You might not know it, but axes come in a variety of types. The types differ by their construction and intended use. You should know that there is no right or wrong type of axe; the decision will depend on your needs and preferences.
This article will explain what types there are and their own unique features. This is the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to know more about axes!
Let’s jump right in!
An ice axe is a type of axe that is specifically designed for use on ice and snow. They come in different types, but all have a pick at one end and an adze at the other. The pick is used to penetrate the ice, while the adze can be used for chopping or as a hammer.
Ice axes are commonly used by mountaineers when ascending or descending glaciers. They can also be helpful in steadying oneself on steep slopes covered in ice or snow. However, they are also quite heavy and can be challenging to carry around, so they are not always suitable for every situation.
Overall, an ice axe is a very versatile tool that can prove invaluable in certain situations. Here are urban survival skills that can help you.
Sheperd's Axe
Shepherd’s axe is a specific type of axe that is very lightweight and versatile. Shepherds initially used this type of axe as a tool to gather firewood, cut branches, and lighten their load. It has been made from various materials such as wood, steel, titanium, and even plastic these days.
This makes them extremely easy to carry around because they are so lightweight but also able to produce the same results you would get from more prominent heavier types. – without sacrificing anything in terms of performance either!
They can be used with one hand only if needed – making it possible for users with injuries or multi-taskers to use them still. If you want to know more about injuries and some first aid myths, this article can help you.
Pickhead Axe
Pickhead Axe is a popular axe that is characterized by its pointed end. It was primarily used for breaking rocks and other hard objects. Compared to different types of axes, Pickhead Axe has a smaller blade, making it more precise. This also made it the preferred choice for use in tight spaces.
However, because of its small size, Pickhead Axe is not as durable as other types of axes and can be easily damaged if not used properly. Despite this downside, Pickhead Axe remains a popular choice among axe users because of its precision and versatility.
If you’re looking for an axe that can get the job done with precision, then Pickhead Axe is the perfect tool for you. Just make sure to use it correctly.
Halberds
Halberds are types of axes that have a long pole attached to them. They were usually for combat and used in medieval times, but some today still use them as their weapon or protection. The halberd is mainly known for its pointy axe head, which can be very sharp and dangerous.
There are many ways this type of axe has been made over time, like back-mounted blades instead of just having an axe head! Halberds come in different types, but all serve basically the same purpose – defense.
Dagger Axe
When it comes to types of axes, the Dagger Axe is unique. It has a thin and sharp blade that makes it perfect for piercing armor or flesh. Because of its lightweight, it’s also very easy to use and can be swung with great speed. This makes it an excellent choice for close-combat situations.
However, because the blade is so thin and sharp, it’s also prone to breaking easily. So, while it excels in certain areas, the Dagger Axe is not without its drawbacks as it can break easily. Overall, Dagger Axes are an excellent weapon choice if you want power with speed.
Axe-Pistol
Axe-Pistol is a type of axe that has a pistol grip. It is used as a close combat weapon and can be dual-wielded. The pros of the Axe-Pistol are that it is very versatile and can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes. It is also very powerful and can easily cut through wood or bone.
The cons of the Axe-Pistol are that it is not very accurate, so it may not be the best choice for long-range targets. Additionally, it can be challenging to use in tight spaces. Overall, the Axe-Pistol is a powerful weapon that is perfect for close-quarters combat.
Tomahawk
Tomahawks can be used for camping, rescue missions, or self-defense. Although designed primarily for battle, it is also capable of general-purpose work. The weight and size make them better suited to chopping woods and the likes. Tomahawks have a handle that is 12-14 inches long, which makes them easier to carry around and used in tight places where bigger axes wouldn’t fit into.
The head of the Tomahawk can be made from different types of materials but is usually composed of carbon steel, stainless steel, or titanium. This makes the blade resistant to rust and easy to sharpen.
The handle on a Tomahawk is ideal size of an axe handle. It is also wrapped with para-cord, giving the user a better grip. If needed in rescue missions, the cord can also act as a secondary line.
The pros of having a Tomahawk are that they’re versatile, durable, and have multiple uses.
Battle Axe
Battle Axe is a type of axe that was explicitly designed for use in battle. It has a long, thin blade that can be easily wielded with one hand, and it is sharp enough to cut through metal. The Battle Axe also has a large, curved handle that gives the wielder plenty of leverage when striking an opponent.
The main advantage of the Battle Axe is its size and weight, it is an effective tool of combat. It is smaller and lighter than a traditional axe, which makes it easier to carry and maneuver. The main disadvantage of the Battle Axe is its lack of versatility. Because it was designed for use in battle, it is not very effective.
Viking Axe
A Viking Axe or a Danish Axe is a type of axe that the Vikings used. It had a pronounced beard and spike, which helped to split wood. The axe was also useful for combat, as it could be used to hack at an opponent’s shield or armor.
The Viking Axe has been in use since the late Iron Age and has seen many different iterations over the years. Some later versions of the axe were even fitted with a hammer on the backside of the blade.
The axes were useful both as a weapon and for cutting down trees, making them advantageous for survival. However, it was not easy to carry around since the beard would get caught on stuff. Also, you couldn’t easily retrieve it if dropped in battle or during travel (it could be very dangerous). And finally, its weight made throwing effectively impossible!
Dayton Axe
The Dayton Axe is a popular type of axe that many users favor because it is well-made and durable. Here are some of the pros and cons of using a Dayton Axe:
Pros:
The Dayton Axe is well-made and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It is also very sharp and can be easily cut through wood. This axe has a good balance, which makes it easy to use.
Cons:
– There have been complaints about the handle breaking on this axe after moderate use. Some people also find the weight of the axe to be an issue.
Overall, the Dayton Axe is a good choice for those looking for an axe that is well-made and durable.
Miner's Axe
Miner’s axes are designed for cutting through rock and other types of complex materials. Their heavyweight and sharp blade make them perfect for this purpose. For centuries, axes have been used by miners to break up rocks and extract minerals from the earth.
The first miner’s axe was developed in the early 1800s and was made out of cast iron. It had a broad, flat blade that was ideal for breaking up large chunks of rock. Since then, miners’ axes have evolved into different types, each with its own unique set of features.
Miner’s axes come in many types of designs which you should consider when choosing one:
- broadhead miner’s axe
- child safety pickaxe
- geologist miner’s axe
- tactical police axe
Some types have additional features that make them more useful than others. For example, some types may be equipped with a hammer or adze head, while others may also include a pry bar function. This allows miners to save space by having just one tool instead of multiple tools for different purposes.
Double Bit Axe
Another popular type is the Double Bit Axe. It has two blades, which makes it perfect for chopping wood. Because of its design, it can easily penetrate tree bark and cut through the wood fibers.
Another advantage of the Double Bit Axe is that it’s relatively lightweight. This makes it easy to use for extended periods of time without becoming fatigued. And unlike a chainsaw, you don’t need to worry about kickback or getting injured by the blade.
One downside to using an axe is that it can be dangerous if not used properly. You need to be careful when swinging the axe so that you don’t hit your foot or another person.
Carpenter's Axe
A Carpenter’s Axe is a type of axe that is designed for carpentry tasks such as chopping and shaping wood. It has a long handle and a thin blade that makes it easy to use. It is relatively lightweight and well-balanced compared to other axes, making it easier to control.
The main advantage of a Carpenter’s Axe is its versatility. The thin blade allows it to chop through small pieces of wood with ease, while the long handle provides leverage for larger chunks. You can also use it for splitting logs by hitting the top of the axe with a hammer.
The main disadvantage of a Carpenter’s Axe is that it is not as durable as other axes. The thin blade can easily break if used for tasks such as splitting logs, so it is not recommended for heavy-duty use.
A Carpenter’s Axe is an excellent choice for anyone who needs an axe for carpentry tasks. It is lightweight and well-balanced, making it easy to control. However, you should not use it for heavy-duty work.
Felling Axe
The felling axe is a large axe. This type of axe was typically used by loggers. Felling axes have been around since the early 18th century in Europe, where they are still very popular today among professional lumberjacks who use them as an essential tool during their workday.
The blade’s weight varies from one pound up to seven pounds depending on what you want your axes for – chopping wood, limbing branches, and more. A felling axe is used to chop down a tree by cutting through the trunk. The blade’s angle and weight give it more power to penetrate the wood than other axes to do more damage in a shorter amount of time.
The main drawback of using a felling axe is that you need considerable strength to wield it effectively because the blade is so large and heavy. It also takes some practice to be able to use this type of axes well – if you don’t know what you are doing, you could quickly end up hurting yourself or damaging the wood you are trying to chop.
Broad Axe
A broad axe is a large-headed axe that is primarily used for hewing or shaping logs.
You’ll come across two varieties of this axe: one with a single beveled blade and the other with a double beveled blade. The first type is ideal for hewing flat planes on logs and other wood items. The second type is capable of hewing as well as basic cutting and notching tasks.
Hatchet
Hatchets are a specific type of axe that is smaller and more lightweight than other axes, making them ideal for use in tight spaces or when you need to move quickly. While hatchets lack the power of larger axes, they can still cut through thick materials.
Some advantages of using a hatchet include its portability and versatility, while some cons include its limited chopping power. Overall, a hatchet is an excellent choice for general-purpose tasks such as chopping wood, opening cans, or hammering nails.
Splitting Maul
A Splitting Maul is a type of axes typically designed for splitting wood. The appearance of a splitting maul have heavy heads and thinner, more wedge-shaped blades than axes used in felling trees so that the heavier head can break through larger chunks without glancing off or getting stuck.
It has a handle with molded rubber grips to absorb shock when chopping hard materials such as stone or concrete blocks. The main advantage of using a Splitting Maul is that it can easily split large chunks of wood without getting stuck. The disadvantage is that it requires more force to use than other axes and can be dangerous if not used properly.
Axe Head Mattock
Axe Head Mattock is also called pick mattock. It has a metalhead with an axe blade on one side and sharp teeth or points on the other end that is used to cut into the soil quickly. So it can be used for digging, cutting roots of plants, chopping wood off the ground while clearing land.
With this type of axes you will get two tools in one so if something happens to your mattocks while working then you can easily replace its head with another tool like shovel. Making them a very useful all-around tool when camping or doing outdoor activities.
Tactical Axe
A tactical axe is an axe that has been adapted for use in military combat situations. Such axes are typically lightweight, sturdy, and suitable for fast access to the battlefield or other areas where axes would be useful. This type of axes makes it simple enough to carry around while still being strong enough to chop down trees if necessary.
A smaller head also makes it more likely the axe will remain attached to its user if they get tangled up in enemy camouflage which can happen quite easily when using axes of this type against skilled opponents who may try and throw axes back at their users before retreating into deeper, denser forests where visibility becomes limited due to heavy fog or darkness.
Tactical axes have a variety of uses on the battlefield including clearing brush, chopping wood for campfires, and even making fortifications by cutting trenches into soil or ice depending on what needs to be done at any given time.
The best way to use these axes effectively is by swinging downward instead of horizontally thus enabling the blades themselves to do most of the work
Bonus Video
Last Words
There are many types of axes and they can be used for a variety of purposes. The type you need will depend on the project in question, so make sure to choose wisely. Have you ever tried using an ax? What kind did you use and what were your thoughts about it? Let us know in the comments below!
Here are some more beneficial resources to help you with your preparedness:
- How To Use A Knife For Self Defense
- 8 Homemade Weapons You Can Build To Defend Yourself
- 30 Best Bugout Bag Foods that are Highly Nutritious
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IMHO, the best choice for off grid / survival: Riggers Axe. Combination axe and hammer.
Great and thorough take on different types of axes. I found this ebook that talked about the same thing, and this article pretty much summarized it and focused on the main point for each ax. Good read! I agree with Don, and some more photos could make this even better. And, the bonus video somehow isn’t visible on my side. I don’t know. Maybe it’s not available in my state.
Pictures would have been nice