Good axe

Since you didn't say heavy or light work, here's 3 options.
Split true kindling, the last one -- or a good hatchet clone
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-axe-for-splitting-wood/

Husky, excellent quality and great price. I have 3 older ones, the steel is good, the bits are sharp and the wood grain in the handle is aligned in the correct direction.




https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H48859O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

if you asking me about a dedicated splitting tool, I would go with an Estwing.

They're wicked nontraditional, but my Fiskars Splitting Axe and Splitting Maul are fabulous tools, and the Fiskars lifetime warranty is real. We heat with wood, and I hand split it all with those two.

LUCKYDAWG13 said:

I guess I was looking for something that I could pass on to the grand kids with a little old world looks to it but still be practical

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The Husky's shown above are the best for the money if you value utility, here is one that looks more 'traditional'.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WJGXAQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

If you value old world looks (but I have never used one so IDK about how good of an axe it is):



https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/506...03_test&SS2=B&SN3=FindabilityProd07_Cat&SS3=B

There is not all that much difference between quality axes. Important thing is to learn to sharpen them properly and to use them safely and correctly.

There are plenty of under $50 axes that will get the job done. Or you can buy a $200 ax if it makes you feel like you got something special.

For kindling I'm not even sure I would use an ax. A hatchet would probably work just as good and be handier.

I think you might be looking for a "splitting axe" as opposed to a regular ax or a splitting maul.

Possibly even a splitting hatchet if you are want to make small kindling.

I have a few Gransfors Bruks items and can recommend them on quality but not on price. I bought them years ago and they have gone up in price faster than inflation in recent years.

I second the Husqvarnas mentioned above. At one time they were made by Wetterlings but Im not sure about that now. Wetterlings is another company like Gransfors.

The Stihl branded axes are also very good. I have the Forest Axe with the reinforced haft. I actually used it for felling trees too (driving wedges) and it is a workhorse. It is made by a German company I cannot recall but are excellent quality.

In for the info.
I didnt over think it and I should have.
Bought a combo of hatchets and axes at various yard sales.
Do your research and spend once.

I was think kindling when I suggested that Estwing. They do make first rate stuff. I have Estwing claw hammer and 2lb hammer. Both are tried and true.
I always wanted an Estwing two handed 'foresters.


I heated with wood for years, still do on occasion.

For splitting the big stuff I have a generic rural king maul with fiberglass handle.

Gransfors Bruks makes great stuff, bit $$.

Council is US made, less money but good stuff.

Gransfors Bruks is my go-to brand for axes and hatchets.



The Wildlife Hatchet may be about right for your needs.

Here’s my forestry corner. I have more than this in a storage unit. I have a few years each of being a logger and an arborist.

Stihl Forestry Axe with my home made sheath. That is the second one. It is made by Ochsenkopf.

Estwing hatchet. Have had that since middle school. The leather ring grip is beginning to come apart.

The yellow fiberglass handled one is a Made in India special from Home Depot. I love it for chopping out roots and other gnarly work.

The fiberglass handle husky splitting maul is as good as I have ever used. My sister heats with wood and has a Gransfors Bruks splitting axe and I would call them even. The Gransfors maul is probably better though.

The duct tape reinforced one is a Collins. They had a good reputation among the homeowner crowd back in the 80s and 90s. I’m pretty sure they are still made. My only gripe with it is the sever radius arc on the leading edge. Needs to be flattened out if you ask me. I find it want to slip off an otherwise OK strike when limbing up a downed tree.

hso said:

Take a look at this -

https://www.smkw.com/council-tool-number-axe-5160-steel-ctcwc20pa19c

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They are out of stock at SMKW but Amazon has a 24" Council

https://smile.amazon.com/Council-Tool-Wood-Craft-Hickory-Handle/dp/B01F442H8E

Here's a 20" Husky for half of that:

https://smile.amazon.com/Husqvarna-...NPJ13RB/ref=pd_di_sccai_3/138-1723346-2744239

and ...

I keep this near the fireplace. I wanted something sorta nice and it fills that role.

Hults Bruk: Jonaker Hatchet - Forged Axe Head - Premium Series | All Knives Ship Free

But it doesn't do anything something 1/4 the price won't do.

For general use and availability I'd vote for the Eastwing.
They must still be well thought of as I stopped a guy from stealing one last night at work.

LUCKYDAWG13 said:

What do you guys think of this Axs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008PPZO94/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1BIJD0WUNJB83&psc=1 and this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LG2IKS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1HWCPMZNOJ81C&psc=1 I like the looks of the Snow & Nealley

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The reviews on the Marbles show a problem. The edge seems poor (rolled over in one review) and the wood grain is not aligned properly.

https://www.amazon.com/Marbles-MR70...iewpnt_rgt?filterByStar=critical&pageNumber=1

The Snow & Neally has slightly better reviews:

https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Nealley...iewpnt_rgt?pageNumber=1&filterByStar=critical

If I was going to wing it on these two I would probably get the US made Snow and Neally But neither is as good as any of the axes mentioned in any of the previous posts.