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Best Axes 2023 – Updated by Burbro Editors on April 14th, 2021
Whether you’re felling trees, chopping and splitting wood, cutting kindling or cutting branches, you’ll want to have the best axe. However, the axe that’s right for you depends on what you intend to do with the axe. If you’re splitting logs, you’ll want a heavier maul axe that has more weight, making it easier to split logs. If you’re chopping down trees, or chopping wood, you’ll want a lighter axe with a sharp edge. If you’re camping, hiking or cutting kindling, you’ll want a handheld axe, known as a hatchet axe. While there are many axes that you can find on the market, it doesn’t mean that they are the best axes or worth your money. We want to help you find the best product for your needs, which is why we’ve reviewed the best axes and hatchets and created this product review. In this article, we’re going to review the best axes for 2023, but if you’re looking for something a little smaller, you may also be interested in the best hatchets for 2023.
The Best Axes and Hatchets for 2023
If you’re hunting for the best axes and hatchets, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve reviewed the best axes and compiled the best products into a quick list so that you can easily find the right axe for your needs. We’ll cover larger maul axes that are perfect for splitting logs and traditional axes that are lighter with a thin blade, designed for chopping trees and wood. We’ll also cover various smaller hatchets that you can use for tasks like splitting small logs, chopping branches and splitting kindling.
Here are the Best Axes and Hatchets for 2023.
- Best Axe for Splitting Wood: Fiskars Super Splitting Axe
- Editor’s Pick: Gerber 36-Inch Wood Splitting Axe
- Best Axe for Camping: Gerber 17.5 Inch Hatchet
- Best Axe for Felling Small Trees: Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
- Best Axe for Kindling: Estwing Camper’s Axe
- Staff Pick: Fiskar N10 Hatchet
- Best Axe for Hikers: Schrade Full Tang Hatchet
1. Fiskars Super Splitting Splitting Axe
The Best Axe for Splitting Wood.
It can be difficult to find an axe that can split large logs without getting stuck in the wood, and making the job more difficult. If you’re looking for an axe that can make quick work of tough wood or large logs, you’ll want to look at the Fiskars Super Splitting Axe. The Fiskars Super Splitting Axe features a 36-inch handle made from composite fiber, a textured handle guard for better grip and a handle flare so that you don’t accidentally release the axe during your swing. The longer handle is ideal for taller users that like to split wood with less effort. The Fiskars axe is designed for maximum efficiency and power transfer. It comes with perfected balance and a power to weight ratio that increases the swing power without putting in more effort. The Fiskars axe blade is coated with a ‘low friction’ coating so that the blade can easily split wood with a single swing. The head of the axe is also fastened so that it won’t come loose or separate from the axe’s handle. These axes are made in Finland and come with a lifetime warranty from Fiskars.
Features: Low-Friction Blade Coating; Textured Non-Slip Grips; Advanced Blade Geometry; Composite Fiber Handle; Lifetime Warranty
Dimensions: 36 Inches; 5.85-Pounds
2. Gerber 36-Inch Wood Splitting Axe
Editor’s Pick for the Best Axe.
If you’re looking for a high-quality axe that can split wood, you’ll want to look at the Gerber 36-Inch Wood Splitting Axe. This is the largest axe that Gerber offers and is designed for power splitting and breaking up trees’ roots. The Gerber 36-Inch Wood Splitting Axe features a 36-inch handle to make it easier for you to split large logs. This handle is made from a lightweight composite, which provides maximum energy transfer while being durable. The Gerber wood splitting axe also comes with a forged steel head coated with a Teflon coating to improve the wood splitting and prevent the axe from getting stuck in the logs. The forged head has good edge retention so that you won’t need to sharpen your axe as often. This axe also comes with a lifetime warranty from Gerber.
Features: Forged Steel Axe Head; PTFE Low-Friction Coating; Composite Handle
Dimensions: 36-Inches; 5.4-Pounds
3. Gerber 17.5 Inch Hatchet
The Best Axe for Camping.
When you’re camping, you’ll need an axe that can split kindling and smaller logs for fires. The best axe for camping is the Gerber 17.5 Inch hatchet, which is perfect for chopping down smaller branches, splitting small logs and kindling for your fire. The Gerber 17.5 Inch Hatchet comes with a medium-length handle that’s just over 17-inches, made from composite, so it’s lightweight, durable and absorbs some shock from your swings. The handle also has a soft mould grip and a flare at the handle’s end for better grip and control. The Gerber axes are made with forged steel heads that have been coated in Teflon so that the axes don’t get stuck in the wood. The Gerber hatchet also comes with a headcover so that you can pack the hatchet while camping without having to worry about cutting yourself or your gear.
Features: Forged Steel Axe Head; PTFE Low-Friction Coating; Composite Handle
Dimensions: 17.5-Inches; 2.04-Pounds
4. Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
The Best Axe for Felling Small Trees.
If you’re looking for an axe that can chop down trees and split smaller logs, you’ll want to look at the Gransfors Bruks ‘Small Forest’ Axe. This axe comes with the traditional wooden look and a steelhead and is the perfect axe for felling trees and chopping wood. The Gransfors Bruks ‘Small Forest’ axe features a 19-inch wooden handle, providing more energy transfer without using more effort. It also comes with a rough steelhead that can be sharpened to always have a razor-sharp blade on your axe. The Gransfors Bruks Axe weighs 2 lbs., making it easy to swing and use for chopping trees. It also comes with a leather case for the axe’s head, so your blade doesn’t become dull or accidentally cut you or your gear.
Features: Forged Steel Axe Head; Wooden Handle; Ideal for Chopping Small Trees
Dimensions: 19-Inches; 2-Pounds
5. Estwing Camper’s Axe
The Best Axe for Kindling.
When you’re cutting wood for a fire, you’ll need kindling so that you can start your campfire. If you’re looking for the best axe for kindling, you’ll want to look at the Estwing Camper’s Axe, which is a lightweight axe with a sharp, thin edge. The Estwing Camper’s Axe features a 16-inch handle made from a single piece of forged steel that connects with the head of the axe. This creates a durable, lightweight axe that’s easy to swing. It also comes with a genuine leather grip with a handle flare, making it easier to control the axe while you’re swinging. The Estwing Axe has a thin blade, making it perfect for cutting kindling and splitting thin logs. It also comes with a protective sheath, so the edge of your axe stays sharp and doesn’t cut you or your gear.
Features: One-Piece Forged Steel; Heavy-Duty Leather Grip; Ballistic Nylon Sheath
Dimensions: 16-Inches; 3-Pounds
6. Fiskars N10 Hatchet
Staff Pick for Best Axe.
If you’re looking for a handheld axe that can split small logs and chop down small branches or trees, you’ll want to look at the N10 Hatchet by Fiskars. This axe is perfect for home use, outdoor enthusiasts or campers and is one of the best handheld axes on the market. The Fiskars N10 Hatchet features 14-inch handles made from composite fiber to provide better shock absorption while remaining lightweight and durable. The axe head is coated in a ‘low friction’ solution so that the axe doesn’t stick in the wood, and the head of the axe is fastened, so it doesn’t come loose or fall off. One of the things that we like about the Fiskar products is that they come with a lifetime warranty, which is amazing since they’re an affordable axe, to begin with. You really can’t lose by choosing a handheld hatchet axe that comes with a lifetime warranty.
Features: Carbon Steel Blade; Low-Friction CoatingHickory Wood Handle; Leather Sheath; Lifetime Warranty
Dimensions: 14-Inches; 2.63-Pounds
7. Schrade Full Tang Hatchet
The Best Axe for Hikers.
When you’re hiking or going on outdoor adventures, you can never know what to expect, and so it’s always good to be prepared. If you’re looking for a handheld axe that you can use for hiking, you’ll want to try the Schrade Full Tang Hatchet. The Full Tang hatchet features an 11-inch handle with a blade face that’s about 3.5-inches. The handle comes wrapped in heavy-duty rubber and ergonomically designed so you’ll always have a comfortable grip, no matter the weather conditions. The Schrade Full Tang hatchet comes with a pommel hammerhead so you can pound stakes into the ground. The hatchet also comes with a thermoplastic cheetah that attaches to your belt for easy carrying and a lanyard that attaches around your wrist, so you don’t accidentally drop the axe and lose it.
Features: Stainless Steel Blade; Black Rubber Handle; Thermoplastic Sheath
Dimensions: 11-Inches; 1.5-Pounds
How to Choose the Best Axe
In this section, we’ll show you how to pick the best axe for your lifestyle. If you’re new to using axes, you’ll want to read through these tips and tricks.
Here are some tips for choosing the best axe.
- Always pick an axe that’s right for the activity that you want to use the axe for. If you’re hiking, you won’t want a heavy maul axe, and if you’re splitting large logs, you won’t want a small handheld axe.
- Decide if you’ll be chopping wood or splitting wood. Remember, when you’re splitting wood, you’re splitting logs that have been chopped down and ready to be split. When you’re chopping wood, you’re felling trees or chopping trees into smaller pieces.
- When you’re splitting wood, you’ll want a heavier maul axe with more weight. This type of axe will be perfect for splitting large logs of wood, without your blade getting stuck or having to use extra effort.
- When you’re chopping wood, you’re usually felling trees or cutting up branches into smaller pieces. For chopping wood, you’ll want a lighter axe with a razor-sharp blade that can chip through the trees with little effort.
- You’ll also want to consider the handle of the axe. We recommend using a composite axe because they tend to last longer; however, you may prefer to use a wooden handle if you’re an old soul.
- You’ll also need to consider the length of the handle. If you’re taller, you’ll want a handle that’s longer than 30-inches. If you’re not so tall, you can choose a length between 20-inches and 30-inches, depending on your preference. If you’re just using the axe as a hatchet, you’ll want a shorter handle to make it a handheld axe that’s easy to use.
- When you’re choosing the axe, you’ll also want a handle grip and handle flares so that the axe doesn’t come out of your hand while you’re swinging. If you’re using a wooden axe, we recommend using work gloves for extra grip since the wooden handles can be slippery.
Summary
We hope this article has helped you find the best axe for your lifestyle. If you’re new to using axes, you may want to look at our list of tips to help you choose the right axe for your needs. When you’re buying an axe, you should always set a budget so that you find the perfect axe within your budget. A budget will help you eliminate the products that are outside of your price range and help you identify the axes that are best for you.
