Best Axes for Big Guys: 3 Hatchets and 3 Splitters
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That never changes which products we pick. Details
Axes are one of the few tools where being big and tall is an advantage, if the tool fits you. A strong guy with long arms can split more wood with less effort than anyone. Put him on a short-handled axe, though, and he hunches over the block, chokes up, strains his back and overstrikes into the handle.
This guide covers three one-handed hatchets for camp and kindling, and three two-handed tools for splitting and chopping. We focused on what matters at your size: handle length, grip, head weight and how each design handles a heavy swing.
One-handed or two-handed?
Hatchets (13 to 14 inches) are for one hand: kindling, small splits, clearing brush at camp. Two-handed axes and mauls (24 to 36 inches) do the real work. Splitting axes and mauls are for splitting rounds, and chopping axes are for felling and limbing. Most guys who heat with wood or camp a lot end up with one of each.
Handle length and your height
When you're tall, a short handle makes you bend at the waist to reach the block. The Fiskars X27's listing markets its 36-inch handle as made for taller users, and the IsoCore maul is also 36 inches. For two-handed splitting, a 36-inch handle is where tall guys should start.
For hatchets, length matters less, but grip size matters more. A slim handle in a big hand is harder to control and tires your grip faster.
The one-handed picks
Fiskars X7 Hatchet, 14"
When we checked, the X7 was ranked number one in Amazon's Camping Axes & Hatchets category. It's 14 inches, about 1.4 lb, with an insert-molded forged steel head, a shock-absorbing FiberComp handle and a non-slip grip. It comes with a sheath, and the listing notes a lifetime warranty.
It's light, so a strong arm can control it easily, and the shock-absorbing handle takes some sting out of a heavy swing. The insert-molded head is designed so the head and handle don't separate, which matters when you overstrike.
The catch: the grip is slim for very large hands. Guys with XL or XXL glove sizes may want to wrap the handle or choke up.
Fiskars X7 Hatchet, 14"
- 14 in hatchet
- About 1.4 lb
- Lifetime warranty
The grip is on the slim side for very large hands.
Check price on AmazonPrice on Amazon. Sizes and stock vary.
Estwing Sportsman's Axe E24A, 14" leather grip
Estwing forges this hatchet from one piece of US steel in Rockford, Illinois. It has a stacked leather grip, a 3ΒΌ-inch edge and a ballistic nylon sheath. Estwing lists it at 13.5 inches overall and about 1.65 lb.
With no separate handle, there's no joint to loosen or snap under a big swing. On paper, the stacked leather grip is the widest of the three hatchets, which suits bigger hands.
The catch: solid steel passes more vibration to your hand than the Fiskars composite handle.
Estwing Sportsman's Axe E24A, 14" Leather Grip
- One-piece steel
- About 13.5 in
- Made in USA
Solid steel passes more shock to your hand than a composite handle.
Check price on AmazonPrice on Amazon. Sizes and stock vary.
Husqvarna 13" Wooden Hatchet
A traditional hatchet with a hickory handle, a hand-forged Swedish steel head and a leather edge cover. Retailers list the head at about 1.2 lb and the total at about 1.6 lb.
A wooden handle has more girth than most composite grips, and when it wears out, you can replace it. It's the pick if you like the feel of wood.
The catch: it costs the most of the three, and wood needs some care to keep it from drying out.
Husqvarna 13" Wooden Hatchet
- 13 in hickory
- Swedish steel head
- Edge cover
Price on Amazon. Sizes and stock vary.
Need something smaller for a backpack? The Gerber Pack Hatchet is compact at about 9.5 inches, but that's short for a big hand. Treat it as a backup, not your main hatchet.
The two-handed picks
Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe, 36"
The X27 is Fiskars' longest splitting axe, and its listing calls the 36-inch handle ideal for taller users. The listing puts it at 6.3 lb total, with a 4.3 lb head, a shock-absorbing handle with a textured grip, a sheath and a lifetime warranty. It was ranked number one in Amazon's Gardening Axes category when we checked.
This is the obvious pick for a tall guy splitting firewood. The long handle lets you stand straighter and swing through the round instead of chopping down at it. A big frame can generate a lot of head speed with a 36-inch lever.
Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe, 36"
- 36 in handle
- Marketed for taller users
- Lifetime warranty
Price on Amazon. Sizes and stock vary.
Fiskars Pro IsoCore 8 lb Splitting Maul, 36"
For big, knotty rounds, a maul beats an axe. This one has an 8 lb head on a 36-inch IsoCore handle that Fiskars says transfers half the shock of a wooden handle. The handle flares at the end and has dimples for grip, and the back of the head is a driving face for wedges. One review site puts the total weight at about 10.35 lb.
A heavy head and shock damping suit a strong guy who's splitting a lot of wood. The flared, dimpled grip gives big hands something to lock onto, so the maul doesn't slip on the follow-through.
The catch: at around 10 lb, it's tiring for long sessions. Let the weight do the work.
Fiskars Pro IsoCore 8 lb Splitting Maul, 36"
- 8 lb head
- 36 in handle
- Shock-control handle
Price on Amazon. Sizes and stock vary.
Husqvarna 26" Wooden Multi-Purpose Axe
Husqvarna's multi-purpose axe has a hickory handle and a Swedish-forged head, and it's made for felling, limbing and light splitting. It comes with a leather edge cover.
It's a real wood felling axe. At 26 inches, though, it's short for a 6-foot-plus user doing heavy splitting, so think of it as your chopping axe, with the X27 or the maul for splitting.
The catch: the price on this one varies, and Husqvarna's own list price varies by version, so compare before you buy. A cheaper alternative for chopping is the Fiskars X15.
Husqvarna 26" Wooden Multi-Purpose Axe
- 26 in hickory
- Swedish-forged head
Price on this one varies a lot, so compare against Husqvarna's list price.
Check price on AmazonPrice on Amazon. Sizes and stock vary.
How they compare
| Tool | Length | Weight | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiskars X7 | 14 in | About 1.4 lb | Kindling, camp |
| Estwing E24A | 13.5 in | About 1.65 lb | Camp, rough use |
| Husqvarna 13" | 13 in | About 1.6 lb | Camp, traditional feel |
| Fiskars X27 | 36 in | 6.3 lb | Splitting, tall users |
| Fiskars IsoCore maul | 36 in | 8 lb head | Big, tough rounds |
| Husqvarna 26" | 26 in | Not listed | Felling, limbing |
Safety for big swings
- Clear your swing. Long arms and a long handle mean a wide arc. Check behind and to the sides.
- Use a chopping block. Splitting on the ground sends the head into dirt and rocks, or into your shin.
- Wear eye protection and boots. Chips fly, and a glancing blow goes down.
- Keep the sheath on in transport. Most of these come with a sheath or edge cover. Check the listing for the maul.
The bottom line
For most big and tall guys, the pair to buy is the Fiskars X7 for camp and the Fiskars X27 for splitting. If you split a lot of big rounds, add the IsoCore maul. If you want a hatchet that'll outlive you, get the one-piece Estwing.
See every pick on the Tools page.