Tools & DIY · Head-to-head
Gränsfors Bruk Gränsfors Large Splitting Axe vs Husqvarna Composite Splitting Axe (Large)
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Splitting Axes and Mauls: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
Gränsfors pairs a hand-forged high-carbon head with a hickory handle, a leather sheath and a 20 year warranty on axes, and its thin concave bit gets into the wood before the wider body opens it. Husqvarna gives you a heavier head on a durable composite shaft for less money, plus a back designed for driving non-steel splitting wedges.
Gränsfors Bruk Gränsfors Large Splitting Axe
Buy itA hand-forged Swedish splitting axe with a concave, fairly thin bit, a hickory handle and a 20 year warranty on axes.
- Gränsfors forges and grinds the head to a concave, quite thin bit so it enters the wood quickly before the broader section pushes it apart.
- Hickory handle with a protective steel collar under the head and grip grooves near the end, offered in a shorter and a longer version (70 to 80 cm).
- Made in Sweden from recycled high-carbon steel (C55/C60), delivered with a vegetable-tanned leather sheath and a 20 year warranty on axes.
- Gränsfors says splitting axes must not be used to strike a wedge or as a wedge; only its Splitting Maul is designed for that.
- At 2.3 kg it is lighter than a maul, so very large or knotty rounds take more strikes.
- Gränsfors' own store does not list the US among its shipping countries, so US buyers go through retailers.
Husqvarna Composite Splitting Axe (Large)
Buy itA 27.5 in composite-handled splitting axe with a coated 5.07 lb head and a milled back for tapping in non-steel wedges.
- Husqvarna lists a 5.07 lb head on a 6.17 lb tool, with the balance point close to the head to concentrate force in the split.
- The fiber-reinforced PA shaft has a stainless steel guard below the head, which protects the spot where wooden handles usually break from overstrikes.
- A non-stick coated head eases entry into the wood, and the milled back works as a hammer for splitting wedges, as long as they are not steel.
- Husqvarna rules out steel wedges, so you need aluminum, plastic or composite wedges for the hammer function.
- At 27.5 in it is shorter than a full-length maul, which gives less swing speed on the biggest rounds.
- The head coating will wear with use, and Husqvarna's page does not state the steel type or a hardness figure.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Gränsfors Bruk Gränsfors Large Splitting Axe Our pick | Husqvarna Composite Splitting Axe (Large) | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | People who split firewood every season and want a precise, long-lived axe for small to medium rounds. | Homeowners splitting a few cords a year who want a durable, low-maintenance axe that can also drive non-steel wedges. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Type | Splitting axe | Splitting axe |
| Overall length | 70 to 80 cm (two versions) | 27.5 in |
| Weight | 2.3 kg | 6.17 lb (head 5.07 lb) |
| Handle | Hickory, steel collar | Fiber-reinforced PA, stainless guard |
| Head | High-carbon steel C55/C60, concave bit | Coated head, steel type not stated |
| Wedge use | No, maker says do not strike wedges | Yes, non-steel wedges only |
| Sheath | Leather sheath | Edge cover |
| Made in / warranty | Sweden / 20 years on axes | Not stated / see Husqvarna |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Gränsfors Bruk Gränsfors Large Splitting Axe if
people who split firewood every season and want a precise, long-lived axe for small to medium rounds.
Know before buying: gränsfors says splitting axes must not be used to strike a wedge or as a wedge; only its Splitting Maul is designed for that.
Pick the Husqvarna Composite Splitting Axe (Large) if
homeowners splitting a few cords a year who want a durable, low-maintenance axe that can also drive non-steel wedges.
Know before buying: husqvarna rules out steel wedges, so you need aluminum, plastic or composite wedges for the hammer function.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Gränsfors Bruk Gränsfors Large Splitting Axe - A hand-forged Swedish splitting axe with a concave, fairly thin bit, a hickory handle and a 20 year warranty on axes. Choose the Husqvarna Composite Splitting Axe (Large) instead if homeowners splitting a few cords a year who want a durable, low-maintenance axe that can also drive non-steel wedges.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Splitting Axes and Mauls: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).