Best Broad Axes

Best Broad Axes

While you may associate broad axes with lopping heads off bodies thanks to popular horror flicks, the truth is that most people use axes for a wide variety of household and gardening tasks.

To get the best broad axe for your needs, you need to understand the features and functionality of the various axe types. Splitting axes are great for splitting wood but lack the control required for more delicate woodworking. If you’re interested in woodworking, you need to look at broad axes.

Broad axes are usually one-bitted, which means they only have one head with a chopping-edge. Woodcarvers use them for hewing or shaping logs, since the sharp edge of the broad axe and the single handle offer plenty of control to create an artistic design.

If you’re feeling lost as to which axe is the best for you, our broad axe reviews will give you an overview of the best axes on the market, while our buying guide will help you find the best one for your needs.

Best Carpenters Axes

Carpenter’s axes are small axes or hatchets with a very specific usage. Unlike felling trees or splitting logs, a carpenter’s axe is designed for woodworking.

At first glance you can see it’s noticeably different in appearance. This is mostly due to the shape of the axe head.

As this type of axe is a tool designed for more fine work as opposed to something that relies more on brut force like a maul, in more circumstances than not, the saying you get what you pay for usually holds true.

For a quick reference chart of carpenter’s axes, scroll to just below the Quick Navigation section to the Carpenter’s Axe Review Chart or keep reading for more detailed information and reviews.

Best Hudson Bay Axes

By now, you should know what makes a Hudson Bay axe so awesome. Even still, it can be tough to narrow it down when there are so many choices out there.

Here, we present 5 Hudson Bay axe reviews to make your decision easier! From specifications to pros and cons, our Hudson bay axe reviews cover everything you need to know about each product.

Best Felling Axes

The primary use of felling axes is to cut down trees, which is no easy task. The USDA Forest Service even requires employees to go through extensive training before they chop down any tree. This means that to get the job done, you’ll need a high-quality felling axe.

Unlike those designed for splitting wood, felling axes cut across the wood grain instead of with it. For this reason, it needs to have a very sharp, thin blade, allowing it to sink deep into the tree trunk with every stroke. On the other hand, If the head is too thin it won’t be strong enough. Therefore, a good felling axe should provide you with the perfect balance of cutting force and ergonomics.

Now that you know what a felling axe is for and what it should offer you, let’s take a look at the options available to you. Here we have reviewed some of the very best felling axes on the market, taking into account features such as materials, weight, and price.

Splitting Axes & Mauls

Even though we see new tech gadgets on store shelves every year, some items cannot be replaced by their electronic counterparts. One of these essentials is the splitting wood axe. While chainsaws are efficient and powerful, they are also noisy, fuel-guzzling, and dangerous. These attributes encourage many people to continue using more primitive axes for their wood-splitting needs.

Traditional splitting wood axes:

  • Require no fuel
  • Are far less dangerous than chainsaws
  • Make much less noise

Anyone looking to go camping and use wood for their next project would be far better off
with a splitting axe rather than a chainsaw. An axe is a simple tool that can be carried
safely with merely a suitable sheath. If you need to pack light, but still need a powerful
tool, then an axe is the way to go.

Husqvarna Splitting Mauls

You can’t talk about splitting mauls without mentioning the manufacturer, Husqvarna. The Husqvarna Group is actually a Swedish company that’s over 300 years old.

They are very well known for making powered outdoor products like chainsaws and lawn mowers & tractors. But, they also make some extremely high quality axes and mauls, as you are about to find out.

There are three main Husqvarna splitting axes in their lineup. Click on the link below to read each specific Husqvarna axe review, scroll down to read them all, or check out this video which covers the basics such as length & weight before you decide, which axe you’re interested in.