The cost of heating a home, along with the surge in popularity of outdoor firepits and chimineas, has created a huge demand for firewood. An axe is an essential tool if you use wood from your own trees or buy whole logs, as large pieces will need to be split to fit your stove or fireplace. If the logs are still very fresh, splitting also helps them to dry out enough to be useful as firewood. An axe is also handy for making little sticks and slivers of kindling. Making your own kindling is much cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying it in plastic bags or using most types of commercial firelighter.
Axes come in many sizes and weights, so it’s important to choose one that’s right both for you and for the task. While many axes are designed specifically for either splitting larger logs or making kindling, some of the mid-sized models could be used for both jobs. Creating your own firewood can be a very satisfying job that helps to keep heating bills down – and it’s excellent exercise, too. There’s a saying that wood warms twice: once when it’s split and again when it’s burned!
Our expert testers trial hundreds of garden tools to work out which will do the job well and offer the best value, comfort and quality. If you’re preparing freshly felled wood and need to remove small stems and branches, check out our guides to the best secateurs and the best loppers. We’ve also tested essentials like the best garden spades and best hoes as well as more specific kit like the best hedge trimmers, the best pressure washers and the best strimmers. If you’re looking for DIY equipment, consider our guides to the best hammers and best cordless drills.
Best wood-splitting axes at a glanceBest axe for all-round wood splitting: Fiska Read more on gardenersworld.com