Chopping Axe Vs Splitting Axe

The right axe can make all the difference in your wood cutting experience, whereas a wrong one can leave you with a hurt back and a lot of wasted time.

Especially when you are out in the woods with no convenient access to supermarkets or hardware stores to get the appropriate tool for the job.

A chopping axe is not the same as a splitting axe. A chopping axe is mainly used to fall or chop down a tree that is standing and erect. Whereas, a splitting axe is used to cut down small logs into smaller pieces of wood (primarily firewood).

Let’s delve deep into each of them for a much clearer understanding.

Chopping Axe

A chopping axe, which may also be referred to as a felling axe, is used to chop down standing trees that are still rooted to the ground.

Because of this, the bit (the cutting edge) of these axes has a very tapered end and is extremely sharp, enabling them to cut through the grain of the wood easily with the fewest possible strokes.

It, like any other axe, is made up of a metal head (typically steel) and a handle (which can be made of wood, steel, or even fiberglass) with only one side edged. In contrast to a hatchet (a smaller version of this), a chopping axe must be handled with both hands to get the job done.

These axes can range from 17″ (43 cm) all the way up to 36″ (91 cm). It is best to use the 36″ (91 cm) axe for cutting down really hard hardwood trees, such as ironwood, ebony, or walnut; for everything else about 26-28″ (66-71 cm) will be more than enough.

Also, the 17″ (43 cm) axe is more like a hatchet than an axe, so you shouldn’t expect it to bring down a tree.

Depending on the material used for the handles, these axes can weigh anywhere from 2 to 6 lbs (0.9 to 2.7 kilograms). The handles curve upward at the bottom. This curve ensures that the axe doesn’t slip off while you’re holding it while chopping down trees.

Curious read: Are Knives Needed When Camping With An Axe

When To Use A Chopping Axe?

A chopping axe is a very good tool to use when chopping down trees. You can use it on most tree species in your area, and it’s also lightweight enough for you to carry around with ease.

There are also some Fiskars axes with a guard built around the blade that greatly reduces the chances of an accident. Furthermore, these guards also have a handle on top for carrying.

It is possible to find chopping axes that can handle hardwood trees, but they must meet some requirements in order to do so. As mentioned previously, long handles and a sturdier grip are necessary in order to chop down really hard trees.

It is also necessary to use caution when using a chopping axe on very large and heavy trees like oak or maple because it can break if used too roughly or if the handle isn’t long enough to provide enough force during the swing.

Note: It is extremely important that you check with your local forest authorities and issue a permit if necessary before going around bringing down trees.

Cutting down trees in conservation zones without a permit can result in fines depending on the age and species of the tree. As long as you follow the imposed guidelines, cutting trees for firewood or other personal use is not illegal in most cases.

Also, you can refer to this article for any further queries.

How Do You Fell A Tree With A Chopping Axe?

Using a chopping axe for bringing down trees is quite straightforward; you just need a few simple steps to follow and it will be over in no time. By following the following steps, you will be able to avoid any problems and finish your project quickly:

However, before doing this in the field, you should consult an expert first and get their take on it, so that any remaining doubts about taking down a tree are flushed out.

Splitting Axe

A splitting axe or splitting maul (same but with a hammer at the end instead of a blunt end) differs significantly from a chopping axe.

As an example, a splitting axe is used to chop logs into smaller pieces of wood whereas a chopping axe is used to bring down a standing tree that is well-rooted. As a result, their construction and shape are also different.

When compared to a chopping axe, splitting axes have more wedge-shaped bits instead of tapered ones; in addition, these are much less sharp. As a result, the axe head does not get stuck on the splitting block, allowing the logs to be split easier and quicker.

Chopping axes are extremely sharp because they cut against the grain of wood (horizontal), whereas splitting axes cut along the grain of wood (vertical) and therefore can afford not to be as sharp.

It is easier to slice up wood fibers if you apply force along their line since they separate much easier than when you attack their trunk head-on.

Even so, the sharpness of the blade is sufficient for one-strike splits, which means a piece of wood (usually small) can be split in two with just one strike.

The weight distribution is more concentrated at the head due to the bulky axe head construction, making wood splitting much easier when compared to any other tool available.

Splitting axes, too, can range in size from 17″ (43 cm) all the way up to 36″ (91 cm) for very tall individuals or to easily split tough logs such as hickory. Only the handle length changes in these axes; the metal-head remains relatively similar across the board.

When you have an axe with a longer handle, you can split wood more easily and lessen the strain on your back if you are tall.

Further reading: Can You Use A Camping Knife For Splitting Wood?

When To Use A Splitting Axe?

As the name suggests, you use a splitting axe when you have a bunch of logs that you want to use as firewood or kindling for your camping trip.

With the durable wooden handle, the ax head will absorb shock when it hits a hard surface (not recommended for hard surfaces), so you won’t get blisters on your palm from hitting hard things.

Like chopping axes, Fiskars axes are a great choice for splitting axes because they offer both a blade guard and a handle for transport.

There are also Husqvarna axes that are a little bit more expensive but have a sharper edge than Fiskars axes, however, they tend to stick to the log while Fiskars can be easily removed after sticking.

As long as you split your own logs, splitting wood does not require a permit. It is only required when you start harvesting trees from the forest for personal use, such as for firewood. To harvest trees for commercial purposes, you need a separate permit.

How To Use A Splitting Axe To Split Log?

The best way to break logs is to use a splitting axe. You could use a chopping axe, however, they get stuck in the log so frequently that it will slow you instead of increasing your speed. Following are some steps to use a splitting axe for breaking logs:

Chopping Axe Vs Splitting Axe

Here is a brief comparison of a chopping axe and a splitting axe:

Point of difference	Chopping axe	Splitting axe
Alternate names	Felling axe	Splitting maul
Sharpness	Extremely sharp	Sharp but not as sharp as a chopping axe
Axe head	Slender and tapered at the end	Wedge shaped
Weight	Lighter than splitting axe	Heavier than chopping axe
Safety gears needed	Safety goggles, glove & headgear	Safety goggles & glove
Use case	For the purpose of removing standing trees that are still rooted in the ground	For splitting logs into smaller pieces, such as kindling or firewood
Can be used to bring down standing erect trees	Yes, it’s made for this	No, it is too difficult and the blades are not sharp enough to cut against the grain of wood
Suitable for slicing logs into smaller pieces	Yes, but it is not recommended because the blade gets stuck to the log because of its tapered edges	Yes, it’s made for this
Cost	$$	$

Safety Gear To Wear Before Using An Axe

Before you begin using the axe to fall a tree or make firewood out of the logs, make sure you have the necessary safety gear on. They will not only protect you from splinters and chips that could be ejected during a forced chop, but they will also be less stressful to your body, especially your arms.

Some of the important ones include:

It all boils down to you at the end of the day, these are just tools, and when you handle an axe you are responsible for yourself. Follow the proper instructions when using an axe and you should be golden!

Final Thoughts

Cutting axes and splitting axes have fundamentally different uses. Chopping axes are used to bring down standing trees, whereas splitting axes are used to take the logs from the fallen trees and make them usable as kindling and firewood. The two are not interchangeable and should not be used in place of one another.

Additionally, not only is it unsafe to use them interchangeably, but the amount of energy that will be wasted is a reason itself to not use them for one another. Follow the instructions for either axe and you will get your job done before you know it!

Anyways, as always, stay safe and happy adventuring!