Best axe for splitting wood: fit the axe to you and the log
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Quick answer
For firewood you want a splitting axe, not a felling axe. Its wide, wedge-shaped head splits along the grain instead of cutting across it. Husqvarna says splitting axe heads usually weigh 3 to 6 lb, while mauls run 6 to 8 lb and tire you faster. Fiskars says the handle should match the length of your arm, and the axe should lift easily with one hand. Split on a hardwood block, wear safety glasses and gloves, and clear the area first.
Splitting axe, felling axe or maul?
| Tool | Head | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Splitting axe | Wide, wedged blade; Husqvarna says usually 3 to 6 lb | Splitting along the grain; lighter to swing for longer |
| Splitting maul | Husqvarna says usually 6 to 8 lb, longer handle, duller edge | Very large rounds, using weight to force the split |
| Universal (felling) axe | Thin, sharp blade | Cutting across the grain, felling and kindling |
Husqvarna notes a felling axe cuts through wood fibers rather than splitting them apart, which makes it frustrating for firewood. It recommends owning both a splitting axe and a maul: the maul for very large chunks, the axe for smaller pieces and working around the edges.
Size the axe to your body
- Handle length: Fiskars says to grip the axe just below the head and hold it straight along your arm; the shaft should match your arm's length.
- Weight: Fiskars says the right axe lifts easily with one hand, and one that is too heavy is hard to control. Choose a size and weight that feels safe to handle.
- Handle material: Husqvarna says composite handles are lighter and more durable than wooden ones, though both work well.
Fiskars sells its splitting axes in five sizes for this reason; a longer axe is not automatically better if you cannot control it.
Three splitting axes compared
| Axe | Maker details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna Swedish Style Splitting Axe (Large) | 30 in long, 5 lb, wooden handle, leather edge cover | Head held with a wooden and a steel wedge |
| Husqvarna Composite Splitting Axe (Large) | Non-stick head coating, fiber-reinforced shaft, stainless steel shaft guard | Hammer face for driving splitting wedges, but not steel wedges |
| Fiskars Ultra Splitting Axe U32 | RazorEdge grind, ToughCoat nickel plating, FiberComp shaft | Overstrike protection and a protective sheath |
Husqvarna's composite page does not list length or weight, so check the listing before buying, and use Fiskars' arm-length test to judge the fit.
How to split safely
- Clear the area of branches, stones and people; Fiskars warns split pieces can shoot meters away.
- Wear safety glasses and gloves.
- Use a chopping block: Fiskars suggests a sturdy hardwood log about 60 to 80 cm high (roughly 24 to 31 in), so a missed swing hits the block.
- Stand right: feet wide and the log at a distance you can reach with the axe held straight out.
- Grip: relaxed but secure, stronger hand lower on the handle.
- Keep it sharp: Fiskars says to sharpen before you start.
Getting more one-strike splits
- Split along the grain, aiming at the middle of the round or at visible cracks, and avoid knots where branches grew.
- On thick logs, Fiskars says striking near the edge splits them more easily.
- Fiskars notes fresh wood splits more easily than fully dry wood.
- Use a wedge to hold open a first crack; Husqvarna's composite axe has a hammer face for wedges, but not steel ones.
- Plan ahead: Fiskars says firewood usually needs at least four months from felling to dry in dry weather, to be ready to wait a full year, and to stack it off the ground so air can circulate.
What to look for when you buy
Classic wooden handle: Husqvarna Swedish Style Splitting Axe (Large)
Best for: Thicker rounds and users who prefer a wooden handle
Husqvarna lists 30 in and 5 lb, a two-hand handle, a leather edge cover and a head secured with wooden and steel wedges.
Watch out: At 5 lb it is near the top of Husqvarna's 3 to 6 lb splitting-axe range; try Fiskars' one-hand lift test.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Composite with wedge face: Husqvarna Composite Splitting Axe (Large)
Best for: Larger logs and pairing with splitting wedges
Husqvarna lists a non-stick coated head shaped for large logs, a fiber-reinforced shaft with stainless steel guard and a hammer face for splitting wedges.
Watch out: Husqvarna says not to use the hammer face on steel wedges; confirm length on the listing.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Coated blade: Fiskars Ultra Splitting Axe U32
Best for: Users who want a sharp, low-friction blade and a light composite shaft
Fiskars lists a RazorEdge ground blade, ToughCoat nickel plating, a FiberComp shaft with overstrike protection, a SoftGrip handle and a sheath.
Watch out: Check the handle length against your arm, as Fiskars recommends.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- What is the best axe for splitting wood?
- A splitting axe sized to you: Fiskars says the handle should match your arm length and lift easily in one hand.
- Is a splitting maul better than a splitting axe?
- For very large rounds a maul's 6 to 8 lb head helps, Husqvarna says, but a lighter splitting axe is easier to swing for longer.
- How heavy should a splitting axe be?
- Husqvarna says splitting axe heads generally weigh 3 to 6 lb; pick one you can control.
- Can I use a regular axe to split wood?
- A felling axe cuts fibers instead of splitting them, Husqvarna says, so a splitting axe works far better.
Sources
- How to select an axe, Fiskars
- How to chop firewood, Fiskars
- Ultra axes, Fiskars
- Best axe for splitting wood, Husqvarna
- Composite Splitting Axe (Large), Husqvarna
- Swedish Style Splitting Axe (Large), Husqvarna