OCHSENKOPF Woodworking Tools
Woodworking with the Right Combination of Power, Material and Experience
OCHSENKOPF develops woodworking tools for people who work with wood – professionally in forestry, in gardening and landscaping, in carpentry or practically at home. It is not just about power. It is about the right balance of material, geometry, ergonomics, safety and long service life. The brand combines the experience of a traditional axe forge with the requirements of modern forestry work. Selected steels, carefully manufactured handles and application-specific tool designs help users apply force precisely and carry out work steps safely. The convex grind on axes and hatchets supports a robust, durable cutting edge, while systems such as ROTBAND-PLUS ensure a particularly reliable connection between head and handle.
OCHSENKOPF supports forestry workers and everyone who works with wood with tools that make everyday tasks easier: felling, limbing, splitting, peeling, cutting and carpentry. Tradition is not an end in itself, but the foundation for solutions that prove their worth in practice.
Axes and Hatchets from Germany’s Oldest Axe Forge
Axes and hatchets are classics of woodworking – and remain indispensable tools for working in the forest, garden and with firewood. OCHSENKOPF offers different versions for felling, limbing, splitting and working with wood: from handy hatchets for controlled tasks to powerful forestry axes and splitting axes.
The shape of the axe head, its weight and the length of the handle determine how a tool can be used. Forestry axes are designed for precise cuts and limbing. Splitting axes support the opening of wood along the grain. Thanks to their handy format, hatchets are particularly suitable for lighter work, smaller pieces of wood and tasks where precise handling is important.
OCHSENKOPF relies on robust tool steels, careful manufacturing and ergonomically designed handles made of ash or hickory. The convex grind is designed to provide a long service life and a durable cutting edge. Depending on the version, proven fastening systems such as ROTBAND-PLUS provide additional safety. This transforms the traditional tool into a reliable partner for many tasks involving wood.
Specialists for the Finer Details
Bark peelers, sickles and brush hooks are specialists for tasks that require a controlled cut and a handy tool. Bark peelers are used to remove bark from trunks and wood – a traditional activity that still has an established place in forestry and woodworking.
Sickles and brush hooks help cut undergrowth, clear brush and maintain areas. Their curved blades are designed for pulling and cutting movements. This allows branches, thin wood and overgrown vegetation to be worked on in a targeted manner.
OCHSENKOPF combines functional cutting geometries with stable handles and designs for demanding use. Depending on the task, different shapes are available – from bark peelers in proven regional designs to brush hooks for cultivation and maintenance work.
Splitting Mauls: Powerhouses for Firewood
Splitting mauls combine weight and striking power. They are used when thick wood needs to be split or a wedge needs to be driven safely into the wood. The heavy hammer head supports the work with controlled blows, while a turning lug can also be used to turn and move wood.
OCHSENKOPF splitting mauls are designed for demanding splitting work. Forged hammer heads, large striking surfaces and robust cutting edges create the conditions for effective power transmission. Depending on the model, different weights and handle designs are available. High-quality ash or hickory handles sit securely in the hand and support an ergonomic working posture.
We Also Make Carpentry Tools
OCHSENKOPF also has a long tradition of producing adzes, carpenter’s axes and drawknives. These carpentry tools help shape edges, work out recesses, remove wood and bring workpieces into the desired form. So if you have worked with wood first, you may even make something from it afterwards. The tools draw on traditional craft techniques and give carpenters, coachbuilders, timber workers and ambitious users control over material removal. A sharp cutting edge, a secure grip and a working method in which the tool is always guided away from the body are essential. OCHSENKOPF carpentry tools combine craft precision with robust everyday usability.
More OCHSENKOPF Features
ROTBAND-PLUS: The Handle Protection System
ROTBAND-PLUS is the fastening and handle protection system developed by OCHSENKOPF for axes, hatchets and splitting mauls. A long handle protection sleeve, ring wedge, wooden wedge, safety plate and wood screw connect the tool head and handle to form a particularly secure unit. The handle protection sleeve also protects the handle against damage caused by missed blows. The system therefore supports a long service life and a high level of safety during demanding work.
KWF Seal: Tested Quality
The Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik e. V. (KWF) tests forestry technology and forestry tools according to defined criteria. KWF marks provide users with important guidance when selecting tools for professional or regular forestry work.
OCHSENKOPF tools with KWF marks stand for tested suitability for use and consideration of relevant safety and practical requirements. KWF-Profi identifies products that have successfully passed the toughest practical tests in professional forestry operations and comprehensive laboratory testing. KWF-Standard identifies equipment and clothing tested for less demanding or occasional use in hobby and semi-professional applications.
Ready for an Axe, Hatchet & More from Germany’s Oldest Axe Forge?
In the OCHSENKOPF Shop, you will find more product details about the individual forestry tools. Once you have decided on your axe or splitting maul, you can go directly to the online shops of our partners or find your trusted local dealer.
Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions
Woodworking tools in the OCHSENKOPF range include axes, hatchets, bark peelers, sickles, brush hooks, splitting mauls and carpentry tools such as adzes, carpenter’s axes and drawknives.
The OCHSENKOPF ILTIS is characterised by its long, rounded cutting edge and flat head, making it suitable for felling, limbing and cultivation maintenance. Forestry axes with this head shape are specifically designed to cut across the grain, making these tasks easier. Special tools such as sickles, brush hooks and bark peelers are also available for cultivation maintenance.
Axes generally have a longer handle and a larger or heavier head. They therefore offer greater reach and striking power. Hatchets are more compact and are particularly suitable for lighter, smaller or more precise tasks.
A splitting maul is used for splitting larger pieces of wood and driving suitable splitting wedges into wood. Depending on the model, a turning lug can also help turn and move wood.
Consider your height, strength and experience. Tall and strong users can often handle a heavier axe with a longer handle well. For smaller or less physically strong users, a lighter and more manageable axe may be easier to control. Our axes are available with different head weights and handle lengths.
If you intend to use an axe exclusively for splitting, a splitting axe is usually the better choice. Its wedge-shaped head geometry supports the splitting of wood. Our bestseller is the SPALT FIX.
A universal axe such as the Universal Gold is versatile and can be used for felling, delimbing and splitting wood. It is a good choice if you want to carry out different tasks with one tool.
