Any info on this new Browning axe?

i'm going to guess that its made in china or tawian. thats enough for me to avoid it like the plague. i'm also not a fan of plastic handles. just my 2 cents though...
edit; i miss read the descripition, it says "liquid steel injected molded handle". not sure what the heck that means?
 
Synthetic handles generally don't compare favorably with wood.
True these are generally virtually unbreakable and impervious to environment but they generally are heavier than wood and absorb very little vibrations which means they generally are very uncomfortable to use, which means you'll generally want to throw them away pretty soon.
I'd stay away from synthetic handle except maybe for maul and sledgehammer.

That and also the fact that the head is probably of shady origin and the dubious quality of Browning with all associated potential problems regarding sharpness, steel quality, heat treatment...
 
I appreciate the personal opinions of products in general, and the lesson on why wood is better than synthetic for handles, etc., but I'm really just trying to find out facts about this specific axe by anyone who has some info on it. Thanks!;)
 
Ravaillac said:
Synthetic handles generally don't compare favorably with wood.
True these are generally virtually unbreakable and impervious to environment but they generally are heavier than wood and absorb very little vibrations which means they generally are very uncomfortable to use, which means you'll generally want to throw them away pretty soon.
I'd stay away from synthetic handle except maybe for maul and sledgehammer.

That and also the fact that the head is probably of shady origin and the dubious quality of Browning with all associated potential problems regarding sharpness, steel quality, heat treatment...
Click to expand...

Ravaillac, while there can be some vibrations, respectfully, your statements are largely untrue. I have chopped cords of firewood with axes of both types, and I also review axes and hatchets on these forums, and there is no substantial difference in vibrations. In fact, my favorite hard use hatchet is my Fiskars X7 hatchet, which has a synthetic handle, even though I own a large number of traditional Swedish and American axes and hatchets. I also use a Fiskars 28" Pro Chopping axe for many of my camping trips, and it is a wonderful chopper and comfortable to use. I do love my wood handled axes, most especially my Wetterlings 19.5" Bushcraft axe, but the synthetic handled axes have a come a long way and work great as hard users.

Cheers, CW
 
Outdoorsman-Axe-MID-322231-l.jpg


I'm just getting into axes, so my opinion probably isn't worth much.

The shape looks nice, but there are almost no specs on this thing. Doesn't mention steel type, weight, dimensions, etc. Another thing that bothers me from the picture is that the poll looks too small and thus wouldn't have good side-to-side balance.
 
bearhunter said:
i'm going to guess that its made in china or tawian. thats enough for me to avoid it like the plague. i'm also not a fan of plastic handles. just my 2 cents though...
edit; i miss read the descripition, it says "liquid steel injected molded handle". not sure what the heck that means?
Click to expand...
My go to chopper is made in taiwan. It's actually my favorite blade.
 
I have one just got it a couple days ago from knife outlet for 39.99
I think the design is cool looking and thought I would give it a try until the council hb is mainstream.
When I get home I will try to post a photo of the marketing card with the specs.
I only had it for about a week so first impression is good.

Steel is 1055 tool steel and it takes a nice edge, steel is hard.
The head geometry is knife like and thin with some binding while chopping. It tap splits very well. All my testing has been done on oak.
The Fiskar handle is superior to this one. On the browning you get vibrations but I'm getting used to them.

I'll post some more photos in a few days.
Overall the Axe Doesn't Suck!
 
J.Davey said:
I've been trying to find some more specific info about this axe, but can't find much information (steel type, etc.). I really like the looks of it. What do you all think?

http://www.browning.com/products/ca..._id=322&type_id=231&value=076G&cattype=322231
Click to expand...
Here's the specs as promised.
p370202835-4.jpg


p572355184-5.jpg


p630333144-5.jpg



The metal has a slick finish on it which is wearing off at contact points. Should help prevent rust where it stays.
I like the shape design and specs of the handle it is a slim or slender type. Easily nicked up though.
I have not put over a thousand swings or any full power chops on it yet, but eventually will and let you know.
Mine weighs in at 2lbs 6 oz without nylon sheath.
Hard to compare to any other axe since the shape,design is different. The eye is oval, I'm not sure if you could use a wooden handle if you break the polymer one.
It is a fun axe does normal camp stuff fine. Having a little trouble getting shaving sharp steel seems hard. Haven't stropped though only used arkansas stones. Hope this helps!
 
Ravaillac said:
Well, that's my experience.
I've used fiskars and other brands, and they had some awful kickback. Now that was like 3-4 years ago, although new one seem to be very similar maybe they improved this since then I don't know.
Click to expand...

That's also been my experience. I have four different Fiskars splitters and they seem to transfer vibration more than my wood handled splitters, particularly when you get "rejected" and the splitter bounces back. I guess there is less of a difference when splitting easy straight grained wood but I feel a difference in the Live Oak that I split here on the West Coast.
 
TEFL0N_D0N_81 said:
The drawing of the top profile shows that the cheeks are very fat. Is this a good or bad thing?
Click to expand...

3/4 inch thick just forward of the eye then tapering to the edge. I wouldn't call that fat and yes it's a good thing on this axe.
There is more metal forward of the eye before the taper to the cutting edge when compared to axes of traditional design.
The packaging, drawing,and photographs don't properly show the overall feel of this axe. It is a slim axe when compared to other wooden or polymer handled axes I own near this size.
The axe and handle combination is balanced well and has good swing balance both vertically and horizontally. The handle
takes some getting used to. I think it needs to be stiffer because there is to much dimensional flex. I am wondering if the handle material was chosen for game cleaning aspects, making it easier to wipe off and sterilize when compared to wood.

After a little more use mostly kindling splitting of already quartered pieces of logs I am starting to like it and upgrading my assessment to Not Bad.
While splitting some small pieces I got stuck and couldn't get any bite or split on a piece. So I switched to my next size up axe and it also had a hard time and got stuck and didn't bite but eventually split it. So that made me not blame the axe.
One thing I want to mention is if your looking for a heavy duty slobberknocker brute of an axe this isn't it. This one is more light tackle gear.
It has a spot in my lineup and when kayaking this one will go especially in saltwater.

In the $40.00 new category the only other comp I can think of is the mighty Estwing camper axe, which I like for different reasons. We shall see if it passes the test of time, I know my Collins Old Timer has;)
 
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J.Davey said:
Thanks for all the info, Cattledog; it's much appreciated!:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Your quite welcome J.
The edge finally gave in to my black Arkansas stone, which makes it almost scary sharp.
This thing is like a knife on a stick.

It's close to green river but needs to age a little more.
 
I saw this at Sportsman's Warehouse and was suprised that the bit was so thin (in a good way). What's most interesting is that axes and hatchets are popping up everywhere. Coghlan's even sells a "hand axe" now.
 
Hey Davey, i got one from Cabela's fro $55. you have all the specs. It kinda has a Viking feel to the head. Looks good up close.
 
wademc said:
Hey Davey, i got one from Cabela's fro $55. you have all the specs. It kinda has a Viking feel to the head. Looks good up close.
Click to expand...

Wademc, not to down your purchase in any way, but the fact that they charge $55 for a Taiwan made composite handled axe is just immoral. Fiskars sells axes like this that are made with Finnish labor for considerably cheaper. I'm sure the Finns are being paid more than the Taiwanese too:)
 
Colorado, i hear you. I ground off the "Taiwan" on the head. Already have a Fiskars, and a Gransfors, and a Japanese , and Russian, and a Husqvarna,and a Roselli, and three Reeves'.............etc.......
I dig em all !

Zeke
 
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