The Ultimate Guide to the Infernal Felling Axe in OSRS: Everything You Need to Know

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game packed with unique tools and mechanics that enhance gameplay, and the Infernal Felling Axe stands out as a fascinating hybrid for players looking to level up their Woodcutting and Firemaking skills. While the infernal axe and felling axe exist as separate entities in OSRS, the idea of an “Infernal Felling Axe” sparks curiosity among players—could it be a future addition, or is it just a fan-made concept? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the infernal axe and felling axe individually, their mechanics, benefits, and whether combining them could ever make sense in the world of Gielinor. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer, this blog post will help you understand these tools and optimize your training strategy as of April 07, 2025.

Origins and Creation

The infernal axe is a special tool in OSRS, created by combining a dragon axe with a smouldering stone. This process requires level 61 Woodcutting and level 85 Firemaking, granting 200 Woodcutting XP and 350 Firemaking XP upon creation. The smouldering stone, often dropped by high-level bosses like Cerberus or the Wintertodt, makes this axe a prestigious item for players who’ve invested time in skilling or combat.

How the Infernal Axe Works

Once equipped (requiring 60 Attack), the infernal axe functions as a top-tier Woodcutting tool with a unique twist: it has a 1/3 chance to burn logs as you chop them, granting 50% of the Firemaking XP you’d earn from burning them manually. For example, burning a redwood log (normally 350 XP) with the infernal axe yields 175 Firemaking XP. This passive effect lasts for 5,000 logs, after which the axe degrades into a regular dragon axe, though it can be recharged with another smouldering stone or dragon axe.

Special Attack: Lumber Up

The infernal axe shares the “Lumber Up” special attack with the dragon axe, boosting your Woodcutting level by +3 for a short duration at the cost of 100% special attack energy. This boost, which lasts about 3 minutes (extendable with the Preserve prayer), makes it a versatile choice for players hovering around level breakpoints like 58 or 97, where temporary boosts can unlock higher-tier trees or improve efficiency.

Understanding the Felling Axe in OSRS

A Forestry Update Innovation

Introduced with the Forestry update in 2023, the felling axe is a modern take on traditional axes, designed to enhance Woodcutting efficiency. Players can craft a felling axe by combining a felling axe handle with a standard axe (e.g., dragon axe) at an anvil, requiring a hammer. The dragon felling axe, for instance, retains the same Woodcutting requirements (level 61) and Attack requirement (level 60) as its base version.

Mechanics and Benefits

When paired with forester’s rations (stored in your inventory or forestry kit), the felling axe offers two key perks:

• 10% Woodcutting XP Boost: Every successful chop grants 10% more XP, stacking multiplicatively with the Lumberjack outfit.
• 20% Chance to Skip Logs: There’s a 20% chance not to receive a log, consuming one ration per action. This increases AFK time by reducing inventory clutter.

Without rations, it reverts to functioning like a regular dragon axe. The felling axe also supports the “Lumber Up” special attack, making it a direct competitor to the infernal axe in terms of versatility.

Imagining the Infernal Felling Axe: A Hypothetical Fusion

Why Players Want It

The OSRS community has speculated about an “infernal felling axe” on platforms like Reddit, envisioning a tool that merges the infernal axe’s log-burning Firemaking XP with the felling axe’s XP boost and log-skipping mechanic. Such a tool would appeal to players seeking maximum efficiency and AFK potential while training two skills simultaneously. However, as of April 07, 2025, no such item exists in the game’s cache, and Jagex developers have expressed skepticism about its feasibility due to the irreversible nature of the infernal axe’s creation.

Potential Mechanics

If an infernal felling axe were to be introduced, it might look something like this:

• Creation: Combine a smouldering stone, dragon axe, and felling axe handle, requiring 61 Woodcutting, 85 Firemaking, and perhaps 5 Smithing XP.
• Effects: Retains the 1/3 chance to burn logs (Firemaking XP), adds a 10% Woodcutting XP boost with rations, and keeps the 20% log-skip chance.
• Charges: Burns 5,000 logs before degrading, rechargeable with a smouldering stone or dragon axe.

This hybrid could balance the trade-offs between XP rates and AFK time, though it might require fine-tuning to avoid being overpowered.

Comparing the Infernal Axe vs. Felling Axe

XP Rates and Efficiency

Let’s break down how these tools stack up for training:

Feature	Infernal Axe	Felling Axe (with Rations)
Woodcutting XP	Standard (Dragon Axe level)	+10% Boost
Firemaking XP	50% of log’s burn XP (1/3 chance)	None
Log Skip Chance	33% (burned)	20%
AFK Potential	High (33% fewer logs)	Moderate (20% fewer logs)
Requirements	61 WC, 85 FM, 60 Att	61 WC, 60 Att

The infernal axe shines for players prioritizing Firemaking XP and AFK time, while the felling axe excels for pure Woodcutting XP gains, especially at trees like redwoods or teaks.

Best Use Cases

• Infernal Axe: Ideal for players training Firemaking alongside Woodcutting, or those who hate Wintertodt and want passive FM XP. Great for AFK redwood sessions.
• Felling Axe: Perfect for maxing Woodcutting XP rates, especially with forestry events or tick manipulation (e.g., 2-tick teaks).

Tips for Using These Axes Effectively

Maximizing the Infernal Axe

To get the most out of your infernal axe:

• Pair with Pyromancer Outfit: Boosts the Firemaking XP from burned logs.
• Use at Redwoods: Long chop timers (4+ minutes) and high FM XP (175 per burn) make it ultra-AFK.
• Recharge Smartly: Use a dragon axe (cheaper) instead of a smouldering stone to recharge.

Optimizing the Felling Axe

For felling axe users:

• Stock Up on Rations: Craft them with leaves and cooked meat/fish to sustain the XP boost.
• Join Forestry Events: Group chopping can grant invisible boosts up to +7 Woodcutting levels.
• Use a Log Basket: Extends AFK time by storing logs, synergizing with the 20% skip chance.

Which Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your goals. If you’re chasing 99 Woodcutting fast, the felling axe with rations is superior. If you want a relaxed, dual-skill grind, the infernal axe is your pick. For Ironmen, the infernal axe’s accessibility (via Wintertodt) might edge out the felling axe, which requires sourcing rations.

While the dream of an infernal felling axe remains a fantasy for now, both tools offer unique advantages in OSRS. Experiment with them based on your playstyle, and keep an eye on Jagex updates—maybe one day, we’ll see this fiery hybrid come to life!