The Husqvarna A1400 multi-purpose axe is the second smallest option from its composite handle range. At 23.5″ in length, it’s suited to basic forestry work, construction, camping, yard work, and splitting logs.
The features of an A1400 look impressive, but is this axe worth the money? We reviewed this tool to highlight its features, strengths, and weaknesses.
What is a Husqvarna A1400 Axe?
The Husqvarna A1400 is a small, lightweight axe that is easy to slip into the trunk when heading to the outdoors. Its curved edge is sharp and capable of cutting deep into wood. It is best suited to light jobs like felling small trees, chopping kindling, or splitting small to medium-sized logs.
- A small axe made for light-moderate jobs.
- It is one size up from the H900 hatchet.
- The materials are lightweight but super-durable.
- A hollow composite handle effectively absorbs shock.
How does the A1400 axe perform?
We tested the Husqvarna multi-purpose axe on a range of basic tasks and found it performed well at most jobs we threw at it. It’s an all-rounder, ideal for those who need a versatile tool.
We found the axe excels at lateral chopping jobs, like lopping down saplings. It’s light, so making swings horizontal to the ground wasn’t a challenge.
Having recently tested out the H900 hatchet, we found the A1400 offered significantly more power. Hard swings into 8″ softwoods cut out decent-sized chips with each blow.
When the time came to split firewood, we found the A1400 did a good job. Spruce and pine logs were easy to break up, but the elm we tested took much more work. This is a great axe to take camping for occasional wood splitting.
At home, if the wood you mostly split is straight and easy to process, the A1400 will work great. Its weight helps power through rounds without getting fatigued. If the logs are tough to split, do yourself a favor and buy a maul or splitting axe built for purpose.
Although this axe is compact and light, we found the Huskie hatchet better for swinging at awkward angles, like tree pruning. The A1400 is too cumbersome for one-handed swings.
This axe is 23.5″ long and weighs just over three pounds. Compared to full-sized axes, they are easy to carry and store in confined spaces when traveling.
A lanyard hole allows for easy fastening onto a backpack. You wouldn’t want to be walking all day with it, though. Long-haul trekkers looking to shave weight will find the Husqvarna A1400 too heavy. Those looking for a super-light option should also check out our review of the Gerber Pack Axe.
Tip: You may also like to check out our Husqvarna Multi-Purpose A2400 Axe review to see how the bigger option performs.
Features
- Durable C60 carbon steel head is built to last.
- Composite handle is durable and lightweight.
- Steel collar protects the handle from overstrike.
- Sharp, curved blade that holds its edge well.
- Hammer on head’s poll for driving wedges.
- Protective plastic sheath doubles as a carrying handle.
- Hooked end for a more secure grip in hand.
Parts of the Husqvarna A1400
The A1400 is loaded with features that set it apart from the competition. Let’s look at the parts of this axe and what we like about this tool.
1. Axe head
The A1400 axe head is constructed with C60 carbon steel, handling most jobs without sustaining damage. Its thin, curved blade has multiple uses, including chopping, splitting, and carving.
Most will find the edge sharp enough to use directly from the store. However, carvers, carpenters, and anyone requiring a super-sharp blade will want to sharpen it before use.
We tested the axe on various-sized branches, and it worked great. The blade cuts deep and holds its edge remarkably well.
This axe isn’t made for chopping down and bucking big trees or splitting over-sized logs. If it’s all you’ve got in the tool shed, it can split larger hardwood, but be prepared for a lot of swinging.
The A1400 has a PTFE coating, a useful feature designed to stop the blade from sticking into wood. The coat wears off over time, so it’s only a temporary benefit. This is especially true if frequently sharpened.
A butt, or poll, is found on the opposite end of the head from the blade. It is helpful for light hammering jobs around the yard and driving in tent stakes or wedges. Husqvarna does not recommend a hammer to strike the axe’s poll. While mauls will take this impact force, it will damage the A1400.
2. Protective sheath
A plastic sheath protects the Husqvarna multi-purpose axe’s head. This cover helps protect the blade and stops people from accidentally cutting themselves. It is the same design used for all the composite handles range from Husqvarna.
The sheath doubles as a carrying handle that comes in handy at home or in the outdoors. Hunters and hikers can easily strap it to their pack using the handle.
Gaps in the cover make it easy for water to escape, reducing rust or mold onset. The moisture isn’t trapped, which can be a problem with leather sheaths.
3. Axe handle
The Husqvarna A1400 axe has a hollow handle. This is essential in reducing the tool’s weight, making it easy to wield. The haft’s composite materials are excellent at absorbing impact, resulting in minimal vibration. This innovation means less wrist and hand pain from prolonged use.
Survivalists and other outdoor adventurers can also use the hollow handle for stuffing a basic survival kit. This will appeal to anyone traveling by foot with minimal space. Fill it with flint, batteries, fishing tackle, and basic first-aid supplies. Remember to remove the contents before using the axe!
The handles are the same grey and orange design for all the Husqvarna composite range. This vibrant color scheme means you won’t lose the tool in long grass.
Some traditional axe users will prefer a quality wooden handle over composite materials. However, it’s hard to complain about this tool’s durability. It outperforms even the strongest wood, making it a good candidate for those rough jobs – the ones you wouldn’t use a favorite hand-crafted axe on.
At the end of the handle is a hooked knob that helps keep the tool secure mid-swing. There is also a lanyard hole at the end of the handle for easy hanging when not in use.
The Husqvarna A1400 axe handle grip isn’t our favorite of all the brands we’ve tested. The surface feels slightly slippery, like it may fly out of hand during a wild swing. When it comes to non-wood handles, we prefer the feel of those made by Fiskars, Gerber, Estwing, and DeWalt.
This axe has a steel overstrike guard to protect the handle when users get a little overzealous with their swing. To save our hands from serious jarring, we didn’t test out how well it worked.
Strengths of a Husqvarna A1400
- Light and easy-to-swing tool with impressive balance.
- Made from robust materials that will take the impact.
- Versatile curved blade for chopping or splitting.
- An excellent balance of power and ease of use.
Weaknesses of a Husqvarna A1400
- Could feel more secure in hand.
- Lacks the aesthetics of wood like hickory or cherry.
Commonly asked questions
How do I sharpen the A1400 axe?
Sharpen an A1400 axe like a regular axe using sandpaper, files, or an electric tool. Husqvarna makes a grinding stone with a coarse grind on one side and a fine grind on the other. Blade sharpening will remove some protective coating that helps stop the blade from getting stuck in the wood.
What is the best alternative to the Husqvarna A1400?
If you’re looking for a smaller, more portable hatchet from the Husqvarna range, try the H900. If you need a more powerful axe, consider the A2400, their biggest universal axe. Those who spend most of the time splitting wood should try the Husqvarna S1600 or S2800, both designed for this specific task.
Husqvarna A1400 vs. A2400 – what’s the difference?
The Husqvarna A1400 and A2400 are both multi-purpose axes for splitting and chopping. While they have an identical design, the A2400 is four inches longer and over two pounds heavier. This extra size helps deliver more powerful swings, but it may be overkill for lighter jobs.
Husqvarna Multi-purpose Axe A1400 specifications
| Attribute | Imperial | Metric |
| Total Length | 23.5” | 60cm |
| Head Length | 6.5” | 16.7cm |
| Blade length | 3.5” | 9cm |
| Total Weight | 3.09lb | 1400g |
| Head Weight | 2.2lb | 998g |
- Head Material: C60 Carbon Steel
- Handle Material: Composite PA
- Made in: Sweden
Check out our Husqvarna brand profile page to learn more.
Summing up
The Husqvarna A1400 axe is a good-quality tool that provides an excellent balance of power and weight. While it won’t compete with full-sized axes and mauls on performance, we were impressed with the chopping power of such a small axe.
This multi-use axe offers excellent value for money and is built tough; it’s likely to serve for many years. There’s minimal upkeep required compared to wood-handled axes, so this tool will appeal to the non-DIY type.
The Husqvarna A1400 is a two-handed tool, so if you prefer swinging with one hand, you should look at the H900 hatchet instead.
