5 Best Pulaski Axes to Help You Chop and Dig Like a Boss!

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A Pulaski axe is versatile tool thanks to the head design. While one side is a standard ax shape used for chopping wood, the other half has an Adze tip used to help dig and hoe.

These are a lot less common than other axes, but they needn’t be as they are beneficial for landscaping. We have reviewed 5 of the best options available and written a detailed report on each. We have also included a buyer’s guide that you can use to assist you in choosing the right Pulaski axe.

Here’s an overview of what we’ll provide in this best Pulaski axe article:

  • First, we tell you what a Pulaski axe is and show you our top 5 picks in an easy-to-read table
  • Next, we’ll delve deeper into each model’s features and benefits that you will find useful
  • Then, we’ll tell you about their drawbacks you will need to know about
  • And finally, we’ve written a detailed buyers guide to give you a better insight into the product

Sound OK? Great, let’s get to it!

 

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What is a Pulaski Axe Used For?

Firefighting

The sharp blade can easily slice through doors, and the hoe end can sift through the debris.  

Trail making

The Adze side of the head is an ideal tool for digging out roots, small trees, and shrubs so that you can build a trail.

Hiking

You can use smaller versions of the Pulaski axe on a hike where the trail stops and a new one needs to be created. This ax can help cut back overgrown trees or any vegetation that has fallen and is blocking the path ahead.

Gardening

Not every Pulaski axe is lightweight, which means you won’t quickly take it on a hike or vacation. The heavier axes are ideal for stripping out old shrubs or trees in your garden and are a perfect landscaping tool.

 

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Pulaski Axe – Comparison Table:

 

Best Pulaski Axe | Reviews

1. Barebones Living (Best Overall)

  • Arguably the most popular brand of Pulaski axe, and it’s easy to see why. It’s super durable with the head made from 1055 high carbon steel, and a 21-inch beechwood handle.
  • The blade is razor-sharp and it’s good to see you get a sheath included with the axe, which makes transporting and handling it much safer.
  • Rooting and trenching is made easier thanks to the steel pommel, secured to the handle by a hex bolt. This can also be easily removed should it need cleaning or servicing.
  • All in all, this is a top-quality Pulaski axe and easily wins our Best Overall award.
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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.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Well built
  • Steel pommel
  • Removable hex nut for maintenance
  • Safety sheath
Cons
  • Handle needs a non-slip material added
  • Prone to denting and scratching

 

2. Council Tool 26 inch Pulaski Axe (Best Value)

  • Made in the USA, this Pulaski Axe is a close contender for the Best Overall award. The axe head is made from forged steel with a red enamel coating and it weighs just under 4lbs. The overall axe length is 36 inches and can produce enough power to split most wood types thanks to the 4.¾ -inch cutting edge.
  • The build quality is great and it exceeds Rc 48-55, but the axe is heavy! You also don’t get a protective sheath and so it’s for these reasons it doesn’t win our top award.
  • That being said, it’s very well made, powerful, durable, and great value but probably not the most comfortable axe to use for long periods because of its weight.
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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.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Powerful
  • Well-made
  • Rust resistant
Cons
  • Heavy
  • No protective sheath – added extra

 

3. Collins HP-3 1/2FD-C Pulaski Axe

  • The Collins Landscaping Pulaski axe has a 3 ½ lbs weighted forged steelhead and 34 inch double injected handle made from fibreglass.
  • The cutting blade is 4 ½ inches with the smaller head measuring 2 ½ inches. This axe can also be used as a ‘fireman’s axe’ and a nice feature is the handle is replaceable.
  • However, this is not as heavy-duty as the Barebones and Council but is more than adequate for smaller jobs around the garden.
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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.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Replacement handle
  • 3 ½ lbs head
Cons
  • Not suitable for heavy-duty jobs

 

4. Truper 30529

  • The Truper 30529 has a 3 ½ pound head made from forged steel and a 35-inch hickory handle. There are two main issues with this axe, firstly the handle is flimsy and simply not up to the job. Don’t be surprised if it breaks on the first use!
  • Secondly, the blade is soft and not particularly sharp and so cutting wood is made very difficult. We recommend sharpening it before use.
  • All things being equal, we don’t recommend this axe as there are several others that are better build quality.
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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.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Heat-treated blade
  • Cheap
Cons
  • Poor quality
  • Handle breaks
  • Soft head

 

5. Nupla PA375-LESG Pulaski Axe

  • The NUPLA Pulaski axe has a design feature none of the others has - a non-slip handle. This makes it an ideal choice for all-weather use, especially the cold and wet days.
  • The axe blade is a good size but it’s not particularly sharp and so you will have a hard time chopping anything unless you sharpen it first. This is very disappointing.
  • The head weighs around 3.5 lbs and overall length is about 3’ and the overall feel is it’s lightweight and has good weight distribution. It’s just a shame about the blade.
  • For the price you’ll pay it’s a good trail building tool and it does have an excellent fibreglass handle.
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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.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Non-slip handle
  • Weather & chemical resistant
  • Good price
Cons
  • Blade not sharp

 

 

Further reading: 9 Different Types of Axes – Which One Is Right For You?

Video: How to Use a Pulaski Axe

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8P_J6xwEjo[/embedyt]

 

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Pulaski Axe Buyers Guide

As we said in our introduction, these axes are extremely useful, and although they don’t have a ton of features, there are some points to consider before buying one.

Handle

As with most axes, you can buy a Pulaski handle made from metal, wood, or fiberglass. A wooden handle is the most traditional, but a lot don’t have any non-slip material added, and this can cause prolonged use, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Durability

It’s clear from our reviews that some axes are made from better materials than others. As a minimum, they need to be made from carbon-plated, solid steel. Those with a metal rod running from the head through the handle will stand the test of time better and ultimately be the best value.

Blade

Any ax MUST HAVE a sharp blade. What is the point of buying a brand new ax only to have to sharpen it yourself before its first use? To make matters worse, they are difficult to sharpen, and not everyone will be able to.

Safety sheath

An ax must come with a protective sheath or give you the option to buy one as an added extra. The two most important reasons for the sheath are to prevent you from injuring yourself while handling it and so you can easily transport it.

 

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Weight

The Pulaski axe tends to be bigger than some other models, and therefore they are heavier. This means they are mighty, but for a novice user, this may present a challenge. Ensure there is good weight distribution between the handle and the head, as this means the swing will be more powerful and less stressful on the body.

Overall length

A general rule of thumb is the longer the ax handles, the more power you will generate. However, you will lose accuracy. For novice users, it’s advised to start with a shorter handle where it’s easier to control the swing and overall accuracy.

Conclusion

Our Best Overall pick was the Barebones Living and a close second came to the Council Tool 26 inch Pulaski Axe. Both are great examples of this type of ax and will make an ideal tool for your shed.

We hope this article has assisted you in making the right buying decision for a Pulaski axe. As always, if there’s anything you need extra assistance with, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. It will be a pleasure to help you.

Here are some other articles you may like:

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Here are Our Favorite Felling Axes

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Walter Snyder
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