Ax and cleaver: what is the difference between tools

To work with wood, an ax and a cleaver are used. Not everyone knows how they differ from each other. Let's take a look at the features of each of these tools.

What is an ax

It refers to the universal types of inventory produced in various variations. Its key purpose is cutting. Often used to chop wood. It has a sharp blade that allows you to do the job, spending a minimum of effort and time.

Axes differ in the shape and size of the handle. The cutting part may also differ. This must be taken into account when choosing the right equipment.

The peculiarity of the ax is a short stalk. It depends on its length how fast the process of chopping wood will be and what the load on the hands is.

A tool for cutting various materials appeared a very long time ago. Previously, it was made of stone, but over time and with the advent of modern technology, the inventory was modernized and changed a little.

It consists of several parts, including blade, handle and wedge. These elements are visible to everyone. But in fact, the tool has more components, for example, a butt and a slot.

What is a cleaver

A cleaver is one of the subspecies of an ax. It is intended for chopping firewood from logs. The tool allows you not to chop wood, but to chop it. It has a thick blade but not sharp. This allows him not to get stuck in the log when working.

The head is made of high alloy steel. The planes converge at a certain angle, ranging from 35 to 50 degrees, forming a wedge. The head is available cast or forged. But the user will not notice any special differences during operation.

The shape of the head is also different. May be eared and wedge-shaped. The latter refers to the classic options, suitable for both dry wood and wet wood. Eared species are not recommended for wet logs: the cleaver will get stuck in them, and it will be difficult to get it out.

The piercing edge can be straight or rounded. The latter is intended for wet wood.

What is the difference between an ax and a cleaver

It was noted that the cleaver is a kind of ax. Both tools differ from each other in the following ways:

1. The cleaver is more blunt, the ax is sharply sharpened.
2. The cleaver splits the wood, and the ax cuts it.
3. The ax has a thinner point. This allows you to achieve a reduction in the resistance of the log. Often used when cutting trees or knots, removing chips and other things.
4. The cleaver has a long handle, while the ax has a shorter one. This affects the strength of the blow.

What is better to choose and why

Despite some similarities between the tools, they have a fundamental difference. As the name implies, the cleaver splits wood, and the ax cuts it. It is necessary to focus on this choice one of them.

When working, the ax passes across the fibers of the wood. It weighs less - usually no more than a kilogram. A sharp blade makes it easier to work. The cleaver has significant weight due to its purpose. In order to qualitatively chop wood, the ax handle must be longer.

You need to choose one of the tools based on the purpose of use. If you need to chop wood, then a cleaver is better. The ax is used when chopping wood. It is worth remembering that there are various models of these devices - this is also taken into account when choosing. Some tools, for example, are not designed to work with wet wood.