OHUB Holiday Gift Guide: Axes to Get You Through Fimbulwinter
1. Gränsfors Bruk Scandinavian Forest Axe
Gransfors Bruk makes some of the best axes on the planet and it’s actually really hard to determine which one of their axes is truly “the best.” The Gränsfors Scandinavian Forest Axe is a more professional axe, ideal for felling larger trees and for limbing a felled tree. The long handle also gives more power to the cutting motion meaning its great for felling trees for processing but still does a pretty decent job of splitting smaller logs in a pinch. The axe measures in at just a hair over two feet making it a bit large to serve as a hiking or backpacking axe, but for at home or around the campsite its a truly indispensable tool for its price.
2. Hults Bruk - Agdor 28" Yankee
Mid-sized felling axes like the Agdor 28 Yankee are sought after for their portability and versatility. A 2.75-pound hand-forged Yankee pattern axe head is paired with a curved 28-inch American hickory handle that provides leverage and power for cutting down trees. The Agdor 28 is ready for overnight wilderness trips, car camping, and clearing deadfall along the trail.
Painted Agdor blue and expertly hand forged from premium Swedish steel, sharpened and ready to use out of the box. Accompanied by a leather sheath, handcrafted in Waynesville, N.C. using traditional methods. The cutting edge is approximately 4-inches in length. Note: all Hults Bruk axes are hand forged, so there may be slight variations from axe to axe.
3. Husqvarna A1400
- Axe is designed for versatile use on a variety of cutting projects
- Premium 2.2 lbs. steel Axe head is coated to improve cutting
- Perfect balance and weight distribution
- Fiber-glass composite handle
- Lifetime warranty
- Includes proposition 65 labeling for California
4. Council Tool Boy's Axe
2.25 lbs. Dayton axe head outfitted with a 28 in. curved hickory handle. Popularly referred to as a “boy’s” axe. A “mid” sized tool. Dayton pattern originated from the Dayton, Ohio, area.
- Forged tool steel head. Made in USA.
- Hand sharpened, tapered bit for cutting and light splitting.
- ANSI Standards call for bit hardness of Rc 45-60, at least ½ inch back from the cutting edge. Council Tool internal standards call for tempered bit hardness of Rc 48-55 and we target 1-1/4 inches from the cutting edge. The poll and eye walls are not hardened and remain in the as forged condition.
- Head coated with boiled Linseed Oil over the as forged finish.
- 28 in. curved American hickory handle. Eye section is dried to below 10% moisture content to minimize shrinkage and help prevent loosening. Hafted high and proud.
- Axe head is hydraulically seated onto handle and secured with a traditional double wedge system.
- The interior detail of the eye is tapered and allows for a strong mechanical bond. Approximately 1/4 in. of overall length of the handle is removed during assembly.
5. Huckberry Felling Axe
Barebones is all about feeling the dirt in your hands, watching the stars shining down on you out in the backcountry, and finding time to enjoy the simplest pleasures life has to offer. Inspired by old forestry felling axes from the 19th century designed for a powerful swing, this axe combines a lightweight carbon steel head and a hand-sharpened blade with a beautifully curved hickory handle for tried-and-true cutting precision. It’s super versatile, perfectly balanced, and comfortable for long periods of use—ideal for clearing trees and processing firewood the good old-fashioned way.
What axe head is best for splitting wood?
If the only thing you’re doing is splitting, a splitting maul or splitting axe work best. Splitting mauls are more efficient for large rounds, but their weight and length require a lot of strength to handle proficiently
How do I take care of my Axe?
Axes need to be maintained just like any other tool but Axes in particular are hard-use tools that need slightly different care. Over time your axe head bit (the very edge of the blade) will get dinged up from use and you’ll have to eventually sharpen it. In addition, if you use your axe in a particularly wet or humid climate, you’ll also need to treat the axe head and handle with good-quality oil. Many people choose to use gun oil since it dries after it’s been applied. Most people agree that Linseed oil is probably the best way to treat an axe handle, however, a lot of newer axes have polymer handles or tough epoxy paint jobs on the handles so in some cases this won’t apply.
How do I sharpen an Axe head?
To sharpen your axe you need a file or coarse (diamond-coated) sharpening stone. The coarser the grain the coarser the stone, and the more material the stone removes. Do not use a grinding wheel because it can heat up the steel to such an extent it can affect the hardness of the steel. Sharpening stones for axes are quite affordable, costing around $10 or so but proper files are also quite affordable too.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
