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5 Best Pulaski Axes of 2024 – Review and Buying Guide

When you need more performance than what you get with a standard tool, you can turn to a Pulaski. This is not an average ax; it combines an adze and an ax blade in a single head. Its versatility of function is impressive. 

You can chop wood with it, or dig trenches, saving you from the trouble of having to carry several tools on your logging missions. The Pulaski ax is a forest firefighting tool, but it’s convenient for any outdoor work that involves chopping splitting wood, uprooting stuff or digging.  

Of course, such extensive usability is only possible if you acquire the right tool in the market.

Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pulaski ax buying guide  

Pulaski axes come in various designs and lengths. Common materials for the handle include wood, fiberglass, and plastic. The head could feature steel or composite material. Several factors influence buying decisions, top among them the durability, stability, and efficiency of the Pulaski ax. These buying principles are, on most occasions, not known by new beginners.  

The first time I bought a Pulaski, my son followed me into the woods so I could introduce him to the manly skill of chopping wood. I was eager to show.  For the first couple of swings, I was able to break apart some oak log. One last strike and the head came out flying, missing the boy by a whisker.  It took me long before I could try these things again. Lesson learnt, I became more careful about the quality of the Pulaskis I bought.

Safety comes first, always 

Before paying attention to your personal preferences, safety should come first when getting a new Pulaski.  The risk of injuries and accidents from these super axes is high, and the fact that they have both an ax edge and adze makes them even riskier. 

In a nutshell, the safety features to be on the lookout for range from the handle to the head. The handle should facilitate a tight grip.  Pick the Pulaski model that comes with rubber holdings or a sturdy crown. On the same note, ifs it’s a wooden handle, avoid one that comes with varnish. The ax might slide and fly right out of your hand during a mighty swing.

Look at the way the head seats on the handle. In trustable models, the ax head is bolted to the handle. There should be a metal wedge in the wood, for instance, to help secure the head to the handle.

The carbon steel head is better for durability 

The main reason one needs a Pulaski ax is to achieve a performance that’s not possible with a standard chopper. The only possible way is if the ax head is sturdy and durable. Brands that use steel and iron commonly fall victim to rust and chipping. Carbon-plated steel, on the other hand, is resistant to rust and can put up well under heavy use. 

Ergonomic handle 

Your comfort levels, efficiency, and safety are intertwined. When you shop for a Pulaski ax with ergonomic handle design, you will get the most performance with little effort. For starters, the handle should feature a gripping mechanism to give you better traction with every swing. On the other hand, a handle with a cross-sectional curve might enable more streamlined splitting. 

The sharper the blade, the better 

It is not just a safety issue when a blunt ax bounces off when chopping hardwood, it is also an efficiency mishap that can keep you on one task all day. When buying your Pulaski ax, analyze the sharpness of the blade. Remember that heads made from soft steel lose their sharpness faster. The more you sharpen such a tool, the more material you wear off the cutting edge. 

Heavy axes are more powerful 

It is a no brainer; when shopping for a Pulaski chopper, you should consider a weighty contraption. Weighty hatchets will produce more splitting force so that you can get done with your work much faster.

Lengthy handles are more energy efficient 

Since the Neolithic ages, men have understood the simple fact that axes with long handles are more powerful. The long handle helps to amplify the force you apply with every swing. However, if you seek precise cuts, a shorter handle might be the best option.

5 Best Pulaski ax models

1. Truper 30529 3-½ Pound 35-Inch Axe

Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What stands out at first sight is the long hickory wooden handle of this Pulaski axe, fastened to the head via a wedge and bolt. These design features might help with energy efficiency and safety when wielding it.

The head on the Truper 30529 weighs 3.5 pounds and is heat treated. This weight will considerably generate a powerful strike. Any heavier and it would become laborious to carry around or use. The heat treatment helps to make the head material stronger and resistant to warping under high pressure. 

The blade comes with a light lubricant that the manufacturer says it helps to make splitting more efficient.  With a proper use and maintenance, which entails waxing the head after use this tool has the potential to serve you for long.

What is of concern, however, is the fact the makers have used soft steel on the head. The soft steel doesn’t hold its sharp edge for long. It is also hard to sharpen compared to carbon steel.

2. Barebones Living Pulaski Axe 1055

Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This Pulaski ax measures 24 inches end to end, a length that still can increase the angular momentum of your swings and by extension their impact.  

The carbon used in the Barebones ax head and blade is 1055. This carbon steel is relatively hard and more durable than those that fall below in the ten series. You can, therefore, expect an ax that can put up well under stress, and serve you for long.  Also, the Barebones Living Pulaski Axe 1055 comes with a sheath for sheltering the blade when not in use.

As a safety feature, the makers of this Pulaski ax have drilled a 1/3” solid steel wedge through the wooden handle.  It is then connected to the steelhead via a tightening bolt. This design detail ensures that the head doesn’t slip off during use. To say that I was an imprudent buyer is an understatement, but features like this would have prevented the dark experience that nearly jeopardized my son’s life.  

The ax uses a beech wood handle. At the holding end of the well-rounded handle is a steel pommel. This detail allows users to hammer the device into logs or the ground, in case more traction is needed, without actually destroying the handle. Another thoughtful feature, one might say, is that the ax uses a removable bolt on the head for easy handle replacement when needed. 

3. Seymour AX-P3 Pulaski Axe

Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The 36-inch ax is long enough to minimize excessive bending when cutting, digging, or splitting with it. The Pulaski ax uses a hickory wood handle, which is a sign of strength and durability as compared to other wood types.  Then again, this model has a single bit head.    

The Seymour ax scores well on aesthetics with its antique finish on the handle. What’s of concern however is the fact that the smooth finish might interfere with the grip.  The whole contraption might slip out of your hand when swinging it. 

The Seymour Pulaski ax weighs 3.5 pounds, a weight you might find ideal for powerful strikes on hard surfaces. The design of the head is robust, bending slightly near the cutting edge.  The cutting edge is sharp enough to tear through most bushes in the yard.

4. Collins HP- 3 1/2FD-C Fbg Pulaski Axe

Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Collins HP -31/2FD-C is a 34 inch aesthetic Pulaski ax with a considerable number of attractive features. The tool functions well in garden work, logging, and any other outdoor endeavors. The bright yellow and black color design makes it highly visible in the woods.

The ax head, in this case, weighs 3.5 lbs.  This head weight, just like in all the above models, helps to deliver powerful strikes.  You might find that helpful in landscaping projects that involve battling with massive stumps, or logging errands that entail hardwood types. 

The blade handle material is made of double injected fiberglass. This manufacturing detail often helps to achieve parts that have a strong structural integrity. Fiberglass is light, making it easy to use the ax for long without fatigue. This handle is easily replaceable when the need arises.

The Collins HP -3 1/2FD-C Pulaski ax head is also heat treated for endurance and strength in instances of heavy use. The ax blade is corrosive resistant because of the electroplating. 

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  Collins HP- 3 1/2FD-C Fbg Pros & Cons

  

  Pros

  Pros

  • The 34-inch handle is an excellent length for effortless working
  • Uses a double-injected fiberglass handle
  • The 2-pound head makes it easy to wield
  • Ergonomic handle design helps to streamline operations

  

  Cons

  Cons

  • The handle might have a shorter lifespan

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5. Council Tool 3.75 Inch Pulaski Axe

Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Council Tool Pulaski ax is one of the most known models in the market.  The company has been in the handy tools businesses since the 1800s. The Pulaski ax is remarkable with a head forged out of high quality steel.  The contraption weighs 5.1 pounds, giving users the power necessary to split robust logs.

The hickory handle is a surety of longevity. The Pulaski ax is 36 inches end to end. This considerably longer design facilitates an easy experience with the chopper. The cutting edge extends 4.5 inches down for a maximum cutting capacity. That implies that you need only a few swings to split thick logs completely.

The eye of the ax handle is dried under pressure with moisture content being below ten percent. This technique helps to secure the handle firmly into the ax and prevent accidental loosening.  The ax head is hydraulically seated and fastened with a barbed aluminum wedge. 

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  Council Tool 3.75 Inch Pros & Cons

  

  Pros

  Pros

  • The overall length (36 inches) enables painless logging
  • The hickory handle is synonymous with durability in the handy tool world
  • The deep cutting edge that extends 4-1/2 inches enhances efficiency
  • The cutting edge features clear lacquer to safeguard from dust and preserve sharpness
  • Hydraulically fitted head for high safety
  • The sturdy steel sharpens well
  • The body is coated with black enamel to protect against the elements

  

  Cons

  Cons

  • The handle is sturdy buts its design is wanting, could do with cross-sectional curving
  • The 5.1 pound Pulaski ax can be too heavy to work with all day

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The best pick 

As from our buying guide, there are many factors to consider when buying a Pulaski ax. Barebones Living Pulaski Axe 1055, even though slightly shorter than its counterparts in this review has the most excellent features. These include the fact that the head is made from 1055 steel making the ax sturdy and able to maintain its sharp edge for long. 

When it comes to safety, a 1/3 inch wedge has been drilled into the wooden handle and fastened to the ax head with a bolt. You will get to avoid dangerous slips because of this feature. The steel pommel on the handle works as a hammering cap when you need to generate better traction with the ax.

 

Last Updated on July 15, 2019 by Tom Bradly