The Husqvarna A2400 axe is the biggest option in the multi-purpose, composite-handle range. At 27.5″ in length, it’s suited to construction, felling trees, yard work, and splitting logs.
The features of an A2400 look impressive, but is this axe worth the money? We reviewed this tool to highlight its features, strengths, and weaknesses.
What is a Husqvarna A2400 Axe?
While many axes are made for a specific task, the Husqvarna A2400 is a universal axe. It is suitable for jobs like felling trees, splitting logs, and hammering. Its curved edge is sharp and capable of cutting deep into wood.
- A mid-sized axe made for moderately tough jobs.
- The hollow composite handle effectively absorbs shock.
- The tool’s materials are solid and will take a beating.
How does the A2400 axe perform?
We tested the A2400 on a range of typical axe jobs to determine whether this tool was a legitimate all-rounder. The first test for this axe was lateral chopping, lopping down saplings that were taking over part of our property.
Within a few swings, it became clear that this tool was rugged. Having used practically every axe and maul on the market, you soon learn what quality is and isn’t.
This robust tool is made for the most demanding jobs you wouldn’t want to inflict on your prized hand-crafted axe.
Having recently tested out other Huskies like the H900 hatchet and A1400, the A2400 offered more power. Swinging into 8″ softwoods, cut out serious chips with each blow.
For a moderately-priced axe, this head combines an aggressive blade with plenty of weight to make good cuts.
During the sapling felling test, it didn’t take long before fatigue kicked in. Making swings horizontal to the ground was exhausting work. That’s because the A2400 is a heavy beast, weighing 5.29 pounds. In comparison, the legendary Hults Bruk Agdor is 3.8lb, and their Kisa is 3.17lb. The Husqvarna 26″ Wooden Multi-Purpose Axe is less than half the weight at 2.1lb. If you spend a lot of time felling trees, there are much better options than the A2400.
When the time came to split firewood, the A2400 did a good job. Mid-sized softwood spruce and fir logs were easy to break up. Even some moderately-tough hickory was splittable with this tool. But it took more swings than a purpose-built maul or splitting axe would.
The Husqvarna is fine for occasional splitting or smaller jobs. This tool won’t let you down if you only need to process a face cord of straight-fiber wood for winter. For twisted, knotty wood, you need wider cheeks that’ll force through the rounds. This axe will get stuck easily, and even the PTFE coating won’t save you.
Who is the A2400 best for?
The A2400 axe is suited to anyone needing a multi-purpose chopping device. It will appeal to workers in the field, like arborists who don’t want to carry multiple tools. Campers may also appreciate the tool’s flexibility.
This axe works great for yardwork and moderately tough splitting jobs.
Consider a more specialized tool if you’re looking for the best splitter or feller.
The A2400’s weight makes it cumbersome for detailed jobs like splitting kindling. A hatchet will do a much better job, providing greater accuracy and less hand strain.
You may also want to check out our review of the Husqvarna A1400 Axe, the same axe on a smaller scale.
Features
- Composite handle is durable and lightweight.
- Sharp, curved blade that holds its edge well.
- Stainless steel collar protects the handle from overstrike.
- Protective plastic sheath doubles as a carrying handle.
- Hooked end for a more secure grip in hand.
- Hammer on head’s poll for driving wedges.
- Durable C60 carbon steel head is built to last.
Parts of the Husqvarna A2400
The A2400 is feature-packed, so let’s look at the parts of this axe and how it performs.
1. Axe head
The A2400 axe head is made from solid C60 carbon steel, which handles most jobs without sustaining damage. Its curved blade is suitable for splitting or chopping.
The edge should be sharp enough for most to use straight from the store. But anyone seeking an edge sharp enough to shave with will need to sharpen it first.
At 3.97 pounds, this axe head is heavy enough to provide some decent power. We tested the axe on lopping off branches, and it worked great. It also made easy work of small to mid-sized trees. The blade cuts deep and holds its edge remarkably well.
This axe isn’t made for chopping and bucking big trees or splitting large 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 A2400 has a PTFE coating that helps stops the blade from binding into wood. It’s a handy feature that anyone will appreciate if they’ve had blades get stuck in wood. This non-stick coat wears off over time, so it’s only a temporary benefit.
The poll, or butt, is located opposite the blade. Use it for light hammering jobs around the yard and smacking in tent stakes or wedges. The manufacturer does not recommend using a hammer to strike the axe’s poll as it will damage the steel.
2. Protective sheath
The Husqvarna multi-purpose axe has a protective sheath made from plastic. This cover offers blade protection and stops people from accidentally cutting themselves. It is the same design used for all the composite-handle range from Husqvarna.
This innovative cover is also a carrying handle, which is much easier to hold if you’re crashing through the bush. Hikers and hunters can strap it to their pack using the handle, so long as they’re not walking too far.
Gaps in the cover make it easy for water to escape, reducing mold buildup and the onset of rust. Moisture doesn’t get trapped, which may be a problem with leather sheaths.
3. Axe handle
The Husqvarna A2400 axe has a hollow handle, like the Gerber and Fiskars ranges. It helps reduce the tool’s weight, which is essential as the head is heavy.
The haft’s composite materials provide excellent shock absorption on impact. This results in minimal vibration, an innovation that means less hand and wrist pain from long-term use.
Tall users (roughly 6 feet or over) may find the axe too short for prolonged splitting. At 27.5″ total length, they’ll need to hunch over slightly. Not an issue for small jobs, but it may be problematic after a cord of wood.
Outdoor adventurers and survivalists can also use the hollow handle to stuff a rudimentary survival kit – a helpful feature for anyone traveling on foot with minimal space. Fill the area with batteries, flint, fishing tackle, and basic first-aid supplies, but remove the contents before using the axe.
All Husqvarna composite axes have the same grey and orange handle design. This vibrant color scheme makes it hard to it in the long grass.
Some traditional axe users will prefer wooden handles over composite materials. But it’s hard to complain about the tool’s durability. It outperforms even the strongest wood, making it a good candidate for rough jobs.
At the end of the handle is a flared (hooked) knob that helps keep the tool secure while swinging. There is also a lanyard hole at the end of the handle for easy hanging when not in use.
This axe has a stainless steel overstrike guard, which protects the handle when users are wayward with their swing. We didn’t intentionally miss-swing to test how effectively it saved our hands from jarring. But we reached out to our group on social media, and no one had any complaints.
Strengths of a Husqvarna A2400
- Tough axe with excellent balance.
- Heavy head that delivers decent power.
- Well-suited for short-medium height splitters.
- Versatile curved blade for splitting and chopping.
Weaknesses of a Husqvarna A2400
- May be too short for tall users splitting wood.
- The quality of handle grip could be improved.
Learn more about the Husqvarna company here.
Commonly asked questions
How do I sharpen the A2400 axe?
Sharpen an A2400 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 A2400?
If you’re looking for a smaller axe from the multi-purpose Husqvarna range, try the A1400 or H900. For a specialized splitting axe, consider the Husqvarna S1600 or S2800, both designed for this specific task. The Husqvarna 26″ Wooden Multi-Purpose Axe is a lighter, more traditional style of axe that is better for horizontal swinging.
Check out our review of the Husqvarna H900 hatchet here.
Husqvarna A2400 vs. A1400 – what’s the difference?
The Husqvarna A2400 and A1400 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 A2400 specifications
| Attribute | Imperial | Metric |
| Total Length | 27.5” | 700mm |
| Head Length | 7.7” | 195mm |
| Blade length | 4.1” | 105mm |
| Total Weight | 5.29lb | 2400g |
| Head Weight | 3.97lb | 1800g |
- Head Material: C60 Carbon Steel
- Handle Material: Composite PA
- Made in: Sweden
Summing up
The Husqvarna A2400 axe provides an excellent balance of weight and power. While it won’t compete with full-sized axes and mauls on performance, it is capable of most jobs you throw at it.
If you have the budget and space, investing in a splitting axe and chopping axe will serve you better. For example, a Kisa felling axe and Fiskars X27 splitting axe would make a fierce combination.
This multi-use axe offers good value for money and is built tough. It should last many years with minimal upkeep compared to wood-handled axes.
The Husqvarna A2400 is a two-handed tool, so if you prefer swinging with one hand, you should look at the H900 hatchet instead.
