22 Types of Axes & Their Uses [Explained with Pictures] PDF

In this article, you will learn what are the different types of axes and How to use them? explained with Pictures. You can also download the PDF file of this article at the end of it.

What is Axe?

Contents show

An axe is a tool that has been used for centuries for shaping, splitting, and cutting wood, for chopping wood, as a weapon, and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol. The axe is available in various forms and specialized uses but is usually has an axe head with a handle or a heel.

Nowadays, axes are most commonly used in the garden or outdoor activities, such as camping, but the type of axe you need will lie on the purpose for which you want it. A huge range of designs is available with different blade patterns between axes depending on when they were made.

Apart from this, we have also written about various tools like hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, saws, and pliers, which are commonly used in the workshop. Now, let’s take a look at different types of axes one by one.

Types of Axes

Following are the different types of axes, which are described below:

Adze Axe
Board Axe
Carpenter Axe
Double bit Axe
Felling Axe
Grub Axe
Hatchet
Hudson bay Axe
Pick Axe
Roofing Axe
Splitting maul
Tomahawk
Viking Axe

Special Axes:

Battel Axe
Crash Axe
Forest Axe
Firemans Axe
Hunters Axe
Ice Axe
Miner Axe
Survival Axe
Tactical Axe

1. Adze Axe

Types of Axes - Adze Axe — Image: Amazon

An adze axe is a hand tool with a shape-cutting blade. They are being used since the Stone Age period. The principal use of these axes is woodworking, carving, and smoothing out wood.

The blade of the adze is fixed at right angles. It is very sharp for performing complex and carpentry jobs. Nowadays you can see varieties of adzes, but they are mainly classified into two different categories which are hand adzes and foot adzes.

A hand adze needs to be rotated with just one hand and will have a small handle to adjust it. A foot adze will be rotated with both hands and will have a long handle.

2. Board Axe

The purpose of using a board axe is hewing, which is the process of turning round-edged lumber into flat-edged lumber. Therefore it is also known as hewing axe. It is a type of carpentry tool that is commonly used before industrial sawmills existed.

To facilitate the cutting process, this axe has a flat edge, while the other end has a wide beveled-edged blade for chopping. It is a medium-sized hand tool commonly used by carpenters and is rarely seen in general use today.

3. Carpenter Axe

A carpenter axe is designed to do fine woodwork and is quite uncomfortable for chopping or cutting purposes. It is a craftsman tool and is available in small sizes. It is also known as a carpenter’s hatchet and although it is somewhat larger than a standard axe.

Commonly, this type of axe consists of a straight-edged sharp blade with a flat butt, which doubles as a hammer. The blade of this axe is essential when choosing one to use. By choosing a straight edge blade can provide you better and more accurate cut. The modern carpenter’s axe also has a groove, which is considered to remove nails from wood.

4. Double Bit Axe

A double-bit axe commonly comes with two blades having on both sides. These blades must be symmetrical in front, but one blade will be rough while the other is sharp. The sharp side is used for chopping wood or fallen trees and the rough side is used to split the wood into small pieces.

The double head makes them very heavy to carry as well and is only used by lumberjacks. Some people do not prefer them because the extra weight of the head means the user will get tired while using it faster than usual.

5. Felling Axe

The felling axes are specially designed for chopping trees and cutting wooden logs. The head of such axe is a little bit heavy and will sit on the end of a long handle. This longer handle offers the user to create a more powerful swing with more leverage, leading to better cuts.

Generally, the handle of the felling axe is made from hickory wood that is much stronger than other woods. The axe blade has a flared shape and a sharp and thin tip. These are made to cut against the grain of the wood. These axes are used for felling down small trees and branches.

6. Grub Axe

These types of axes are also known as cutter mattocks. A grub axe has one end with an axe on one side and an adze on the other. The blades of this axe will be at a vertical angle, while the adze blade, the longer of the two, will be at a horizontal angle.

It is great for grubbing in compacted soil and rough terrain. These tools are useful in garden applications, as they can dig holes to establish new plants or break-resistant roots of older plants.

7. Hatchet

The hatchet is used for all purposes and is the type of axe that most people used for light jobs. These are quite expensive in price. They are small compared to other axes, usually with chunky handles made of hickory wood.

The head of this hatchet is flared shape that gives a sharp-pointed blade and is quite heavy. Balance is important to a good hatchet, as it will help produce a more accurate swing and cut. It is used for cutting down small trees and also for chopping and splitting logs.

8. Hudson Bay Axe

The Hudson Bay axe is medium-sized and is invented by Canadian fur trappers. It is an all-purpose axe and is mainly used to chop firewood during extended trips to the cold north. According to the size of the axe, it falls under an axe and a full-sized chopping axe.

You can use it with one hand or both, and it’s good for small cutting and splitting purposes. It cannot be used for cutting larger trees but its size makes it more manageable for camping trips.

9. Pick Axe

Traditionally, the pickaxe would be a pick on either side of the head, although, in modern pickaxes, one side of the head would have a pointed pick, and the other side would usually have a chisel. A pickaxe is a hand tool that is shaped like a ‘T’ letter.

It usually consists of a wooden or fibreglass handle with a double metal head on top. A pickaxe is useful in garden and landscaping. It is mostly used for breaking up hard soil, rocks, or concrete, while a chisel is more commonly used for open gaps in rocks or earth.

10. Roofing Axe

The roofing axe is a traditional and modern type of axe that is used for roofing. It is also known for the roofing hatchet.

The roofing axe consists of two heads on either side of the handle. One head has a pointed blade used to cut roof shingles. The second head of a hammer, that is used for pounding roofing nails when fixing shingles to the roof.

11. Splitting Maul

The splitting maul is specially designed for splitting big trees into small pieces of wood. They are made very similar to a felling axe with a long handle to provide a good swing.

When using a splitting maul, you must apply a downward swing, not a sideways swing as is used for felling axe. The splitting maul’s head would be heavier than a felling axe.

12. Tomahawk

These types of axes have been used in combat since their creation. These axes are similar to other axes but have a fully straight handle and are much lighter. This straight handle provides an easy to throw at enemies in combat.

The sharp blade makes it useful for a variety of tasks include digging, prying, cutting, and splitting. Tomahawks are lighter and smaller than a hatchet and therefore easier to carry. They are versatile, which can be used for a variety of bushcraft activities.

13. Viking Axe

Viking axes were used as weapons of war throughout the Viking Age. The heads on Viking axes can be of varying sizes, but primarily they are known to be heavily bearded. The heads of the axe were almost made of iron, while the handles were of wood.

Vikings usually carried strong axes that could be thrown or twisted with head-splitting force. The Mammen Axe is a good example of such axes, perfectly suited for throwing and melee combat.

Special Types of Axes

Batte Axe
Crash Axe
Forest Axe
Fireman’s Axe
Hunter’s Axe
Ice Axe
Miner’s Axe
Survival Axe
Tactical Axe

1. Battle Axe

A battle axe is designed specifically for warfare. It was special versions of utility axes. Many axes had to be adapted for one-handed use, while others were larger and used with two-handedness.

Axes designed for fighting typically weigh between 1 and 7 pounds (0.5 and 3 kg), while they range from 1 foot (30 cm) to over 5 feet (1.5 m). The Danish axe and Spart axe are types of a battle-axe.

2. Crash Axe

A crash axe is an emergency tool. If there is a plane incident happen, then these axes are used. This axe is designed with a short handle and a very sharp smooth, or serrated blade.

The blade must be able to cut through sheet metal to access the aircraft from the outside or cut holes in the aircraft from the inside to exit if other exits are blocked. A crash axe can also be used to open gaps and cut interior walls and upper cabinets.

3. Forest Axe

These types of axes are strong axes that are used only for cutting down big trees. They’re extremely heavy-duty equipment. They are difficult to carry around on a camping trip but would be great to keep in a cabin in the woods.

The forest axe will have a sharp and flared blade with a slightly curved tip. The handle of the forest axe is very long and is made for cutting large trees.

4. Fireman’s Axe

A fireman’s axe is a type of axe that firefighters use to break doors and windows in an emergency. A fireman’s axe is usually referred to as a pick head axe, fire axe or firefighter’s axe.

In addition to the traditional sharp-edged blade, the tip of this type of axe is sharp, almost pick-shaped. The fireman’s axe is often decorated in bright colours because it can be easily identified during an emergency.

5. Hunter’s Axe

As the name suggests, this type of axe is commonly used by hunters as it serves the dual purpose of chopping wood and meat. A traditional hunter’s axe is made of a grooved handle, which provides a better grip even when the user’s hand is wet or sticky.

A simple axe won’t work well for an animal’s hide, as a straightedge with sharp corners can damage the animal’s skin. These types of axes are easy to find, and you’ll need to find an expert counterfeiter to purchase such a hunter’s axe.

6. Ice Axe

The ice axe is a highly specialized tool that serves many purposes for climbers in snowy climates. The end of the axe is normally used to cut ice, while the pick end can serve as a support.

7. Miner’s Axe

Miner’s axe is used to mine copper and silver ore in the Middle Ages of Europe. A common miner’s axe is available to you with a short handle and a long head that are perfect to use in close areas.

8. Survival Axe

Survival Axe is a small and practice tool, many people use this type of axe when they go camping. It is known for survival hatchets. The entire axe from the head of the axe to the body tip of the axe is made of carbon steel.

The survival axe will allow you to cut branches and chop wood and leaves to build a shelter. Furthermore, you can make firewood to make and start a fire. Moreover, you can use the axe to hunt animals for food.

9. Tactical Axe

The tactical axe is a modern type of axe and is also known for the tactical tomahawk. This axe has achieved popularity against law enforcement officers, soldiers, and security personnel, as well as survivalists.

Tactical axes are usually made of steel so that they have the strength to withstand multiple tasks. These axes are used for chopping, but they can also serve as a close weapon, shovel, pry bar, and hammer.

Summary

By using an axe, it can cost you less and be easy to make, as only the axehead is made from metal. It can deliver a blow with greater force, which can be useful in both situations such as woodworking or fighting. If you have any queries regarding this topic then feel free to ask in the comment section.

So now, I hope you have liked our look at the “types of axes” and found some you haven’t learned of before. If you found this article helpful, then share it with your friends.