrocarbon, which is also considered good according to buyers.

You can check the quality of the steel by hitting the blade and, if the sound is not dull and prolonged, then such steel is of good quality.

The blade width and the sharpening angle, as mentioned above, depend on the functional purpose. So, a large width is needed when working with large logs and felling trees. Carpentry, joinery, tourist tools have an average blade width. A splitting ax for chopping wood is endowed with a narrow blade with a sharpening angle of 25-30 ° and a massive butt. Sharpening for wood processing is 35 °.

The nicest axes

The construction tools market offers a wide range of axes at a high price and budget options, but when choosing which company is better, you need to take into account that the best manufacturers, who have been selling their goods for several days and have earned the popularity of their models, will not risk their reputation by selling low-quality products ...

The following review of the best axes, the quality of which is confirmed by the description, ratings of quality products and customer reviews, will help to determine which tool for chopping is better to buy.

Ax "Whirlwind" T600F

Designed for carpentry work with wood, but due to its low weight, only 0.6 kg, it will be an excellent helper when going out into the countryside.

The design is stylish, combining black and orange colors.

Blade material - tool steel processed by open-die forging. The hardness of the steel is 48-52 HRc from the possible range of 42-64 HRc. This is a small figure, but it is enough for simple household work.

The rubberized 36 cm fiberglass handle provides a comfortable handling by absorbing vibrations. In addition, it is quite durable and not affected by the environment.

The manufacturer is the Russian company "Vikhr", the assembly is carried out in China.

Average price: 485 rubles.

• ergonomic handle;
• stylish design;
• the company produces inexpensive construction tools.

• low hardness of steel.

Touring ax FISKARS X5

The compact and handy FISKARS ax is perfect for hiking trips.

The handle is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic with a rough anti-friction coating, even when wet, grips well and does not slip. And for greater reliability, there is a palm holder underneath. It is hollow inside, so the bulk of the tool is the working part, which is made of high quality steel. It has a secure fit to the handle.

The blade itself is sharp and easy to sharpen. The butt is narrow and not designed for driving nails.

The black color of the ax is not very convenient, as it can get lost against the background of the ground.

Lightweight 0.56 kg, small length 231 mm, the included tarpaulin cover and a through hole in the hanging handles allow you to take this tool on any trip to nature.

The manufacturer is the Finnish company FISKARS.

Average cost: 2450 rubles.

• case included;
• compact with good balance;
• ergonomic.

• butt cannot be used as a hammer.

Splitting ax Stayer Professional (20623-20)

The versatile 2kg ax is perfect for carpentry and joinery. The German manufacturer of the Stayer trademark has laid down reliability and ergonomics in this tool. The working part is made of tool forged hardened steel with a sharpening angle of 30 °. Quality material guarantees a long service life.

The rubberized fiberglass handle in the combined black and yellow color provides a secure grip in the hand. And to increase the impact power, the handle length is ideally matched, which is 72 cm.

For convenient carrying and storage, the set includes a plastic case and a through hole in the handle. The average cost of a cleaving ax is 1100 rubles. The manufacturer gives a 1 year warranty.

• Professional series - professional tool;
• good value for money;
• optimal handle length.

• not identified.

Splitting ax Inforce 725 mm 1500 g 06-12-05

Inforce is a brand of a Russian manufacturer, but made in China.

A small and compact ax will become an indispensable tool for short trips to nature. With a weight of 1.5 kg, it is easy to carry.

The working part is made of steel covered with materials that reduce friction. Sharpening angle of 30 ° can be easily driven into a log with one swing. The total blade width is 9 cm.

Safe operation is ensured by a butt pressed into the handle, which will not allow the blade to fly out during operation.

The handle itself is made of fiberglass reinforced and is 725 mm long.

The package includes a cover that is fixed on the working part.

Average price: 2355 rubles.

• reliable attachment of the blade to the handle;
• sharpening quality;
• the presence of a hole for suspension.

• small diameter suspension hole;
• the blade "reacts painfully" to metal objects falling under it during operation.

Hunting ax (Izhevsk), 21665

Since the release of the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle, Izhevsk has been famous for its simplicity, but at the same time for the quality and reliability of the products it admits.

Hardened steel and birch handle - this classic is a timeless and popular choice.

The handle lies well in the hand, the only thing is that there is no vibration absorption and shocks are absorbed into the hand.

The weight of the ax is 1200 g and the sharp blade is excellent for both small woodworking and chopping wood.

Average cost: 1200 rubles.

• low price;
• good sharpening;
• simple yet reliable.

• does not absorb shocks.

Tactical Tomahawk SOG FastHawk Tactical Tomahawk 5.1

Not really a tool for working with wood, but rather for self-defense or entertainment, but still, in short trips to nature, it can help to make a fire and have fun.

The low hardness of 420 steel, only 52-53 HRc, of course, is not designed for serious work. Satin finish blade - sanding without polishing.

The entire tool weighs only 480 g, and its length is 31.8 cm, of which the blade is 5.1 cm. Such a small weight and an additional hole for a belt or cord helps to carry such an assistant for a long time without getting tired.

The thermoplastic handle is absolutely non-slip in the hand.

With its small functionality, the "tomahawk" looks stylish and effective both in work and in the nylon case that is included in the package.

This hand tool from a Chinese manufacturer costs 4,330 rubles.

• lightweight and compact;
• can be used for both work and entertainment.
• case included.

• little functionality.

Carpenter's ax with a nail puller ZiPOWER PM4261

It is convenient to use a tool with some additional useful function.Such a useful addition to the ZiPOWER PM4261 ax is the nailer. This construction assistant is excellent at felling trees and other woodworking tasks. At the same time, he helps not only to build, but also to disassemble, listening to unnecessary nails.

The blade is made of high quality steel and hardened using a special technology heat treatment and finishing (Satin finish). This method guarantees the quality and durability of the material.

A comfortable handle with a rubberized nozzle, resistant to aggressive environments and technical fluids, fits comfortably in the hand and absorbs shocks. This ergonomics and a weight of 0.6 kg ensure comfortable handling even with small parts.

The average price for such a functional assistant: 390 rubles.

• nail puller function;
• ergonomic handle;
• inexpensive prices of this brand.

• not identified.

Hammer Ax Shtil

The large and powerful hammer ax is suitable for splitting bulky wood materials.

The head is made of forged steel. There is a small blade on the blade, making it easier to work when chopping. The massive butt easily clogs felling wedges made of any material.

The long 85 cm ash ax and 3 kg of the weight of the tool itself provide a powerful blow.

Simple enough, but periodically necessary on the farm.

The hammer-ax is produced in China, sold with a 1 year warranty.

Average cost: 2620 rubles.

• powerful for bulky timber;
• handle length;
• universal option for chopping and hammering.

• not identified.

Sledgehammer Ax GARDENA 1600S

The chopping ax with sledgehammer function is ideal for any firewood harvesting job.

The blade has a special coating that resists friction and prevents the ax from getting stuck in the tree. The sharpening angle is specially designed for splitting fired wood. Unfortunately, this geometry is of little use in other types of woodwork.

The 60 cm glass fiber reinforced plastic handle lightens the weight of the tool, which is 11,200 g.

There is a stainless steel pad under the blade to protect it in case of a miss.

The sledgehammer ax is ideally balanced and balanced for a powerful blow. These parameters make the work process easier and increase productivity.

The sledgehammer functions allow you to drive in felling wedges effortlessly.

The German company GARDENA provides a 25-year warranty for its products.

Average cost: 3360 rubles.

• quality materials and assembly;
• good ratio of weight and length of the handle;
• sledgehammer function.

• light weight.

Survival ax United Cutlery Bushmaster Survival Ax UC2962

The American manufacturer United Cutlery with production in China offers its consumers a real taiga option - a survival ax.

The 420 stainless steel with a hardness of 56-58 HRc, from which a curved blade with a length of 102 mm is made and a pointed tip on the back side, will cope with any difficulties in the wild.

The nylon handle is located at the bottom of the ax.

The small length of 343 mm and the weight of 1.27 kg allow you to wear it over long distances without straining. This is facilitated by the nylon cover, which comes complete with 12 additional items needed in the wild: sewing needles, hooks, sinkers and fishing line, compass, whistle, matches, paracord, help from snake bites.

This irreplaceable assistant is certified according to GOST and does not require special permission to wear it.

Average cost of an ax for implantation: 2970 rubles.

• multifunctional additional set;
• compact and not heavy;
• comfortable handle, remote from the blade.

• not identified.

All of the above axes, of course, will perform a certain amount of work and will find grateful users, but no matter what country the brand belongs to, most of them are made in Chinese factories, albeit in good quality.

And, if they are perfect for a picnic or small household chores outside the city, then a cleaver for preparing firewood for the winter must be carefully selected.

Collectible axes

For those who are anxious about their tool, and who are allowed financial means, below are examples of cleavers from Scandinavian manufacturers who really "live" not in China, with a centuries-old history of manufacturing tools and hand tools.

Such axes are not cheap, as such tools can be called collectible.

Ax for carpentry Husqvarna (5769265-01)

This ax, like the previous model, is designed for carpentry work. The whole structure allows you to easily carry out woodwork. The thin, straight edge of the blade removes chips and does other woodworking work. At the same time, for the most convenient use, the hand can be placed near the blade itself, which is facilitated by the notch near the ax. Hand-forged Swedish steel makes the construction tool durable and reliable.

American hazel wood handle. It has a through hole at the bottom, which makes it possible to conveniently carry the instrument with you. The package includes a leather case.

The weight of 1.5 kg and the length of 50 cm also contribute to comfortable and high-quality work.

Country of origin: Sweden.

The average price is 4500 rubles.

• quality materials;
• includes a leather case for the blade;
• reliability.

• not identified.

Forged splitting ax Splitting Maul from the Swedish manufacturer "Granfors Bruks"

A real Swedish cleaver. Reliability is evident at first glance. Any log lends itself to weight over 3 kg. The working part is forged from high-carbon steel by blacksmiths by hand using technologies that have passed the test of time. A massive hammer-shaped butt will drive any wedge made of any material.

The 81 cm handle is made of hickory wood, a variety of hazel, impregnated with wax and linseed oil for long-lasting protection. On top of the handles there is a metal cover for protection.

This tool, the price of which starts at 19,000 rubles, is a real work of art.

The leather protective cover makes the transfer safe, protecting against injuries during careless movements.

• the highest quality materials and workmanship;
• high performance;
• handmade.

• high price.

Sledgehammer "Wetterlings" Splitting maul №146

Another Scandinavian specimen on our market.

The long and narrow blade handles very large logs. The working part is made of steel alloyed with silicon, manganese and vanadium. After that, it was hardened and brought to a hardness of 58-59 HRc.

The 800 mm long handle gives the tool a powerful impact force, and the narrow blade easily splits any wood, and the impact butt effortlessly drives wedges.

Hickory wood handles protect flax oil from the environment.

All parts are securely held together with metal and wood wedges.

The weight of 2.5 kg confirms the strength and reliability of this sledgehammer ax.

The instrument comes with a leather protective case. Average cost: 8300 rubles.

• reliability and quality;
• manufacturer with many years of experience;
• excellent performance.

• not identified.

In order not to make mistakes when choosing an ax, it is necessary to carefully study the characteristics of the tool. Detailed information and how much the product costs can be found on the manufacturer's website or in online stores.