GET A WEDGE UP!
Axes are handy for work done in the yard, camp or on the farm. A well-designed axe promotes fast, efficient wood splitting without wearing you out. Like knives, axes can be inexpensive, or you might want to spend some good money on one—the difference is in the materials used for the handle and head. However, do you really need to spend the money on a tool that you use only occasionally? If you are a frequent axe user then, yes, spend extra to get a better quality/better designed axe. The added refinements of more expensive axes make long-term use and ownership a pleasure.
Gerber has had a successful series of axes and hatchets made in Finland that feature one-piece, hollow, molded handles for lightweight, optimum strength. An example is the 23.5-inch model in its Freescale series. The forged steel head is mated permanently to a lightweight composite handle, so there is little worry the handle will come loose during use. The oblong profile handle is hollow, which shifts the balance of the axe to being head-heavy. It
