10 best axes

The ax is a seemingly common tool that has been used for many thousands of years. And what else can you add to its design? There are only two components here: a butt and a cleaver. But here, too, there are characteristics. Anyone who has chopped wood at least once in his life knows how costly it is in terms of forces. In addition, the hatchet constantly strives to fly off, and the butt to split into small chips.

Modern axes differ significantly from those used by our ancestors. In particular, high-strength plastic has appeared, from which the butt is now made. It is much stronger than wood, and the attachment of the cleaver to it is so strong that the tool can withstand many years of work and does not break. New steel grades have also appeared. They blunt much more slowly, and do not split when hit with a sledgehammer. Simply put, choosing an ax is a very responsible task, at least if you want to make the process of chopping wood easier. And to make it easier for you, we have selected 10 of the most durable models with which the tedious and arduous process of felling will turn into fun.

Top 10 best axes

10 Hammerflex 236-006

A tool from China, which can be safely called the best combination of price and quality characteristics. A relatively inexpensive ax with excellent balance and comfortable ergonomics. Let's start with convenience. The handle is made of durable plastic with inserts at the grip. This insert prevents the handle from slipping out even when wet. The cleaver itself is quite heavy and made of alloy steel, but it is precisely in it that the reason for this product hitting the last place in the rating lies.

It's all about its shape. Yes, there are special protuberances here, which, in theory, should facilitate the chopping of firewood, but they are made too explicitly. That is, such a cleaver will not chop wood, but rather slow down the tool. Striking with such an ax, you will have to make much more effort than if it were of the correct shape. But if you use it exactly as a cleaver, and not as an ax, then this drawback is leveled, but the point is that modern axes are universal and can be used both for splitting and for chopping wood, and with such a tool it is impossible.

9 FISKARS X21

The next model is the ax of a well-known Finnish company that has existed since 1649, which simply could not fail to be included in our rating. The first thing that catches your eye is external attractiveness. Yes, there are no futuristic curves here. All lines are straight and even broken, but this is what adds brutality and charm to the instrument.

But external factors are secondary to the ax. But what about the technical aspects? Here they are also at their best. The blade has a curved shape, which is very convenient when chopping wood. When striking a blow, the cleaver falls on the surface of the log not with the entire plane, but gradually. That is, first the front part cuts into the tree, and the whole ax is plunged behind it. This greatly facilitates the splitting process, and the ergonomics of the handle allows you to work without significant hand fatigue for a long time.

8 STAYER PROStrike 20624-30

The German company STAYER is widely known among builders and craftsmen of all types. She produces the widest range of tools, including axes, one of which made it into our rating. STAYER is appreciated for its ideal value for money. Yes, their products cannot be called the best on the market, but for their money it is very difficult to find an alternative to them.

As for this product, here, as usual, every little thing is thought out, and at the same time there are no unnecessary bells and whistles. Comfortable and ergonomic handle used on all percussion instruments of the company. A heavy wedge-shaped cast-iron cleaver with a flat headboard. Strong connection of elements that does not crumble after a couple of unsuccessful hits. Everything you need for the perfect ax at the best price.By the way, this ax can be used both for its intended purpose and as a sledgehammer. The balancing and weight of the headboard allows us to do this, which means that we also have a versatile product in front of us, which is also an advantage.

7 Tulips

The handle is the first thing that breaks down with a heavy ax. She often takes blows with a sledgehammer if the cutter misses, and also dampens inertia. The best axes should have the strongest possible handle, and in this model it is implemented very well.

It is made of durable plastic that can withstand even direct hits on the body. A steel rod is laid inside, which takes on the energy of inertia. It is also worth mentioning ergonomics. The handle is very comfortable and equipped with a special insert at the grip. Here, the plastic is not so strong, but it does not slip out of hands even when wet, and a well-thought-out configuration allows you to work with the tool for a long time without fatigue in your hands. The cleaver also has its advantages. In addition to the high-quality steel used in the production, it has special bulges on the body, which split the wood, thereby further reducing the forces applied to the splitting.

6 Sturm 1015-12-FB3000

The most important thing in an ax is not even its weight and sharpness, but balancing. The handle should be lighter than a cleaver. Only under such conditions will logging be carried out practically effortlessly. However, the handle should not be too light so that you can feel the weight of the tool and control its fall and direction of impact. And here we have, perhaps, the best option with perfect balancing. It is both an ax and a sledgehammer.

It is quite easy to check the balancing. You just need to put the ax upright and release it. If both sides have the same weight, the tool will remain in an even position afterwards. Simply put, this product can be used for two purposes at once, and this is not the end of its benefits. The ax is equipped with a sturdy plastic handle with a steel rod inside, and the cleaver itself is made of high-alloy steel, which easily withstands blows from a heavy sledgehammer to the headboard. The price will also please, which is lower than that of most similar analogs.

5 GARDENA 08718

The German company Gardena is famous for the highest quality and durable tools. In particular with axes. In their manufacture, a special grade of steel is used, which easily withstands heavy impacts and on which notches remain.

But even the best and strongest steel cannot last forever. At least its sharpening. And in this model, the manufacturers decided to add a tool for sharpening it to the ax. Of course, you can sharpen an ax in the old fashioned way, on a grindstone. But how long will it take and how much energy will it take? Everything is simple here. You insert the handle into the slots on the tool and simply pull it. There are several diamond elements hidden inside, which, with just a few leash, sharpen the ax to such an extent that it will chop a hair, which they like to show in various films. By the way, the price for such a set is quite low. By the way, Gardena also has more expensive axes in the arsenal, and even without additional options in the form of a sharpening tool.

4 Sorokin Splitting ax

In ancient times, each blacksmith had its own mark, which could be said to be a brand. Product quality mark. Now companies are engaged in the production of tools, but the names of their founders are not forgotten. As in this case. The ax bears the name of its author, and this is not just the owner of the company, but the person who has developed a special shape of the blade and an ergonomic handle.

It is the combination of these factors that makes this tool attractive to the buyer. On the one hand, it is a light one-handed ax, and on the other, a cleaver, since the shape of the headboard is designed for striking the surface, and the shape of the blade is such that it can split even an oak log.And the main advantage here is the ability to work alone. That is, you can hold a cleaver in one hand, and a hammer in the other, and you do not have to constantly change the tool. By the way, the ergonomics of the handle are thought out with just such an application in mind. It does not slip in your hands and provides a comfortable grip that does not tire your hands.

3 Park AXE30F

A cleaver is different from a regular ax. First of all, the fact that the cleaver, as a rule, is beaten with a sledgehammer. That is, he must dig into the log, but he does not do the main blow. It turns out that the main load goes to the headboard, and everything is provided for in this model. First of all, a powerful hatchet made of durable cast iron with a flat top. Next, we see a reliable attachment to the butt, which is practically soldered into a plastic insert.

The total weight of the product is more than three kilograms, and this is when you take into account the lightest handle made of durable beech. Chopping firewood with such an ax allows you to make no effort at all. All you need to do is swing harder and let the tool fall in the right place. Then everything will be done by a sharply sharpened blade and a heavy headboard. And after the cleaver is fixed in the log, you can safely hit it with a heavy sledgehammer, splitting even the most durable tree.

2 SKRAB 20114

They say that the classics never go out of fashion, and this product is a direct proof of that. If you are not a fan of futuristic design and incomprehensible bells and whistles, then this ax is especially for you. There are no frills here, neither in terms of design, nor in terms of technical characteristics. Quite an ordinary cleaver with a wooden handle.

True, the advantages can be found here, otherwise SKRAB simply would not have made it into our rating. Let's start with the handle, which here is made of beech, and as you know, this is the best wood for making handles, albeit an expensive one. The beech is durable and does not split on the first impact. But at the same time, it is as light as possible, and in the case of an ax this is a very important aspect, since the overweight towards the headboard greatly facilitates the process of chopping firewood. There are also changes in the cleaver itself. He received additional bends on the piercing part. The principle of operation here is approximately the following: the blade bites into the log, and the bulges on the body split it along the entire length. This is such a manifestation of engineering thought in a product that is simple at first glance.

1 GARDENA 2800S

It would seem, as usual, in fact, an ax can cost 4 thousand rubles. For which the manufacturer takes that kind of money. But look at it more closely, and you will even visually determine all the advantages of this tool. First, the most comfortable and ergonomic handle. It is made of durable plastic with steel reinforcement. Secondly, high-alloy steel, which practically does not dull and easily withstands blows from a sledgehammer. And thirdly, the fastening of the elements. The steel headboard is poured into the handle, and it will not be easy to separate them even with a strong desire.

These and many other parameters, such as balanced weight, fully justify the seemingly high cost of the tool. Buying such a cleaver, you get a durable and strong product that will not fall apart after several uses. Well, in the end, visual appeal. Yes, an ax can hardly be called a beautiful tool. But take another look at the photo of the GARDENA 2800S. How is it? Have you changed your mind?