You already have different cutting tools in the technology age, but do you know you still need the oldest crude tools to complete everyday activities? An axe is among the oldest crude tools which appeared over 1.5 million years ago, but it is still useful today.
The axes were initially made of stone edges and were used to dig up roots, cut woods, butcher animals and kill enemies in a battle.
However, the blacksmiths crafted better axes during the Bronze Age, which included the double-bit weapons of war. Moreover, the ax was the first tool used to fell trees in the 19th century.
So, do you know the different types of axes and how you can use them today to accomplish everyday activities?
These are the axes you should have in your tool store.
1. Hatchet Axe
If you are looking for a camping ax, the hatchet ax will serve the purpose as it is used for different purposes. The hatchet axe is great for chopping firewood to make a campfire and can be used to cut anything open.
These axes are small, making it possible to wield than the traditional axes. For instance, people who have an issue wielding the traditional ax will easily handle the hatchet.
Individuals who are used to the larger axes will wield the hatchet easily.
It might be challenging to chop down a small tree with a regular ax, but the hatchet will easily chop down the tree. More hikers enjoy the versatility associated with the ax as you can easily carry with the luggage while hiking; moreover, they are readily available in the stores at a reasonable price.
2. Splitting Axe
The splitting ax is also known as the splitting maul, this might be confusing, and it would be better to think about it as an ax despite the naming conventions. This is the most useful tool for splitting some firewood as it is made for the task.
The axe can cut a huge log into small pieces, and it eases the task as it works smoothly into the log.
The splitting axe is specifically created to split firewood as the head is made to split the wood into two as you strike the log. If you are planning some campfires, this would be the ax for such activity.
You can go for the bid-size splitting ax as it exerts adequate pressure to the log splitting it into tiny pieces. However, there is small-sized splitting if you cannot handle the larger splitting ax.
3. Felling Axe
Most people who don’t like felling trees with saws and other automated machinery will opt for the felling axe. You can turn to this axe when you want to cut a tree; they are powerful and will cut the tree effortlessly with the right skill.
A good felling axe will cut down even the thickest trees, but it would take some powerful wielding and right skills.
However, there are some variations of the felling axe; some are meant for felling large trees while others are made for smaller trees. Moreover, there will be variations in sizes, as different people will feel comfortable with different felling ax sizes.
It is best to have a felling axe that will fit comfortably into your grip, but it should meet your needs. You should find a combination of power and comfort when using a felling axe.
The axe should be light enough for easy wielding not to feel cumbersome for the user. The felling axe is an excellent investment if you have several trees you want to cut down on your property.
4. Fireman’s Axe
Firefighters use axes to rescue people in a terrible situation, which is effective for their careers. The fireman’s ax should be powerful as it is useful for breaking doors and bursting through walls.
The fireman’s axes are imperative and the firemen will rely on them to stay alive and save others from difficult situations.
The fireman’s axes are durable and heavy-duty to withstand the workload and can be used for multiple purposes. The head of the fireman’s axe should be six pounds or more but should not be cumbersome to swing as it could make working with it impractical.
The fireman’s axe should feel natural, and you should rely on it in a pinch.
Moreover, you can find the fireman’s axe in larger and smaller sizes. The different sizes are built for people with different body sizes, and you should choose one which goes well with your body size
5. Carpenter’s Axe
The carpenter’s axe is smaller than any other traditional axe, as it is used for carpentry purposes. It is small enough to be a hatchet, and a user will wield it with one hand, and you will have no issue using it.
It is designed to offer maximum control for the carpentry work to turn out perfectly. The carpenter’s axe blade allows a carpenter to get as close as possible to get precise strikes on the material.
The blade is thin, long, and straight, thus making it easy to attain precision and accurate cuts, and no matter the carpentry, you should trust the axe. You should buy the axe instead of other cutting tools as it is accurate and useful.
It has beautiful hickory, which is approximately nineteen inches long and is secured to the shaft with a steel wedge. Thus, you will rely on it for a long time as long as you keep it in good shape.
6. Hudson Bay Axe
The Hudson axe is an interesting tool and similar to the felling axe, but they are smaller and are only ¾ the size of the standard axe. The size works to its advantage as it is the most preferred axe by campers.
The axe is light enough, and you can fit it with the camping luggage and is useful for felling small trees. You can use it to cut branches and other multipurpose cutting needs.
However, you should not try using it to cut into large logs or thick trees. Its blade is somehow thin and will be impractical for large trees. Thus, you will want to turn to better axes and tools for felling large trees. Nevertheless, the ax is suitable for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities, and you should pack it when going for a road trip next time.
7. Broad Axe
When you hear the term broad axe, you start thinking about the ancient wars and battles, but the axe is far from antique tools. It is a practical tool for woodwork and is useful for building and construction purposes.
You can use it to construct log cabins, and it is useful for people who prepare planks and beams out of logs. Although there are many techniques to cut the wood, the axe is suitable for general woodwork. If you don’t have modern tools, the broad axe will come in handy as the preferred tool of choice.
The broad axe carves flat wood surfaces out of rounded logs as it is designed differently from other axes. The broad axe’s head is symmetrical and is intended for use by both right and left-handed individuals.
Moreover, it is designed for a specific purpose, and it might not perform other duties effectively. It is important to buy a broad axe that meets your needs, as a well-suited axe will work fine.
8. Tomahawk Axe
The Tomahawk axe might be impractical in the modern era, but some people end up using it nevertheless. Although modern tools will do the work effortlessly, it is not uncommon to see people felling trees with a Tomahawk axe.
The Native American tribes used the axe, and today it is applicable for shows and competitions. You can throw the tomahawk axe with precision if you have the right skills.
You can purchase the tomahawk axe for fun and learn how to throw it. You can throw the axe as a hobby as they cannot be used for war anymore, and they live on in throwing enthusiasts today. The axe has ten inches long handle with a three-inch blade, and it is practical for throwing and other sports.
9. Survival Axe
The survival axes are practical for hiking, and you should take one with you next time you go camping. Sometimes it is called the survival ax and is useful for surviving in the wilderness.
You can use it to cut into the bush, build a shelter, and fall small trees. When camping for an extended time, taking the survival axe is a great idea. It can help you meet all the basic needs in the wild.
The survival axe is small, and you can fit it with other camping luggage as it will not take so much space. You can carry the ax under the belt while walking around, making it convenient to help you survive in the wilderness. Although you can buy the axe for an emergency, it is a worthwhile investment, cost-effective.
10. Battle Axe
The battle axe is the first tool that might come into your mind when you think about an axe. The battle axe is not something that you can use for practical purposes in modern times. However, it is a legendary weapon handled with one hand and used in the ancient battlefield era. The axe was used in conjunction with a shield, and one blow to the enemy could leave them defeated.
You can buy the battle axe for different purposes; for instance, if you enjoy reenacting past battles, the axe will complete the task.
Moreover, you can use the battle axe to cosplay a warrior from ancient times, as it will make your outfit feel authentic. Although the battle axe will not be useful for cutting wood, you can buy one for ornamental purposes.
11. Double Bit Axe
The double bit axe has two heads, and they might be difficult to use at first. One side of a double-bit axe will be sharper than the other, and the sides have different uses. The sharper side might be used to cut the wood and chop the trees.
The dull side can be used to split the wood. However, some people will find the axe cumbersome due to its weight, and it might feel awkward to swing the axe, and they will be turned off by it. It can be tiring to use the axe, and it needs professionals with the right skills and strength.
12. Viking Axe
The Vikings were legendary warriors, and they used axes on the battlefields, and they continue to fascinate people in modern times. Popular TV shows depict Viking culture, their general outlook towards life, and mythology.
You can purchase a Viking axe if you enjoy recreating history. Moreover, the axe is more practical than the battle axe and is designed for combat.
The Vikings axe does not have a purpose, but you can purchase it for entertainment and purchase it as a part of your Halloween costume. The original axes were huge but the size-dependent an individual’s built.
However, you will find modesty-sized Viking axes in the stores, large enough to be intimidating but lightweight for proper handling. Although it does not come short of entertainment needs, you can sharpen it with bright tools.
Although it is not perfect for cutting wood, you can use the Viking axe for felling small trees and cutting small branches. You can bring out the inner-Viking spirit today with this axe.
13. Grub Axe
The grub axe is a tool used in gardening to dig holes and break up resistant roots. It has an axe on one side, which makes it great for chopping things like dirt in compacted soils or rough terrain; while the other end has an adze that can do all sorts of flat-bottomed tasks like leveling out planting beds.
The name comes from how these tools are typically employed: by using them as digging implements when you need more leverage than just your hands can provide (such as breaking up hardpan).
They work especially well with small areas where there may not be much else around – such as gardens.
14. Forest Axe
A forest axe is a type of tool that has been around for centuries and can be found used in any number of modern-day activities. It’s an extremely heavy-duty ax – too big to carry on camping trips but great if you want one at home where portability isn’t as important.
The handle might also come with extra long handles so it’ll cut down even larger trees than usual without strain on your arm or wrist while still having manageable power behind each swing (think about those giant logs we all bring into camp when little else works).
On top, there should have some kind of wood-chopping blade designed primarily towards felling large timber stands.
The reason these axes are called “forest” equipment may seem obscure unless one knows what their intended use is. With a good solid wooden handle and weighing in at 2-5 lbs. you can fell trees, but its main purpose is to cut across the grain of the wood – which means splitting it open.
Sometimes this isn’t desirable with log cabins because you don’t always want them split completely apart, for instance under certain roof lines or in door frames, but with a forest axe you can split the wood and then finish it off with a traditional carpenter’s ax or hatchet.
15. Miner’s Axe
In the Middle Ages, miners used axes to break up ore in hard-to-reach places. These short-handled and long head tools were perfect for mining because they could get close without hurting themselves on sharp rocks or metals below ground level.
Eventually, these basic copper/silver miner’s weapons became status symbols among those who worked with them – having intricately detailed engravings on the head of the axe.
16. Pick Axe
A pickaxe is a versatile tool that can be used for many different tasks. The head on each side of the handle consists of two parts.
One end has an exposed point to break up hard surfaces like soil or concrete while another flat edge may serve as prying points between rocks in order to widen gaps with ease, making this gardening tool extremely useful when working outdoors.
A wide range of tasks can be undertaken with a pick axe. Normal soil will become hard and dried, while clay-type soils are particularly difficult to break up using only your shovel due to their strength. You’ll need something sharper – like a pick axe.
17. Roofing Axe
A roofing axe is a versatile tool that practitioners of the trade have been using for centuries.
Though it has fallen out of favor because modern inventions offer more options, many professionals still prefer this tried-and-true method with its multiple purposes – especially if you’re up on the roof and need to do everything at once.
On the head of the roofing axe, one end is sharp enough for cutting roof shingles and the other end is flat for pounding in nails.
18. Hunter’s Axe
A hunter’s axe is an essential tool for a person who wants to hunt and kill animals. It has a dual purpose; first, it chops wood like an ax but secondly can be used on meat as well because of its shape which makes skinning easier with rounded edges that won’t damage any animal’s hide as other types do.
Hunting axes are still around today – they’re utilized for skinning hunted prey and processing it into smaller parts which make transporting easier.
19. Throwing Axe
In the Middle Ages, throwing axes were used for battle. Soldiers had to be very strong and agile in order to wield them effectively. They threw it at someone and it caused death.
Now, you can do something called axe throwing as a competitive sport. The axes needed for this need to be very strong and durable so that they can withstand all of the throws that come along with this sport.
19. Crash Axe
Crash axes are tools that are used in an emergency. They are part of the plane’s safety equipment. The blade needs to be able to cut through metal, or they can use it to chop, pry open gaps, and chop interior walls and overhead cabinets if other exits are blocked.
A crash axe must be carried in the cockpit of any aircraft with 20 or more seats because it can be needed in an emergency. Crash axes are made from metal, and they are not usually owned by anyone other than people who work for emergency services.
A crash axe can also be used by firefighters, who will often have to chop through the sheet metal skin of the plane to make a rescue opening. The latest crash axes are often made so that the handles are insulated from electricity.
20. Hewing Axe
Hewing is a way to cut logs into flat pieces of wood. A hewing axe helps you do this. One side of the hewing axe is flat, which helps you do the job easier.
Hewing axes are used today for wood projects that are big or small. People who like to work with their hands and use only materials that they find also use hewing axes to make wood pieces flat.
21. Adze
An adze is a cutting tool that looks like an axe. It has been around since the Stone Age. Any tool with a sharp edge can be called an adze, but usually, it is used for woodwork to smooth and carve wood.
There are two types of adzes: the hand adze which has a short handle and is swung with one hand, and the foot adze which has a long handle.
A modern type of adze can still be bought but it’s not very common because there are many other tools that are more useful than this type of tool.
22. Dayton Axe
Names for axeheads are often the result of where they’re used. The name “Dayton” is perfect for this type, as it comes from an area that was once known to be heavily populated with hardwood trees. It is named after the city of Dayton, Ohio.
23. Michigan Axe
Logging for timber was a booming industry in the 1860s, and Michigan axe heads were developed to suit this need.
The shape of these early implements is similar to other common types such as Dayton axes but with more convex poll ends which made them ideal when used by loggers who had split their way through an entire tree up until now without too much trouble only then sawing off smaller branches on either side so they could be free from its grasp before felling or lopping it down completely.
Michigan axes were made to be used in cold, frozen conditions and had wide bits that would bite into the wood better. The toe and heel or top/bottom tips of their blades were slightly rounded which prevented chipping when swinging it against often knotty pine found all throughout Michigan.
24. Jersey Axe
The Jersey axe has a lug, which is an extension of the head facing downward at an obtuse angle. This gives more contact between handle and blade for stability.
The Jersey axe pattern is still popular in modern axes. It has an effective design that has bevels forged into the cheeks to reduce friction and get stuck when cutting up sections of felled trees.
The Bottom Line
Axes perform different tasks like felling trees, cutting branches, building shelter, cutting logs, and entertainment. Different axes exist in the market today, and the key to choosing the correct axe is knowing its function and efficiency.
For instance, the hatchet and survival axes are useful for hiking, and they can cut down trees and help you survive in the wild. On the other hand, battle and Viking axes might be used for entertainment as they were used in ancient times at war.
These axes might be used when reenacting wars or as a part of a costume. Therefore, it is wise to know the type of axe and its use when buying one. Good luck finding an axe that meets your needs.
