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Best Axe for Splitting Wood 2023 – Updated by Burbro Editors on April 14th, 2021
If you’ve been looking for the best wood splitting axe, you’ll notice there are a lot of axes on the market. However, not all axes are built the same, and some axes aren’t durable, high-quality, easy to use or worth the money. The best axes for splitting wood are often heavier axes, making it easier to split the wood. They also come with longer handles, so you can get more leverage and provide better swing speed as you’re splitting wood. By creating more swing speed, you’ll multiply the power of your swing, making it easier to split wood with less effort.
The best wood splitting axes also come with lighter handles, often made of composite fiber. These composite fiber handles reduce the strain on your hand by absorbing the shock from splitting wood. The handles are also lightweight, durable, and come with a comfortable grip, making it easier to use your axe without work gloves.
In this review, we’ll be looking at the best axes for splitting wood. The products on our list are high-quality and designed with durability in mind. The axes are also affordable for the average consumer, so you get the best axe for the money.
The Best Axes for Splitting Wood in 2023
If you’re looking for the best axes and hatchets for splitting wood, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve reviewed the top axes and compiled the best products into a list so you can easily find the perfect axe without having to read the entire article.
Here are the Best Axes for Splitting Wood in 2023.
- Best Axe for Splitting Wood: Fiskars Super Splitting Axe
- Editor’s Pick: Gerber Power Splitting Axe
- Best Maul for Splitting Wood: Fiskars IsoCore Maul
- Best Budget Wood Splitting Axe: Hooyman Splitting Maul
- Best Hatchet for Splitting Wood: Gerber Freescape Hatchet
- Best Splitting Axe for Kindling: Estwing Camper’s Axe
1. Fiskars Super Splitting Axe
Best Axe for Splitting Wood
2. Gerber Power Splitting Axe
Editor’s Pick Wood Splitting Axe
Another axe that is perfect for splitting wood is the Gerber Power Splitting Axe. This axe is 36-inches in length and is ideal for splitting large logs. This Gerber axe features a forged steel head that’s durable and can be used for many years. The handle is made from a composite fiber material, which absorbs the shock of splitting wood and reduces the strain on your hand. The handle is also made from glass-filled nylon material, making it nearly unbreakable. This grip also makes it easier to grip the axe and control the edge of the blade while you’re splitting wood.
3. Fiskars IsoCore Maul
Best Maul for Splitting Wood
One of the best maul axes for splitting wood is the Fiskars IsoCore Maul. The IsoCore Maul is 36-inches in length and is perfect for splitting logs and tough wood. The axe head comes in multiple weights and is made from forged steel that has been heat-treated for ultimate durability. The axe head has also been riveted in place so the head won’t snap off or slide down the axe's handle. With the IsoCore Maul, you can also use the axe head as a wedge by using a sledgehammer to drive the axe head into the wood. The IsoCore Maul comes with a high-performance handle that absorbs shock, reduces vibrations and protects your hands from strains while swinging the axe. With the IsoCore Shock Control System, the handles transfer 2X less shock than wooden handles. The Fiskar IsoCore Maul comes with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
4. Hooyman Splitting Maul
Best Budget Wood Splitting Axe
While Hooyman may not be as well recognized as other tool brands, their wood-splitting maul is perfect for anyone that needs to split some wood. If you have a ton of wood to split, we recommend going with a brand like Fiskars because they’re better built and come with a lifetime warranty that guarantees the axe. However, if you’re a casual wood splitter, the Hooyman 36-inch Splitting Maul is perfect for you and priced well for the average consumer. The head is made from high-strength, forged steel for better durability. The handle is made from solid fiberglass material, with a non-slip ergonomic handle. The handle also comes with an H-grip feature that becomes sticky when it’s wet, providing a better grip in all environments. The Hooyman splitting maul also comes with a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
5. Gerber Freescape Hatchet
Best Hatchet for Splitting Wood
If you’re looking for the best hatchet for splitting wood, you’ll want to look at the Gerber Freescape Hatchet. The freescape hatchet is 17-inches in length and is perfect for splitting smaller logs. The axe's head is made with forged steel, which is rugged and durable for splitting wood. The handle is made from a composite material, making the handle lightweight and durable. The handle also comes with a soft-touch over-mould grip, providing better comfort for splitting wood. The Gerber Freescape Hatchet also comes with a headcover that protects the blade from going dull and ensures that you don’t accidentally cut yourself.
6. Estwing 16-Inch Camper’s Axe
Best Splitting Axe for Kindling
Tips for Choosing the Best Axe for Splitting Wood
If you’re new to using axes for splitting wood, we’ve got you covered. In this section, we’ll provide a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right axe for splitting wood. We’ll provide you with the features you should look for when you’re shopping for an axe to split your wood.
Here are some features to look for when choosing a wood-splitting axe.
- When you’re choosing a wood-splitting axe, you’ll need to decide on the size of the axe. You can determine if you want a smaller handheld maul, a medium-sized axe that may be easier to control or a maul with a longer handle that gives you the most leverage while splitting the wood. Keep in mind that the short handle axes won’t give you as much leverage, but they’ll be easier to raise above your head, and they’re easier to swing.
- As you’re choosing the length of your axe, you’ll need to consider the type of wood that you’ll be cutting. If you’re chopping large logs, you’ll want an axe that is longer so that you can get the most leverage. If you’re splitting small to medium-sized logs, you’ll likely be fine using a medium-sized axe that will be easier for you to swing when splitting wood.
- You’ll also need to decide on the axe head. We recommend choosing an axe head with hardened steel so that the axe head is durable and retains its edge while splitting wood.
- You’ll also need to decide on the weight of the axe head. Most wood splitting axes come with an axe head that weighs between 5 to 10-pounds which adds extra weight to your axe, making it easier to split wood. When you’re choosing your axe, you’ll need to find an axe head weight that’s easy for you to swing while being heavy enough to split wood with ease.
- After you’ve decided on the right axe head weight, you’ll want to decide on the design of the axe head. Some axes come with sharp blades, while others come with a blunt edge. If you’re choosing a heavier axe, you’ll want to choose an axe head with a blunt edge because it’ll prevent the axe head from getting stuck in the wood. The blunt edge will also make it easier to blast the wood apart because the heavier axe head with the blunt edge will create impact damage.
- Some axe heads are designed with a cone shape that turns into a sharp point, while other axes come with a straight edge that widens into a V design. We recommend using an axe that comes with the V design and saves the cone-shaped axe heads as wedges for splitting wood.
- If you’re using your splitting axe like a sledgehammer so you can drive wedges into the wood, you’ll want an axe head that comes with a flat side. The flat side will make it easier for you to use your axe to drive wedges through the wood, making it easier to split large chunks of wood.
- Once you’ve decided on your axe head, you’ll need to consider the material used for the handle of your axe. You’ll find that the common handle types are composite fiber or wooden handles with wood splitting mauls.
- If you want a lighter axe and better performance, you’ll want to use an axe that comes with a composite fiber handle. If you want the traditional woodsman feel, you’ll want to go with an axe that comes with a wooden handle.
- As we mentioned, the axe handle’s length will make a huge difference when it comes to splitting wood. You’ll want a longer axe handle if you’re splitting large wood because it gives you more leverage even though they’re more difficult to use while splitting wood.
- When you’re choosing the axe handle, you’ll also want to make sure that the handle comes with handle flares. The handle flares prevent the axe from slipping out of your hands while you’re swinging, and it can prevent injuries, especially if you’re using your axe around other people.
- The handle of your axe should also come with a soft grip. The grip will make it easier for you to use your axe for long periods without wearing work gloves. If your axe doesn’t come with a soft grip, you may find that your hands develop blisters. The soft grip will also make it easier for you to hold the axe and control the blade without the axe slipping in your hands.
- Before you begin shopping for a wood-splitting axe, you’ll want to set a budget for your purchase. A budget will make it easier to find the perfect axe because it’ll eliminate all the products outside your price range. This will make it easier for you to find the perfect axe at the right price.
- You’ll also want to look for an axe that comes with a long-term warranty to ensure that you’re protected from manufacturing defects. We recommend looking for a longer warranty that lasts longer than 2-years, so you have time to use your axe before the warranty expires.
Summary
We hope this article has helped you find the best wood splitting axe of 2023. If you’re new to using axes, there are some features that you should consider when you’re choosing an axe to ensure that you get the right axe for your needs. In this section, we’ll provide some tips for selecting the right wood-splitting axe. First off, you’ll want to consider the length of the axe. If you’re splitting a lot of wood, you’ll want a larger axe because it’s easier to leverage a large axe, making it easier to split wood. If you need to carry your axe over long distances, you may want a smaller, lightweight axe, so it is easier to carry. If you’re splitting kindling wood, you’ll want a small handheld axe because it’s easier to use for making kindling.
As you’re choosing a wood-splitting axe, you’ll also want to consider the axe head’s material to ensure that it’s high-quality and durable. We recommend choosing a wood-splitting axe that comes with a forged steel axe head or an axe head that has hardened steel. This is because the forged, hardened steels are more durable and will last longer than other types of axe heads. They’ll also retain their sharpness for longer, meaning you won’t have to sharpen your axe as often when you’re splitting wood.
You’ll also want to choose an axe head that comes with the right weight. The heavier the axe head, the easier it is to split wood. However, a heavy axe head is more difficult to swing, so you’ll want to choose a median weight that can split wood while being easy for you to use. If you’re dealing with heavy logs, wet wood or tough wood, you’ll want to choose a splitting maul axe. A splitting maul provides more weight, and if the axe gets stuck in the wood, you can use the maul like a wedge and use a sledgehammer to drive the maul head through the wood. If you’re using your axe for camping, you’ll want to be sure that it’s light enough to carry while hiking or gathering wood. If you’re splitting wood that has had time to dry or smaller logs, you’ll be better off by using a lighter wood splitting axe with a sharper blade and can easily split through the wood. A lighter axe will be easier to swing and won’t require much effort to split the wood.
As you’re considering the weight of your axe, you’ll also want to look at the handle of the axe. When you’re choosing an axe, we recommend using a composite fiber handle because they’re lighter, they perform better, and they’re more durable than the wooden axe handles. The composite handles tend to reduce the strain on your hands by absorbing the shock of impact, making it easier to use your axe for splitting large piles of wood. The composite fiber handles also won’t be affected by the elements and won’t begin to rot if they’re left outside in the rain, like wooden handles. When you’re looking at the handle of your wood-splitting axe, you’ll also want to ensure that the handle comes with a soft grip so you can comfortably use the axe without using work gloves. You’ll also want your axe to come with a handle flare, so the act won’t slip out of your hand while you’re swinging and cause accidents.
