How Long is a Standard Axe? (Read This First!)

Choosing the right axe for your bushcraft adventures is the most important thing. However, most beginners may not know how long is a standard axe?

A standard axe is 36-inches long; however, the length of the axe varies with its type. For example, a splitting axe is 36-inches long, but a felling axe is a bit shorter and usually ranges from 26 to 31 inches. Another factor that determines the length of an axe is its application.

There are a lot of things that you will need to know when it comes to knowing the standard length of an axe and getting an answer to your question i.e. how long is a standard axe. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place because I am going to tell you everything that you should know.

With that said, let’s not waste any more time and get straight into it!

What are the Different Types of Axes Out There?

Before learning about the length of a standard axe, let’s take a quick look at different types of axes and their applications.

There are many different types of axes out there, but the three most common ones are:

• Felling axe
• Splitting axe
• Hatchet

Felling Axe: A felling axe is used for cutting down trees. These axes usually have a longer handle so that the user can put more force into each swing.

Splitting Axe: As the name suggests, a splitting axe is used for splitting wood. These axes have a wedge-shaped head that makes it easy to split logs.

Hatchet: A hatchet is a small axe that can be used for various tasks, such as chopping wood, making kindling, or even self-defense.

Now that you know about the different types of axes, let’s learn about their lengths.

How Long is a Standard Axe?

As mentioned earlier, most standard axes are about 36 inches long. The head of the axe is usually about 3-5 pounds, with the overall weight being around 5-7 pounds. Some may be shorter or longer, but this is generally the average size for most standard axes.

The size and weight of an axe is important to consider when chopping wood. A heavier axe will require more effort to swing, but will also produce more force when it hits the wood. This can be helpful when chopping through thicker pieces of wood.

A lighter axe may be easier to swing, but may not have as much power behind it. It is important to find an axe that is a comfortable weight for you to use, and that will suit the type of wood you will be chopping.

How long should a chopping axe be?

Now that you’ve learned about different types of axes, you might be wondering how long should a chopping axe be? The length of a standard chopping axe ranges from 12 to 29 inches (30 to 74 cm). The head of a chopping axe is usually between 1.5 and 2 pounds (0.7 to 0.9 kg).

An axe that ranges from 12 to 18 inches in length is also called a hatchet that is mostly carried for outdoor activities, such as bushcraft adventures and stuff like that. These types of axes can also be used for chopping wood, but they require a little bit of practice and time to master.

In addition to this, an axe that ranges from 21 to 31 inches is usually called a felling axe that is used to cut down large trees and branches. If you are looking for an axe to use for general purposes, then a length that ranges from 24 to 26 inches would be ideal.

The weight of the head is also something you need to take into consideration when choosing a chopping axe. A heavier head will require less effort to chop through wood, but it will also be more difficult to control. If you are new to using an axe, it is probably best to start with a lighter head until you get the hang of it.

Are all axe handles the same size?

No, not at all, there are axes for various applications and each one requires a different handle length. For example, if you are choosing an axe for splitting wood, then you will need more momentum. Under such conditions, you will need a heavy head and a longer handle that will generate more momentum while consuming less amount of energy.

Apart from that, if you are a bushcrafter, you will need to carry a tomahawk or a hatchet. The length of such types of axes is usually compact which allows them to be easily carried. Similarly, a felling axe is something used for cutting down large trees.

For such an application, you will need a lighter-weight axe that is easy to swing. Under such conditions, A medium-range handle is combined with a sharp head that provides a good balance of sharpness and length at the same time.

This helps in making deep cuts and also provides good control over the axe. If you want an axe for general purposes, then you should choose one that has a length ranging from 12 to 20 inches. The weight of the head should be around 1.5 to 2 pounds.

Final Words

So How long is a standard axe? Well, normally axes are about 32 to 36 inches long, but there are shorter axes too out there. It mainly depends upon what type of axe is it and for what purpose it is being used.

Longer axes are good for splitting because it helps to generate more momentum in combination with a heavier head. However, they aren’t the best choice for cutting down trees. Similarly, shorter axes will take much longer to split wood and in some cases, they won’t be able to provide the desired results.

However, they are an excellent choice for outdoor applications. So, it really depends on what you need it for. Be sure to consider all the factors before making your final decision.

Thanks for reading!