Axe comparison and some skills work.....(pic heavy)

j williams

j williams

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
11,135
Axes.....:cool:

A great tool, some, including myself would say was a necisity. I recently bought a 19in Wetterlings Bushcraft axe, and a friend sent me the GB Wildlife to play with. I already had a Fiskars(Gerber) hatchet, so I really wanted to get out with all three and use em. Im no expert with an axe, but I thought it would be cool to share my experiances with em.

What better way then to load em up and hit the bush to build a lean to. Shelter craft is more interesting to do then chop firewood. So I packed up the Snugpak, and filled the canteen, and was off.

I went out to the river valley and hiked up to the top of a steep hill. All hardwoods....Cedar, Hickory, Oak, Elm, Sycamore....

At the top of the hill I found a small grassy area with some cedar stands around it. I decided this looked like a good place to stop....

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I then dropped my pack and unloaded the axes.

Here they be, along with my BRKT rampless Gunny....

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Some specs:

GB Wildlife
13.5" OVERALL 5 1/4" INCH AXE HEAD 3" CUTTING EDGE, HICKORY HANDLE AND LEATHER SHEATH.

Wetterlings Bushcraft
19" OVERALL, 1.5LB HEAD, HICKORY HANDLE

Fiskars Hatchet
13.875" OVERALL, 24 OZ WEIGHT, POLY HANDLE, FORGED STEEL HEAD

First up I used the Wetterlings to procure a ridge pole for my lean to. Fell it with ease. I love the ability to use 2 hands and got a very nice bite with each chop. For safety with an axe this length and using 2 hands, I kneeled down on my knees while chopping. Also had glasses and a hat on. I really like this axe. Limbed my ridgepole almost effortlessly.

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A neat way to hang an axe I learned from IAwoodsman...

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more to come....hang in there.
 
Next I used the GB, and Fiskars to cut the framework for the "roof". They bothe worked well, but the GB was amazing. It handles like a bigger axe, and has a very nice weight and ballance to it. I really liked it for limbing. It chopped well too. The Fiskars is a great axe too. It is lightweight and bites good. Probably due to the reprofiling and sharpening job I gave it. It was dull as crap when I got it. Still though, if your on a budget, they are a great tool to look into.

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coming together...
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Ok, I added some more to it, then I stopped on the leanto. The basic structure was standing, just needed to add some bulk to finish out the roof. I was running short on time and wanted to do a few more things so I moved on.....

More to come!!
 
Next I wanted to make a chair. For this I used the Wetterlings. I found my 3 suitable pieces and chopped em down to what I wanted. Then a bit of paracord, and a piece of ripstop silnylon later, I had my chair. In retrospect, I shouldve cut the tripod legs longer. Ah well, ya learn....

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Nice axes!!
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For my intended uses, I think the 19in Wett is a great axe. I loved using it. The GB is a fine tool, and I can see myself getting one like it someday. The Fiskars is a great buy, and works well with a bit of love to fiskars edge. However the differance in work is where the GB shines. Less chops then the fiskars, and more comfy to use.

I then moved on to some firecraft with my Gunny.

Did a split wood fire with it. The Gunny is a badass blade. It fits my hand perfect, and is a great size for what I want in a bushcraft blade. Paired with an Axe and a SAK or equivelent, its a wonderfull trio.

Oh no!!!!!!!! Batoning!!!!!!!!!!
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Propper prep makes firecraft smooth.

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All in all it was a good day. Im gonna head up and finish up my leanto and spend a night in it soon. I did take it down, but the pieces are all stashed up there waitin for me.

Hope you dug the pics.

Cheers
 
Good pics and great work Bro! You're gonna have to get the GB Small Forrest axe though... ;)
 
Thanks Tony....:thumbup:

Yeah, actually Im looking at the GB American Felling axe, or the Scandinavian Forrest axe. :D

Axes are awesome.

I really wished I had more time up there today. I saw a ton of cool plants, and wanted to look around more. If I didnt have to be on duty in the AM, I wouldve stayed.
 
that was a really good review and got to agree on the chair comment. Very cool!
 
great stuff Jake... looks like some nice woods time..:thumbup:
i love the GB wldlife hatchet.. it's one of our most used tools around here.. i wouldn't mind checking out that Wetterlings, it looks just like the GB small forest axe, which is bad a$$ and is still on my list of toys..:)
 
Thanks guys I had a good time. I really wanted to stay and do some figure 4s for Johns thread, and finish the lean to, but time flys when youre in the woods.
 
Thanks for sharing your work J.
you don't think there could be that much difference in axes, but when you use them, you can really tell the difference.

Isn't cedar a soft wood?
 
thanks :)

curious what the weights are on the Wetterlings and GB if you have them

I own a Fiskars and have also re-profiled the edge, for a small axe (hatchet?) it does pretty darn well, if I knew I was going to be doing a lot of chopping I'd probably go bigger, but for constructing small shelters, laying in a little firewood and other misc jobs it's just the right size for me- the price is right too :D
 
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