Essential Tools for Small Woodland Management And Landowners: A Guide to Felling Axes, Hatchets and Splitting Mauls

Managing a small woodland, smallholding, or simply preparing wood for a wood-burning stove requires the right tools. Choosing the correct axe or maul can make your work safer, faster, and more efficient. This guide explores the key tools you need: felling axes, hatchets, and splitting mauls. We’ll explain their uses, how to select the right one, and practical tips for maintaining them. Whether you’re clearing trees, chopping kindling, or splitting logs, understanding these tools will help you get the job done well.

A hatchet, displayed stuck in a wooden stump in a small woodland

Understanding the Different Tools

Felling Axes

Felling axes are designed for cutting down small trees. They have a long handle, typically ranging from 28 to 36 inches, which provides leverage and power. The blade is thin and sharp, allowing it to slice through wood fibres cleanly. This design helps the axe penetrate deeply with each swing, making it easier to fell trees efficiently.

Key features of felling axes:

• Long handle for powerful swings

• Thin, sharp blade for cutting across wood grain

• Balanced weight for control and momentum

  
  

Felling axes are not ideal for splitting logs because their thin blade can get stuck in the wood. Instead, they excel at chopping through the trunk or branches by taking smaller chipped wedges of wood out at a time.

Hatchets

Hatchets are smaller, one-handed axes. They typically have handles around 12 to 16 inches long. Their compact size makes them perfect for light chopping tasks, trimming branches, and preparing kindling. Hatchets are also handy for camping or small woodland maintenance, where portability is a priority.

A quality small hatchet from Stihl

Key features of hatchets:

• Short handle for easy one-handed use

• Sharp blade for chopping small branches and wood

• Lightweight and portable

  
  

Hatchets are not suitable for felling large trees or splitting big logs, but are invaluable for detailed work and small tasks like chopping kindling wood for starting fires.

Splitting Mauls

Splitting mauls are heavy-duty tools designed specifically for splitting wood along the grain. They have a thick, wedge-shaped head and a long handle, usually 28 to 36 inches. The wedge shape forces the wood apart as you swing, making it easier to split logs into firewood.

A modern lightweight splitting maul from Stihl

Key features of splitting mauls:

• Heavy, wedge-shaped head for splitting

• Long handle for leverage and power

• Blunt back side is often used with a sledgehammer for driving the blade the rest of the way through knotty wood

  
  

Splitting mauls are not designed for chopping across the grain or felling trees. Their weight and shape make them perfect for breaking apart logs after they have been cut down. They also have a more rounded edge to the blade to help stop it from getting stuck in the wood.

Choosing the Right Tool for Your Woodland Tasks

Selecting the right axe or maul depends on the task and the size of the wood you’re working with. Here are some guidelines:

• Felling trees: Use a felling axe for clean, efficient cuts through trunks and branches.

• Chopping kindling or small branches: A hatchet is ideal for light, precise chopping.

• Splitting firewood: Choose a splitting maul to break logs into manageable pieces.

  
  

If you own a wood-burning stove, having all three tools can cover every stage of your wood preparation, from felling trees to splitting logs and chopping kindling.

Practical Tips for Using These Tools Safely and Effectively

Using axes and mauls requires care and technique to avoid injury and damage to the tools.

• Wear protective gear: Always use gloves, safety glasses, and sturdy boots.

• Check your surroundings: Make sure your work area is clear of obstacles and people.

• Maintain a firm grip: Hold the handle securely and swing with controlled power.

• Use a chopping block: Place wood on a stable surface to avoid hitting the ground and dulling the blade.

• Keep blades sharp: Sharp tools cut more efficiently and reduce the risk of accidents.

  
  

Regularly inspect handles for cracks or splinters and replace them if damaged.

Maintaining Your Axes and Mauls

Proper maintenance extends the life of your tools and keeps them performing well.

• Sharpen blades regularly: Use a file or sharpening stone to maintain a keen edge.

• Clean after use: Remove sap, dirt, and moisture to prevent rust.

• Oil metal parts: Apply light oil to the blade to protect against corrosion.

• Store properly: Keep tools in a dry place, ideally hanging or in a sheath.

• Check handles: Sand rough spots and treat wooden handles with linseed oil to prevent drying and cracking.

  
  

Following these steps will keep your tools ready for the next woodland task.

Why Stihl and ATS Machinery Ltd Are Trusted Choices

Stihl offers a wide range of high-quality axes, hatchets, and splitting mauls designed for durability and performance. Their tools are well-balanced and built to handle tough woodland work. ATS Machinery Ltd stocks these Stihl products along with other reputable brands, giving you options to find the perfect tool for your needs.

The embedded Stihl video showcases their range and highlights the features that make their tools reliable for small woodland owners and wood-burning stove users.

Having the right tools makes all the difference when managing a small woodland or preparing wood for your stove. Felling axes, hatchets, and splitting mauls each serve distinct purposes and mastering their use will save time and effort. Invest in quality tools, maintain them well, and you’ll enjoy safer, more effective woodwork throughout the year.

To see all our Stihl axes and hatchets, click here https://www.ats-machinery.co.uk/stihl-hand-tools