>>1537757Ash is best but not available everywhere. Hickory is almost as good. Synthetics (like what fiskars uses) are crap as they transfer way to much shock into your wrist. I've also heard rumors that they're not as reliable and seen a fiskars axe where the head flew of mid strike once. don't know what that axe was used for before though.
Also, as that other guy already said, if the logs are a bit longer (30cm+) you'll need wedges. Steel wedges are best, the plastic and aluminium wedges are only necessary for use with a chainsaw and wear out quicker. Either start the cut with the maul, insert a wedge on the side to free the blade and pound in the wedges (for plastic, alu or wood wedges) or just place the wedges and pound them in (steel wedges).
BTW, what are you going to use the axe for? 5 pounds is to heavy for making the small sticks you'd use to light a fire comfortably and to light to split logs easily. Only reason to use such a heavy axe would be if you're to weak to lift a maul or if you have to remove branches. Unless you're planning on felling trees soon, you'd be better of getting a lightweight axe (1-2 pounds) or even a heavy machete and splitting with the maul.
