8 best wood choppers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Despite the increase in the number of gasified settlements, firewood is in steady demand among the residents of Russia. Not all homeowners use them as their primary fuel. But for a fireplace, bathhouse and barbecue, dry wood is an irreplaceable source of fire and hot coals. When preparing firewood, a cleaver becomes a reliable assistant. This is a type of ax that has a long handle, heavy weight and a special blade shape. For splitting logs with one stroke, impact force is important. In this case, the tool must be reliable and durable. A wide range of domestic and foreign models is presented in Russian stores. They differ in price, design and quality of materials. The advice of our experts will help potential buyers choose an efficient and durable firewood cleaver.

Recommendations for choosing a cleaver

Design features. Today, two designs of cleavers are widely represented on the market.

1. The classic ax consists of a butt and a handle. Since working with a cleaver involves a powerful swing with a large amplitude, there is a possibility of the metal element slipping off the handle. Therefore, it is important to check the reliability of the connection before work. In the case of a wooden handle, it is recommended to immerse the butt completely in water for a couple of hours to swell the wood.
2. In a one-piece construction, the butt and the ax are a single element. This type of cleaver maintains safety throughout the entire service life of the tool. But the price of a cast ax is higher than a composite one.

Blade shape. When making cleavers, manufacturers implement one of two blade shapes.

1. The straight blade is ideal for splitting dry logs with a diameter of 20-30 cm.
2. The rounded shape of the blade is characterized by high cutting parameters. Such a cleaver will effectively grind tarry and damp logs.

Handle length. For cleavers, the length of the handle varies over a wide range (300-900 mm). The buyer should find the optimal balance between power and compactness.

1. If the ax will be used exclusively at home, then it is better to choose a model with an ax with a length of 700-900 mm. High impact force allows you to cope with the thickest and most knotty logs.
2. Often the cleaver travels in the trunk of a car when traveling to the country, fishing or on a picnic. In this case, a handle with a length of 300-600 mm looks preferable. Such a cleaver can easily cope with thin branches (8-15 cm).

Handle material. Composite axes are equipped with handles made of several materials.

1. The wooden ax is a classic of the genre. Experts recommend that adherents of environmentally friendly natural material give preference to birch or ash handles.
2. The modern alternative to wood is the fiberglass composite plastic handle. Such handles withstand high shock loads, have shock absorption capabilities, serve for a long time, and lie comfortably in the hand.

We have selected the 8 best wood choppers for the review. You can buy these axes in specialized stores in Russia. When distributing positions, the editorial board of the journal relied on the opinion of the expert community, taking into account the feedback from domestic consumers.

Rating of the best cleavers for chopping wood

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best cleavers for chopping wood	1	FISKARS X25	RUB 6,000
	2	GARDENA 1600S (8718-48)	RUB 3,500
	3	Kraftool X25	RUB 3,200
	4	PATRIOT PA 711	RUB 2,700
	5	MATRIX 21822	RUB 1,700
	6	Gross 21500	RUB 2,500
	7	VORTEX K2700F	1 600 rub.
	8	ZUBR 20616-10	RUB 1,000

FISKARS X25

Rating: 4.9

The Finnish cleaver FISKARS X25 will help you experience the real pleasure of chopping wood. The manufacturer has thought out the design so much that it takes a minimum of time and physical effort to chop the logs. The ax will be the best option for chopping wood up to 30 cm thick. Experts note a 25-year warranty period, which speaks of the reliability and durability of the tool. The tool should include an anti-friction coating, a rubberized fiberglass handle, a plastic case in the asset. Cleaver becomes the winner of our review.

Domestic consumers liked the ratio of handle length (774 mm) and cleaver weight (2.4 kg). The tool is easy to use and can be transported safely. The disadvantages include only the high price.

Advantages

• thoughtful design;
• comfortable handle;
• 25-year warranty;
• plastic case.

disadvantages

• high price.

GARDENA 1600S (8718-48)

Rating: 4.8

The GARDENA 1600S cleaver (8718-48) is very popular in our country. This conclusion was made after analyzing the statistics of reviews in runet. Experts explain the increased interest in the ax with high quality workmanship, a reinforced handle and an increased butt area. The manufacturer has successfully distributed the weight (1.6 kg), made an ergonomic handle with a length of 600 mm. The model is equipped with an anti-friction coating that resists corrosion for a long time. The set includes a bracket for attaching the cleaver to the wall. The tool is able to cope with chocks up to 45 cm in diameter. The ax takes an honorable second place on the pedestal.

Among the many complimentary reviews from Russian consumers, high marks for balance and ergonomics prevail. On the downside, the owners include a slippery handle.

Advantages

• ease;
• optimal weight distribution;
• ergonomic handle;
• corrosion resistance.

disadvantages

• slippery handle.

Kraftool X25

Rating: 4.7

The experts consider the German cleaver Kraftool X25 a professional tool. A distinctive feature of the ax is a hard blade that has been double hardened by high frequency currents. Thanks to the convex wedge, the cleaver can be easily removed from the log. For ease of use, the manufacturer made the handle from reinforced X-Fiber nylon. This modern material combines the strength of steel and the lightness of plastic. The splitter weighs 2.45 kg with a handle length of 710 mm. The butt is securely connected to the ax, which makes the tool extremely safe. The model wins the bronze of our review.

Users have no complaints about the efficiency of the cleaver; he is able to cut firewood from any wood species. Some owners consider the grip to be thick in the butt area.

Advantages

• German quality;
• affordable price;
• reliable connection of the butt with the hatchet;
• corrosion resistance.

disadvantages

• thick handle in the butt area.

PATRIOT PA 711

Rating: 4.6

The American cleaver PATRIOT PA 711 boasts an optimal combination of price and quality. True, it is made in China, but this fact does not reduce the efficiency and reliability of the tool. The base of the ax is a butt of forged steel; to increase strength, the manufacturer has subjected the blade to double hardening. It, like oil, enters the wood, this is facilitated by high-precision grinding and a good sharpening angle. The fiberglass handle has a rubberized anti-slip grip. The experts praised the unique X-Rigid attachment system, which reliably connects the ax to the butt.

In the reviews, most users praise the cleaver for its ease and ease of use. They consider the price of the tool reasonable. But after cutting, small seizures appear on the blade.

Advantages

• good quality;
• affordable price;
• ergonomic handle;
• sharp sharpening.

disadvantages

• seizures appear on the blade.

MATRIX 21822

Rating: 4.5

The cleaver MATRIX 21822 is a thunderstorm for any block. It can be knotty birch or thick pine. The powerful chopping blow provides the tool with a heavy weight (4.775 kg) and a long handle (900 mm). For the manufacture of the cleaver, the manufacturer used high quality 65G steel. On the blade, the hardness is 50 HRc. The handle is made of fiberglass, which does not swell or dry out. To prevent your hands from slipping while working, there are rubberized inserts. The model is optimal for strong tall men who can cope with a firewood machine in a couple of hours.

Domestic consumers are satisfied with the excellent design, efficiency and quality materials. The tool has minor drawbacks, for example, the handle is not protected from damage in the butt area.

Advantages

• acceptable price;
• high power;
• quality materials;
• great design.

disadvantages

• the handle near the butt is not protected.

Gross 21500

Rating: 4.4

The lightest and most compact cleaver Gross 21500 closes the TOP-6 of our review. The tool weighs only 1.148 kg with the handle, and the handle length is limited to 360 mm. Experts note the solid-forged construction, which ensures safety during operation. The model is suitable not only for harvesting firewood, but also for joinery and carpentry work. As a basis, the German developers took the U8A tool steel, the paint and varnish coating provides protection against corrosion. The blade has a hardness of 45-60 HRc and is sharpened at an angle of 30 degrees. There are ventilation holes in the three-piece handle for a comfortable grip.

According to users, the strengths of the cleaver are lightness, compactness, and a comfortable handle. Not all owners are happy with the sharpening angle.

Advantages

• one-piece construction;
• lightness and compactness;
• comfortable handle;
• hard blade.

disadvantages

• unusual sharpening.

VORTEX K2700F

Rating: 4.3

Among the budget cleavers, the domestic tool VORTEX K2700F stands out. With a butt weight of 2.7 kg and a 900 mm long handle, the ax is capable of solving the most difficult tasks. The hardness of the blade is 48-52 HRc, it owes its high strength to forged tool steel. The back side is equipped with an anvil, which increases the efficiency and accuracy of cutting. The handle is made of fiberglass, it not only does not swell or dry out, but also absorbs impacts. Rubber ring prevents the hand from slipping on the grip. Experts note the high-quality assembly and reliable connection of the butt to the handle.

Russian consumers speak flatteringly about the quality of workmanship, good balance, and an ergonomic handle. Of the minuses, the displacement of the ring along the ax is mentioned.

Advantages

• high efficiency;
• durable solid steel;
• ergonomic handle;
• good balance.

disadvantages

• the ring is shifted along the ax.

ZUBR 20616-10

Rating: 4.2

The cleaver ZUBR 20616-10 stands out with the lowest cost against the background of its rivals. The tool has a modern look and is made of quality materials. Thanks to the forging of 55 steel, the manufacturer managed to obtain a hard blade, a sharp sharpening makes it easy to split firewood. The ax combines light weight (1.4 kg) and compact dimensions (430 mm). The two-piece ax is ergonomic, durable and lightweight. To protect against corrosion and to reduce friction, an anti-friction coating is applied to the steel surface. The model closes the review of the best wood choppers.

Domestic consumers liked the affordable price, modern appearance, comfortable grip. The disadvantage of this tool is the loosening of the axle mount.

Advantages

• lightness and compactness;
• low price;
• modern design;
• quality materials.

disadvantages

• the mount of the ax quickly looses.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.