While lumberjack axes have mostly been replaced by chainsaws and other heavy machinery in forestry, the lumberjack tradition is still alive and well in competitions. It’s a true test of skill and endurance, as chopping through big pieces of wood as fast as possible is no easy task.
Big, burly men go at it in events such as the Stihl Timbersports series, and it leaves them red-faced and breathing hard. Axe racing pushes you to the limit – it tests your strength, endurance, and wood chopping form. It requires you to use your whole body. But just as much as your body, your competition axe is tested as well.
A cheap, mass-produced axe with soft steel just isn’t going to cut it in such competitions. That’s why I’ve drawn up a review list of the best lumberjack axes for racing and competitions on the market today. Read on to find out all about them!
Table of Contents
Best Axes for Lumberjack Racing Competitions
1. 1844 Helko Werk Germany Classic Tasmania Competition Axe
The Helko Werk Tasmania Competition axe is probably one of the top axes you can get for axe racing and competitions. It’s handmade in Germany from C50 high carbon steel and comes in at the hefty weight of 6 lbs overall with a 4-pound axehead. The handle length is 31 inches and it comes with a protective leather sheath and 1 oz. of axe guard oil. This axe really does the trick, as German engineering and manufacturing standards mean that it is built to a very high standard, based on the classic Tasmanian axe pattern.
If you’re serious about taking out big chunks of wood at a high speed, you can’t do much better than this model. Furthermore, it’s just as good, but less expensive compared to more hyped and better-marketed brands such as Gransfors Bruks. Whenever you’re not competing, this axe will also serve you well as a general-purpose felling axe – it’s no one-trick pony. With proper care, this axe will last you a lifetime and longer.
2. Council Tool Velvicut Premium American Felling Axe
The Council Tool Velvicut American Felling axe is another fine example of a lumberjack axe that you can use for competitions. The head weighs the same as the Helko Werk Tasmanian – 4 lbs – but the overall weight is 5.6 lbs, 0.4 lbs less than the Helko. The axehead is made of 5160 American steel and the handle is 32 inches of American hickory.
For the US patriots out there, this axe – like all Council Tool axes – is proudly made in the USA, at the Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina factory. It’s also a hair cheaper than the Helko Werk, with no real difference in quality.
The Hults Bruk Atran Felling axe is an excellent offering from the Swedish master axe-makers that many know and appreciate. The axehead weighs less than the Helko Werk and Council Tool Velvicut American, coming in at just 3.5 lbs, but that can be a good thing depending on your needs. In axe racing competitions, they generally use softwoods, and Hults Bruk axe models excel at chopping through softwoods. It has a 4.25 inch cutting edge, a 32-inch handle, and is hand-forged from Swedish steel in a foundry that has been operating since 1697.
Finally, it is also noticeably less expensive than both previous models. If you want an axe of excellent quality that doesn’t break the bank, definitely consider the Hults Bruk Atran.
4. Council Tool Jersey Classic With Forged Bevels 32 Inch
The Council Tool Jersey Classic is a great felling axe at the budget end of the list. It has a 3.5 lbs axehead that has forged bevels, which are meant to prevent the axe from getting stuck in wood while chopping.
While it is less “premium” than the previous three models (the Velvicut line is the premium-quality line of Council Tool), it is still a very solid axe and can be made great with a good sharpening stone and some patience.
The next two axes are smaller than the previous ones – for those who want to engage in lumberjack and axe racing competitions but can’t really handle full-sized felling axes. The Council Tool Boy’s Axe is an excellent choice, with a relatively light axehead coming in at 2.25 lbs and a 28-inch handle.
As with all Council Tool axes, it is made in the USA and is a great axe for all occasions, including general use. It is also one of the cheapest listed here – but thankfully, cheap doesn’t mean low-quality. In fact, it’s just the opposite, and the Council Tool Boy’s Axe is great value for the money. Highly recommended.
The Husqvarna 26-inch Multipurpose Axe can be used for all sorts of things, including axe competitions. The axehead is light – only 2 lbs – and the handle is the shortest out of this list at 26 inches. Husqvarna is owned by the same group (Hultafors) that own Hults Bruk, so they have the know-how and the tradition, although Husqvarna axes are not as polished and high-quality as Hults Bruk models (which is understandable, as they are also less expensive).
It’s a good choice for beginners and those who are more comfortable with smaller, lighter axes.
Premium Racing and Competition Axe Brands
There are a few racing axes that you won’t find on Amazon. Made by highly respected axemakers, these axes are the cream of the crop for competitions. Here are a few of these manufacturers. Interestingly, most are from Australia and New Zealand. That’s because Australia has a rich tradition of both forestry and axe racing competitions.:
Tuatahi Axes
Tuatahi is one of the best-known names in the racing axe manufacturing business. They are based in New Zealand, and Tuatahi means “number one” in the Maori language. Their axes have been used by many timbersports competitors, and multiple World Champion lumberjack and axeman Adam Lowe is on the record as saying that many of his champion’s titles have been gained while using Tuatahi axes and saws.
Keech Axes
Keech is a historical Australian tool manufacturer, and nowadays their axe workshop is only a marginal part of their business, although it was once one of the most important. They keep the axe workshop going, though, and are well-known in Australia and beyond for their high-quality racing axes. They use a proprietary method of casting steel to ensure excellent edge sharpness and retention, as well as overall steel quality. One of their best-known models is the Timberman KC23. Your best bet to find one of these axes is by keeping your ear to the ground on eBay or contacting the company directly.
Osborne Racing Axes
Osborne axes are made specifically for racing by Mike Osborne, who has been making axes for more than 15 years. His workshop is located in Australia, and many competitors go to him for high-quality axes based on various classic Australian patterns.
Ochsenkopf Axes
Ochsenkopf is Germany’s oldest axe forge, and they make all manner of axes, but also craft the Ochsenkopf Champion axe, which is specifically designed for racing and lumberjack/timbersport competitions.
Lumberjack Axe Racing Competitions
There are several lumberjack axe competitions out there, some better-known than others. Perhaps the most famous is the Stihl Timbersports series, started in 1986 and still going strong to this day. It is based on the informal competitions held by loggers and lumberjacks in the USA, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. In it, competitors use axes and saws to chop, saw, and even climb (using a special wooden board that is stuck into the cuts the competitor makes) pieces of wood.
There are seven disciplines in Stihl Timbersports competitions:
There are both professional, collegiate, and professional women’s divisions, and the competitions as a whole are seen by more than 20 million viewers on sports channels each year.
Apart from the Stihl Timbersports series, there are less well-known (but just as intense) lumberjack competitions out there. One of these is the Lumberjack World Championship, held each year in Hayward, Wisconsin at the Lumberjack Bowl. This competition is even older than the Timbersports series since it has been going on since 1960 – more than half a century! Competitors come from across the US, Canada, UK, and Australia to fight for more than $50,000 in prize money. It’s not just cutting and chopping events there. There’s:
Log rolling (keeping your balance on a floating log while trying to spin it to unbalance your opponent and throw them into the water first)
Boom running (running across linked floating logs known as a boom)
Pole climbing (climbing massive 60 or 90-foot poles with spurs and other lumberjack forester climbing gear and then dropping down as fast as possible)
In addition to the classic axe chopping and sawing disciplines.
There are also smaller and even more local competitions, usually happening alongside or as part of larger events or fairs. In any case, whether you want to compete for fun or for money, you’ve got options.
What brand of axe do lumberjacks use?
The premium axe brands for lumberjack racing competitions include Helko Werk, Gransfors Bruks, Hults Bruk, Tuatahi, Keech, Osbourne, and Ochsenkopf.
What style of axe do Timbersports use?
Timbersport athletes use specialised racing axes that are sharpened by hand. They are typically 32-inch felling axes with a 4-pound axehead.
A racing axe is a specialized axe designed for competitive sport. It's similar to a traditional axe, only it's designed to be lightweight and highly maneuverable. The axe head is usually made of carbon steel and has a curved handle to give the user greater control and power.
Stone and wood axes attack fastest, which diamond and gold have the lowest recovery time. Balancing it up, if your attacking technique is perfect then you'll do most damage per second with a diamond axe.
This discipline uses specially tuned, extremely powerful chainsaws. The aim is to cut three cookies of a specified thickness from a horizontally positioned trunk (diameter 46 cm) as quickly as possible. The particular appeal of this discipline is controlling the concentrated power of the chainsaw (up to 62 hp).
Among them was Armads, the Axe of Heavenly Thunder. Along with its counterparts, this weapon was gifted with incredible power and proved to be strong enough to break through the tough scales of a dragon. It is with these weapons that the war against the dragons was won. Following that victory, the axe was sealed away.
Single Buck - Competitors make one cut through 18"-20" of white pine using a single person cross cut saw. The competitor may have a helper to wedge the log and keep the saw lubricated. Time ends when the block is clearly severed. Standing Block Chop - Competitors race to chop through 12"-14" of white pine.
Top prizes at some fairs are $1,000. The Stihl Timbersports Series is a traveling series of contests. It divides $100,000 in cash and prizes among the best lumberjacks and lumberjills. Top competitors may also get endorsem*nts.
The standard length for the handle of a felling ax is 36”, but Brett says that's even too long for most men. Instead, he recommends a 31” handle for your average six-foot-tall male. This length will provide you with both force and control.
A heavier axe is better for splitting wood (mostly).
I usually recommend around a 4-5lb head, as this weight is large enough to split larger 24″+ rounds, but also small and light enough to swing accurately and for long periods.
Pick a nice, straight-grained hardwood for your axe handle. White or Red Oak, Hickory or Ash are options commonly available at most hardwood stores. If you can find a super straight-grained fruitwood, that will work too. Avoid softer woods like Pine or Fir.
The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft. It can have a hook or thorn on the back side of the axe blade for grappling mounted combatants.
Small hatchets are the main kind of axe used for axe throwing. They're easier to throw than most other axes types, making the activity enjoyable for beginners.
But which chain cuts fastest and which should you choose? The fastest cutting chainsaw chain is either a full chisel or a chisel skip chain. The full chisel offers the fastest and most aggressive cutting action for chainsaw bars that are 24” or less. For bars that are longer than 24”, choose a chisel skip chain.
The M110 SASS is a standard sniper rifle that is used by military forces in over 8 countries. Many people who play Squad with their friends prefer using the M110 SASS for its superior quality in combat and its performance on the battleground. The semi-automatic weapon can hold up to 20 rounds of bullets per magazine.
The Winkler Combat Axe soon gained popularity among his comrades and eventually a Navy SEAL team asked Daniel Winkler to outfit their squadron with his combat axes. Winkler Knives Combat Axes are for more than just hand-to-hand combat.
The M4/M4A1 5.56mm Carbine is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, selective rate, shoulder fired weapon with a collapsible stock. It is now the standard issue firearm for most units in the U.S. military.
Parashurama (Sanskrit: परशुराम, romanized: Paraśurāma, lit. 'Rama with an axe'), also referred to as Rama Jamadagnya, Rama Bhargava and Veerarama, is the sixth avatar among the Dashavatara of the preserver god Vishnu in Hinduism.
When God says that you are His battle axe, He is saying you are His weapon of warfare. He intends to fight battles through you. A battle axe is anything in the hand of the warrior that is capable of bringing down the enemy. So God is saying with you in His hands, He can bring down any enemy.
Contemporary illustrations indicate that they had a shaft measuring over 1 metre and were probably wielded with both hands. This type of axe is known as “the Danish axe”, or “Dane axe”, which reflects its popularity amongst the Danish Vikings.
The proper angle is 35 to 40 degrees. Keep the cut- ting edge slightly elevated so that the ax head moves across the leather. Apply pressure on the back of the ax head and not on the cutting edge. without becoming too slick or too thick.
An axe must simply be sharp enough to slice through wood fibers, not so sharp that you can shave with it (though that often seems to be the test with internet axe-sharpening gurus). The idea is simply to create a sharp edge free of nicks and dents.
How do I get into TIMBERSPORTS®? TIMBERSPORTS® is an international and action-packed extreme sport. In order to train and compete in TIMBERSPORTS®, you must have completed the training courses provided by STIHL TIMBERSPORTS®. TIMBERSPORTS® trainingcamps are divided into beginner's camp and continuation camp.
Flannel clothing would hold up against harsh weather and arduous work. The gritty images of railroad workers and lumberjacks in plaid flannel shirts working on these massive projects were popularized through the media and became synonymous with the American prospector.
Two of the most popular chainsaw brands are Stihl and Husqvarna, so if you are looking for a new chainsaw to buy to help manage the yard or cut down trees, then it's likely that you will settle on one of these two brands. However, deciding between a Stihl vs.
The most powerful clearing saw in the STIHL lineup, the FS 561 C-EM features the largest cutting swath among STIHL pro clearing saws at 22 inches, giving pros relentless cutting performance for the clearing and thinning of wild growth.
In the early part of the Viking era, the cutting edge was generally 7 to 15cm (3-6in) long, while later in the Viking age, axes became much larger. Breið-øx (broad axes) had crescent shaped edges 22 to 45cm (9-18in) long. The cutting edge of the largest of the axe heads shown to the right is 22cm (9in) long.
You should be approximately 12 feet from the target; although, the Axepert may adjust your distance depending on the rotation of your axe. If you plan to throw an axe with one hand, line up your right shoulder and right foot with the bullseye (or left shoulder and left foot for southpaws) similar to throwing darts.
For splitting reasonably large and dense wood logs, mauls are better suited. Just about every other cutting tool has a head that is shorter and more tapered than a maul.
To make sure the edge of your axe is sharp enough you can carefully place the edge on the nail of your thumb at a 45-degree angle. If the axe slides off it is not sharp enough. You can also try cutting a piece of paper with the axe to see if it is sharp.
An axe should always be sharp, but not every task or situation requires an extremely sharp axe. In fact, it can even lead to axe damage. The downside to a very sharp axe is that the tip will be more delicate, even on a well-profiled bit (blade).
Quebracho wood is one of the hardest wood known, at least according to the Janka Scale. Just below the Australian bull oak. In fact Quebracho name comes from the word “Axe Breaker”, which gives us an idea of its extreme hardness.
Most traditional-style axes are made of wood. To preserve and maintain the finish of the handle, you can apply a coat of boiled linseed oil now and again. Before using the oil, make sure the handle is clean, then apply boiled linseed oil to the handle with a rag or a small paint brush.
Hardwood is a resource. It is obtained by chopping down a Mahogany Tree with any axe, a Large Stump with a Copper Axe or better, or a Large Log with a Steel Axe or better.
STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® – The Original Extreme Sport – features the nation's best lumberjack sports athletes. Competitors go head-to-head using razor sharp axes and high-powered chainsaws in six thrilling disciplines: the underhand chop, stock saw, standing block chop, single buck, springboard chop and hot saw.
The STIHL Pro Splitting Axe is up to the challenge. It features a premium American hickory wood handle for reduced vibration and a long steel sleeve to help protect the handle in the event of an overstrike. Its unique 5-piece head attachment system is up to 2.5 times stronger than a traditional axe head connection.
Different activities require different types of axe - and if you're looking for one to efficiently split your firewood, you'll need a splitting axe. This is sometimes also called a maul.
The STIHL forestry hatchet is made in Germany. The handles are made of ash and the axe heads are made with high-quality steel. For more information, visit Pollocks Home Hardware.
These saws are also known as dovetail saws, as they are ideal for making dovetail joints that require precision and accuracy. These saws have fine teeth and narrow blades, making them suitable for making exact cuts.
Paul Sellers recommends a 12” tenon saw with 14-16 PPI. You can get brass-backed or steel-backed ones, the steel-backed saws are slightly lighter in weight so it is down to personal preference, however Paul says most experienced craftsman ultimately use a brass-backed.
The Hults Bruk story begins in 1697, hand forging steel and iron with water driven hammers. Over the last three centuries, Hults Bruk has perfected the art of designing and manufacturing premium Swedish axes.
Sometimes the fakes are obvious (STIHL never uses stickers to mark its products – our logo is always printed or embossed directly on the product), but the only way to be sure you are getting a genuine STIHL is to purchase your product from an authorized STIHL Dealer.
Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF. An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of Eastern and Southern Australia. Known as the hardest wood in the world, this particular type has a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf.
Unless the plan is to compete in wood-splitting competitions, it's usually best to go with an axe head that weighs 4 to 6 pounds. Hatchet heads are lighter, typically 1.5 to 3 pounds.
Andreas Stihl AG & Company is a German manufacturer of chainsaws and other handheld power equipment including trimmers and blowers. Stihl was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Waiblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. US operations are based on Virginia Beach.
From our factory in Virginia Beach to thousands of dealers across the nation, many of our battery- and gas-powered tools are made and sold right here in America. *A majority of STIHL products sold in America are made in America of U.S. and global materials.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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