8 Types Of Axes Used In Woodworking – Review Guide

“Axes”- a kit that had been with us for millennia and been our trusted hand to cut, shape, and split woods. 

For a moment, let’s forget about the axes that we’re using today, and take a broader look at the whole evolution axes had gone through.

We mean, just compare the functions, strengths, parts of two axes from 2019 and 1819. You’ll just realize how we’ve been concerned enough to make this tiny tool more effective, impactful and long-lasting.

Long story short- you can do way more stuff with an axe that a random user from the 1800’s would do.

That brings us to an obvious responsibility of learning the parts on an axe and types of axes at the first place. And this article is going to guide you through the whole way.

Hop on the wagon, and let’s start-

11 Obvious Parts of An Ideal Axe

Well, there’s nothing called an ‘Ideal’ axe, right? Yeah, indeed.

As different types of axes are available in there, everything starting from the head to toe differs in style and strength. But for now, we’ve done a generalized list of parts of an axe. Have a look-

1. Head
2. Axe Eye
3. Blade/Bit/Cutting Edge
4. Toe and Heel
5. Cheek/Axe Side
6. Beard
7. Axe Handle
8. The body of the Handle
9. The Throat of the Handle
10. Back of Handle
11. Grip
12. End Knob

The #1 task of all these parts is to let you operate with minimum effort and maximum output.

Want to check out where each of these parts is located? Here is the complete illustration-

Parts of An Axe (Illustrated)

Now, it’s time to have a look at what role each of these parts plays. Keep in mind that, all of these roles combinedly let you do what you can do with a full-form axe.

Head

The entire metal portion of an axe is basically the head. It has two parts and they are bound by the bit(or blade) at one end, and the poll(or butt) at the other end. And this happens for all types of axe heads.

Axe Eye

The end of the previous sentence brings us to the next part- Axe eye. The axe handle is mounted through the eye. It’s generally round and thick. But the axe eye sizes vary depending on the head size. 

Blade/Bit/Cutting Edge

The blade is the part of an axe where all the cutting/chopping/shaping takes place. It’s the sharp cutting portion of an axe, which is also is known as bit. As we’ve said before, it’s responsible for cutting, chopping, and splitting. 

Toe(Upper Corner) And Heel(Lower Corner)

We’ve kept these two parts together as they’re the upper and lower segment of the cutting edge. They don’t have any separate roles but to assist the blade to perform a sharp and perfect cutting.

Cheek or Axe Side

Just as it sounds, it’s the profile surface of the axe head. Both sides of the axe head are called cheeks, however. In terms of dimension, it’s the widest and thickest part of the axe head.

Beard

Beard of axe is the concave part of the bottom of the axe bit. And it’s located near to the handle.

Handle or Haft

The handle is the second major part of the axe

Basically, the handle is the entire part that is attached to the head. It’s also called the Haft. Generally made of hardwood, steel, or durable synthetic materials like carbon fiber.

The body of the Handle

The center of the handle where the user’s upper hand would hold it.

The Throat of the Handle

The bottle of the handle where the user’s bottom hand would hold it.

Back of Handle

It’s the entire back part of the axe handle, which transfers the user’s force towards the blade.

Grip

This the convenient part of the handle where users naturally hold the axe.

End Knob

End of the handle that helps to prevent the axe from slipping out your hands

 

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8 Type of Axes Used In Woodworking

Some common questions to be confused about are- what kind of axe is the best for splitting wood? or What kind of axe is best for camping?

When you’re new to axes, these sort of questions is pretty common to popup in mind. Don’t worry! we’ve an entire section to talk about different types of axes.

Why Axes Are So Much More Diverse

See, axes are for a number of applications. In the past, they were used as weapons. And today, they’re mostly for woodworking purposes, survival purposes, and for professional carpentry.

Splitting Axe

Splitting axes are used to split wood into small and manageable pieces. The cutting edge is wedge-shaped. For this reason, This ax is particularly suitable for splitting wood but can also be used for felling trees. We handle the axe always with both hands. The length of the splitting axe is usually between 2 inches to 65 cm weight between 1 and 1.5 kg.

Our Favorite Splitting Axe

Splitting Maul

Splitting mauls are characterized by a heavy axe head. This axe is available in both small and large sizes and its length can vary from 15 inches up to 36 inches. You should handle these types of axes with both hands. It would be difficult to handle with one hand because of its heavyweight. Its weight varies between 1.5 and 3.5 kg.

Our Favorite Splitting Maul

Gransfors Bruk Splitting Maul Features

• Handle 31.5”, Weight  3.2 kg.
• American hickory handle with extra grip.
• Perfect for the hardwood.

Felling Ax/Lumberjack Axe

Felling axes are unique with the thin edge that they come with. Those are used to cut wood, chop, and fell down a tree. The cutting blade is thin and sharp. The felling axe has a sharp blade that makes the axe more efficient. You have to handle this axe with both hands. The length of a felling axe is usually between 20and 25 inches and weight varies between 1.5 and 2.5 kg.

Our Favorite Felling Axe

• Grade A American Hickory Handle
• Total Weight: 4 lb.Head Weight: 2.5 lb and Length: 28 in.
•  Comes with leather sheath

Hatchet

Hatchets are small, lightweight axe designed for use one hand. It is effective for rough cuts and cutting the branches of firewood.  Hatchet axe for camping and traveling is quite popular practices.

Long story short, a hatchet is a one-hand axe, but nothing prevents you from using them with both hands. It is Perfect for various uses (pruning, cutting, felling). The length of a hatchet is usually between 10 and 15 inches and weight between 0.5 and 1.5 kg. 

Our Favorite Hatchet

Estwing Special Edition Sportsman’s Axe – 14″ Camping Hatchet Features

• Handle made of steel with comfortable Leather Grip
• Most Durable
• Perfect length and cutting edge for all types of cutting 
• Suitable for outdoor uses

Carpenter’s Axe

A carpenter’s axe looks like a hatchet but in a little bit larger size. As the name suggests, you use this axe in woodworking. The poll of the carpenter’s axe is designed for being used as a hammer. The length of the carpenter’s axe is usually between 18 and 20 inches and weight between 1 to 1.5 kg.

Our Favorite Carpenter’s Axe

Husqvarna 576926501 19″ Wooden Carpenter’s Axe Features

• Thin  Sharp Blade for perfect cutting
• High-Quality hickory handle
• Designed with maximum control
• Ideal length for camp used

Tomahawk Axe/Throwing Axe

The tomahawk axe is generally used for woodworking. But today only used for throwing games. That’s why it also called the throwing axe. Nowadays you would use it for camping, outdoor and survival purposes. The length of the axe is usually between 12 and 15 inches and weight 2 kg approx.

Our Favorite Tomahawk Axe

Solidtools Forged Adze Hoe Features

• Weight 540 Grams, Length 12.5 inches.
• It is very handy and portable.
• Perfect for outdoor.

Adze

An adze is a perpendicular axe with a sharpen metal piece attached to the handle. It’s used for smoothing, sharpening, or carving hand wood. Moreover, It is used as a pickaxe as well. 

Our Favorite Adze Axe

A broad-axe is a comparatively larger axe with a wider blade. It has two types. If one side of the broad-axe is flat and the other side is beveled then its called a single bevel, or chisel-edged axe. On the other hand, if both sides are beveled, it’s called a double bevel axe.

You can use both of these broadaxes as weapons and to cut straight pieces of wood, like the branches of a tree, timber, and logs. The length of a broad ax is usually between 20 and 23 inches and weight varies between 1.5 and 2 kg.

Our Favorite Broad-Axe