1800’s Style Trade Axe/Trappers Axe/Camp Axe..whatever!

B

bearthedog

Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
4,290
Call it what you will, here is my new hand forged Trade Axe from H&B Forge. Their site lists it as “Large Camp Axe”, but I have seen the same design listed as a Trappers Axe, or Polled Tomahawk, even “Mountain Man or Frontier’s Axe”.
I wanted something a little heavier than a hatchet with a longer handle, hand forged in the USA.
Specs:
Head Weight- 1.25 pounds
Overall Weight- 1 pound 13 ounces
Haft length- 20” Hickory
Blade Bit- 4”
Sheath- Leather












 
Very nice :cool:
I'm not a huge hawk fan, but that is SWEET! I've looked at his stuff before and it looks top notch.

I see that we have the same knife... I love it ;)
 
I have the Med camp axe and it is better than I expected. A quality hawk/axe for the money, you cant beat them.
 
One is a custom order Spontoon Tomahawk with a spike.

HampBSpontoonTomahawk001_zps4be1105f.jpg


The other is a Viking axe. No pics yet until I get it all runed up.
 
bearthedog said:
When did you get yours? It was most likely made by Will before he passed. Mine is from the son, Jarrod.



You are welcome. I have more now and it is looking real used!

-RB
Click to expand...


It has been at least 3 years now. I will post a picture of it as soon as I can. My sheath/cover is thread stitched not laced like yours.
 
bearthedog said:
H&B makes nice stuff. The knife is cool too!

-RB
Click to expand...

So how does it chop and work for you in the woods? I am having a Norlund head modified cause I just wasn't finding what I wanted? I most always carry a small long handled axe while hiking for work. Also wanted something my wife could easily use although I might change my mind on that!
 
333.okh said:
So how does it chop and work for you in the woods? I am having a Norlund head modified cause I just wasn't finding what I wanted? I most always carry a small long handled axe while hiking for work. Also wanted something my wife could easily use although I might change my mind on that!
Click to expand...

See the chop off: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1075199-Pinocchio-Land-Axe-Chop-Off-Georgia


I've used it on about 6 different trips now without any complaints. Most people that use it become converts.

-RB
 
if you have any wilderness posts with people using it show them....great pics in the past on Ramanon.
 
Ruben I am wondering as a light weight wood processing tool would you go with the medium camp axe from H&B Forge or a Wetterlings/ GB Wildlife hatchet.
 
333.okh said:
if you have any wilderness posts with people using it show them....great pics in the past on Ramanon.
Click to expand...
Axe Chop Off- Georgia
Council Tool Hudson Bay 1.75 pound head with 17” hickory handle vs. H&B Forge Large camp Axe 1.25 pound head with 20” hickory handle.
CT total weight is 2 pounds 6 ounces, while H&B has a total weight of 1 pound 14 ounces.
Somewhere in the woods in Georgia

We started by chopping some 4 inch-thick sourwood logs, which I don’t think I got any pictures of.




I did a chop off with Patrick to see the difference in how these two powerhouses would perform. I had my own ideas as to how it would go and which tool would excel at certain tasks…was I ever wrong!

Right off the bat they each have different style heads. The CT has a wedge shape while the H&B has the Trade Axe/Tomahawk style head, narrow and thin widening towards the eye.


Splitting Southern Red Oak
Of course the Council Tool was suspected to be the winner, but…




H&B Large Camp Axe

This was very impressive how it kept up with CT axe. It didn’t make too much sense to me. The CT has more a splitting shape and about .5 pounds on the head weight over the H&B. You can’t ignore results.



Making tinder

Council Tool Hudson Bay



H&B LCA

Too close to call



Lots of splitting, more than we would normally do in a real camp.



Using the poll





I used the CT on some dry, dead dogwood



Still, it seemed like the H&B went through the dogwood faster, but then again Patrick is a better axe man than I am.





Again…too close to call!





Then we split some more oak



When the chips were done flying, I sat there in the late Georgia evening letting the mosquitos feast on me while pondering how close they were despite the head shape and lighter weight of the H&B. It kept up with, and, in some cases outshined the Council Tool Hudson Bay Axe.

Both kicked butt!


PatrickKnight said:
Ruben I am wondering as a light weight wood processing tool would you go with the medium camp axe from H&B Forge or a Wetterlings/ GB Wildlife hatchet.
Click to expand...

I have used both, but I like the old traditional made in USA design of hand forged H&B.
After working with Jarrod and Mary at H&B I realized a person get some things customized. I went for a 22" handle on my large camp axe when they come with a 19" standard.

Here is the Medium Camp Axe

-RB
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top