Are you looking for the best splitting axe for the money?
Well, you’ve come to the right place because that’s exactly what I’ll be going over in this post.
So, let’s get straight into it!
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |
1844 Helko Werk |
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#2 Pick |
Germany Mini Spalter |
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|
 |
Adler Super Splitter |
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|
 |
Husqvarna 32 |
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|
Best for the money |
Fiskars IsoCore |
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|
 |
Estwing |
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|
 |
Intertool |
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|
 |
Fiskars 378841 |
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|
 |
Intertool |
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Cheap |
Performance Tool M7113 |
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1. 1844 Helko Werk (Best Overall)
- Head Weight: 6.2 lb
- Handle Length: 31 in.
- Total Weight: 8.5 lb
The C50 High Carbon Steel head is designed specifically to make obliterating through wood easy and split firewood quickly. The head is also designed so that you won’t have to pry the head out of the wood after your swing.
It’s a heavy enough steelhead where the head should easily slice through your firewood. The head comes pre-sharpened, meaning it’s ready to go the second you open the box.
The Grade-A American Hickory handle comes with a boiled linseed oil finish, saving you time by not having to do it yourself for the first time. It’s been sanded and coated before being put in the box; you won’t need to worry about getting splinters any time soon.
Whenever you have any problems with your product, the Helko Werk customer service team is quick to redeem themselves. They have responded countless times to customer complaints on major forums and even on Amazon reviews. They want you to be happy with your purchased product.
Great for when you are on a time crunch to get your firewood chopped before the sun and thus the temperature drops. This beast has the sheer power of a maul, while still having the proper ratio of power-to-fluidity for a smooth swing.
2. Germany Mini Spalter [#2 Pick]
- Head Weight: 2.5 lbs
- Handle Length: 20 in
- Total Weight: 3 lbs
This short handled splitting axe is great to take with you when going camping. Its size is great for a portable situation, and could even work as a backpacking option.
The short handle is also great to have by the wood stove so you can chop your firewood more precisely. You can swing this axe with one hand, once you’re accustomed to its weight.
The dual wedge head is great for delivering powerful strikes and you don’t need to worry about the head getting stuck in the wood. Its wide edged head makes it easy to split the wood fibers apart, being able to do so often in just one swing.
Being part of the Helko Werk Traditional Line gets you excellent customer service. If you were to ever have problems with your axe, their team is quick to respond and take care of your needs.
They have responded to countless reviews and they are easy to communicate with by directly contacting them over their website.
3. Adler Super Splitter
- Head Weight: 6.2 lbs
- Handle Length: 31.5in
- Total Weight: 8.2 lbs
This axe head is heavy-duty, the hardness of the head is about 47-55 HRC. This is great because you know you can trust that the head will not chip over a missed swing.
The axe head is especially unique because of its hollow-forged expansion wedge. This fancy wedge makes it damn near impossible for the wood to pinch and trap the axe head in the log.
The handle is ergonomically designed and comes with an anti-slip grip so you can firmly grasp the axe. The length of the handle is best for the average body size, meaning you can line up your swing well.
The axe balance is great, as it is meant for heavy-duty work. With how heavy the whole axe is you can easily take care of the larger projects from splitting rounds to chopping thicker logs.
4. Husqvarna 32
- Head Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Handle Length: 32 in
- Total Weight: 7 lbs
This brand has been a reliable brand that focuses on lawn & garden, as well as chainsaws and snow blowers. With that reliability comes a dependable expectation from the brand to design a quality product.
The axe head on this splitting axe is specially designed so that you can split the largest rounds and handle the biggest of logs. After having felled a 50ft tree and slicing into rounds, this axe had me speeding through splitting rounds and finishing the project within 3 hours.
The hand-forged metalhead has a flat back, so if you care to use a proper maul you can use the backside of this to drill it in.
I choose this to be on the list because of its size and weight. Probably the best option for the larger body type people, this axe gives the best leverage. You can get a full swing out of the axe even when you are more of the average body size.
5. Fiskars IsoCore (best for the money)
- Head Weight: 8 lbs
- Handle Length: 36 in
- Total Weight: 10 lbs
This Fiskars IsoCore heavy-duty axe is meant to handle the bigger projects including larger logs and splitting rounds. Like the Husqvarna it has a driving face on the backside of the head, this makes it easier for you to use just one tool to split rounds with an additional maul.
The geometry of the head is ideal for penetrating your firewood and never gets pinched in the wood. The head is securely riveted into the handle so you can deliver maximum force and never worry about it sliding down the handle no matter how many years you use it.
The handle is extra-long so larger people can easily gain the leverage they need to deliver maximum power. Not only is it great for larger people but you can expect a well-designed handle that is meant to keep your hands firmly in place.
It is good to go both ways, for when you want to use the backside of the head to drive in a maul. To top all of that off, the handle is manufactured with a system that can absorb all the shock and vibration. You can rest assured that your arms and body will not get too rattled by every swing.
6. Estwing
- Head Weight: 3.4 lbs
- Handle Length: 26 in
- Total Weight: 5 lbs
The forged steel construction merges the handle with the head so you don’t need to think about the head coming loose. This fluid system is incredibly beneficial in that the seamless transition means the axe head is just as durable as the handle; you will not need to replace any individual piece.
The sturdiness of this axe cannot be undersold; with one full swing, you can feel the entire axe deliver to make quick work of any log.
The size and weight of the axe are great for felling small trees, limbing, and certainly capable of chopping the small to midsize rounds. With it being one fluid piece, the balance is obvious when picking it up.
The size is also ideal for those that want to take this camping as you can easily strap it to your backpack or just leave it in the camper. You can easily mount this axe outdoors as it will be great against the weather, low rust risk.
The attention to detail on this axe is incredible. The head and neck have been hand polished before putting in the box. As well as the head having been sharpened, it is ready to be used right out of the box.
7. Intertool
- Head Weight: 4.9 lbs
- Handle Length: 32 in
- Total Weight: 7.1 lbs
This is another heavy-duty splitting maul style axe so you can use the backside of the axe head to hammer in a maul. The head’s bit is designed with a splitting wedge so you can easily plow through every log you need to split.
The head has a convex steel blade so the wedge will force the wood apart and leaves you with more energy to split more logs instead of spending all your time splitting one.
The handle is at a great length where even taller people can comfortably gain leverage on any task. The handle is made of fiberglass so it can absorb all shock, leaving you less rattled at the end of the day. The fiberglass handle has rubber grips so you can maintain your grasp on the axe, even on wet days.
The weight distribution on this axe is perfect. Its perfect balance means as you lift up the axe it tends to jump with your pull, and as you lower the axe it wants to accelerate and split any log.
The heavy head and long handle give you the chance to lay into any round or large log that needs splitting. The whole design of the axe is incredibly ergonomic and comfortable feeling in your hands.
8. Fiskars 378841
- Head Weight: Heavy
- Handle Length: 36in
- Total Weight: 5.8lb
This axe is a great more affordable option for those who are looking to spend their money on accessories. Fiskars give you the benefit of a lifetime warranty so you can trust that this will be the last axe you ever buy. The value you get with this axe is unmatched on my list.
It is an incredibly durable axe that can handle just about any size log you need to split, especially the medium to larger sized logs. It is even equipped to handle splitting rounds. The advanced bevel convex blade geometry means that the wood will split easier by being forced apart.
The blade geometry makes it easier for the blade to come out of any log that didn’t split on the first swing.
Fiskars prides themselves on it’s lightweight ability so that you can easily swing to your heart’s content. The length of the handle allows taller people to get a full swing out of it and at the same time maximize their power and speed.
Its Finnish design means that it has the perfect weight distribution to create the perfect flow when working on a large log. The FiberComp handle is designed with ergonomics in mind and as you can easily hold and grip the axe, the handle is made so your hands will never slip unintentionally.
9. Intertool
- Head Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Handle Length: 21 in
- Total Weight: 3.5 lbs
This is the least expensive option on my list. While it is cheaper than the others, it is not to be scoffed at. This is a great option for those who need something bigger than a hatchet but also something, not quite an axe.
The most valuable part of this axe is its size, as it can almost be equated to a hatchet. Although it is small it is still capable of handling medium-sized logs. Its portability is to the point where you can put it inside your backpack or even underneath the driver’s seat in your camper.
The bit is designed to be easy to sharpen and can sustain a sharp edge for a long time; saving you a lot of time trying to maintain the bit. It is made from high-quality steel so won’t have to worry about the bit chipping or breaking.
10. Performance Tool M7113 (Cheap)
- Head Weight: 6 lbs
- Handle Length: 33 in
- Total Weight: 7.5 lbs
Another heavy-duty option for the list, but with this one you get to save some money. The heavy head is designed to stay extra sharp and handle all the larger projects you need out of it. The head comes with a mirror polish, meaning it’ll impress your friends when they see a shiny matte black new axe.
The handle is designed with fiberglass and can handle all shocks, with a special rubber cushion for the proper grips. The length of the handle is also a great length for both average and larger body sizes, so everyone can get the leverage they need over their firewood that needs splitting.
While it is a fiberglass handle, it is very durable and can handle all the weight of the head being thrown around.
This axe comes with a quality warranty where the company will take care of you when the axe is not performing up to its standards. Performance Tool has been making axes for years and wants you to be happy with the product you purchase from them.
Conclusion
The best splitting axe for the money is the 1844 Helko Werk. It has a head weight of 6.2 lb, a handle length of 31 inches, and a total weight of 8.5 lb. It’s ideal for splitting rounds and larger logs. The handle has plenty of grit so you won’t lose control.
Hope you found what you were looking for in this guide.
Happy splitting!
– Adam
