Comparison Matrix 21820 900 mm

3.6 kg

vs Zubr 20623-27 900 mm

2.7 kg

The grade of steel used in the blade of the ax (in models with metal handles, also in the handle, see above).

Knowing the grade of steel, you can easily find detailed data on it and determine the overall quality of the tool, as well as its suitability for certain tasks. And vice versa: knowing the main characteristics of the most popular grades of steel, you can evaluate the overall quality of the tool already by what brand it uses.

The hardness of the steel used in an ax blade.

Hardness is one of the key characteristics of a blade. Too soft metal will quickly become dull during operation, such a tool will have to be sharpened too often, which does not contribute to comfort. On the other hand, if the hardness is too high, the blade will be brittle, prone to chips and notches, and sharpening will be noticeably difficult.

Most often, hardness is indicated on the Rockwell scale (HRC). The optimal indicator for axes is considered to be a value from 52 to 58 – 60 HRC. Lower values are clearly not recommended; in high-end axes, hardness can be higher, various technological tricks can be used to reduce fragility, but this significantly affects the cost.

The total weight of the ax, for models with wooden handles — with a complete handle.

The optimal weight depends on the type (see above) and specialization of the tool. So, general purpose axes (carpentry) weigh about 0.8 – 1.5 kg; such products are able to provide sufficient inertia for impact and at the same time do not require significant effort. At the same time, lighter tools are intended for precise work, heavier ones for rough work. Cleavers and similar "generalists" are by definition massive, most often from 2 kg or more, and in the most "large-caliber" models, the weight can be about 4.5 – 5 kg. Here it is worth proceeding from the thickness and hardness of the wood that is planned to be chopped: a heavy cleaver can easily cope even with large logs, however, it will take a lot of effort for such work. In tourist axes and tomahawks, in turn, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of transportation: for constant carrying with you, it is better to take a lighter tool, and if the tool is bought for trips to nature by car, you can choose a heavier model.

The weight of the ax blade, excluding the handle.

It is believed that such an ax balance is optimal when its centre of gravity is maximally shifted to the blade. Accordingly, the more massive the blade relative to the handle, the closer the centre of gravity will be to it and the closer the balance will be to the perfect. At the same time, it is impossible to infinitely make the blade heavier and lighten the handle — there are limitations associated primarily with the strength of the structure. As a result, in axes weighing up to 1.5 kg, the weight of the handle is usually 200 – 250 g; in other words, the blade accounts for about 80 – 85% of the total weight of the tool. In more massive products, the handles turn out to be heavier — for example, with a weight of 3 kg, the weight of the handle can be about a kilogram, that is, the blade already accounts for only about 60% of the weight of the tool. However, such axes usually have a considerable length, which compensates for this moment.

— Hammer. Allows you to use utility or camping axes for hammering nails, pegs when pitching a tent, chipping bricks, and so on. Cleavers — for hitting with a mallet, hammer or other log on the butt in case of jamming of the ax in the log. It is worth considering that the above actions are highly not recommended for classic butts, as this is fraught with loosening of the wedge in the ax handle, which can be traumatic in the future. On axes with plastic and fibreglass handles, manufacturers even leave a reminder that when hitting the butt during operation, the ax loses its warranty.

— Pika (slander). The pick, which is a sharp tip, is a multifunctional device that allows you to use the tool not only for cutting, but also for more precise work, for example, punching holes, crushing wood, etc. Additionally, axes with a pick can be used when climbing snow-covered, icy peaks . Among similar axes there are many collectible replicas that copy ancient weapons.