The Infamous Chopper 1 Axe
Original: Easton, Pennsylvania, 1975-1990s
New manufacture: New Jersey, 2020 – Current
Images are from the Lehmann Collection graciously shared by Hans Brunner Tools
The Chopper 1 axe is a unique American-made splitting axe with rotating levers in the cheeks that push the two halves of the wood apart on impact. Invented in 1975 by Bob Kolonia, it was designed to improve splitting efficiency over traditional axes.
The key feature of the Chopper 1 is its splitting levers (sometimes called “wings”) built into the axe head. This clever design uses the downward force of the swing to generate additional outward force from the cheeks.
How a Chopper 1 Axe Works:
Once the blade penetrates the wood, the notched outer tips of the levers deliberately catch on the wood. The force of impact causes the levers to pivot outward, forcing the halves of the log apart. After the swing, the internal springs retract the levers back to their resting position, readying the axe for the next strike.
The axes were manufactured in the United States. The heads were cast and machined with the hinged lever components installed, then fitted to Hickory (and later fiberglass) handles.
The axes were sold from the late 70s into the 1990s, and at their peak, they were selling as many as 2000 axes a day. After its eventual decline, the Chopper 1 axe maintained a cult following (I mean it’s funky and different), and in 2020, an entrepreneur bought the rights and rebooted the brand, with Chopper 1 axes being made in the USA again.
Variations of the Chopper 1
The Chopper 1 axe head seems to have remained largely unchanged and without variations. The only differences you might find are in the handles. Most have a standard American Hickory handle, often with a Chopper 1 logo printed on. But, there were a smaller number made later on with Fiberglass handles as well.
It appears Chopper 1 partnered with tool maker Garant at some point, likely to take advantage of Garant’s reach (especially in the Canadian market). The only difference is that the handles are marked “Garant”.
Origin and Invention
The Chopper 1 was invented in 1975 by Robert “Bob” Kolonia of Pennsylvania. Kolonia’s inspiration came while chopping wood; a family friend suggested he try striking at a 45° angle instead of straight down. He noticed that the blade didn’t stick as much and the wood split more easily since the angled strike converted some downward force into outward splitting force.
Realizing this principle, Kolonia developed an axe head that could mimic the effect mechanically, and after much trial and error, he succeeded in creating a working design. He patented the concept (receiving U.S. Patent 4,044,808 in 1977) and dubbed the new product the Chopper 1 axe.
Kolonia introduced the Chopper 1 at the National Hardware Show in Chicago in the late 1970s, where it received an overwhelmingly positive response. Demand quickly turned his idea into a full-time manufacturing business. His company, Chopper Industries (based in Easton, Pennsylvania), produced and sold the Chopper 1 for years to meet the growing orders. The axe gained national attention, even being featured in magazines like Popular Mechanics and Mother Earth News due to its innovative approach to wood-splitting. At its peak in the early 1980s, the company was manufacturing over 2,000 Chopper 1 axes per year, distributing them through major retailers such as Sears, J.C. Penney, and K-Mart.
By the late 1980s, however, production slowed as Kolonia shifted focus to other ventures. He and his wife sold the Chopper 1 business in 1989 and the axe was eventually taken off the market.
Cult Status and Revival
In the following decades, the Chopper 1 acquired a “cult” status among woodcutters – used units were sought after, and its clever design remained talked about on forums and by enthusiasts.
This lingering demand led Kolonia (who holds numerous patents and remained interested in the product) to later repurchase the rights to the Chopper 1.
In 2020, a New Jersey entrepreneur (John Maxman, nicknamed “Maxman the Axman”) rebooted the brand. So, the Chopper 1 is once again being produced in the USA and sold, now primarily through its official website.
There seems to be some speculation that Kolonia remains involved in the new venture, but I suspect he sold the rights and is not involved. His name is not on the new website, and no mention of his involvement can be found online.
Sources:
- Chopper1axe.com – about
- Blade Forums
- Montgomery College – Insights Magazine Sprint 2025
- Firewood Hoarders Club – Forum
- U.S. Patent 4,044,808
- Morning Call (Allentown, PA) – “Chopper 1: Invention Made Easton Man A Businessman,” historical profile on Bob Kolonia and the axe (1980s).