12 best axes

For the Russian man, the ax is a familiar tool held in the hands of distant ancestors. With it, they chopped huts, put palaces, collected baths and outbuildings. The ax helped prepare firewood for the whole winter. Over time, the tool has undergone a number of improvements and modifications. However, the classical form has hardly changed. Today, there are different models in size, they differ in weight, shape and price. To choose the right tool, you should pay attention to several parameters.

How to choose a quality ax

1. Purpose First of all, it is necessary to identify the list of tasks that will be assigned to the chopping product. There are universal models, they are often bought by the owners of private houses. Some axes are designed for the professional processing of wood; carpenters or joiners need them. And the most compact and lightweight hatchets help out tourists in the campaign.
2. Blade. A major difference is in the shape of the blade. For chopping wood, thickened products are better suited for which the cutting part has a not very sharp angle. This form prevents the ax from getting stuck in the log. But to remove the bark or to create hollows in wood, a sharp thin blade is required.
3. Often, during work, you have to knock on the butt in order to free a cleaver from a sukaty log or even cut off the excess part of the tree. Therefore, when buying a tool, you should pay attention to whether the manufacturer permits to perform a shock effect on the butt.
4. Rscream. Convenience in work provides a handle. The classic option is the use of natural wood. However, due attention is not always paid to the production in the production. After a short use, the handle begins to stagger, making the use of the tool dangerous. But the axes from artificial materials do not swell when moistened and do not crack after drying. Only not all of them are able to withstand shock loads.
5. Withoutdanger. In order that the ax during storage or movement does not pose a danger to humans, care should be taken of the protective case. It is convenient to hang up the tool if there is a special hole on the handle.

Our review includes 12 of the best axes. With the help of experts and users, it was possible to identify the winners in several nominations.

Top axes rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best axes for chopping firewood (axes)	1	Fiskars X11-S 440 mm	2 790 ₽
	2	Matrix 21820	1 359 ₽
	3	GARDENA 1600S	2 660 ₽
Best Universal Ax	1	Fiskars x10-s	2 399 ₽
	2	Cold Steel Trail Boss Ax 660 mm	3 310 ₽
The best carpenter axes	1	Husqvarna 5769264-01	2 494 ₽
	2	IZHSTAL 030904-120	429 ₽
	3	MATRIX 21649	749 ₽
The best tourist ax	1	Fiskars X5-XXS	2 110 ₽
	2	GARDENA 900B 340 mm	1 650 ₽
	3	Zubr 20646-05 300mm	758 ₽
Best ax hammer	1	Bahco 494-600	1 749 ₽

The best axes for chopping firewood (axes)

Only special axes, which are called axes, can split a thick log in one blow. Thanks to the massive working part with a thick blade, the impact leads to the cracking of wood along the fibers. The most effective specialists recognized the following models.

Fiskars X11-S 440 mm

Rating: 4.9

According to experts, the Fiskars X11-S 440 mm model has become the most convenient ax for chopping firewood.The tool is of high quality workmanship, while it is sold in Russia at an affordable price. With the help of the cleaver, it is possible to carry out various types of work, starting with the procurement of firewood and ending with construction. The manufacturer has made a distinct butt, which makes it possible to use the back side as a hammer. To protect the steel blade used Teflon coating.

The ax ranks first in the rating for compact size and light weight (1.13 kg), an ergonomic ax handle with a shock-absorbing coating. The handle is made of a special material FiberComp, which is not afraid of moisture and is resistant to mechanical damage.

Matrix 21820

Rating: 4.8

At the lowest price, the Matrix 21820 is sold in the domestic market. The well-known German manufacturer managed to reduce production costs by locating a production site in China. The ax is made of 65G steel, which after heat treatment acquires high hardness (50 HRc). Even logs with branches can be split due to the back part, made in the form of an anvil. Using a hammer, you can free the stuck ax and cut the log. For convenience, the handle is made of fiberglass, it absorbs when struck. In addition, the material does not swell and does not crack.

The model takes the second place in the rating, yielding to the winner in weight (3.55 kg) and dimensions (length 900 mm). But users complain of hand fatigue in their wrists.

GARDENA 1600S

Rating: 4.8

Quickly deal with a whole mountain of firewood will help the splitting ax GARDENA 1600S. The blade geometry is specially selected for the splitting of medium-sized logs. The tool is made in the Czech Republic, so the price slightly exceeds the offer of competitors. But the manufacturer has treated the blade with a special composition to reduce friction. The total mass of the splitting ax is 1.6 kg, which with a length of 600 mm becomes a serious force.

To ease the tool was due to carbon fiber handle. She is not afraid of moisture and does not dry out. However, the material is destroyed by the shock of a sledgehammer on the butt of a stuck ax. Therefore it is necessary to work according to the blow-extraction-blow scheme. Over time, sticky resin accumulates on the blade, which worsens the splitting of wood. Cleaning is best done with organic solvents.

Best Universal Ax

The farm should have an ax at hand that can chop wood with equal success and carve the animal’s carcass. With his help, it is possible to follow the garden, and if necessary, hammer the stakes into the ground. This range of tasks under the force to perform the following products.

Fiskars x10-s

Rating: 4.9

A wide range of woodworking can perform the versatile ax Fiskars X10-S. This is carpentry and carpentry, chopping wood, cutting shrubs and small trees. High strength blade provides hardened steel. To protect the blade from corrosion, the manufacturer used an anti-friction coating. With a total length of 440 mm, the instrument has a weight of 0.98 kg. The handle is made of a two-component material that does not absorb moisture and does not crack. The ax can be safely transported by a plastic case.

The model deservedly becomes the winner of the rating; its excellent working qualities are confirmed by consumer reviews. The ax is comfortable, does not slip in the hands, successfully combines length and weight. But knocking a hammer on the back is not recommended.

Cold Steel Trail Boss Ax 660 mm

Rating: 4.8

The American ax Cold Steel Trail Boss Ax 660 mm is already considered a living legend. A well-known company at one time made a real revolution in the world of cutting tools. For the manufacture of masterpieces used modern materials with a large margin of safety. The hardness of the steel blade 114 mm long is 54-56 HRc, which allows you to work with an ax without sharpening for a long time. The handle is made of natural walnut. An ax can not only cut branches and logs, it can be thrown into logs, butchered animal carcasses, buttted with nails. With a total length of 660 mm, the instrument weighs 1,115 kg.

Experts gave the model a second place ranking because of the high price. Users are satisfied with the quality of manufacture of the ax and its durability.

The best carpenter axes

In the activities of the carpenter there is always work for the ax. The tool should be not only extremely sharp, but also as convenient as possible. These properties have several models.

Husqvarna 5769264-01

Rating: 4.9

One of the best carpentry axes in the domestic market is the model Husqvarna 5769264-01. The Swedish tool does not need special advertising, even the high price does not stop woodworking professionals. It can be used not only in the professional activities of carpenters and joiners, but also for the preparation of firewood. The ax has a short length (375 mm), the ergonomic wooden handle has a hole for hanging the tool. Experts particularly note the reliable landing of the ax. Even after 2-3 years of daily use, no backlash or displacement is formed. The secret of immobility lies in two wedges (wood and steel).

The ax heads the rating of carpentry models, the masters note the optimal weight (985 g) for work and the presence of a good protective cover.

IZHSTAL 030904-120

Rating: 4.7

Izhevsk enterprise boasts a rich history in the manufacture of hand tools. The ax IZhSTAL 030904-120 is devoid of many of the drawbacks characteristic of budget products. Both experts and users express satisfaction with the quality of the Russian instrument. The wooden ax is conveniently in the hands and does not slip during operation. The ax itself is made of hardened steel, the blade sharpened specifically for wood processing. If necessary, you can chop wood or chop branches of trees. Reliable turned out and fasteners handles to the ax.

The tool deserves the second line of our rating, losing to the winner in weight (1.2 kg). Users note small flaws in the handle processing, in some models there are gaps between the handle and the ax.

MATRIX 21649

Rating: 4.6

Experts put the German-Chinese ax MATRIX 21649 on the third place in the ranking. The strengths of the tool include a forged steel base made of 60G. After quenching, the manufacturer managed to achieve high strength (50 HRc) of both the blade and the butt. The handle is made of fiberglass, rubber inserts reduce the impact on the hands. Toporische retains its original shape, both when wet and dry. The model weighs 1,392 kg, in this parameter it is inferior to the leaders of the rating. Ax can be hung due to a special hole on the handle.

Along with the low price and convenient handle, users found some shortcomings. First, the blade has a too large cutting angle. The second minus of the tool is unreliable fixation of the handle.

The best tourist ax

Camping is not complete without a fire, and for convenience, a small table and simple benches are often made.Reliable assistant for a tourist or a fisherman will be a compact and light hatchet. Experts recommend several models to outdoor enthusiasts.

Fiskars X5-XXS

Rating: 4.9

The ax of the universal type Fiskars X5-XXS is a great helper for outdoor enthusiasts. Due to the short handle (23 cm) and light weight (0.55 kg), the tool is easy to transport. You can carry an ax not only in your backpack, but also on your belt. The experts gave the product the first place in the rating for a sharp blade of durable and hard steel. Fiberglass handle has a shock-absorbing coating, so even after wetting it does not slip in your hand. Users note a convenient form of the ax, which ensures reliable grip.

For safe movement of the ax there is a protective case with a latch. The blade is securely connected to the ax, forming a monolithic structure. Users note a sharp blade that easily handles branches or small logs.

GARDENA 900B 340 mm

Rating: 4.8

Many gardeners are familiar with the tool of the German company Gardena. The marching ax GARDENA 900B 340 mm is suitable not only for going out into nature, but also for gardening. The sharp blade is protected from corrosion by a special coating, it helps reduce friction. The ergonomic handle has an elastic soft insert, it not only softens the impact energy, but also prevents the tool from slipping out of the hands. The strength of the ax is ensured by a reinforced layer of fiberglass. Experts drew attention to a strong butt, it turns an ordinary ax into a small sledgehammer. High product quality is confirmed by a 10-year warranty.

Users appreciated the convenient handle, sharp blade, beautiful appearance. The main disadvantage of the ax is the high price.

Zubr 20646-05 300mm

Rating: 4.7

Especially for hiking conditions developed ax Zubr 20646-05. With a length of 300 mm, the tool weighs 0.5 kg, and the protective cover reliably hides the sharp blade during transport. The ax allows you to quickly and productively cut brushwood or small logs. The basis of the model has become durable hardened steel 65G, it is coated with a layer of Teflon to protect against corrosion. In addition, the coating makes the surface smooth, so the blade does not get stuck in the wood. A fiberglass handle is used to ease the walking ax. Special soft insert reduces the load on the hand when felling, and also contributes to reliable grip.

Experts put the hatchet in third place because of the unreliable handle. This disadvantage is mentioned in the reviews by domestic consumers.

Best ax hammer

Some builders appreciate the versatility of the ax. For example, installers have to trim boards with an ax, knock down shields, remove bent nails. One effective hammer-ax can cope with such tasks.

Bahco 494-600

Rating: 4.9

Many home craftsmen, as well as builders, need to have a multifunctional tool on hand. The hammer-ax Bahco 494-600 is a great combination of shock and chopping products. In addition, nails can be quickly and easily removed with a tool. A set of these qualities will suit both the plasterer, and the roofer, and the installer. Experts pay attention to a durable steel handle with a rubber grip. It is securely connected to the working part, which consists of an ax blade with a nail puller and a square butt.

The model becomes the winner of the rating, it is characterized by compactness (31.5 cm) and low weight (0.85 kg). The manufacturer only forgot to make a hanging hole on the handle.

---

Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.