It would seem that there is no simpler tool than an ax. Maybe a shovel. However, in fact, making an ax so that it perfectly performs its functions, is convenient and lasts a long time is not so easy. Many people remember the old Soviet axes, which were successfully used by more than one generation of men in the family. However, their quality varied greatly; moreover, the wooden handle could not withstand the loads and required periodic hammering of the wedges, and then, sooner or later, complete replacement.
Today there are tools on the market that combine several decades of manufacturing experience, technologically advanced materials and special equipment. The result is Finnish axes from Fiskars, which are at the top of the ranking of similar products.
Main characteristics
When performing various tasks in the garden, it is advisable to use high-quality tools.
Fiskars universal axes have incredible functionality. They have a modern design and ergonomic shape. One of the latest innovations is a three-dimensional handle made of SoftGrip material. It has touch points that provide a comfortable grip. During production, the working surface is subjected to a double hardening procedure, due to which the blade becomes strong and reliable. The blade design is made using a special grinding technology, thanks to which the sharp edge has better contact with the wood. It is quite wide, so dense wood can be split with a few blows.
The blade remains sharp for a long time because it is covered with a protective layer of Teflon. It reduces friction by 25% and protects the blade from the negative effects of moisture.
With the Fiskars axe, which has only good reviews, you can easily split powerful logs and cut down trees with thick trunks. Due to the fact that weight and power are correctly distributed during operation, the impact is very strong. It is almost impossible to break FiberComp handles. FiberComp is a rare fiberglass composite that:
- has low weight;
- stronger than steel;
- prevents surfaces from slipping;
- immune to rust;
- has shock-absorbing properties and low cold conductivity.
However, one must keep in mind that each type of ax is effective only in its own area, for example, it is quite difficult for carpenters to cut down a large trunk, and a cleaver is not intended for performing fine carpentry work. The model range of Fiskars axes is distinguished by its diversity.
Product selection rules
To make a competent choice of a cleaver, it is necessary to take into account several important parameters. Only in this case will it be convenient to use, durable and reliable .
Weight. The product should not be too heavy. Chopping wood requires a lot of strength, it lasts quite a long time, so working with a heavy tool will lead to rapid fatigue. But a very light cleaver will not allow you to deliver a strong blow. The optimal weight is considered to be 2-2.5 kg. This cleaver can easily handle small logs. The hand will not get tired for quite a long time.- Blade. The performance of the tool depends on this detail. There are several types of blades available on the market. The latest development is the “eared” design. This cleaver can only be used to chop dry wood. It is not designed to handle wet logs. The blade begins to jam. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to strike harder. If the butt gets stuck, a second blow is applied. The lump should split.
There is a cleaver with a wedge-shaped blade. It is very easy for them to split raw wood. The wide, dull blade does not get stuck in the log. It shatters into pieces within a few hits.
Important! For raw wood, use a wedge blade. The “eared” blade can easily handle dry wood.
Which brand ax to choose?
As we already mentioned in one of the articles, hand tools are produced by many companies around the world. Similar enterprises exist in every country - from some Uganda to great Russia. The production methods used are approximately the same. Tool steel is available everywhere, and handle material is easy to find. And yet, some companies have become world leaders - their products can be found not only in their homeland, but also in other countries.
The most popular axes in our country are under the following brands:
When choosing an ax, you should not pay special attention to the country of origin. Believe me, a high-quality product is produced in Russia, and in Germany, and in the USA, and in many other countries
Handle design
The force of impact on the log depends on the length of the handle. When choosing a tool, try to find the optimal value. The handle should be comfortable and not very heavy , because you will have to work for a very long time.
Typically, ax handles are made of wood. They are not very expensive, are highly durable, and perfectly dampen vibration. However, if subjected to a strong impact, they may break. An alternative material could be a handle made of fiberglass. This material has the best qualities of wood and the strength of metal. Wood eliminates vibration, metal guarantees reliability. The fiberglass handle is an anti-corrosion material and is not afraid of aggressive substances.
The best splitting ax
MATRIX 21816
Hand tools under the MATRIX brand have proprietary fiberglass handles. This ax is no exception. Its handle is made of the above-mentioned material. Additionally, the creators rubberized it. The result is a very beautiful instrument. But much more interesting is the fact that it does not slip in your hands at all.
And this is important, because the length of the ax is 880 mm. With a weight of 2 kg, the swing turns out to be sweeping and strong - under no circumstances should the ax slip out
There are special thickenings on both sides of the working blade. It is thanks to them that the ax is called a cleaver. The wood splits under the pressure of these thickenings even if the blow is not very strong. It is also impossible not to note the fact that the blade is made of grade 45 steel and is forged. The cutting edge has a Rockwell hardness of 48-50 HRc.
Advantages:
- There are special thickenings on the sides of the canvas;
- Very long handle;
- Fiberglass material is rubberized;
- High blade hardness;
- The head is placed very tightly on the handle;
- The weight of the ax has been deliberately increased.
Flaws:
- Many people will find it too expensive;
- There are examples with poorly processed steel;
- Forgotten hanging hole.
Properties of new models
The Finnish company constantly introduces the latest technologies. The new generation of cleavers has become tools with an improved blade. To increase efficiency, the center of gravity is slightly shifted. As a result, the new models began to differ from the previous ones in several additional properties:
- Double hardening together with precision grinding increased the strength of the blade.
- Productivity has increased.
- Work has become safer.
- The handle has acquired shock-absorbing properties.
- There is a special hook at the end of the handle that prevents the tool from falling out of the hand.
- The handle is pressed into the ax handle under high pressure. The instrument will never split into several components.
If you follow the basic rules when choosing a tool, you can be sure that such an ax will be used for many years.
Advantages and disadvantages
The pros and cons of such a product, on the one hand, characterize this particular type of ax, and on the other hand, they give a general assessment of axes in comparison with other means for cutting wood. First of all, its advantage is its low cost compared to its closest competitors - chainsaws. Although, on the other hand, using axes is physically more difficult and, in addition, they are more expensive than hacksaws.
Compared to travel axes and axes, the universal look is best balanced due to the optimal ratio of weight and size of the blade and handle. In addition, modern multifunctional tools have multiple blade attachments, which ensures their reliability. Unfortunately, sometimes additional sharpening is required after purchasing an ax in a store.
The best carpenter's axes
IZHSTAL 030904-120
The company, located in Izhevsk, produces a variety of hand tools, which are then sold at a very low price. And if other budget products have a number of disadvantages, then IZHSTAL axes generally only delight their customers. The model we are considering is a quality product. It uses a wooden handle that practically does not slip in your hands. The instrument turned out to be weighty, which only benefits it.
The manufacturer used hard wood to make the handle. The fastening of the ax turned out to be quite reliable. This tool is recommended for splitting, cutting and processing wood. In particular, the ax has proven itself well in carpentry and cutting wood.
Advantages:
- Reliable wooden handle;
- Weight is 1200 grams;
- Excellent ax handle made of steel;
- Very low cost;
- Well sharpened.
Flaws:
- Approximately every fifth copy is defective;
- No hanging hole.
Husqvarna 5769264-01
One of the best carpenter's axes. Its handle was made of wood, and it has an ergonomic shape and a hole for hanging. The total length of the tool is 375 mm. It differs in that the ax handle here sits on the handle, as if poured into it. Some buyers have no complaints even after two years of regular use of this ax. The fastening system consists of two wedges: one is wooden and the other is steel.
The only serious drawback of the product is its price. This is explained by the fact that Swedish steel was used to make the butt. We must also not forget that Husqvarna is not a Russian company, and therefore certain funds were spent on the delivery of the tool. Otherwise, it is impossible to find fault with the axe.
Advantages:
- Sharp sharpening;
- The butt is made of Swedish steel;
- The handle hardly slips in your hands;
- High-quality wood was used to produce the handle;
- Optimal weight (985 g);
- Good case included;
- There is a hole for hanging on a hook.
Flaws:
MATRIX 21640
Nowadays, axes with handles made of rubberized fiberglass are increasingly coming on sale. MATRIX 21640 is one of them. This type of handle is good for several reasons. Firstly, it reduces the weight of the tool. In this case, the mass does not exceed 0.6 kg. Secondly, such an ax does not slip in your hands at all. Thirdly, it is impossible to damage the fiberglass handle, which has a positive effect on the service life of the tool.
The ax handle of MATRIX 21640 is made of 60G steel; the open forging method was used for this purpose. Buyers note that the handle of this tool does not deform under any conditions. They are also delighted with the low expenditure of force, which is facilitated by the decent inertia of the impact.
Advantages:
- The handle cannot be damaged;
- The rubberized surface absorbs all vibrations;
- Minimum expenditure of effort;
- The ax does not slip in your hands;
- Quite sharp sharpening;
- Durable ax handle;
- There is a hole for hanging.
Flaws:
There is not enough weight for the most effective cutting.
Manufacturers rating
Fiskars
The Finnish company Fiskars, founded in 1649, is now an international supplier of gardening products and tools for home use. For example, a special series of Fiskars Solid tools has been developed for gardening.
Gardena
German leader in garden tools from A to Z since 1961. Nowadays they are leading manufacturers of intelligent garden care systems.
One of the largest and most popular industrial gardening and industrial equipment companies in the world.
Hultafors
The Swedish manufacturer of working tools has been producing all types of products in question since 1883 in accordance with old traditions. A striking example is the Hultafors Felling Ax HY 20.
The best domestic manufacturer of tools and equipment for home and industry.
Kraftool
Another German company that produces professional equipment for construction and repair work.
For more information about universal axes, watch the video below.
Rules of care
The condition of the instrument and the result of the work depend on proper care. The greatest attention is paid to purchasing a branded sharpener. It is a grinding stone made of special ceramics.
For sharpening:
- They lower their head into the groove.
- Turn it several times (the process lasts less than a minute).
It is also worth considering these recommendations:
- store in a dry and warm place;
- avoid exposure to sunlight;
- protect from moisture;
- do not work with objects harder than wood.
Compact tourist Fiskars.
Peculiarities
A multifunctional forged ax in skillful hands can help in preparing firewood for the winter, cutting down branches and even a whole tree. Such a universal tool, in its structure, is similar to others, because it consists of a butt, blade, blade and handle, but has unique features. The main distinguishing features of such an ax include weight, length of the handle, and the sharpening angle of the blade.
Handle weight and length
Unlike other types of axes, universal axes are characterized by relatively large weight. They usually reach one and a half kilograms (for example, the Paratech Biel Tool ax), and this is enough for effective manual work, for example, woodworking. The length of the handle of this product reaches 50 centimeters, since this size guarantees maximum ease of use for a person of average height.
Blade shape and sharpening angle
The most distinctive feature of a utility forged ax is the rounded appearance of its blade. The unique shape significantly influences the work with different types of wood. Thanks to the sharpening angle of 30 degrees, the ax fits better into the logs, separates its chips and thereby reduces the applied effort.
If, when purchasing a tool, it has a straight edge, then you simply need to sharpen and change the shape of the blade to make it easier and more efficient to work with the axe. However, you should entrust this work to specialists, because achieving the ideal shape and thickness is quite difficult. If the cutting edge angle is made too small, the ax will get stuck between the fibers and, conversely, with a large blade angle, the required force during operation increases.
Series and types
Axes may have differences in weight, shape, size and other characteristics depending on their purpose. The Finnish company, following demand, produces several types of axes, each of which finds its own loyal audience of buyers and users.
Plotnitsky
It weighs significantly less than the average cleaver, and the ax handle is not straight, but slightly curved. Plus, it's shorter. All these differences are due to the fact that carpentry tools are used primarily with one hand. More precise work requires a different shape of the ax itself: the blade is thinner, there is no wedge characteristic of a cleaver, thanks to which the log splits. Thanks to the configuration of a carpenter's ax, it is very convenient to perform rough (and, with the proper level of skill, fine) work on dry and fresh wood. Such tools are preferred by professionals, for example, those who build log houses - processing crowns with a good Fiskars carpenter is a quick process.
Cleaver
Perhaps the most famous type of cutting product. This is largely due to the fact that manual skills with an ax are gradually being lost due to the widespread use of automated devices. But replacing a simple cleaver is not such an easy task. Such an ax is simply created to split logs, logs and even whole stumps, which are then conveniently stacked or placed directly into the oven. In many ways, Fiskars cleavers owe their popularity in Russia to the traditions of bathhouse culture, as well as to the fact that many dacha villages still do not have gas supply, and firewood continues to be the cheapest and most accessible type of fuel there.
Universal
The owner who does not engage in carpentry or does not regularly chop wood for kindling needs one tool that would combine the capabilities of all the others, although to a lesser extent than specialized axes. A universal option is recommended for purchase by those who use an ax irregularly. Sometimes you need to cut down a medium-thick tree and split the logs into logs, other times you need to make a simple bench from a log on supports. For all this, a universal ax is suitable - medium in size, moderately heavy and with a comfortable ergonomic handle.
Tourist
There’s no way to go on a hike without an ax – chop wood and branches for a fire, plan the blades for a canopy, or sharpen the points of slingshots for a pot. However, when you carry all the goods behind your back, every 100 grams counts. Therefore, the main point of a tourist hatchet is its compact size without losing the main positive qualities - strength, sharpness, ability to hold an edge, and being usable. Thanks to proven characteristics, a fiberglass-polymer handle and optimally selected weight, Fiskars travel axes allow you to carry these small tools with you while performing quite serious work.
Norden series
For a real man, an ax is not just a tool, it is a way of life, a stylish thing, a brutal object that allows the owner not only to perform utilitarian tasks, but also to receive aesthetic pleasure. For this purpose, the Finnish company has released the Norden line.
The handle here is made of Hickory wood (a type of American walnut). This allows the ax to be authentic, “warm”, like the same grandfather’s ax that he used to break up logs when he arrived at the dacha.
However, despite all the “lamp” nature, the product is as durable and safe as other Fiskars tools. The specific lock for fastening the ax has been preserved - for this purpose, the wood of the ax handle turns into proven reinforced fiberglass after approximately two-thirds of the handle. The wood is coated with a layer of special varnish that prevents drying out and rotting.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
No matter how durable the varnish is, it will wear off sooner or later. After this, the wooden ax can be soaked in suitable oil (for example, linseed). However, if you use an ax often, this is not always necessary - moisture and sweat, combined with friction on the palm, creates a special “polished” film on the surface of the ax, like on old tools, which allows the ax to successfully please the owner for decades.
Solid Series
Translated from English, Solid means “solid”. The line of axes is so named because especially hard carbon steel with additives is used in its production. The double hardening system gives the metal the necessary hardness, which helps to cope with any kind of work. Particular attention is paid to the blade, which is thinner than the main body and is more susceptible to chipping and chipping. A distinctive feature of the axes is the handle, which is black without an orange insert in the grip area.
X-series
A time-tested classic that is well known to fans of the brand. Carefully calibrated geometry of the blades, wedge-shaped “valleys” of the cleaver, smooth descents of universal tools, a proprietary ax handle with an orange SoftGrip coating – all this makes the X-series axes a desirable product in the hands of an experienced person. In addition, in this line all axes are numbered by size - from small to large.
