Do you know how difficult it is to choose an axe that meets your needs? Selecting the right axe for the right job can be tough – but it is possible with a little knowledge.
Many people do not know how to pick the right axe that is best suited for them, resulting in wrong choice and low efficiency in wood cutting.
However, there are many factors such as raw materials, intended use, size, weight, shape and so on woodworking people must know about to make their money worth spent on a quality axe.
This article will help you pick the axe just you are looking for, considering those factors.
Type of axe
One of the most important factors involved with axe selection process is the type of axe since not all the axes are intended for the same purpose.
For example, a felling axe is suitable for chopping down trees whereas a splitting maul works excellent for wood and log splitting. For rough woodworking, carpenter axe is the ideal choice.
Various axes function and feature differently. What type of axe you should buy depends on what the axe will be used for. So, knowing the functions of different axe will help you select the best tools for your needs.
The weight
The weight of an axe should be an important consideration when it comes to choosing the best axe for the money. Usually, an axe weighs between 3-6 pounds, which mostly depends on the size of its head.
The bigger the head, the heavier the axe is. Heavy tools are the best for heavy and large work, and lightweight axes are on the opposite. Heavy axes allow woodworkers to produce more force with every swing, but they are difficult to handle for the part of beginners.
If you are an expert in woodcutting, you should better go with heavy axes that weigh 5-6 pound. Beginners should rather choose axes weighing below 5 pounds and can increase the weight of axe with more experience.
The length
How long an axe should be for highest performance mostly depends on users; an axe length is determined by the length of its handle.
Choosing an axe that is shorter than you would give the best efficiency with maximum comfort because this produces more force in every swing.
It is true that longer handles can create more energy than shorter ones, but they are not easy to control, which consequently results in poor performance instead. Besides, consider the type of jobs you are going to do with your tool.
For splitting small logs, cutting down small branches and fine works, axes with 20 or below 20-inch length are the best choice, for instance. Although the standard length of an axe is 36 inches, this does not always work for all due to the fact that it is difficult to control what is why 31-inch is recommended for all on average.
The materials used
An axe consists of two most essential parts, the head and the handle; and they should be made of good quality materials to ensure their life expectancy.
Select an axe head made from hand forged carbon steel, especially manufactured by Swedish companies because they have a long traditional reputation in quality steel manufacturing.
People find axe handles made from different materials such as wood, plastic and composite materials on the market, which often confuses them which one they should go with.
Of all, wooden handles are the most preferable since they have been used for ages now with the best performance and maximum comfort. Plastic and composite handles are more durable than wooden handles are, but they cannot provide comfort as much as wooden ones can.
The portability
Woodcutters should take the portability of an axe into consideration before making the purchase decision.
As woodcutting is the kind of outdoor activities so make sure cutting tool is portable enough to carry to the workplace.
If you are a campaigner or a backpacker, you must choose a small and light axe that you take with wherever you go. Heavy axes are not easy to carry with and may cause injury while carrying.
Intended use
Last but not least, before buying the axe, you must consider what the axe is designed for and determine the purpose of the axe you are going to buy. Knowing the intended use of the tool will help you select the right axe for the desired job. You may continue cutting work with wrong tools but will not get as much perfection and efficiency as you would get with proper tools.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider while choosing an axe that meets your needs. But if you take time to give consideration only to the things I mentioned in this article, you will definitely obtain your desired tool that will last long; even you can hand it over to your next generation with little care.
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