7 Best Felling Axes in 2022 – Top Picks & Reviews

Felling trees is serious business. It normally takes a great deal of energy and endurance to swing that axe into a strong tree in excess of and over yet again. But the axe wants to be just as strong to endure that abuse by way of not just a single tree, but several trees in excess of numerous many years.

Regular axes may be excellent for chopping firewood, but felling trees is another issue. A regular axe will very likely be destroyed by the time you have felled just a few, which is why you need a accurate felling axe if you prepare to provide down more than just a tree or two.

A well-made felling axe is much more than just a instrument it’s a operate of art. These axes are some of the strongest, most tough equipment there are, and the proper one will probably be about for lengthier than you. By means of our testing, we have identified 7 these kinds of felling axes that we’re likely to share with you in the adhering to critiques.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Husqvarna A2400 Composite Axe	Fiber-reinforced composite shaft Excellent weight distribution Warrantied for life	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Snow and Nealley 26 Single Bit Axe	Head is crafted from high carbon steel Made in the USA Overall length of 30”	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		1844 Helko Werk Germany Classic Forester	Dual-wedge head hanging 5-pound head 150-grit sanded handle	CHECK PRICE
		Gransfors Bruks 434-2  American Felling Axe	Weighs 4.8 pounds in total Long 35-inch handle Well-balanced design	CHECK PRICE
		Hults Bruk Kalix Felling Axe	Head is made of solid Swedish steel The handle is American hickory Weighs 3.6 pounds overall	CHECK PRICE

The 7 Best Felling Axes – Reviews 2022

1. Husqvarna A2400 Composite Axe – Best Overall

If you’ve at any time brought down a tree before, you’ve probably listened to of Husqvarna. However, to be reasonable, you may possibly not affiliate them with axes. Husqvarna is properly-known for making substantial-quality chainsaws. That stated, their axes are leading-notch tools that can be relied on to survive several years of ongoing abuse.

The Husqvarna A2400 axe characteristics a fall-solid blade with geometry that’s developed to perform well in several purposes. Even though the deal with is not contoured, it is manufactured from a fiber-bolstered composite, providing outstanding durability. In fact, it’s so durable that Husqvarna warranties this axe for lifestyle a wonderful addition at this value.

Thanks to the composite shaft, this axe has some of the best weight distribution we’ve seen. It’s 27 inches long total, but many thanks to its exceptional stability, it feels like you’re swinging with more leverage than when using a much lengthier axe. In the end, this was our favored felling axe total, and the life time guarantee makes certain that it will be about to support you bring down several trees over several years.

2. Snow and Nealley 26 Single Bit Axe – Best Value

It’s accurate that most substantial-top quality felling axes are prohibitively high-priced. That does not indicate you have to devote a fortune to get a fantastic resource even though. There are exceptions to every single rule. In this case, we think this Snow and Neally single bit axe is the exception to the rule and definitely a single of the greatest felling axes for the income.

The very first point we have to mention is that this is a beautiful tool. As much as appearances go, this axe is correct on par with goods that expense twice as considerably. The grain in the manage is all oriented appropriately and the end of the head and deal with both are easy and seem incredible. Like many comparable axes, this a single functions a hickory take care of, but it is completed with lacquer rather than oil. The good news is, the lacquer is well applied.

We located that this axe provides lots of electrical power guiding each swing. It’s received a three.5-pound head and an total size of thirty inches. It could be a little bit for a longer time, but we nonetheless got great leverage and ended up able to just take down sizable trees with out too much effort. However, we did have to sharpen the blade very first as it arrived boring.

3. 1844 Helko Werk Germany Classic Forester – Premium Choice

One particular of the most important factors when choosing a felling axe is create high quality, and the good quality of the 1844 Helko Werk Germany Traditional Forester is next to none. As before long as you contact it, you can feel the high quality of the craftsmanship. Granted, you’re likely to pay a lot for that top quality.

This axe features a 3.five-pound head that delivers ample bodyweight and chopping energy to deliver down big trees without having sapping you of strength. The head is mounted to the take care of with a dual-wedge technique, utilizing the two a hardwood wedge and a steel ring wedge, guaranteeing optimum toughness and longevity. Soon after all, this is in which all of the impact will be felt.

The head is crafted from C50 large-carbon steel and is entirely hand forged by best-tier educated blacksmiths.

Transferring on to the take care of, this axe functions a quality-A American hickory handle. It is hand-finished sanded down to 150-grit and dealt with with boiled linseed oil. This sleek end minimizes the chance of blisters with normal use. It is not as nicely-well balanced as some axes we’ve analyzed, but the general construct good quality and longevity are as very good as it will get.

4. Gransfors Bruks 434-2  American Felling Axe

If you are searching for a beast of a device that is developed for the Paul Bunyon’s of the entire world, then you have located it in the Gransfors Bruks 434-two American felling axe. This tool is a mammoth, weighing in at 4.eight kilos total. That may possibly not appear that hefty, but it is a very good 25% heavier than a lot of of the other felling axes we ended up screening it in opposition to. That equates to a great deal more energy behind each and every swing, even though you’ll very likely tire out a lot a lot quicker as well.

One particular excellent edge of this axe more than others we have tried out is the additional-long 35-inch handle. This offers increased leverage, providing you a lot more power behind every single swing. Luckily, this axe is very nicely well balanced, so even though it’s going to use far more power many thanks to the extra bodyweight and duration, it can make fantastic use of the additional leverage.

The head of this axe stays sharp through numerous swings, so you won’t have to sharpen it also usually. We weren’t thrilled with the come to feel of the take care of when it arrived however. It’s pretty tough and may even give you splinters. With this kind of an high-priced axe, we did not anticipate to sand the take care of prior to use.

5. Hults Bruk Kalix Felling Axe

The Hults Bruk Kalix felling axe is a extremely nice instrument, although it could use far better quality assurance just before currently being delivered out. Overall, the develop high quality is quite first rate, featuring a head produced of solid Swedish metal and a handle that’s crafted from American hickory. It is nicely-created, even though it is very best for felling small to mid-sized trees. We’d depart the large trees to something with slightly greater build top quality.

That doesn’t mean this is a inadequately constructed axe by any signifies. It weighs three.six pounds all round and has a 28-inch deal with. The head is obvious lacquered, and the shaft is taken care of with linseed oil for a gorgeous visual appeal and a very good truly feel in your arms.

But the head is not mounted as securely as we’d like. It is truly a little loose. It didn’t seem to be to get any looser in the course of use, but a free head does not instill self confidence. The blade was also boring when it arrived, which intended we experienced to take the time to sharpen it. That’s not a big offer, but normally talking, we expect a device like this to be all set to perform when it comes.

6. Council Tool Velvicut American Felling Axe

Council Tool makes substantial-good quality tools in the United states. We’ve employed several of their axes beforehand and in no way been dissatisfied, but the Velvicut American felling axe isn’t one particular that impressed us a lot. Many flaws held it back, like inadequate finishing on the axe head and a rough handle. We experienced to return the 1st one due to the bad complete on the head and many different colours of wooden in the deal with. The 2nd a single was significantly far better, but we experienced a negative flavor from the very first specimen.

Even the next one had a rough manage that needed some sanding. But we adore the extended size this handle is a complete 36 inches of American hickory. It is also coated with linseed oil to shield it. Similarly, the head is oil-coated as properly, improving its appearance although protecting it from corrosion.

The head is tough and features a tempered edge for highest strength. Far better however, the head is certain to previous a life time. It is a lovely tool general and undoubtedly supplies ample energy with the prolonged handle, but the inconsistent top quality indicates that we can not suggest it more than other axes that seem to be a lot more regularly properly-built.

7. GEDORE OX 20 H-1257 Universal Forestry Axe

The GEDORE OX universal forestry axe did not reside up to our expectations. To be honest, it is a single of the lower-priced equipment on this list, even though there had been nevertheless more affordable resources we analyzed that provided outstanding functionality. For the top quality it provides, we in fact consider the GEDORE OX is overpriced considering that other axes presented much better top quality for much less.

Right after testing, the best issue we have to say about this axe is that it’s properly well balanced and feels good to swing. The 28-inch take care of is a little brief for our style, though that’s a issue of choice. Nevertheless, the bad grain alignment on the manage is a good quality worry as it tends to make the take care of weaker and a lot more susceptible to breaking.

Even worse, the blade is quite comfortable. It has trouble taking an edge and even tends to roll more than on hard impacts. Typically, a leather-based blade go over is incorporated, but this sheath is not actual leather-based, so it’s not tough adequate to hold up towards the blade. General, we truly feel that we overpaid for this axe, thinking about its inadequate top quality. We suggest that you discover from our mistake and skip this device in favor of one thing with much better create good quality.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Felling Axe

If you’ve been cutting down trees by hand for years, then you possibly previously know exactly what you are hunting for in a felling axe. But without palms-on expertise, selecting a felling axe can be much more hard than you may possibly feel at initial.

If you’re even now doubtful of which axe to choose, really don't worry. We’ve narrowed down the most essential functions that you should be contemplating and we’ll examine them all in this buyer’s guide so that you truly feel self-confident about creating the proper choice.

Important Features of a Felling Axe

If you evaluate a number of of these axes on look alone, you’ll most likely have a difficult time figuring out any significant differences. But there are a number of important facets to consider that can make a big distinction in how your axe performs or how extended it retains up.

Take all of these features into consideration ahead of deciding on which axe to buy. If you decide on an axe primarily based on these characteristics, you’re very likely to get a resource that is ideal for your requirements.

Total Length

Few traits will have this sort of a significant effect on how your axe feels to swing as its overall size. A for a longer time axe is heading to give you much more leverage, but it can also be a little bit more challenging to control. With a shorter axe, you’ll have far more handle but less energy. This can make it more tough to get by means of thick trees.

If you are heading to be felling medium to huge-sized trees, then choose for a lengthier take care of to get better leverage. But if you’re only cutting small to mid-sized trees, you may well benefit from the additional manage you’ll get from a shorter axe.

On the prolonged aspect of the spectrum, you may well decide on an axe with an overall size of 36 inches. If you are hunting for far more manage, you may possibly select anything that’s just 28-thirty inches lengthy general.

Weight of the Head

All round size is just 1 component of the leverage equation. A heavier head means more swinging energy, but as soon as yet again, it is likely to be harder to handle. We analyzed felling axes with heads ranging from two lbs to more than 4 lbs. While a few pounds bodyweight difference may well not seem like considerably, it feels like a great deal much more when you start swinging.

Harmony

Of program, the fat of the head has to be proportional to the bodyweight and duration of the handle if you want control and energy collectively. An axe which is not nicely-well balanced will be significantly tougher to handle. This isn’t anything you can just go through off a spec sheet, however. Balance has to do with the fat and length of the head and shaft with each other, so you require to swing the axe to actually know how it is balanced.

Head Toughness

These axes characteristic heads made from metal. Nevertheless, the type of steel employed and the way it’s cast differ in between brand names and designs. This prospects to visible variances in sturdiness. Some axes that are not as tough are liable to break from a weighty influence. A lot more very likely, the edge will roll above. Possibly way, it’s heading to place a true damper on your work and stop you in your tracks. We recommend hunting for a resilient head that will keep up for several years of normal use.

Deal with Content

Most felling axes are created with a hardwood handle like hickory. These can be changed if required, although they’re developed to final for a long time. Nevertheless, wooden is inclined to many troubles, including inconsistencies and grain flaws. Composite handles depict an option that offers amazing sturdiness and can even support minimize the shock that your arms come to feel with every effect.

Ready on Arrival?

When we purchase a tool, we typically expect it to be ready to function when it comes. But that wasn’t the scenario with numerous felling axes we tested. Some of these arrived with tough handles and boring blades. This intended sanding the handles down and usually refinishing them with oil. If the blade was uninteresting, we had to just take the time to sharpen it 1st. These aren’t likely to get several hours of your time, but they’re still added measures you have to get just before the axe is ready to operate.

Does the Blade Keep Sharp?

No subject what, you’ll want to sharpen your axe blade routinely. It’s just element of the procedure. But some blades keep sharp lengthier than other folks, which implies they demand considerably less-recurrent sharpening. Normally, we desire any resource that calls for considerably less routine maintenance, so if you can find a blade that stays sharp through numerous cuts, it will preserve you time in the extended run.

Conclusion

Axes are one particular of the oldest equipment that we nonetheless use these days. Once, you had to check out the regional blacksmith to have your axe custom manufactured, but right now, these useful resources are considerably less difficult to acquire. Even if they haven’t transformed as well considerably in the seems to be or features office, sturdiness and high quality have surely enhanced. Any of the axes from our testimonials will give you with a robust, capable instrument, but there are a few that we advise previously mentioned the relaxation.

Our top option is the Husqvarna A2400 composite axe. It functions a fall-cast head and a fiber-bolstered composite shaft with excellent weight distribution for improved leverage. Greatest of all, it’s reasonably priced and warrantied for daily life.

Priced even much more affordably, the Snow and Neally solitary little bit axe is our pick for best worth. It’s received an overall length of 30 inches with a 3.5-pound head crafted from high carbon metal for amazing longevity and enhanced swinging energy.

And for a quality felling axe you can hand down to your young children, we suggest the 1844 Helko Werk Germany Vintage Forester. This axe attributes a hand solid C50 high carbon steel head with twin-wedge hanging and a a hundred and fifty-grit sanded hickory manage.