Felling Axe vs Regular Axe in OSRS – Which Is Better for Woodcutting

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right axe can make or break your Woodcutting grind. The debate between felling axes and regular axes has sparked plenty of discussion among players, especially with the introduction of Forestry updates. Both tools have unique mechanics, benefits, and trade-offs, so which one should you pick? In this guide, we’ll break down the differences, compare their performance, and help you decide what’s best for your playstyle—whether you’re chasing XP, logs, or just a more AFK experience.

Before diving into the comparison, let’s clarify what these axes are and how they function in OSRS. Understanding their core mechanics is key to making an informed choice.

Felling Axes Explained

Felling axes are two-handed tools introduced with the Forestry: Part Two update. They’re designed to enhance the Woodcutting skill by offering a unique trade-off: more experience at the cost of fewer logs. When paired with forester’s rations (stored in your inventory or forestry kit), felling axes provide a 10% XP boost and a 20% chance to not receive a log per chop. This effect even applies to sulliusceps, making them versatile for specific training methods. Without rations, a felling axe behaves like a regular axe of the same tier.

Regular Axes Overview

Regular axes, or one-handed hatchets, are the classic Woodcutting tools in OSRS. From bronze to dragon (and special variants like the infernal axe), they’re straightforward: you chop trees, get logs, and earn XP based on your level and the tree type. Regular axes don’t require additional resources like rations, and some, like the infernal axe, have unique perks (e.g., burning logs for Firemaking XP).

Key Differences Between Felling and Regular Axes

The choice between felling and regular axes boils down to their mechanics, stats, and how they fit your goals. Let’s explore the main distinctions.

Experience Boost vs. Log Collection

Felling axes shine for players prioritizing XP. The 10% XP boost stacks multiplicatively with the Lumberjack outfit, pushing your hourly rates higher—perfect for those aiming for 99 Woodcutting or 200M XP. However, the 20% chance to miss a log reduces your haul, which can hurt if you’re gathering resources for Fletching, Construction, or profit.

Regular axes, on the other hand, guarantee a log (or resource) per successful chop, assuming you don’t fail the roll based on your Woodcutting level. They’re ideal for Ironmen needing logs or players selling high-value ones like magic or redwood. But without the XP boost, training feels slower, especially at higher levels.

Rations and Resource Management

Felling axes require forester’s rations to activate their benefits. Each successful chop (whether you get a log or XP) consumes one ration, which can add up during long sessions. You’ll need to craft or buy rations, which involves anima-infused bark and other materials from Forestry events. This extra step can feel tedious, especially for casual players.

Regular axes have no such upkeep. You equip them and go, making them simpler for players who dislike micromanaging resources or don’t engage with Forestry content. The exception is the infernal axe, which needs charges from smouldering stones, but that’s a one-time cost compared to rations.

Combat Stats and Accessibility

Felling axes are two-handed, with slightly higher attack bonuses but slower attack speed than regular axes. For example, a dragon felling axe requires 60 Attack and 61 Woodcutting, while a regular dragon axe needs only 60 Attack. This makes felling axes less versatile in combat or clue scroll steps requiring a one-handed axe.

Regular axes are one-handed, allowing you to pair them with a shield or off-hand item, which can be handy in niche scenarios (e.g., Woodcutting in the Wilderness). They’re also easier to obtain since felling axes require crafting with a felling axe handle, costing 10,000 anima-infused bark and 500 oak logs.

Performance Comparison – XP, Logs, and AFK

To help you choose, let’s compare how felling and regular axes perform in key areas: XP rates, log collection, and AFK potential. The table below summarizes their strengths for common Woodcutting scenarios.

Aspect	Felling Axe	Regular Axe
XP Rate	10% boost with rations; stacks with Lumberjack outfit	Standard XP; no boost
Log Collection	20% chance to miss logs; fewer resources	Full log yield per chop
AFK Potential	More AFK due to fewer logs filling inventory	Less AFK; inventory fills faster
Upkeep	Requires forester’s rations	No upkeep (except infernal axe charges)
Best For	XP-focused players, redwood training	Log gathering, Ironmen, profit

XP Rates in Action

At redwoods (level 90+), a dragon felling axe with rations can push XP rates to around 80-90k per hour, compared to 70-80k with a regular dragon axe. The crystal felling axe nudges this even higher, thanks to its +15% efficiency over a rune axe (vs. 10% for dragon). If you’re grinding for 99, the felling axe shaves hours off your journey, especially with the Lumberjack outfit.

Log Collection Trade-Offs

Using a felling axe at yews or magic trees reduces your log count by about 20%, which can sting if you’re banking them for profit. For example, cutting 1,000 magic logs with a regular axe yields 1,000 logs, while a felling axe might give only 800. At current GE prices (around 1,000 gp per magic log), that’s a 200k gp loss per 1,000 chops. Regular axes win for resource-heavy goals.

AFK Experience

Felling axes are a godsend for AFK training. The 20% chance to miss logs means your inventory fills slower, letting you stay at trees like redwoods for longer before banking. Players on Reddit have noted up to 5-10 minutes of extra AFK time per trip compared to regular axes, making felling axes ideal for relaxed sessions or multitasking.

When to Use Felling Axes

Felling axes aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but they excel in specific scenarios. Here’s when you should consider wielding one:

• XP Grinding: If you’re chasing 99 Woodcutting or maxing, the 10% XP boost is unmatched, especially at high-level trees like redwoods or sulliusceps.
• AFK Training: For players who prefer low-effort sessions, felling axes extend your time at trees, reducing banking trips.
• Forestry Events: Since you’re likely collecting bark and rations anyway, felling axes synergize well with Forestry’s mechanics.
• Pet Hunting: Felling axes still roll for the beaver pet even when you miss a log, giving you more chances per hour.

Best Felling Axe Tiers

Not all felling axes are equal. The top tiers include:

• Crystal Felling Axe: Requires 71 Woodcutting, 70 Attack, 50 Agility. Offers the highest efficiency (+15% over rune) but needs crystal shards for charges.
• Dragon Felling Axe: Needs 61 Woodcutting, 60 Attack. A solid choice for high-level players, with a special attack (Lumber Up) for a +3 Woodcutting boost.
• Rune Felling Axe: Affordable at 41 Woodcutting, 40 Attack. Great for mid-level players dipping into Forestry.

When to Stick with Regular Axes

Regular axes have their place, especially for players with different priorities. Here’s when they outshine felling axes:

• Resource Gathering: Ironmen or players needing logs for Construction, Fletching, or Firemaking should stick to regular axes to maximize yield.
• Profit-Oriented Chopping: Selling logs like yews or magics is more lucrative with regular axes since you lose nothing to the 20% miss chance.
• Clue Scrolls and Quests: Some steps (e.g., emote clues) require a one-handed axe, making regular axes essential.
• Simplicity: If you don’t want to hassle with rations or Forestry, regular axes are plug-and-play.

Top Regular Axe Options

Here are the standout regular axes:

• Infernal Axe: Requires 61 Woodcutting, 85 Firemaking. Burns 1/3 of logs for Firemaking XP, perfect for dual-skill training.
• Crystal Axe: Needs 71 Woodcutting, 70 Attack, 50 Agility. Matches the crystal felling axe’s efficiency but keeps all logs.
• Dragon Axe: Accessible at 61 Woodcutting, with the Lumber Up special attack for a temporary boost.

Ultimately, the felling axe vs. regular axe debate depends on your goals. If XP and AFK time are your focus, grab a felling axe and stock up on rations. If logs, profit, or simplicity matter more, stick with a regular axe—or consider the infernal axe for Firemaking synergy. Whatever you choose, both tools have their place in Gielinor’s forests. Happy chopping!