From the stone axe to steel: three turning points in the evolution of a tool that’s millions of years old

Before there were cities, writing, or agriculture, there were already axes. The oldest examples we know of are over a million years old: chipped stones, shaped by hand, used to break branches and prepare food. Since then, the axe has changed a great deal, but almost always as a result of three major turning points.

1. The handle

The first great idea was simple: instead of holding the stone, attach it to a handle with ropes or fibers. With the handle, the arm gains leverage, the swing gains speed, and the weight of the head does the rest of the work. With the same effort, one could now cut through much more. That is why, even today, a good handle is just as important as a good blade.

2. Metal

With bronze, and later with iron and steel, the axe head was no longer limited by the shape of the stone. It became lighter, stronger, and more versatile in shape, and could even be mass-produced using molds. It was also during this period that the axe became a weapon, widely used by peoples such as the Celts.

In the Viking Age, the axe attained a special status. The blades were forged using advanced techniques, combining iron and steel, and a well-made axe served as a symbol of power and social status. Some were even buried with their owners. Unlike swords and armor, they were also affordable, which made them common among medieval infantry.

3. Specialization

With the advent of firearms, the axe left the battlefield and returned to work: lumberjacks, farmers, firefighters, and rescue teams came to rely on it. At the same time, each task called for its own specific design. For felling trees, a long, sharp blade; for splitting firewood, a wider head that splits the wood open; for finer work, such as peeling and carving, a smaller, lighter axe.

And today?

Today, the axe has found new life in camping, bushcraft, and the outdoors. It’s compact, lightweight, and can be used to prepare firewood, build shelters, or work with wood. Choosing the right one depends on three things: the work you’ll be doing, the handle material, and the quality of the steel in the head. And, as with any cutting tool, keeping it clean, sharp, and with the handle in good condition is what makes it last.

At AF Knifeworks, axes are handcrafted with these three principles in mind: a handle that fits comfortably, carefully selected steel, and a shape designed for the task at hand.