Rating of the best axes in 2022

No matter how society changes from generation to generation, there are things that do not disappear from human activity. Everyone, of course, remembers the ancient man with a stone ax from the school curriculum. 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

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 the blade, etc. Therefore, first you need to identify the selection criteria and decide for what purpose the tool is being purchased.

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

Woodworking and carpentry axes are offered for woodworking. With the same goals, but with a more advanced functionality, universal cutting tools cope. The weight of such products is average - from 0.8 kg to 1.5 kg, the sharpening angle is small, about 35 °, the handle length is 40-50 cm.

Hiking assistant with a speaking name - tourist, speaks for itself. It's a lightweight, small tool designed to be carried comfortably on field trips.

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

The weight

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

For not heavy work on woodworking, chopping 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 them to work.

Lever

The most popular models are made with a hardwood handle - this is a traditional material that has proven itself to be reliable and comfortable. Many tree species create elasticity that softens the blow. 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 coated handle options should be selected.

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

The good performance of the fiberglass pen has made it popular in the market. The fiberglass handle, also called fiberglass, allows you to increase the service life, is not subject to corrosion, reduces vibration upon impact and withstands heavy loads.

The plastic handle is less secure than previous options, but absorbs shock with ease and is light in weight.

Blade

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

You can check the quality of steel by tapping on the blade and, if the sound is not deaf and long, then such steel is of good quality.

The width of the blade and the angle of sharpening, as mentioned above, depend on the functional purpose. So, a large width is needed to work with large logs and felling trees. Carpentry, carpentry, travel tools have an average blade width. The splitting ax for chopping firewood is endowed with a narrow blade with a sharpening angle of 25-30 ° and a massive butt. Sharpening for woodworking is 35°.

The best 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 more than a day 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 goods and customer reviews, will help you decide which cutting tool is better to buy.

Ax "Whirlwind" T600F

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

The design is stylish, combines black and orange colors.

Blade material - tool steel, processed by free forging. The hardness of the steel is 48-52 HRc out of a possible range of 42-64 HRc. This is a small indicator, but for simple economic work it is enough.

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

The manufacturer is the Russian company "Whirlwind", the assembly is made in China.

Average price: 485 rubles.

• ergonomic handle;
• stylish design;
• The company manufactures inexpensive construction tools.

• low hardness steel.

Tourist ax FISKARS X5

The compact and handy FISKARS ax is perfect for hiking.

The handle made of reinforced fiberglass with a rough anti-friction coating, even wet, holds well in the hand and does not slip. And for greater reliability, there is a palm holder at the bottom. Inside it is hollow, so the main mass of the tool is the working part, which is made of high quality steel. It has a secure grip.

The blade itself is sharp and sharpens easily. The butt is narrow and not intended for driving nails.

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

Light weight of 0.56 kg, small length of 231 mm, a canvas cover included in the kit, and a through hole in the handles for hanging allow you to take such a tool on any trip to nature.

The manufacturer is the Finnish company FISKARS.

Average cost: 2450 rubles.

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

• the butt cannot be used as a hammer.

Splitting ax Stayer Professional (20623-20)

The versatile 2kg ax is perfect for carpentry and joinery work.The German manufacturer of the brand name Stayer put reliability and ergonomics into this tool. The working part is made of tool forged hardened steel with a sharpening angle of 30°. High quality material guarantees a long service life.

The rubberised fiberglass handle in a black/yellow combo provides a secure grip. And to increase the impact power, the length of the handle, which is 72 cm, is ideally matched.

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

• Professional series - a 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 is made in China.

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

The working part made of steel is covered with materials that reduce friction. The 30° sharpening angle easily hammers into logs in one fell swoop. 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 reinforced fiberglass and has a length of 725 mm.

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

Average price: 2355 rubles.

• secure attachment of the blade to the handle;
• sharpening quality;
• hole for hanging.

• hole for hanging small diameter;
• the blade "painfully reacts" to metal objects that fall 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 its products.

With hardened steel and birch handle, this timeless classic is a hit.

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 perfectly copes with both small woodwork and chopping firewood.

Average cost: 1200 rubles.

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

• does not absorb shock.

Tactical Tomahawk SOG FastHawk Tactical Tomahawk 5.1

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

The low hardness of 420 steel, only 52-53 HRc, of course, is not designed for serious work. The blade has been treated with a Satin finish - 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 contribute to the transfer of 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 impressive both in operation and in the nylon case that is included in the package.

This hand tool from a Chinese manufacturer costs 4330 rubles.

• light and compact;
• Can be used for both work and play.
• case included.

• low functionality.

Carpenter's ax with nail puller ZiPOWER PM4261

It is convenient to use the tool with some additional useful function. Such a useful addition to the ZiPOWER PM4261 ax is a nail puller. This construction helper is great for cutting trees and other woodwork. At the same time, it 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 of 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 liquids fits comfortably in the hand and absorbs shocks. This ergonomics and weight of 0.6 kg ensure comfortable work even with small parts.

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

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

• not identified.

Ax-hammer Shtil

Large and powerful hammer ax suitable for splitting large wood materials.

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

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

Quite simple, but periodically necessary in the economy.

The ax-hammer is made in the People's Republic of China, is on sale with a guarantee 1 year.

Average cost: 2620 rubles.

• powerful for large-sized timber;
• handle length;
• universal option for cutting and driving.

• not identified.

Sledgehammer GARDENA 1600S

The splitting ax with a sledgehammer function is ideal for any woodworking job.

The blade has a special coating that prevents friction and does not allow the ax to get stuck in the tree. The sharpening angle is designed specifically for splitting firewood. Unfortunately, this geometry is of little use in other types of woodwork.

The 60cm glass fiber reinforced plastic handle lightens the weight of the tool which is 11200g.

Under the blade is a stainless steel lining that protects it in case of a miss.

The axe-sledgehammer has ideally distributed weight and balance for a powerful blow. These parameters facilitate the work process and increase productivity.

The functions of the sledgehammer allow you to drive felling wedges without any extra effort.

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.

United Cutlery Bushmaster Survival Ax UC2962

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

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

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

A small length of 343 mm and a weight of 1.27 kg allow you to carry it over long distances without straining. This is facilitated by a nylon sheath that comes with 12 additional items needed in the wild: sewing needles, hooks, sinkers and fishing line, compass, whistle, matches, paracord, snakebite relief.

This indispensable assistant is certified according to GOST and no special permission is required to wear it.

The average cost of an ax of survival: 2970 rubles.

• multifunctional additional set;
• compact and not heavy;
• convenient 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 harvesting firewood for the winter must be selected carefully.

Collectible axes

For those who are anxious about their tool and who are financially able, below are specimens of cleavers from Scandinavian manufacturers that really “live” not in China, with a centuries-old history in the production of tools and hand tools.

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

Carpenter's ax Husqvarna (5769265-01)

This ax, like the previous model, is designed for carpentry. The whole design allows you to easily perform woodworking.The thin, straight edge of the blade removes chips and performs other woodworking tasks. At the same time, for the most convenient use, the hand can be placed at the blade itself, which is facilitated by a notch near the ax handle. Hand forged Swedish steel makes the construction tool durable and reliable.

American hazel wood handle. At the bottom it has a through hole, which makes it convenient to carry the tool with you. The package includes a leather case.

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

Country of origin: Sweden.

The average price is 4500 rubles.

• quality materials;
• comes with a leather sheath for the blade;
• reliability.

• not identified.

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

A real Swedish cleaver. Reliability is visible at a glance. Weight more than 3 kg lends itself to any log. The working part is forged from high-carbon steel by blacksmiths by hand using technologies that have passed the test of time. The massive hammer-shaped butt will hammer any wedge from any material.

The 81 cm handle, made of hickory wood, is a type of hazel, impregnated with wax and linseed oil, which gives protection for a long time. On top of the handle is a metal casing for protection.

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

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

• the highest quality of materials and assembly;
• high performance;
• handmade.

• high price.

Sledgehammer "Wetterlings" Splitting maul №146

Another Scandinavian copy 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, and the narrow blade easily splits any tree, and the impact butt drives wedges effortlessly.

Ax handles made of hickory wood protect flax oil from environmental influences.

All parts are securely fastened with metal and wood wedges.

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

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

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

• not identified.

In order not to make mistakes when choosing an ax, you must 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.