OSRS: The Best Woodcutting Axes (Ranked)

What are the best woodcutting axes in OSRS?

Woodcutting is a fundamental skill in Old School Runescape, but to make the most of it, you need the right axes.

There are a lot of different types of woodcutting axes in the game, but today we’re looking at only the best ones on offer.

This way, you can easily know what axe is best for your level and the type of woodcutting you need to get done!

The 10 Best Woodcutting Axes In OSRS

Each of the axes on this list has been selected based on their individual benefits and stats.

While you will need to level your woodcutting skill to unlock the best of them, we’ve ensured there are axes here for everyone.

So, without further ado, here’s our list of the 10 best woodcutting axes in OSRS:

10. Steel Axe

Kicking off our list is the steel axe, which you can start using at level 6 woodcutting, making it a great option for beginners.

Slightly stronger than the iron variety, the steel axe can be used to cut trees, or it can be wielded in combat with an attack level of 5.

This axe can be purchased from a number of stores, including Perry’s Chop-Chop Shop, the Armoury, Gulluck and Sons, and Bob’s Brilliant Axes.

However, you can also make one yourself with a steel bar and a level 31 smithing skill.

You can also buy this axe on the Grand Exchange for 44 coins, or you can always trade another player for one.

If you’re just starting out, you can’t go wrong with the steel axe, and it offers a great starting point for players.

9. Black Axe

Up next, we have the black axe, which will require a woodcutting skill of 11 to use, along with a level 10 in attack.

The black axe is 12.5% better than the steel axe in terms of chopping success rates, making it worth investing in as soon as you hit level 11.

Unfortunately, like other black equipment, this axe cannot be smithed or purchased from in-game shops.

Instead, it is a reward that can be earned from completing easy treasure trails. However, you can find it on the Grand Exchange for around 550 coins.

It is also sometimes dropped by enemies such as black demons, abyssal demons, and feral vampyres.

While not one of the rarest drops in OSRS, you will need to do a bit of work in order to get your hands on this woodcutting axe!

8. Mithril Axe

A level above the black axe, there is the mithril axe, which requires a woodcutting skill of 21 and an attack skill of 20 to use.

The mithril axe is approximately 11% better than the black axe, but unlike its predecessor, it can be smithed or bought.

To smith this axe, you will need a smithing level of 51 and a single mithril bar. Alternatively, it can be bought from Perry’s Chop-Chop Shop for 1.6k.

However, if you want to save a bit of coin, you can also buy the mithril axe on the Grand Exchange for 100 coins or trade another player for one.

Alternatively, it is sometimes possible for cave horrors, turoths, terror dogs, and tree spirits to drop these axes.

Uncommonly, they can even be dropped by basilisks, green dragons, blue dragons, and king sand crabs.

Keep in mind, though, that those creatures are fairly high-level, so if your combat level is low, we wouldn’t recommend hunting them.

That said, given how much better the mithril axe is, it is definitely worth upgrading to, especially if you have the coin to buy it.

7. Adamant Axe

The adamant axe is 20% better than the mithril axe, and it requires a 30 attack and 31 woodcutting skill to wield.

An extremely powerful woodcutting tool, the adamant axe can be purchased from Perry’s Chop-Cop shop for 4k.

However, it can also be found on the Grand Exchange at a much more affordable price, 500 coins.

Alternatively, the adamant axe can be smithed if you have a smithing skill of 71 and an adamant bar.

Adamant bars can be purchased on the GE for 1.8k or created using adamantite ore and a furnace.

If you’d rather find it as a drop, it can sometimes be gained from killing monsters such as ice troll runts and iron dragons.

It is also possible to gain the adamant axe as a reward for completing medium-level Treasure Trails.

As the fifth most efficient axe in the game, it is definitely worth upgrading to if you have the chance.

While it won’t stand up to the best melee weapons in OSRS, when it comes to cutting down trees, this axe is one of the best!

6. Gilded Axe

This one is a bit of an outlier in that it is a very rare cosmetic variant of the rune axe, which we will be covering below.

However, what makes this axe interesting is that it functions both as a woodcutting tool and a status symbol.

Requiring a level 41 woodcutting skill and 40 attack, this axe is 17% better than the adamant axe.

While it cannot be purchased from any in-game shops, it can be found as a rare reward from elite and master-level Treasure Trails.

Alternatively, if you have a lot of money to spend, it can be purchased on the Grand Exchange for 3.8 million coins.

Once you have this woodcutting axe, you will definitely want to show it off, as it remains one of the best in Old School Runescape.

5. Rune Axe

The rune axe, like its gilded variety, requires a level 41 woodcutting and 40 attack to wield.

While it isn’t gold and flashy, it is certainly an upgrade from the adamant axe, and it is fairly easy to obtain.

With a smithing level of 86 and a runite bar, you can easily craft this woodcutting axe for yourself.

However, it can also be found at Perry’s Chop-Chop Shop for 40k if you feel like spending some coin.

Fortunately, it is often much more affordable on the Grand Exchange, usually only costing around 7.2k.

Although it isn’t as flashy as one of the best weapons of all time or the gilded axe, you shouldn’t pass this one up once you hit level 41.

If you’re a free-to-play player, this is going to be the best axe for you since all of the others are available only to members.

That said, while it does fall a bit behind in efficiency at higher levels, it is more than possible to hit level 99 using a rune axe.

4. 3rd Age Axe

The 3rd age axe is seriously powerful, and it requires an attack skill of 65 and a woodcutting skill of 61 to use.

A possible reward from master-level Treasure Trails, this axe shares the same cutting speed, stats, and special attack as the dragon axe.

Because of this, some players do opt to overlook this axe in favor of the dragon axe, since they are so similar.

While it is very rare to come by, it is worth being on the lookout for, especially once you reach the required level.

However, if you aren’t having luck completing Treasure Trails, you can always find it on the Grand Exchange.

If you have the money, the 3rd age axe can be purchased on the GE for around 464.7 million coins.

This easily makes it the most expensive woodcutting axe you can purchase, though it can be worth every penny.

It is definitely not something every player can afford, but if you have the coin, it can definitely be worth investing in!

3. Infernal Axe

Next, we have a very special axe which is created by using a smouldering stone on a dragon axe.

This requires a woodcutting level of 61 and a firemaking skill of 85. You can always check out our OSRS firemaking guide if you need help with that skill!

While chopping trees with this axe, there is a 1/3 chance that the logs will be consumed, granting firemaking experience.

For example, if this axe burns redwood trees, you will receive 175 firemaking XP instead of the 350 XP you would get by burning it normally.

Using this axe, you will be able to burn 5,000 logs before it will degrade to an uncharged infernal axe.

To charge it again, you will need to use another smouldering stone on it which will restore all 5,000 charges.

Unfortunately, the infernal axe cannot be traded or bought on the Grand Exchange, so if you want it, you will need to make it yourself.

However, we will talk more about that when we cover the dragon axe down below!

2. Dragon Axe

The dragon axe is the second strongest and fastest axe you can find and use in Old School Runescape.

It is 10% more efficient in terms of chopping than the rune axe, and it requires a level 60 attack and 61 woodcutting to use.

This axe also has the special attack Lumber Up, which boosts woodcutting by +3 while consuming 100% of a player’s special attack energy.

To get this axe, you can find it as a master-level Treasure Trails reward or as a drop from Dagannoth Prime, Dagannoth Rex, and Dagannoth Supreme.

However, it is also available on the Grand Exchange for 125k, which is fairly reasonable considering how powerful it is.

Once purchased, you can use this axe as is, upgrade it to an infernal axe, or use it to create the next one on our list!

That said, some players will use the dragon axe to get themselves up to level 99 because of how efficient it is.

While it isn’t the best axe in the game, it comes incredibly close, making it worth investing in if you get the chance!

1. Crystal Axe

Taking our number one spot is the crystal axe, which stands out as the best woodcutting axe in OSRS.

This axe requires a level 71 in woodcutting, a level 50 in agility, and 70 in attack in order to equip and use.

You will also need to complete the Song of the Elves quest before you will be able to make it for yourself.

While it has the same special attack as the dragon axe, the crystal axe is 4.5% faster, making it more efficient.

However, if you want to get this axe yourself, you’re going to need to work hard for it!

The crystal axe can be created at a singing bowl by combining a dragon axe with a crystal tool seed and 120 crystal shards.

This requires a level 76 smithing and crafting skill to do, though if you don’t meet that requirement, there is an alternative.

For an extra 60 crystal shards, you can have either Reese or Conwenna in Prifddinas create it for you.

It is also worth mentioning that this axe starts off with 10,000 charges and degrades over time, with charges being depleted with each use.

When depleted, it will perform the same as a dragon axe, but you can recharge it by using crystal shards on it.

This requires no additional skills, and a single shard will grant 100 charges, up to a maximum of 20k.

Summary

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best woodcutting axes in OSRS and learned which ones you should use next!

Woodcutting is an incredibly useful skill in the game, and having the right equipment for it makes a big difference.

We definitely recommend working your way through these axes as you reach their level requirements, so you’ll always have the best tool for the job!

Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best woodcutting axes in OSRS:

1. Crystal Axe
2. Dragon Axe
3. Infernal Axe
4. 3rd Age Axe
5. Rune Axe
6. Gilded Axe
7. Adamant Axe
8. Mithril Axe
9. Black Axe
10. Steel Axe

Which woodcutting axes will you be using? Leave a comment below.