The rune axe is a Woodcutting axe that needs 41 Woodcutting to use. It is the best axe available to free-to-play players and the third-best for members, behind the dragon axe, infernal axe and crystal axe. It can also be wielded as a melee weapon with 40 Attack, but its real job is chopping trees faster than lower-tier axes.
Equipment bonuses
As a weapon the rune axe has a slash bonus of +26 and a strength bonus of +29, but it is a slow, low-tier melee option — almost everyone uses it purely as a Woodcutting tool.
Attack bonuses
Defence bonuses
Other bonuses
Requires 41 Woodcutting to chop (works from the inventory) · 40 Attack to wield · free-to-play.
Grand Exchange price history
Using the rune axe for Woodcutting
Like any axe, the rune axe does not need to be equipped to chop — it works straight from your inventory. Its success rate is roughly 350% that of a bronze axe, or about 17% better than an adamant axe, so it noticeably speeds up cutting yews, magics and everything below. For members it is beaten by the crystal, infernal, 3rd age and dragon axe; in free-to-play it is the best axe you can use.
How to get the rune axe
You can smith a rune axe at 86 Smithing from one runite bar (75 Smithing experience), buy one from Perry's Chop-chop Shop on Neitiznot, or pick it up on the Grand Exchange (the live price is shown above). It is also a possible reward from a hard Treasure Trail emote clue.
Rune axe FAQ
What level do you need for a rune axe?
Is the rune axe free-to-play?
How do you get a rune axe?
Is the rune axe better than the dragon axe?
Update history
Source: OSRS Wiki — Rune axe (Changes).
