6 Best Felling Axes to Help You Chop Down Trees Quicker
A felling axe is used to cut down trees, and they’re extremely good at it thanks to their razor-sharp, thin-edged blade that cuts across the grain. A traditional wood-splitting axe is designed to cut with the grain of the wood. A felling ax can save you money as a decent one will be capable of chopping and splitting logs too.
The blade of a good-felling axe is designed to sink deeper into the wood with each strike, enabling you to take down small trees.
We have reviewed 6 of the best-felling axes on the market today and have written a detailed report on each one. We have designed a comparison table for ease so you can quickly check each axe side-by-side, and at the bottom of this article, you’ll find our buyer’s guide packed full of handy hints of what to look for when buying this tool.
Here’s a rundown of what we’ll provide in this best felling axe review article:
- First, we’ll share our top 6 picks in an easy-to-read comparison table
- Next, we take an in-depth look at each felling axe highlighting the features and benefits you might need to know about
- Then, we’ll take a look at their drawbacks
- And finally, we’ll provide you with additional information in our buying guide to give you a better insight into the product
Sound good? Let’s jump to it!
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Felling Axe Comparison Table:
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | Husqvarna 26" Wooden Multi-Purpose Axe | Click Here | 4.8 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | Estwing Special Edition Camper's Axe | Click Here | 4.7 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | Snow and Nealley 3.5 lbs. Single Bit Axe | Click Here | 4.1 / 5 |
  | 1844 Helko Werk Germany Black Forest Woodworker Axe | Click Here | 4.7 / 5 |
  | Gränsfors Bruks American Felling Axe | Click Here | 4.8 / 5 |
  | Hults Bruk Torneo Compact Felling Axe | Click Here | 4.3 / 5 |
6 Best Felling Axes Reviews
1. Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe (Best Value)
- We start our felling axe review with a top-quality offering from Estwing and their world-famous straight handle campers axe. The axe blade is made from forged steel and is hand-polished with a black finish and the balance and temper are superb.
- Felling trees can be hard work and each strike can cause stress on your arms, shoulders, and back but Estwing has designed an axe handle that reduces impact vibration by up to 70%. The design is so good they got it patented!
- As we said in our introduction, the blades on these axes are sharp and so handling them safely is important. It’s pleasing to see this axe comes with a ballistic nylon sheath and belt loop.
- The tempered 4-inch cutting edge will make light work of small trees and it’s an ideal tool for campers, hikers, and homeowners.
- For the money you’ll pay for this axe, crafted in Rockford, IL, it easily wins our Best Value award as you can use it for chopping logs, felling small trees, and splitting wood.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Snow and Nealley 3.5 lbs. Single Bit Axe
- This felling axe is a good example of a product that is way over-priced for the quality of the tool. The Estwing axe had a lot of great design features and a decent price to match, but this Snow and Nealley axe is a 5lbs hickory handle and carbon steelhead. That’s it!
- The problem with the axe is the price. It’s listed at over $100 and we can’t see why because of the materials it’s made from. It has no vibration reduction and the cutting edge is steel is soft and the wooden handle is easily broken.
- Aesthetically this is a beautiful axe but it’s just a shame the quality doesn’t match up to the design.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Husqvarna 26″ Wooden Multi-Purpose Axe (Best Overall)
- A more sensibly priced traditional felling axe is this model from Husqvarna, who knows a thing or two about chopping trees! It’s a 26” multi-purpose axe and so it can be used to fell small trees, wood chopping, and log splitting.
- It boasts an incredible American hickory handle and the forged steel heavy head is attached using a wooden and steel wedge. This design makes the axe much more durable and reduces the likelihood of the head fracturing from the handle.
- With the right care and maintenance, this axe will last a long time and it comes with a protective leather sheath.
- Overall the versatility of this axe means it wins our Best Overall award. It is very well priced and aimed at the homeowner who needs to not only fell a large tree or medium sized trees but who needs an axe to split firewood and kindling.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. 1844 Helko Werk Germany Black Forest Woodworker Axe
- A close second for the Best Overall award is this handmade offering from 1844 Helko Werk. It only lost out because it’s double the price of the Husqvarna. However, it is super high-quality.
- The axe head is made from German C50 carbon steel and the handle is graded A American hickory wood with a linseed oil finish. Included in the price is a leather sheath and a bottle of axe guard to prolong the life of the tool.
- Coming in at 24 inches and weighing only 3.5 lbs, this is an ideal tool for prolonged use.
- Whilst it’s admirable they are handmade and finished, this means their quality varies with several users complaining the blades aren’t sharp enough. For the price of the tool, we’d expect better quality control.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. Gränsfors Bruks American Felling Axe
- This felling axe from Gransfors Bruk is at the top end of anyone’s budget but it’s designed to tackle resinous wood including pine and spruce. A professional axe that can be used to fell very large trees, thanks to its high-quality Swedish axe steel.
- This is the 31” curved handle version and it has a cutting edge of 4 ½ “. The head is heavy and this gives it tremendous power.
- The blade is razor-sharp and comes with a protective vegetable tanned leather sheath. This axe has a 20-year warranty.
- The quality of this axe is second to none and if you are a professional working in the forest then this is the tool for you. Although the initial outlay is high, the lifespan of the tool is 20 years plus.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
6. Hults Bruk Torneo Compact Felling Axe
- The Hults Bruk Torneo axe is perfect for carrying around as it’s lightweight, balanced, and only 28” long. The solid Swedish steelhead is well-made but won’t be razor-sharp on purchase so you’ll need to sharpen it. This is disappointing.
- The Hickory wood handle is durable and well finished but do bear in mind it’s one of the smallest felling axes available and so it lacks the power to tackle larger trees.
- Perfect for the homeowner needing a splitting maul or hatchet type axe to fell small garden trees, or a hiker needing to clear a path. It’s just not as efficient as the larger alternatives.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Further reading: 9 Different Types of Axes – Which One Is Right For You?
Video: Axemanship Skills
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Felling Axe Buyers Guide
To help you make the right purchase, we have listed some features you may want to consider.
Head
The quality of the head is essential. If the steel is soft, blunt, or just poorly made, this will affect your ability to cut down trees. We have highlighted where a model has an issue with the head. All of our reviews feature a single cutting head, but you can purchase double-bit axe heads. For the majority of people, this additional feature isn’t necessary. Swedish steel is also widely regarded as the best available, so if you have to fall more giant trees for firewood, that type will serve you best.
Head weight
Felling ax heads come in varying weights, and this will directly impact the performance of the tool. For an average homeowner, a head weight of around 3 pounds is appropriate, but a heavier head will be required to chop down more giant trees for a professional working in the forest.
The heavier the head, the less accuracy you will get, and so if you are new to using an ax, it will be better, to begin with, a lighter head weight.
Handle
A traditional felling axe has a handle length of around 36,” but these can be difficult to use for beginners. The power, accuracy, and control in each swing are directly related to the length of the handle. More minor felling axes with handles of 28 or 30 inches will be easier to control, and they are far more portable.
Material
The wood grain should run parallel to the handle for maximum strength, and the growth rings should be close together. Here’s the thing with handles. They’re made from natural materials and, therefore, the quality will vary. A general rule of thumb is to read the most recent negative reviews and if there are four or five complaints about the handle splitting, then look elsewhere. It’s more likely to be a manufacturing and quality control issue rather than a one-off defect in the natural wood.
Shape
A curved handle will be more natural in hand and easier to use, which is recommended for a single blade head. This is a widespread design feature in all felling axes. In our reviews, only the Estwing didn’t have it.
Maintenance
To prolong the life of your felling axe, it’ll need cleaning down after every use, drying off, and the blade will need covering. Most axes come with a protective sheath that serves this purpose. For wooden-handled axes, don’t store them in too warm conditions because this can cause the handle to shrink. For long-term storage, grease the blade to prevent rust.
Conclusion
Here’s a quick recap of our top two felling axe picks.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Best Overall award went to the Husqvarna 26″ Wooden Multi-Purpose Axe because of the build quality and versatility. It’s lightweight and portable and is an ideal axe for the homeowner needing to do various chopping, felling, and splitting. For the price, you will get a top-quality tool capable of a lot of tasks.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Best Value pick went to the Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe, which has introduced new technology into this niche. The 70% reduction of impact vibration is a significant plus, and its overall design and performance out-ranks it amongst many traditional felling axes.
Here are some other articles you may like:
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Gerber vs Fiskars Axe – 2 Models Compared: Who Wins?
Husqvarna 450e vs Husqvarna 450 Rancher – Chainsaw Reviews
Here are Our Best Pulaski Axe Picks
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | Barebones Living | Click Here | 4.8 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | Council Tool | Click Here | 4.6 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | Collins | Click Here | 4.3 / 5 |
  | Truper | Click Here | 3.9 / 5 |
  | Nupla | Click Here | 4.0 / 5 |
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When I’m not testing and reviewing tools, you’ll find me in front of a hot BBQ, cold drink in hand, cooking up something big, and spending quality time with my wife and two boys. I’m also often found in my workshop working on my next project!
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