I have a full set of Fiskars axes and I prefer them for weigh (they do weigh less than wood) and for durability.

For practicality, industrictability and just all round effectivness I would suges the Fiskars axe collection. I have the splitting axe, chopping axe and two hatchet style axes. Never have failed me and my very first axe from Fiskars was the camping axe by Gerber (they just put there name on a Fiskars axe) and the sucker would swing like a 5 pound sledge but only weighed in at 2 pounds. The weighting and the balance gave you more force than you would think posable. During my service witht he Maine Conservation Socity the hand axe did everything from felling 8 inch treas, to limbing, to pounding in 3 inch stakes into the ground to make x-country skiing trails.