Log Splitting Axes

About Log Splitting Axes

Log splitting axes are specialist tools designed to break logs down into manageable pieces for firewood storage and use. Unlike felling axes that cut through wood fibres, splitting axes work by forcing the fibres apart with a wedge-shaped head, making them highly efficient for processing seasoned timber. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of log splitting axes from leading brands including Fiskars, Bahco, Gardena, Roughneck, and Hultafors, suitable for both occasional domestic use and regular heavy-duty applications.

Available in various sizes from compact kindling splitters to XXL models like the Fiskars X27, these axes feature either traditional wooden handles or modern composite construction. Composite handles offer improved durability and weather resistance whilst reducing overall weight, though many professionals still prefer the natural shock absorption of hickory wood handles. Some models incorporate a hammer reverse function, allowing users to drive splitting wedges into particularly tough or knotted logs.

Applications

• Preparing firewood for wood burners, stoves, and open fires in domestic properties
• Arborists and tree surgeons processing felled timber
• Groundskeepers and estate managers maintaining woodland areas
• Campsite operators and outdoor activity centres
• Agricultural workers and farmers managing hedgerows and coppicing
• Landscapers clearing and processing timber on site
• DIY enthusiasts with wood-burning heating systems
• Log supply businesses processing bulk firewood

Choosing The Right Log Splitting Axes

Axe Size and Weight: Smaller axes (S-L models) suit users splitting kindling and logs under 300mm diameter with less physical fatigue. Larger axes (XL-XXL) generate greater splitting force for logs over 300mm but require more effort and space to swing safely.

Handle Material: Wooden handles, particularly hickory, provide traditional shock absorption and are easily replaced if damaged. Composite handles from brands like Fiskars offer superior weather resistance, reduced weight, and are virtually unbreakable, making them ideal for year-round outdoor storage.

Head Design: Look for axes with appropriate wedge angles—wider angles (around 30 degrees) excel at splitting, whilst narrower profiles may bind in the wood. Some models feature anti-friction coatings to reduce sticking.

Additional Features: Consider axes with hammer reverse functions if you regularly use splitting wedges. MyToolShed.co.uk also stocks replacement handles like the Hultafors Dvardala for maintaining your existing tools.

Safety Information

Log splitting axes require proper handling techniques to prevent serious injury. Always wear tight-fitting safety goggles to protect against flying wood chips and steel toe cap boots to guard against glancing blows or dropped axes. Ensure adequate clearance around your splitting area—at least 2 metres in all directions. Never split logs while holding them; use a stable chopping block or purpose-built splitting stand. Keep axe heads sharp, as blunt tools require excessive force and are more likely to glance off the workpiece. Store axes with blade guards fitted and away from children.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a splitting axe and a splitting maul?
Splitting axes are lighter with thinner heads, making them less physically demanding for extended use on small to medium logs. Mauls are heavier with broader wedge heads, designed for splitting very large or stubborn logs but requiring more strength to swing effectively.

Should I choose a wooden or composite handle?
Composite handles require virtually no maintenance and won't rot if stored outdoors, making them ideal for convenience. Wooden handles offer excellent shock absorption and are preferred by traditionalists, though they need occasional treatment with linseed oil and protection from prolonged moisture exposure.

What size log splitting axe do I need?
For logs under 250mm diameter and kindling work, choose models like the Fiskars X11 or X21. For general firewood preparation with logs 250-400mm, the X25 offers the best balance. For logs over 400mm diameter, invest in the X27 or similar XXL models available at MyToolShed.co.uk.