Kings County Tools Forest Maul Wood Splitter Axe - 31” Tree Felling Wood Splitting Axe with Ash Handle and Steel Log Splitter Wedge Blade - German-Made Splitting Maul - Camping and Bushcraft Gear by Kings County Tools

Why I reached for this splitting axe

I put this splitting axe to work over a few weekends of firewood duty: bucking windfall, breaking down rounds, and tidying limbs. It’s a 31-inch, German-made, ash-handled tool with a wedge-style head and a steel collar at the neck—a useful combination if you need one axe that can handle splitting and the occasional felling cut. After living with it, I’d call it a capable hybrid: more efficient than a classic felling axe for splitting, but lighter and easier to swing than a full-blown maul.

Build and design

• Head and geometry: The head stretches about 8.6 inches with a 5.5-inch cutting edge, and the cheeks widen, then taper dramatically toward the poll. That geometry matters. It starts like a conventional axe to enter the wood, but the shoulders pry rounds apart before the head can bury itself and get stuck. On balanced, knot-free rounds, that shape means fewer mid-swing stalls and less wrestling the tool back out of a stubborn log.

• Handle and collar: The European ash handle is shock-absorbing and, on my sample, had straight, tight grain with a secure hang. The red steel safety collar around the neck is a practical addition. If you overstrike, the collar takes the bruise instead of the wood. I’ve seen collars add weight in the wrong spot on some axes; here, it’s unobtrusive and hasn’t thrown off the swing.

• Weight and balance: At 5.37 pounds overall, it lands between a general-purpose axe and a heavy maul. The balance is decidedly head-forward, which is what you want for splitting, but it still feels controllable when you choke up for kindling or trimming branches.

• Finish: The head’s painted surface helps resist rust and sheds sap better than raw steel. I prefer bare cheeks for pure splitting, but I didn’t notice meaningful drag in use. The blade arrived serviceably sharp and took a finer edge quickly with a puck stone.

One disappointment: the included blade cover is a thin, disposable affair. It protects the edge in transit, but I replaced it with a leather guard almost immediately.

In the wood: splitting performance

On seasoned hardwood rounds up to about 12–14 inches, this axe pops pieces apart with a single, confident swing. The wedge shoulders earn their keep: instead of burying deep, the head opens a fault line that lets the rest of the log separate. With fresh, still-green wood, the geometry reduces sticking but doesn’t eliminate it—no surprise. For gnarly, knotty rounds or anything in the 16–20-inch class, I got better results by first quartering with this axe, then finishing with a heavier maul or driving wedges.

For kindling duty, the ability to choke up just ahead of the collar is handy. The weight still does the work, but you can steer it precisely. If you prefer batoning (using a wooden mallet to drive the head through smaller pieces), the broad wedge is forgiving and doesn’t bind quickly.

Felling and limbing

This is not a dedicated felling axe, yet it’s surprisingly competent for dropping smaller trees and removing limbs. The edge profile compromises a little depth of cut compared to a thin-bit felling pattern, but the extra mass makes each strike count. On a couple of 8–10-inch softwoods, I had no trouble setting a clean face cut and finishing with a controlled back cut. For extended limbing, the weight can become noticeable; I wouldn’t choose it for all-day brush clearing, but for post-felling cleanup it’s fine.

The poll is flat and broad enough to set plastic wedges. I avoid striking steel-on-steel with any axe, and I’d keep that habit here. For driving polymer felling wedges or tapping a stuck splitting wedge, it’s completely adequate.

Ergonomics and handling

• Swing feel: The handle has a comfortable oval cross section and a secure swell at the end, giving reliable orientation and grip. The head-heavy feel is confidence-inspiring when you’re lifting for a full overhead strike.

• Shock and vibration: Ash earns its keep. Between the wood and the collar, overstrikes that would scar a bare handle are more of a cosmetic ding. I felt less sting than I typically do with fiberglass-handled budget tools.

• Control: The 31-inch length strikes a good balance. It’s long enough to generate power safely, yet short enough to maneuver around a splitting block or work in tight spaces.

Durability and maintenance

After several sessions, the head stayed tight and aligned. The edge held up well against seasoned oak and a few ill-advised strikes near the bark. Touch-ups were quick: a coarse/fine puck followed by a strop brought the edge back without drama.

A few notes if you want to keep it in good shape:

• Sand and oil: The handle finish on mine was functional but a bit dry. Ten minutes with 220-grit sandpaper and a few coats of boiled linseed oil transformed the feel and added protection. That’s routine care for any wooden-handled tool and worth the effort.

• Check the hang: Before you start, confirm the head is seated fully and the wedge is well-set. If you ever see the head creeping, stop, re-seat, and re-wedge or epoxy as needed.

• Protect the edge: Replace the stock blade cover with a leather or Kydex guard. It’s not just about safety; a proper sheath keeps the edge from fretting against other gear and saves you time sharpening.

• Store smart: Dry, temperate storage keeps the ash from swelling and shrinking. Don’t leave it in a hot truck or next to a stove.

Where it shines, where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Efficient splitter for small to medium rounds, thanks to the wedge geometry
- Durable ash handle with a steel collar that actually helps in real overstrike moments
- Balanced enough to perform felling and limbing tasks in a pinch
- German-made head with good heat treatment and predictable edge retention

Trade-offs:
- Not a true maul—heavy, knotty rounds still favor a 6–8 lb dedicated maul
- The included sheath is poor; budget for an upgrade
- Out-of-the-box handle finish may benefit from sanding and oiling
- The overall weight can feel tiring for extended limbing sessions

Who it’s for

If you heat with wood and want a single tool that lives by the splitting block but can also handle occasional felling and yard cleanup, this is a strong candidate. It’s especially good for folks who split 12–14-inch rounds (hardwood or softwood) and want an axe that doesn’t stick constantly. Campers or overlanders who like a full-length axe will appreciate the versatility, though the size and weight are overkill for backpacking.

If your primary job is breaking down big, gnarly rounds all winter, step up to a heavier maul and keep this as a companion. Conversely, if your work is mostly felling and limbing, a lighter, thinner-bit felling axe will cut deeper with less fatigue.

Value

For a German-made head on an ash handle with a protective collar, the price-to-performance ratio is compelling. It’s a meaningful step up from many big-box offerings in balance and steel quality, without drifting into boutique-tool pricing. You’ll still want to invest a few minutes in handle prep and a proper sheath, but those are small asks for a tool you’ll use for years.

Recommendation

I recommend this splitting axe for homeowners, landowners, and campers who need a single, do-most-of-it tool. It splits efficiently, shrugs off overstrikes, and holds an edge well, all while remaining manageable for felling small trees and limbing. It’s not a replacement for a heavy maul on monster rounds, and the included sheath is a miss, but the fundamental design and build are sound. With minor setup—oiling the handle and upgrading the edge cover—it’s a reliable, versatile axe that earns a spot by the woodpile.