Axes & Wedges

About Axes & Wedges

Axes and wedges are essential hand tools for anyone working with timber, whether you're a professional arborist, groundskeeper, landscaper, or simply maintain your own woodland or garden. This comprehensive category encompasses everything from traditional felling axes designed for taking down trees, to purpose-built log splitting mauls for processing firewood, alongside the wedges that make these tasks safer and more efficient. At TooledUp.com, we stock a carefully selected range of axes and wedges from trusted manufacturers, ensuring you'll find the right tool for your specific timber working needs.

The variety within this category reflects the specialised nature of different timber tasks. Felling axes feature thin, sharp blades designed to cut across the grain when bringing down trees, while splitting axes and mauls have wider, wedge-shaped heads that force wood fibres apart along the grain. Hand axes and hatchets offer portability and precision for smaller jobs, camping, and bushcraft applications. Complementing these are felling wedges and splitting wedges, which help control the direction of tree falls and multiply your splitting force, whilst pickaxes serve dual purposes in both ground breaking and timber work.

Quality matters significantly with axes and wedges. A well-balanced axe with a properly hardened head and secure handle attachment will last decades with proper maintenance, whilst inferior tools can be dangerous and inefficient. Modern axes often feature fibreglass or composite handles that resist weathering and shock better than traditional wooden shafts, though many professionals still prefer the feel and natural shock absorption of hickory handles. Whether you're processing firewood for commercial sale, managing woodland, or preparing logs for your own wood burner, investing in the right axe and wedge combination will make the work safer, faster, and far less tiring.

Jargon Buster

• Poll: The flat, hammerhead-like surface on the back of an axe head, opposite the blade. Used for striking wedges or as a general-purpose hammer when splitting logs.
• Cheek: The flat side surfaces of an axe head. The thickness and angle of the cheeks determine whether an axe is designed for felling (thin cheeks) or splitting (thick, wedge-shaped cheeks).
• Maul: A heavy splitting tool with a thick, wedge-shaped head, typically weighing 2.5-4kg. Designed specifically for splitting logs rather than felling trees, combining axe and sledgehammer characteristics.
• Hinge Wood: The uncut portion of a tree trunk that acts as a hinge during controlled felling, helping direct the tree's fall. Felling wedges are often used to influence this process.
• Grain: The direction of wood fibres in timber. Splitting works with the grain (along it), whilst felling cuts across the grain. Understanding grain direction is essential for efficient axe work.
• Overstrike Protection: A reinforced collar or guard where the handle meets the head, preventing damage if you miss your target and strike the handle instead of the wedge or log.

Who Uses Axes & Wedges?

• Arborists and tree surgeons who fell trees and process timber as part of their professional services
• Groundskeepers and estate managers maintaining woodland, parkland, and large properties
• Landscapers clearing sites, removing stumps, and processing timber for various projects
• Foresters and woodland managers working in commercial and conservation forestry
• Firewood suppliers processing logs for commercial sale to consumers and businesses
• Agricultural workers and farmers managing hedgerows, clearing land, and maintaining farm woodland
• Camping and bushcraft enthusiasts using hand axes and hatchets for outdoor pursuits
• DIY homeowners with wood burners, log stores, or woodland plots to maintain
• Allotment holders and keen gardeners processing timber waste and managing vegetation
• Outdoor activity centres teaching traditional woodcraft and survival skills

How to Choose the Right Axes & Wedges

Intended Task: Match your tool to your primary activity. Felling axes have thin blades for cutting across grain when dropping trees, splitting axes and mauls feature wedge-shaped heads for processing logs, whilst hatchets and hand axes offer portability for smaller tasks, camping, and precision work. Don't use a splitting maul for felling or vice versa—each is optimised for specific grain interaction.

Head Weight: Heavier heads (2-4kg) deliver more splitting force but cause faster fatigue. Felling axes typically range from 1-2kg for controllable, repeated swings. Consider your physical capability and how long you'll be working—a lighter tool you can swing all day often outperforms a heavier one that exhausts you quickly. Splitting mauls are the heaviest, whilst hatchets may be just 400-600g.

Handle Material and Length: Traditional hickory handles offer excellent shock absorption and a natural feel but require more maintenance and weather protection. Modern fibreglass and composite handles resist rot and provide consistent durability. Handle length affects leverage and control—longer handles (700-900mm) provide more splitting power, whilst shorter handles (350-500mm) offer greater precision and manoeuvrability in confined spaces.

Wedge Selection: Felling wedges are typically plastic or aluminium to avoid damaging chainsaw chains if accidentally struck. Splitting wedges are hardened steel, designed to withstand repeated hammer or maul strikes. Consider getting multiple wedges in different sizes—you'll often need two or three working simultaneously in large or difficult logs.

Build Quality: Examine the head attachment carefully. The handle should be secured with both a wedge through the top of the handle and ideally a metal or epoxy collar. Check that the head steel is properly hardened (it shouldn't dent easily). Quality brands like Fiskars, Bahco, and Silverline offer reliable performance with proper warranties, whilst cheaper tools may fail dangerously under stress.

Balance and Feel: If possible, handle the axe before purchasing. It should feel balanced with the weight centred slightly forward of where you grip. The handle diameter should suit your hand size comfortably. A well-balanced axe requires less effort to control and reduces the risk of glancing blows or missed strikes.

Popular Accessories

• Axe sharpening stones and files for maintaining sharp, efficient cutting edges
• Handle wedges for re-securing loose axe heads to handles
• Protective sheaths and blade guards for safe transport and storage
• Linseed oil for treating and preserving wooden handles
• Log splitting wedges in various sizes to complement your axes and mauls
• Safety glasses and face shields to protect against flying wood chips and splinters
• Work gloves with good grip and impact protection for hand safety
• Chainsaw accessories often used alongside axes for larger felling and processing jobs
• Log horses and sawing brackets for safely securing timber whilst working
• Steel toe cap boots providing essential foot protection when splitting or felling
• Tool storage solutions from brands like Stanley and DeWalt for organised transport

Safety Information

Axes and wedges are powerful tools that demand respect and proper safety practices. Always wear appropriate PPE including safety glasses or a face shield to protect against flying wood chips, and steel toe cap boots to protect your feet from dropped tools or rolling logs. Heavy-duty work gloves with good grip help prevent blisters and improve control, though some experienced users prefer bare hands for better feel on certain tasks.

Maintain a clear working zone with at least 2 metres radius free from other people, pets, and obstacles. Before swinging an axe, look up to check for overhead obstructions like branches or power lines. When splitting logs, work at a comfortable height—ideally on a stable chopping block—and ensure the log is secure and won't roll. Never hold wood with your hand whilst striking it with an axe; use wedges or another log to secure your workpiece instead.

Keep your axe sharp—a sharp blade cuts cleanly and predictably, whilst a dull blade is more likely to bounce off wood dangerously. Always carry axes with the blade pointing downward and away from your body. When not in use, store axes with blade guards fitted and out of reach of children. The HSE recommends comprehensive training for anyone using axes professionally, particularly for tree felling operations which require specific certification.

Inspect your tools before each use. Check that heads are securely attached with no movement or cracks, handles are free from splits or damage, and wedges show no signs of mushrooming or cracking. Never use a damaged axe or wedge as failure during use can result in serious injury. When striking wedges, ensure you're using appropriate tools—never strike steel wedges with the blade of an axe, always use the poll or a proper sledgehammer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a splitting axe and a felling axe?

A felling axe has a thin, sharp blade designed to cut across the wood grain when bringing down trees. The blade profile is relatively narrow to bite deep into the timber. A splitting axe or maul has a much thicker, wedge-shaped head that forces wood fibres apart along the grain direction. The wider cheeks push the wood apart rather than cutting through it. Using the wrong tool makes work unnecessarily difficult—felling axes bounce off when trying to split seasoned logs, whilst splitting mauls are too thick and heavy for efficient felling cuts.

Do I need wedges if I have a good splitting axe?

Yes, wedges significantly improve splitting efficiency and safety. When processing larger or particularly tough logs, wedges allow you to multiply your force and maintain progress even in difficult wood with knots or irregular grain. They also prevent the split from closing back on your axe blade, which can trap your tool frustratingly. Starting a split with your axe and then driving wedges home is often faster and less tiring than using an axe alone. For felling work, wedges are essential safety equipment for controlling the direction of tree falls.

Should I choose a fibreglass or wooden handle?

Both have advantages. Traditional hickory handles offer excellent shock absorption and a natural feel that many professionals prefer, but they require regular maintenance with linseed oil and are vulnerable to weathering if left outside. Modern fibreglass and composite handles are virtually maintenance-free, won't rot or dry out, and provide consistent durability in all conditions. They can transmit more vibration to your hands, though quality designs minimise this. For occasional use or if you might leave tools in a shed or vehicle, fibreglass is practical. For intensive daily work, many still prefer hickory's superior shock absorption.

How do I maintain my axe to keep it working efficiently?

Keep the blade sharp using a file or sharpening stone, working from the edge outward at the existing bevel angle. Clean off sap and dirt after use, and apply a light coat of oil to the head to prevent rust. Wooden handles benefit from annual treatment with boiled linseed oil, particularly where the wood meets the head. Check regularly that the head is secure—if it loosens, drive in a new wedge or consult a professional for re-handling. Store axes in a dry location with blade guards fitted. A well-maintained axe can last decades and actually improves with use as the handle burnishes smooth and the head develops a protective patina.

Can I use my axe in all seasons, or does weather affect performance?

Axes work in all seasons, but conditions significantly affect wood splitting difficulty. Freshly cut "green" wood splits far more easily than seasoned timber. Frozen wood in winter can be extremely difficult to split as ice in the cells resists separation—if possible, store logs you intend to split undercover where they won't freeze. Very dry, seasoned wood splits most easily in late spring through autumn. Cold temperatures can make wooden handles more brittle, whilst extreme heat can loosen head attachments as wood shrinks. Check head tightness more frequently when working in temperature extremes, and consider fibreglass handles if you work in harsh conditions year-round.