When looking to buy an axe, it can be easy to get carried away by all the different kinds available on today’s market. It’s easy to end up spending a fortune on a hatchet or cleaver without even realizing that there are a few other options that can help you get more bang for your buck. If you’ve never considered a hatchet or axe before, it might pay to take a look at the following tips to help you narrow down your choices.
![Gerber Gear 23.5-Inch Axe [31-002651]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21GBrm0zRHL._SL160_.jpg)
What type of jobs are you going to be doing with your new multi-tool? A good axe is ideal for felling trees and other kinds of woody material. You will find an excellent axe with multiple functions in any outdoors shop and you’ll be able to use it for various tasks. Look for a hatchet that has a larger multi-purpose tool slot that can be used for a variety of different activities.
Size is very important when it comes to choosing the best axe and hatchet. Consider what size of hatchet you’ll need depending on the type of job that you’re planning on doing. For felling trees and smaller branches, you’ll need a small hatchet that’s between ten and fourteen inches in length. An axe of this size will be very effective at felling even the thinnest branches.
A good tip to remember is to consider the type of grip you prefer when using an axe. Fiberglass handle offers a comfortable grip and is easier to control. Consider buying an axe with a little bit of a larger grip if you plan on trimming large branches or using it on very large trees. Fiberglass handle with a one-hand grip will also be very comfortable and easy to hold onto.
Different kinds of blades are available for felling trees. Some people prefer the traditional saw blade while others like the hook/striking blade. Some people favor the hook/striking style of blade while others rely on the sawdust whirling around the blade to aid in splitting wood. Each type has its own positive benefits as well as negative aspects. Many people find the hook/striking style of blade to be their favorite when cutting large branches and trees.
The overall length of the hatchet is another important factor to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect tool. Choose an axe type that’s at least three feet long. This should suffice for most home jobs but if you plan on going into large-scale tree felling or tree trimming, a longer version will be necessary. As far as the overall length goes, many people favor the traditional mower over the chain saw. The reason is the chain saw is generally only suitable for small jobs while the mower can handle trees of any size.
The handle material is another important factor to keep in mind when shopping for the best axe. While some prefer materials like carbon fiber and aluminum, fiskars axe owners have another option to choose from. They make blades out of a compound material known as Spaltan. It provides a durable alternative to aluminum or other common materials.
When shopping for an ideal splitting axe, it’s also important to take a look at how the blade will work. Different models will feature different blade types. For example, some models will feature straight, thin blades with little to no spin while others feature a steeper, more chopping heavy blade. Most models feature the ability to switch between the two different blade types which is a big plus when chopping larger logs or tree limbs.
