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- Jun 17, 2010
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That winkler looks amazing but $500 is considerably more than I was looking to spend. I'm in the $150-$200 range
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ax question
- Thread starter SpartanSaint
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2008
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- 2,986
You can get a dang nice axe in the $100-$200 range
Gransfors or a custom can be had for that much.Easily.Just my $0.02:
Don't buy an Estwing or similar axe.
They are heavy- For the same weight, you can carry a much larger, wood handled, axe.
Frankly, they are ugly and don't have much class.
Honestly, if you want the best axe on the market, you should get a Gransfors Bruks.
I would suggest going with one of them for the following reasons:
-Beautiful fit and finish. You will not have to do anything to the axe to make it perform
flawlessly. Now, what I mean by this is, you will not have to reprofile the bit, or edge
of the axe, to make it chop like no other.
Unlike the axe in that picture, which has been reprofiled. The reason? The angle of the
axe's grind was too steep, making the edge thicker. Why is this bad? Well, it will not
bite into wood as well, more suited for splitting. So, it makes for a poor performing axe.
Now, normally this would be fine if you knew a little more about axes, but you don't.
You want to buy an axe that you don't have to do anything to. Like a Gransfors Bruks.
Another, still decent, but cheaper alternative is an axe made by Wetterlings or Husquavarna.
Both companies make great axes, but the finish, again, is not on par with Gransfors Bruks.
Again, fine if you want to get the most for your dollar, but why do that if you want
the best and have the cash for the best?
You have other options, custom makers and refurbishing vintage axes, but
I feel you would be happiest with a Gransfors Bruks.
I would suggest going with one of their Small Forest Axes. 19in. handle.
I would not go any smaller, the extra length of the handle allows you to
do some fairly significant chopping and splitting.
In my opinion, a SFA makes for the perfect camp axe.
Just remembered you mentioned the Wetterlings they "polish up".
Not bad, but you are really just paying extra for the fact they
reprofiled the bit and polished the head up.
(Not worth it!)
Also, Gransfors Bruks bought Wetterlings. If that means anything.
By the way, Lee Reeves makes several small axes in your price range.
I have one of his Nessmuk style double-bits. Great little axe.
Don't buy an Estwing or similar axe.
They are heavy- For the same weight, you can carry a much larger, wood handled, axe.
Frankly, they are ugly and don't have much class.
Honestly, if you want the best axe on the market, you should get a Gransfors Bruks.
I would suggest going with one of them for the following reasons:
-Beautiful fit and finish. You will not have to do anything to the axe to make it perform
flawlessly. Now, what I mean by this is, you will not have to reprofile the bit, or edge
of the axe, to make it chop like no other.
Unlike the axe in that picture, which has been reprofiled. The reason? The angle of the
axe's grind was too steep, making the edge thicker. Why is this bad? Well, it will not
bite into wood as well, more suited for splitting. So, it makes for a poor performing axe.
Now, normally this would be fine if you knew a little more about axes, but you don't.
You want to buy an axe that you don't have to do anything to. Like a Gransfors Bruks.
Another, still decent, but cheaper alternative is an axe made by Wetterlings or Husquavarna.
Both companies make great axes, but the finish, again, is not on par with Gransfors Bruks.
Again, fine if you want to get the most for your dollar, but why do that if you want
the best and have the cash for the best?
You have other options, custom makers and refurbishing vintage axes, but
I feel you would be happiest with a Gransfors Bruks.
I would suggest going with one of their Small Forest Axes. 19in. handle.
I would not go any smaller, the extra length of the handle allows you to
do some fairly significant chopping and splitting.
In my opinion, a SFA makes for the perfect camp axe.
Just remembered you mentioned the Wetterlings they "polish up".
Not bad, but you are really just paying extra for the fact they
reprofiled the bit and polished the head up.
(Not worth it!)
Also, Gransfors Bruks bought Wetterlings. If that means anything.
By the way, Lee Reeves makes several small axes in your price range.
I have one of his Nessmuk style double-bits. Great little axe.
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2010
- Messages
- 970
Wouldn't a splitting ax be exactly what I'm looking for in a small camp ax? I mean its not like I'm gonna walk up to a Doug fir and start hacking ha ha
I'll look into the grandfors. The name's been mentioned enough to pique my interest.
Bummer though, I was hoping these brk camp set ups would receive raving reviews from you guys and I'd be able to have a matching set of top notch gear ha.
I'll look into the grandfors. The name's been mentioned enough to pique my interest.
Bummer though, I was hoping these brk camp set ups would receive raving reviews from you guys and I'd be able to have a matching set of top notch gear ha.
Hell, get what you want. Our opinions don't mean much.
You know what I mean?
To answer your question:
A thinner bit axe WILL split, just like a thick bit will still chop.
However, a thin bit can do both better than a thick bit can.
I hope that makes since.
I find I do more chopping than splitting
with a hatchet around a campsite. You can always use wedges
in conjunction with a hatchet while splitting wood.
You can also use a baton.
Honestly, the thick bit on a small hatchet will not
really effect its splitting abilities.
Pretty much the same as a thinner bit.
However, the thick bit will effect how it chops.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2010
- Messages
- 970
Well I ask for your opinion as you guys know better what makes a quality ax
And thank you, that makes a lot of sense. I like that reground glen eagle, I wonder if the boys at bark river will grind that for me
And thank you, that makes a lot of sense. I like that reground glen eagle, I wonder if the boys at bark river will grind that for me
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2010
- Messages
- 2,395
How about a good ole 2 or 3 lb plumb single bit, or better yet, an old Kelly Axe? These are hard to be beat, priced right, all over the place (esp Plumb) and will do more work than you and 10 amish guys in a lifetime. Why pay for a Gransfors or Fiskars, etc, when the old school less expensive will do what you want, when you want, all day long? 2 to 3 lb should do it, you have enough weight to tackle medium size jobs, and not too small so you can't get yourself out of a bind.
Just one guys opinion.
Just one guys opinion.