The Best Axe For Chopping Wood In 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Best Axe For Chopping Wood
Best Axe For Chopping Wood

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe

The Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe is a high-quality tool designed to help you disperse wood more effectively. It combines weight distribution, advanced blade geometry, and an ultra-sharp edge to give you more one-strike splits with every swing. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: WilFiks Chopping Axe

The WilFiks Chopping Axe is a durable and reliable tool that makes chopping wood easy. It has an ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use and an optimized blade geometry that provides you with more one-strike splits. Read Review

3. Best Durable: ESTWING Fireside Axe

The ESTWING Fireside Axe is a high-quality tool with leverage and power for easy wood splitting. It is forged in one piece and has a shock-reduction grip that can help reduce impact vibration by 70%. Read Review

4. Best Versatile: Estwing E44A Camper's Axe

The Estwing E44A Camper's Axe is a versatile outdoor tool, perfect for chopping logs, small trees, etc. Its patented shock-reduction grip and heavy-duty sheath provide a comfortable, durable, and safe experience for any backpacker or camper. Read Review

5. Best Quality: 1844 Helko Werk Germany Axe

Handmade in Germany, the 1844 Helko Werk Germany Axe is a high-quality racing axe perfect for both novices and experts. With its C50 high carbon steel and grade A American hickory handle, this axe is a dependable option for felling trees and cutting wood. Read Review

Chopping wood is essential to survival and can be a great way to relax after a long day. But, finding the right axe for the job is necessary if you want to ensure your job is done quickly and efficiently. There are many different axes on the market, each designed for a specific purpose.

Knowing which axe is best for chopping wood can be the difference between an enjoyable and productive experience and a frustrating one. In this article, we will discuss the best axe for chopping wood, considering the various factors you should consider when deciding. 

After extensive study and analysis over a 16 hours, We think the best axe for chopping wood is Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe. This tool is designed with advanced blade geometry, weight distribution, and an ultra-sharp edge to make splitting wood a breeze. You can consider WilFiks Chopping Axe as an alternative if you're still undecided. Other suggestions on this list are worth considering, and we've put up a helpful shopping guide to help you decide!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe
Our Score:
9.7
Fiskars

If you're looking for an axe that can easily split wood, the Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe is worth considering. This tool is designed with advanced blade geometry, weight distribution, and an ultra-sharp edge to make splitting wood a breeze. It also has the perfect length for most users, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable axe.

Its perfect weight distribution ensures that you have maximum control over the tool, which can help you avoid injuries. Additionally, the Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe has an ergonomic design that is comfortable for extended periods. Nonetheless, this axe may be a little long for shorter users. Despite this, the Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe is still an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality device to split wood easily.

TOP Choice #2 WilFiks Chopping Axe
Our Score:
9.6
WilFiks

If you're looking for a chopping axe that can provide maximum efficiency and durability, the WilFiks Chopping Axe is worth considering. This tool has a forged carbon steel heat-treated blade designed to produce smooth, sharp, and quick splits, making it an excellent choice for those who need to chop firewood, logs, kindling, and branches.

The WilFiks Chopping Axe also has an ergonomic design that is comfortable for extended periods. Its shock-absorbing anti-slip grip and cold-resistant ergonomic-shaped fiberglass handle can help reduce the strain on your hand, resist slipping, and add comfort. Additionally, this tool is easy to use and ideal for campers, hikers, outdoor activities, preparing wood for bonfires, and garden work.

The only downside to this tool is that it doesn't come with a sheath. This means you'll need to find a safe and convenient way to store it when not in use. Despite this, the WilFiks Chopping Axe is still an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality and efficient one.

TOP Choice #3 ESTWING Fireside Axe
Our Score:
9.4
Estwing

The ESTWING Fireside Axe is a reliable and durable tool for anyone who needs to split wood. Made from solid American steel, this axe is built to last and is perfect for chopping logs into smaller, more manageable pieces. Its hand-sharpened edge makes quick work of even the most challenging wood, while the weighted design gives it the leverage to split even the most enormous logs easily.

This product has a shock-reduction grip, which is comfortable and durable and reduces impact vibration by 70%. This means you can use the axe for extended periods without tiring your hands and wrists. Another great feature of this axe is the included nylon sheath, which makes it easy to store and transport. The sheath is designed to protect the blade and keep it sharp, ensuring it stays in good condition for years.

The only drawback is its heavy head. While this weight gives the axe impressive splitting power, it can tire out your wrist if you use it for an extended period. However, if you're looking for a robust and durable axe to help you split firewood, then the ESTWING Fireside Axe is worth considering.

4 Estwing E44A Camper's Axe
Our Score:
9.3
Estwing

If you're looking for a reliable and long-lasting striking tool, the Estwing E44A Camper's Axe is an excellent choice. This axe is forged from a single piece of solid steel, which makes it highly durable and robust. The optimal design of the axe head is perfect for use in the great outdoors. With its outdoor versatility, the Estwing E44A Camper's Axe is a must-have for any backpacker or camper looking to stay warm.

The patented shock reduction grip is a standout feature of this axe. The molded vinyl creates a durable dimpled handle that is comfortable and reduces impact vibration by 70%. Moreover, the heavy-duty ballistic nylon sheath protects the hand-sharpened cutting edge. Nevertheless, the head may not be as sharp as other options on the market. However, with a little extra effort, the Estwing E44A Camper's Axe can still provide excellent results.

5 1844 Helko Werk Germany Axe
Our Score:
9.2
1844 Helko Werk Germany

The 1844 Helko Werk Germany Axe is a modern rendition of the vintage Tasmanian pattern racing axes. The blade is sharpened for general-purpose chopping and cutting and can be used out of the box. This axe is handmade and hand-forged with a highly polished classic finish to prevent rust and reduce cutting friction. Unfortunately, the balance between the handle and the head may not be perfect for everyone and is a bit hard to control.

The Helko Werk axe heads are open-face drop-forged individually by hand from German C50 high-grade carbon steel. This makes them highly durable and long-lasting. Plus, the grade A American hickory handle is sustainably sourced and individually hand finished and selected for grain orientation and density with a boiled linseed oil finish and sanded to 150 grit for a comfortable and smooth finish on your axe handle. The included full-grain leather sheath and 1 oz bottle of Axe Guard protective oil also provide excellent protection for your axe blade and head.

6 Eletorot Camping Hatchet
Our Score:
9.1
Eletorot

The Eletorot Camping Hatchet is a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. Its perfect balance and compact size make it a joy to use when chopping logs for the fire. The well-crafted, drop-forged carbon steel head ensures durability and reliability. Moreover, the handle is made of hickory, providing a comfortable grip and allowing for personalized designs such as paracord wrapping or staining. 

This versatile tool excels in multiple tasks, from splitting firewood to quickly clearing trails. The optimized blade guarantees efficient and precise one-strike splits, making it ideal for bushcraft and campfire preparations. This product also comes with a blade rubber protective sheath and a nylon cover for safe storage and easy transport.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the hatchet requires a slight sharpening before or after use, as a thin rubber coating protects the knife edge during shipping. But this minor inconvenience is easily mitigated by this camping hatchet's overall outstanding performance and reliability.

7 Gransfors Bruks Outdoor Axe
Our Score:
9.0
Gransfors Bruks

If you're in the market for a high-quality axe, the Gransfors Bruks Outdoor Axe should be on your shortlist. This beautiful and versatile tool is a step above the rest. The handle is made of tight-grained hickory wood, and despite its lightweight, it gives the impression of being very stable. With every swing, the sharp head digs into the wood, and the handle and head design offer better control.

But what sets this axe apart is its true strength—fine detail work. The Gransfors Bruks can function as a traditional axe and a woodworking tool to carve and create wood tools and art. The small size makes it better for splitting kindling than large rounds, but it's still an excellent tool for various outdoor tasks. The Gransfors Bruks Outdoor Axe is a beautiful axe that makes others pale in comparison. The only issue is that it's a bit expensive, but if you're willing to invest in quality, this axe is worth it.

More To Consider

8 Glorousamc Chopping Axe
Our Score:
8.9
Glorousamc

The Gloriousamc Chopping Axe is an excellent tool for anyone who needs to chop firewood, logs, small trees, and branches. The blade comes with a protective sheath made of rubber, making it suitable for safe storage and transport. Plus, the triangle hole makes it simple to hang the blade and more convenient to store. A rubber cap protects the head of the steel blade, and the cutting edge of the blade has been meticulously polished to a mirror-like finish. The edge that has been polished and finished can have its sharpness quickly restored with a file.

Besides, the aggressive cutting angles are designed for better and more efficient contact so that you will have a more accessible and quicker time chopping through the wood. The cutting edge measures 4 inches, which is an appropriate size for most outdoor activities; however, larger splitting jobs might be a bit beyond its capabilities.

9 GEDORE OX Forestry Axe
Our Score:
8.3
GEDORE
10 Hultafors Stalberg Carpenter Axe
Our Score:
8.5
Hultafors

What to Look For in a best axe for chopping wood?

The best axe for chopping wood is influenced by a multitude of factors, including all those stated below. Depending on the sort of product, the learning process differs. We'll be ready to aid you and propose solutions since we're here to support you.

It's necessary to remember the following ones before selecting best axe for chopping wood:

Thickness And Sharpness

The head's key characteristics are its thickness and sharpness. The thicker head will give you a more difficult chop, and it will also split logs easily. The thin, sharper head can be used for intricate carving and other tasks.
It all comes down to the purpose of your axe. It's more practical to cut wood or do heavy carving in a survival situation than it is to make intricate carving.

The Axe Head & The Blade

You can link the materials that the axe is designed to cut to the edge of your axe head (the blade). You will most often use your axe for cutting through wood while out in nature. Flatter edges are best as they will cut through the wood evenly. A curved edge will make it harder to cut through wood, as the edges that are angled out of alignment with the cutting blades won't be used in every strike.
Flat edges will stick better to flat surfaces than those with sharper edges. You should think about the material you will be using most, and then choose a survival knife/survival hatchet that matches that material.

Easy Maintenance

You're likely to have seen a lot old tools if you ever visited a workshop with a full stock. My great-grandfather owned hand tools, and my father still uses them. Because even simple tools like a hatchet are durable if they're taken care of.
It is easy to sharpen a hatchet by running a file across its head and a whetstone. It is simple and inexpensive to replace the handle of a traditional hatchet. Your hatchet will be a valuable asset for the rest of your life as long as it is kept clean and protected from water.

Weight Distribution

To get the best out of each chop, you need to distribute the weight correctly with your axe. To get the most momentum from every strike, the head must carry the bulk of the weight. Although this is true for all the axes/hatchets reviewed, each axe/hatchet will be different.
To make sure your axe fits you properly, it is best to try it out as soon as possible. Swing it with both hands and make a choice whether it is light/heavy/long/short/portable enough for what you need it for.

Ease Of Splitting

When buying a camp hatchet, it is important to think about the ease of splitting. Wood splitting is not a major concern if you're buying a hatchet for wood shaping or detail work. The ease of splitting is important if you plan on splitting wood frequently and felling trees.
Splitting is easier with longer handles and heavier heads. When shopping for similar models, be sure to consider the shape and construction of your handle.
If you are unsure about what you want, you can look into larger axes. You may find that some of the smaller camp hatchets are not what you want. In this case, you will need a full-sized, heavy-duty axe.

Handle Length And A Sturdy Grip

To get a great chop with your axe, the length of your handle is crucial. A longer handle will give you more power and momentum. This is an axe that you will be using, so it is important to balance length, weight and portability.
Safety and efficiency are also key factors. It shouldn't slip, or cause injury to you. To make life easier and safer, choose an axe/hatchet that has a grippy grip.
Non-slip materials such as rubber and wood are used to design the tail. The tail should be capable of withstanding humid conditions. You can even find axes that are specially made to improve grip and comfort by including patterns in the tail.

FAQs

What type of axe should I use for chopping wood?

good rule of thumb is to use a felling axe for chopping wood. The heavier head and longer handle of a felling axe will give you more control and power when chopping wood.

How should I maintain my axe?

It is important to keep your axe sharp and clean in order to get the most out of your axe. You should sharpen your axe whenever it starts to feel dull and clean it regularly with a damp cloth.

What safety precautions should I take when using an axe?

It is important to always wear protective eye wear when using an axe. You should also ensure that you are standing far enough away from the wood that you are chopping so that the axe does not come into contact with your body. It is also important to keep your hands away from the blade when swinging the axe.

Overall, we will research and update new info for the list of best axe for chopping wood regularly. On a frequent basis, please check our websites for the latest changes and updates.

Aside from best axe for chopping wood, we can bail you up. If you want further support, please do not hesitate to contact us.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio