Is the splitting ax a relic of bygone times? Not at all. Anyone who does not shy away from a certain amount of physical effort when gardening and wants to be happy about arms like tree trunks afterwards is making a good choice with the traditional garden tool. Our guide describes what you should look out for when buying a splitting ax. In addition, we recommend three products based on the reviews on Amazon.
With the right splitting ax, splitting wood becomes great fun
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Gränsfors large splitting ax, standard handle
To the product| stem material | hickory |
|---|---|
| overall length | 70 cm |
| head weight | 2kg |
| total weight | 2.4kg |
| blade protection incl. | yes (made of leather) |
Many reviewers on Amazon describe the Gränsfors Large Swedish Splitting Ax as the finest and best of its kind on the market. Typical remarks are: "very good quality", "lies excellently in the hand", "there is almost nothing that this splitting ax cannot break". The ax seems to be worth the high price and a one-time investment because it is considered to be extremely durable.
our recommendation
Ochsenkopf split-fix ax, splitting ax with Rotband-Plus handle attachment, durable hickory handle, 3.55 kg
EUR 69.00 To the product| stem material | hickory |
|---|---|
| overall length | 80 cm |
| head weight | 2.5kg |
| total weight | 3.55kg |
| blade protection incl. | Yes |
The Ochsenkopf splitting ax is something like the German counterpart to the model from the Nordic company Gränsfors. It has practically the same characteristics, only it is a little longer and heavier, but also significantly cheaper. Almost all reviewers on Amazon are completely enthusiastic about the execution. It is supposed to be a “great tool” that absolutely fulfills its purpose.
our recommendation
Fiskars splitting axe, including blade and transport protection, length: 71 cm, non-stick coating, high quality steel blade/glass fiber reinforced plastic handle, black/orange, X21-L, 1.63 kg, 1015642
66.19 EUR To the product| stem material | plastic (fiberglass) |
|---|---|
| overall length | 71 cm |
| head weight | 1.09kg |
| total weight | 1.6kg |
| blade protection incl. | Yes |
In addition to a Swedish and a German one, a Finnish splitting ax also made it into the top 3 in our comparison test. The Fiskars model is recommended for anyone who wants to do without the hickory handle in favor of a very reasonable price with a high level of workmanship. This splitting ax is also lighter. It is one of the best sellers in its category on Amazon. The reviewers are impressed and some even go so far as to write: "I won't let them out of my hands, I'll even take them to the office". That's what we call a statement.
Purchase Criteria
material of the stem
Most splitting ax handles are made of either hickory or fiberglass. The versions made of hickory wood form the "supreme discipline".
The outstanding advantages of hickory wood include the extreme material hardness and durability. In addition, a handle made of wood inspires with its rustic charm.
In contrast, a fiberglass handle is very modern. It is often colorfully designed, which has the advantage that you can still see the ax well in tall grass. In terms of hardness and stability, fiberglass proves to be solid - but the material cannot quite keep up with the quality of hickory wood.
In terms of grip, however, both variants are equally convincing. Here you can only find out for yourself which material literally feels better in your hand.
By the way: The head must be made of first-class steel. This is also standard with all reputable manufacturers.
length of stem
The length of the stem should not be answered clearly. Because both longer and shorter versions each come with a clear advantage:
- An ax with a longer handle gives you more power.
- An ax with a shorter handle is more precise.
As a rule, the length of the handle of a splitting ax is between 60 and 80 centimeters.
weight of the head
Of course: the heavier the head of the splitting axe, the more power you can transmit. Therefore you need a correspondingly heavy version for larger and harder pieces of wood.
But: Logically, the heavier the splitting ax is, the more strenuous it is to chop wood. So if you primarily want to chop up smaller pieces of wood, definitely do yourself a favor with a slightly lighter model.
The head weight is generally between one and 2.5 kilograms. A splitting ax can weigh up to 3.5 kilograms in total. Anything above that usually falls within the range of the splitting maul.
handling
Good handling is (in addition to a high basic quality) the be-all and end-all of a splitting axe. The tool should be easy to use. First and foremost, this requires an excellently processed handle with maximum grip.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer's descriptions and reports from other users are only of limited help with regard to this feature. In the end you have to try it out for yourself to see if you can handle the splitting ax in question.
quality
Reliably high quality is immensely important with a splitting ax. Please keep your distance from dubious manufacturers, even if they lure you with particularly low prices. Your health, even your life, is at stake. Inferior splitting axes can suddenly fall apart when you swing them out and cause you serious injuries. You should therefore definitely rely on the splitting ax from a well-known brand.
equipment
It is practical if a valuable cutting edge protection is supplied with the splitting axe. This prevents serious injuries under certain circumstances and generally enables safe storage and low-risk transport of the ax.
frequently asked Questions
What is a splitting axe?
The splitting ax is a special gardening tool that you use to split felled wood into individual logs. It is therefore a practical tool for gardeners who want to prepare the firewood for their fireplace themselves.
A splitting ax consists of a more or less long handle with a notch as a gripping aid and a heavy head, usually ground on both sides.
The head, which forms the heart of the splitting axe, appears as a convex wedge with a nape (hammerhead), eye, cheek, cutting edge and beard.
With the last three elements - they form the "face" of the head, so to speak - you penetrate the wood and split it. The powerful rushing down ensures that the splitting ax pushes the wood fibers apart.
How do I work properly with a splitting axe?
Always hit the piece of wood at an obtuse angle - i.e. straight from above - and always with the wood grain! It is best to place the logs one after the other on a chopping block. The accessories make chopping wood easier for you.
Here are some basic tips for working with a splitting ax, which primarily serve to prevent accidents and injuries:
- Only use a well-maintained, sharpened splitting ax. If it's too blunt, it can slip off when you're chopping wood.
- For your protection, wear safety shoes with steel toes, sturdy work gloves, a robust helmet and protective goggles.
- If possible, avoid chopping the wood in damp weather. The splitting ax could quickly become slippery and slip out of your hand.
Additional tip: Freshly chopped firewood is still damp. That's why you mustn't throw it into the chimney immediately after beating it, you have to let it dry beforehand.
Splitting ax or splitting hammer - what's the difference?
Basically, the splitting hammer is the bigger brother of the splitting axe. He weighs more. In addition, the hammer head sometimes has a slightly different shape on the upper side, so that the professional can hammer the splitting wedge into the firewood even more easily.
Which brands offer good splitting axes?
Some of the best known and most popular brands that you can trust include Gränsfors, Ochsenkopf, Stihl, Husqvarna and Fiskars. The Gränsfors version is often referred to as the best splitting ax in the world. It has already been voted test winner in countless independent splitting ax tests.
Where should I buy my splitting ax?
You can buy your splitting ax in a hardware store, for example - at OBI, toom, Bauhaus, hagebaumarkt or Hornbach. However, the most uncomplicated contact point is and remains Amazon. There you can choose from various first-class splitting axes from Gränsfors, Ochsenkopf and Co.
Note: Sometimes you might discover a splitting ax at a reasonable price in the discounter (at Aldi or Lidl). However, in relation to such a dangerous garden tool, we advise you not to jump on such an offer. Better to play it safe (in the truest sense… ) and choose a branded product.
How can I sharpen my splitting axe?
Over time or with regular use, the splitting ax gradually becomes blunter. For this reason you have to sharpen the cutting edge from time to time. This video shows you how to properly sharpen your splitting ax and what you need:
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