The Best Axe For Chopping Wood

Hello again, It’s John back again with another review to help you stay on point in the wilderness.  Chopping wood is essential to the life of the woodsman, and having the best axe for chopping wood can make this critical job easier.  Huddling around a crackling fire can be one of the best ways to spend your evening. Regardless if you are chopping wood for a campfire or a fireplace, having the best axe for chopping wood is going to benefit you greatly.

I can’t count the nights that I have spent cooking a fresh catch over an open flame or roasting marshmallows with my family.  Maintaining a healthy fire is important.  Not only does a fire keep you warm and provide you with a great way to cook but it also keeps the wildlife from encroaching on your campsite.  I keep my fire going throughout my entire trip.  I find this much easier than trying to start a new fire every time I want to cook.  To do this I must maintain a healthy pile of firewood, and nothing helps accomplish this more than my axe.

The Best Axe for Chopping Wood – Keep Your Fire Going Longer

If you plan to create a larger bonfire, you are definitely going to need to chop a lot of wood during your preparation and maintenance.  The main difference between campfires and bonfires is size and purpose.  Campfires are smaller and used for heating, cooking, and to providing light to your campsite.  Campfires are small enough to sit around comfortably and are all around the best solution for survival.

A bonfire is a much larger fire used in celebrations or for signaling purposes.  Even though bonfires are controlled there, larger size makes them a potential threat if they are not properly monitored.  Another key difference is bonfires are built in larger areas such as fields and meadows.  It is common to see large celebrations with giant bonfires roaring.

One thing is for sure, those trees are not going to chop themselves.  At some point, you are going to need to chop some fresh firewood to keep your fire going and the more firewood you chop, the longer you can maintain a healthy sized fire.  I prefer to do all my wood chopping in the same day because it frees me up to focus on other things during my trip.

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The Best Axe for Chopping Wood – Top 5

Choosing the best axe for chopping wood doesn’t have to be difficult and with a little research you can narrow down your search to few prime choices.  There is no shortage of axe manufacturers and sorting through the rubbish can be time-consuming.  Luckily, you can save yourself the frustration by selecting an axe from a trusted manufacturer.  Below are my tops picks for the best wood chopping axe for the money.

Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe, 36-Inch

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Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe, 36-Inch

 

The Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe is ideal for taller users.  This axe is designed to improve your efficiency by increasing your one-strike splits.  The advanced bevel convex blade adds power and reduces blade sticking.  This is a serious axe, that can handle any tasks you encounter.

Pros

  • Carry Sheath with Easy-open Lock
  • FiberComp Handle
  • Non-Slip Grip
  • Low Friction Surface
  • Ultra-Sharp Edge

Cons

  • Designed for Taller Users

This high-quality axe includes a lifetime warranty.  The power to weight ratio is excellent and the FiberComp handle reduces impact shock.  This axe is virtually indestructible.  The hand forged steel blade is hardened to prevent chipping and cracking.  This is a smart choice if you are taller and require a dependable blade in the wild.

New Husqvarna 576926201 26″ Curved Wooden Handle Multipurpose Logger Forest Axe

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New Husqvarna 576926201 26″ Curved Wooden Handle Multipurpose Logger Forest Axe

 

The New Husqvarna features Hand Forged Swedish Steel provides you with more cutting power.  I like the feel of this axe.  The handle is made from high-quality Hickory, adding to the overall durability of this axe.  The handle has been ergonomically designed to reduce cutting fatigue and increase your grip.

Pros

  • Hickory Wooden Handle
  • Ergonomic Handle
  • Leather Sheath
  • Excellent Blade Retention
  • Multi-Purpose Design

Cons 

  • Needs Sharpened

This axe comes with a nice leather sheath to protect your blade in travel and when not in use.  This axe is suitable for felling trees, clearing brush, and splitting logs.  The craftsmanship of this axe is superb.  If you are in the market for an extremely rugged axe at a great price, you should consider this blade.

Estwing E3-FF4 4-Pound “Fireside Friend” Wood Splitting Axe/Maul with Shock Reduction Grip

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Estwing E3-FF4 4-Pound “Fireside Friend” Wood Splitting Axe/Maul with Shock Reduction Grip

 

The Estwing E3-FF4 4-Pound “Fireside Friend” Wood Splitting Axe gives you added chopping power from a handheld axe.  This maul is designed to split logs with ease.  The 4-pound axe head gives you more momentum in your swing and the Nylon Vinyl Shock Reduction Grip lets you swing harder and with more confidence.

Pros

  • Nylon Vinyl Shock Absorbent Handle
  • Forged One Piece Steel
  • 4lb Head
  • High-Quality Construction Steel

Cons

  • Added Weight Reduces Portability

This axe is designed for splitting logs or chopping kindling.  I would never consider using this handheld axe to fell a tree or clear branches.  This is the perfect example of an excellent purpose built axe.  The added weight is a blessing when splitting logs but it can be a curse if you intend to carry this axe in your gear.  If you need to chops some logs into kindling, this is a great axe to help you get the job done.

Council Jersey Axe

council-jersey-axe

Council Jersey Axe

 

The Council Jersey Axe features an ergonomically curved handle that increases your grip substantially when felling.  This is an excellent multi-purpose axe that can help you stay fully loaded with firewood for the season.  The cutting edge of this axe 5 1/16″ long and once sharpened it holds it’s edge very well.

Pros

  • High-Quality Materials
  • Edge Retention
  • Ergonomic Handle

Cons

  • Arrives Unfinished

This axe arrives semi-unfinished.  I like this axe so much I sanded the handle, applied a linseed coating, and sharpened the blade.  Now I have the type of axe I can hand down to my son one day.  This axe does require a little touch-up but once you put a little TLC into this blade, you end up with an axe made from the finest materials at a reasonable price.

Pros

  • Hickory Handle
  • Carbon Steel
  • Made in USA

Cons

  • Head Fit
  • Handle Finish
  • No Sheath

This steadfast tool can be used to fell trees, split logs, and clear branches from downed trees.  The fit and finish of this blade require a little work but the materials are of superb quality.  If you are like me, you would rather buy an axe with optimal chopping power for an affordable price, rather than worry about the cosmetics.  Any true outdoorsman can see the value in this type of axe.

GARDENA Model 8719 2800S Splitting/Chopper Axe

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GARDENA Model 8719 2800S Splitting/Chopper Axe

 

The GARDENA Model 8719 2800S Splitting/Chopper Axe gives you better weight distribution for splitting and chopping logs easier.  The hook-shaped handle is designed to reduce any slippage while swinging.  I like how the manufacturer has added patented Stainless Steel Impact Protection points to all the areas your axe is most frequently damaged.

Pros

  • Hook Shaped Ergonomic Handle Design
  • Over-Injected Axe Head
  • Stainless Steel Impact Protection
  • Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic

Cons

  • Not Sharp Out of the Box

The head of this axe is constructed from high-quality carbon steel and the glass-fiber reinforced handle can withstand any abuse you throw at it.  This futuristic axe has a unique design and look that adds to its overall appeal.  This is the perfect axe for someone looking to add a professional grade blade to their tool set.

The Best Axe for Chopping Wood

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know, you are going to want a sharp axe for chopping wood.  Any of these axes will work great for chopping wood and they all have proven themselves to be valuable tools in the wild.  Choosing the best axe for chopping wood is easy once you understand a couple key factors such as, how much portability you need and what additional uses will be required.  I use my Estwing Fireside Friend when on small camping trips that don’t require felling trees and my Fiskars for my cabin and extended stays in the wilderness.

The important thing to remember is there is no one size fits all when it comes to axes and the more specific you are in determining your axes uses; the more accurate you will be in choosing the best axe for you.  Quality is the main thing I look for when purchasing a new axe, I need an axe that can take a serious beating without breaking.  Luckily, any of these 5 axes can handle the job.

I hope this guide is helpful to you in your search to find the best axe for chopping wood.  As always guys, thanks for stopping in and make sure to check back soon to stay up to date on all the newest blades hitting a marketplace near you.

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