Axes

[F4T XJ]

Just bought a Helko splitting used it in anger for the first time today made easy work of a weeks worth in just under an hour. The head is made in Germany and the handle in Switzerland from grade A US Hickory





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[Big E]

I like the ruggedness of my Gerber hatchet. An axe is a serious investment. Good information, I will keep looking.

 

[lostntranz]

Wrapped my GB small forest with 20ft para and collar. It's my buddy on the trail.

 

[jerdog53]

Picked up a Wetterlings Bushman ax the Les Stroud model after much research into the subject and many hours spent on you tube.

I wanted something small enough it could be carried in or on a pack, big enough it could be used to fell trees if need be but not too big it could not be used for personal defense. I can care less who designed it really but it had all the attributes I was looking for size and weight and price. Have used it a few times this last summer and fondle it a lot.... I find it aesthetically pleasing, and very much like the way it feels in my hands like any tool should! The wood grain is rather straight not perfect but good, the fit and finish is proper, it is sharp as hell, no I didn't cut myself with it. The sheath fits well and will not accidentally come off.

There are those that will say "you spent that one one of those

" My big box stores had nothing with soul so I went on line and started doing research and found some that were interesting like the BasecampX units and the Best Made axes but felt there really wasn't anything special about their axes and for the price. Speaking of price the stuff Gransfors Bruks makes is lovely, very fine craftsmanship but I think you are paying for the name with them. I have a felling ax already along with a couple hatches and a double headed bit that were my grandfathers and are rarely use but I think this Wetterlings ax will be used exclusively in the field.

my 2 cents...

 

[1derer]

Personally I buy the Home Depot 2.5lb standard axe then cut the handle to fit my gear box.


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[Ironhide Fx4]

I'm picking up a council tools double bit soon. This will be strapped to the bed rack in all sorts of weather for trail work.

Link: http://counciltool.com/shop/michigan-railsplitter-axes/3-5-michigan-double-bit-fiberglass-handle/

I'll still use the others. This one will be specific for trail work. One sharp edge left sharp, the other for working lower and in roots.

 

[SGpdx]

When I go out I normally carry my Pulaski tool and a camp axe, just because you never know...

Pulaski for the WIN. Best tool with the best name. Keep mine in the truck at all times.

 

[20DYNAMITE07]

When we go out we typically bring a hatchet and Lapland saw. The hatchet that I use is a small Marbles axe, and it is fantastic. It is only about $20 and is a spectacular value. WranglerStar did a video on it a while back and you can see it here. I think there is also a link to where you can buy it for cheap in his video notes.


I also have a Snow and Neally 30" felling axe, but I am really disappointed with it. The heat treatment wasn't done correctly, so I have a nice squiggle on the bottom third of the blade after cutting some red oak. It's a beautiful looking axe, but as a tool, a total failure.

 

[britz]

+ another for the Pulaski. My boyfriend is retired Fire and we're on the VFD, so he equipped all the rigs for tone outs, but we use them almost daily. Multiple uses and comes in handy for snow recovery as well. I thank Ed Pulaski every time I use it, a real hero and legend.

 

[DownNorth]

Iltis Oxhead is the only axe I use and carried extensivly in the northern canadian bush. I have cleated more heli pads then a care to count with them. Easy to sharpen and stay sharp. I prefer the shorter length handles as they are easy to put In a pack.

 

[Rexplorer]

i have a fiskers chopping axe that lives in my fj. 28"ish. A smaller hatchet comes most of the time too. and a gransfors bruks small forest axe for special occasions. almost bought a gerber, then i noticed the fiskers logo on the handle. $20 more for green instead of orange? i don't think so.

 

[LR4ME]

I'm looking to get a new hatchet, and eventually an axe. I've looked at Fiskars, and have heard the newer stuff is better. Read the old stuff had some soft metal where the edge wouldn't hold for long at all. Curious as to what you're running and why.

I have a small Gran Bruks hatche and a larger Snow and Nealley axe. For a few $ more the Bruks is a much better blade.



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[tobyjefe]

Picked up a Wetterlings Bushman ax the Les Stroud model after much research into the subject and many hours spent on you tube.

I wanted something small enough it could be carried in or on a pack, big enough it could be used to fell trees if need be but not too big it could not be used for personal defense. I can care less who designed it really but it had all the attributes I was looking for size and weight and price. Have used it a few times this last summer and fondle it a lot.... I find it aesthetically pleasing, and very much like the way it feels in my hands like any tool should! The wood grain is rather straight not perfect but good, the fit and finish is proper, it is sharp as hell, no I didn't cut myself with it. The sheath fits well and will not accidentally come off.

There are those that will say "you spent that one one of those

" My big box stores had nothing with soul so I went on line and started doing research and found some that were interesting like the BasecampX units and the Best Made axes but felt there really wasn't anything special about their axes and for the price. Speaking of price the stuff Gransfors Bruks makes is lovely, very fine craftsmanship but I think you are paying for the name with them. I have a felling ax already along with a couple hatches and a double headed bit that were my grandfathers and are rarely use but I think this Wetterlings ax will be used exclusively in the field.

my 2 cents...

I bought the same axe and love it as well. I camped in late July right after some wet weather and could barely get a fire going with unsplit logs. I purchased it before my next overnight and was very pleased with the wetterlings. Was amazed at the ability of the axe even being so light. As a chef and geeking out over Rockwell hardness in my knives I was sold on the 58 Rockwell hardness of the axe knowing it would hold an edge for a long time. The size of the axe was strong selling point for myself. It's an investment.


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[LR4ME]

I second this.

Or get a good used one from at least the 1960's clean it up sharpen it then re-hang the head on a new handle and you will have a good ax that holds an edge. Better Steel back in the day. I have 3 Collins axes that are a min 60 years old. They work great.


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I agree, too. I have a GB Wildlife Hatchet that is superior to every other axe or hatchet I've owned. Superior in that it's well balanced, it came sharp and holds an edge, plus the grain was perfectly aligned.

 

[TerraCrawler]

I like the axes and hatchets from Gransfors Bruks. I have the Wildlife hatchet and the Small Forest axe

GB Hatchet here too

 

[Cort]

Hults are awesome but for me it's hard to beat Stihl axes and hatchets. I use a Pro forestry axe and the pics are the pro splitting hatchet. I re profiled, refinished the handle, and aged the head. It's my favorite!

 

[NightCrawler]

Get a Gransfors Bruks and it will be the only axe your great grandson will ever use...they are tanks and hold an edge like no other.

 

[khorsa]

Personally I buy the Home Depot 2.5lb standard axe then cut the handle to fit my gear box.


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Yeah, this right here. Basic home depot axe can be sharpened with a mill file and just kills it. And if I destroy it, well, another ten to fifteen will get me another one.

 

[WTAGP]

+ another for the Pulaski. My boyfriend is retired Fire and we're on the VFD, so he equipped all the rigs for tone outs, but we use them almost daily. Multiple uses and comes in handy for snow recovery as well. I thank Ed Pulaski every time I use it, a real hero and legend.

Retired firefighter of 35 years, Pulaski all the way. Also , Chief Crew Leader for trails in the GP and MSHNM, Washington for 10 years.

 

[old_man]

I have a 40 year old Craftsman axe. It was way too soft. I edge hardened it with a torch and a bucket of oil back then and now it is hard as hell. You can't sharpen it with a file, you have to use a whetstone. 90% of how well an axe cuts has nothing to do with hard/soft. It has to do with knowing how to put the right edge shape on it. Hardness has to do with how long it will hold that edge.