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Chipper 1 Splitting axe - $70 (North Spokane)
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Information published online:
The Chopper 1 axe is a unique American-made splitting axe with rotating levers in the cheeks that push the two halves of the wood apart on impact. Invented in 1975 by Bob Kolonia, it was designed to improve splitting efficiency over traditional axes.
The key feature of the Chopper 1 is its splitting levers (sometimes called “wings”) built into the axe head. This clever design uses the downward force of the swing to generate additional outward force from the cheeks.
How a Chopper 1 Axe Works:
Once the blade penetrates the wood, the notched outer tips of the levers deliberately catch on the wood. The force of impact causes the levers to pivot outward, forcing the halves of the log apart. After the swing, the internal springs retract the levers back to their resting position, readying the axe for the next strike.
The axes were manufactured in the United States. The heads were cast and machined with the hinged lever components installed, then fitted to Hickory (and later fiberglass) handles.