Axe in Hand: A Woodchopper's Guide to Blades, Wood, and Fire

by Nicole Coenen

In Axe in Hand, lumberjack (and popular Instagram/TikTok star) Nicole Coenen teaches everything axes, woods, and fire for a new generation of outdoorspeople.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Karlene]

I wasn’t expecting to learn so much, but Axe in Hand was a fantastic guide to all things axes and wood chopping! Beautiful pictures, interesting science facts, and lots of tips on how to read a tree, build a great fire, and get chopping! Wish this book was around when I was trying to keep the fires in my wood stove alive on Vancouver Island. (And having also lived in London ON, I had a good laugh remembering those silly metal trees) Great read!

[Mary Simpson]

Nicole Coenen is a beautiful woman from British Columbia who knows how to chop wood and take care of her tools. It’s wonderful to see the next generation keeping the old ways and skills and tools going.

[Bailee Crandley]

This books evokes imagery of walking through the Pacific Northwest forests where I grew up. Every word felt like another step on damp pine needles; every sentence is a breath of fresh pine scent. It has inspired me to get outside and get my hands dirty. I cannot recommend it enough.

[Adam Shake]

A good basic book on everything axe, firewood and woodcraft with a lot of great photos and step by step instructions.

[Dennis Maione]

A great book for those who like wood chopping and all things associated with it. Plus, she is a Canadian, so it has to be good.