If you are looking for a modern an innovative take of the age-old traditional version of a wood splitting axe, a Leveraxe splitting axe is going to be right up your alley. Designed over twenty years ago in Finland, where they are still manufactured, the Vipukirves Leveraxe is noticeably different from other slitting axes you’ve seen anywhere.
Don’t let looks fool you though, keep reading and you'll see they still have the same goal in mind as their predecessors: split wood easily and efficiently.
What’s so Different?
LeverAxe splitting axes are designed to split wood of virtually any type and diameter. However, keep in mind they do their best work with straight-grained wood as opposed to spiral-grained wood.
Their bold fire-engine red heads are noticeably different from traditional axe heads. Long gone is the normal concave wedge, which is instead replaced by an uneven oddly curved head.
Don’t worry about durability though, as the heads are attached to Finnish birch handles that are wax-treated for longevity.
Let’s take a closer look at the two different models.
Leveraxe 1
Quick Facts
- Length: 35.8 inches
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
- Material: High quality steel
A distinguishing feature of the Leveraxe 1 is the hook-shaped head. It’s not made to just catch your eye though. The unique shape was created with both function and safety in mind.
The extreme curve of the axe prevents it from going completely through a log and into your leg or your feet. This innovation makes the Leveraxe 1 perfect for use even on rocky grounds as the risk of any unwanted bounce back from your swing is reduced to almost zero as the Leveraxe should never remain completely vertical at the bottom of your swing.
Weighing a total of 6.6 pounds, the steel-headed Leveraxe 1 won’t wear you out. The head is designed in such a way as to act like a lever (thus the name) and rotate upon contact. This rotation helps take maximum advantage of the downward force turning the axe into something more like a crowbar. That means you have physics on your side, instead of just the power of your swing.
And is all that wasn’t enough, the cool rotational effect produced by the design of the head means it’s nearly impossible to get it stuck in a log. Any who has gotten their splitting xe stuck in a log before knows the value of that.
Leveraxe 2
Quick Facts
- Length: 35.8 inches
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Material: High quality steel
With the introduction of the Leveraxe 2, young choppers and those with a little less experience can now be trusted with axes. Safety is enhanced through an innovative design of the head that ensures the hook-shaped butt rests on the wood even when the axe misses its target. Additionally, just like its predecessor, the kinetic energy of the head is converted to rotational motion in the event that you miss the log.
The working principle of the Leveraxe 2 is similar to that of the Leveraxe 1. The splitting wedge and hook butt are noticeably modified which is easy to see by its appearance. The design of how the head attaches to the shaft allows for a higher degree of rotational motion.
This extra motion is because that in the new design, the center of gravity is slightly off to the side. This innovation makes it easier to chop smaller pieces of wood while further reducing the amount of effort required. With the new design of the Leveraxe 2 and the fact it weighs one pound less than the original Leveraxe, wood choppers of any age find it almost effortless to use.
Aside from being easier to swing, the Leveraxe 2 greatly reduces the amount of time spent splitting wood. Since the axe doesn’t blow completely through the log, you do not have to lift the log every time you strike as is the case with traditional axes. Furthermore, when working with huge logs and stumps, in the past you’d need a heavier maul to get the job done. But, with the Leveraxe2 , you chip away at the log from the outside in, splintering it into pieces instead of attacking it at the center.
In Summary
After reading this Vipukirves Leveraxe review, you should quickly realize that both the Leveraxe 1 and the Leveraxe 2 are unlike any other wood splitting axe you’ve ever seen. They are a modern innovation on a traditional tool.
Both axes come with an almost 36-inch handle, which not only provides increased kinetic energy when compared to the overall length of most tradition splitting axes, but also serves as a safety feature. In the rare occasions when you miss the log, the trajectory of the handle guides the axe to strike the ground rather than hitting your leg or foot.
And, it’s not only function that’s different. The handles are painted black and yellow so the axes can easily be spotted, even if you set it down where there’s thick undergrowth.
As with all other products from Sacotec Components Limited from Finland (the manufacturer), you can rely on both the Leveraxes for durability and excellent craftsmanship. Long distinguished as a leading manufacturer of cast metal products, the company has channeled its efforts to producing heavy-duty axe heads.
Another common trait that both axes have is that the beautifully painted heads (the painting is handled by Lainisalo Oy, also a renown Finnish company based at Helnski) are matched and expertly attached with an equally rugged handle that effectively absorbs vibrations and operates normally even at low temperatures.
You know you are going to get what you pay for with either of these two options. Sacotec Components Limited prides itself in break-free axe history since the innovation of the Leveraxes. And if that wasn’t good enough, they even include a lether sheath to keep the blade protected when you’re not using it.
The appealing designs of Leveraxe 1 and Leveraxe 2 came as a result of careful design and testing with refinements at every stage. If you’re looking to modernize your wood splitting without having to go powered, you’ll definitely want to check out one of these two very interesting and worthy splitting axes.