axe comparison question

j williams

j williams

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
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I have really taken a shine to packing a hatchet in the bush. I have a fiskars that has served me well this season, but I want something a little more high speed.

I have settled on Wetterlings. Ive handled a few, and Im not springin for a GB. Just dont see the justification in price differance. Thats not what this thread is about however....Even if they were hand forged by Mors himself out of some super new fangled ghey super steel, Im still goin Wetterlings. ;)

So Im looking at either the 19in "Bushcraft" Axe, or the 26in Forest axe. My question is, what is gained from the forest? Im not gonna be building a log cabin with it, just smaller tree felling, and limbing for sheltercraft and fire wood. Is there a big differance in performance?
 
I just got my 19" from SMKW and couldn't be happier with it. It offers just enough length to use two handed but is still light and short enough for one hand.

IMHO the larger axe's size and weight would be more of a hindrance to packing for any advantage in use for normal backpacking trips.
 
I used a 19in last weekend, and really liked the way it handled.....

Packing it in is definatly a concern. Not a huge one, as im not goin smaller then the 19, but Im thinking if I pack a 19, is the 26 really all that much more to pack? Or is it even worth it for what im gonna do....

Dont tell me the price on here, but did you get that super smokin deal SMKW had on yours? They were sold out when I went in for the kill...lol
 
j williams said:
Dont tell me the price on here, but did you get that super smokin deal SMKW had on yours? They were sold out when I went in for the kill...lol
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Yes, I got mine the day before they sold out. I was really impressed with the quality as I was half expecting a factory second at that price.
 
Howdy J-

if you send me your address I'll ship you my 19" wetterlings and my gb wildlife hatchet. I think you owe it to yourself to try both. I wish there wasn't, but in the hatchet sized stuff there is a difference btn gb and wet, the wildlife is the best chopper in that size class bar none. I do really like the 19" wet though.

Anyway, drop me a note and I'll get you some steel...
 
I have the Fiskars hatchet and I'm not trading it for anything. It's the only piece of my kit apart from my stove that's close to perfection IMHO. Honed it to shaving sharp about 5 seasons ago and it's required very little in the way of touch ups since. I almost wept when I got home after my last trip out with the boys and noticed the top corner was folded over. Someone must have hit a rock with it! First time I let others use it and that's the last time too. Tyros, all of 'em!
 
The 19" size is all you need for your stated purpose. The 26" would be called for if you were building a cabin and splitting a winters worth of firewood.

You would do well however to review the axecraft section in Mors Kochanski's Northern Bushcraft. He covers some very important safety info concerning the use of smaller axes.
 
The 19" Wetterlings would be the same size as the GB Small Forest Axe (which I have).

The 26" axe will definitely be better at felling and might feel a bit safer too.

The 19" makes me worry that I might stick it in my knee! But kneeling down when chopping overcomes this.

Also, when choked up on the axe head, the handle protrudes just beyond the elbow which makes it very comfortable for carving.

You've probably seen this video before, although it's GB axes he's talking about you might find what he has to say interesting.

He shows the Wildlife, Small Forest and Scandinavian Forest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tUUctg6dfk
 
quietmike said:
Yes, I got mine the day before they sold out. I was really impressed with the quality as I was half expecting a factory second at that price.
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Aw you dog.....That was almost unbelievable. Congrats. :thumbup:

SpookyPistolero said:
Howdy J-

if you send me your address I'll ship you my 19" wetterlings and my gb wildlife hatchet. I think you owe it to yourself to try both. I wish there wasn't, but in the hatchet sized stuff there is a difference btn gb and wet, the wildlife is the best chopper in that size class bar none. I do really like the 19" wet though.

Anyway, drop me a note and I'll get you some steel...
Click to expand...

Shot ya a PM Will.....:)

HeavyHanded said:
I have the Fiskars hatchet and I'm not trading it for anything. It's the only piece of my kit apart from my stove that's close to perfection IMHO. Honed it to shaving sharp about 5 seasons ago and it's required very little in the way of touch ups since. I almost wept when I got home after my last trip out with the boys and noticed the top corner was folded over. Someone must have hit a rock with it! First time I let others use it and that's the last time too. Tyros, all of 'em!
Click to expand...

I agree with you, the Fiskars(mines a Gerber, but same thing) is a great hatchet for what it is. Mine serves well, but I want something a bit bigger. The fiskars will still get plenty of time though. Im rotating it to my trunk.

wildmike said:
The 19" size is all you need for your stated purpose. The 26" would be called for if you were building a cabin and splitting a winters worth of firewood.

You would do well however to review the axecraft section in Mors Kochanski's Northern Bushcraft. He covers some very important safety info concerning the use of smaller axes.
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Im with ya. Thats what im thinking too. :thumbup:

Thats funny, I just read the axecraft section again at work yesterday. Its a great read on basic axemenship....:thumbup:
 
Yorkshire Boy said:
The 19" Wetterlings would be the same size as the GB Small Forest Axe (which I have).

The 26" axe will definitely be better at felling and might feel a bit safer too.

The 19" makes me worry that I might stick it in my knee! But kneeling down when chopping overcomes this.

Also, when choked up on the axe head, the handle protrudes just beyond the elbow which makes it very comfortable for carving.

You've probably seen this video before, although it's GB axes he's talking about you might find what he has to say interesting.

He shows the Wildlife, Small Forest and Scandinavian Forest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tUUctg6dfk
Click to expand...


Thats a good point on the choking up/carving. :thumbup:

For the record guys and gals, I dont have anything against the GBs. Ive handled a mini, and it was very nice. They have a great reputation, and im sure are very good tools. The Wetterlings no doubt will require a bit of edge work on my end when I get it, and Ive heard the GBs come sharp enough to shave a gnats ass....:)
 
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Smaller is GB Wildlife hatchet,and bigger is Husquarna(actually it is Wetterlings Forest axe)
usually i take GB with me,it is lighter,faster and just right balance for me,since I'm not building cabins,nothing more is needed.
but nothing is wrong with Husquarna-Weterlings,great tool and value for money.
 
man I love watchin Ray Mears....He makes everything look so effortless. Great video. I got to a side to side comparison, and some good axe info on the model Im wanting. (well same sized models)

Thanks YB!
 
J. I think the 19" would be great because if you were going lite weight, the length at 19" would not be much, if any longer than your pack. The axe that is 25+/- inches would be sticking out and have a better chance of getting hung up in brush or branches.

I think you will be happy with a Wetterlings.

I have a GB and a Wetterlings in the wildlife model and am just as happy with the Wett.

Pat
 
Have you looked at the Husqvarna 26" axe. I just picked one up at the local dealer for well under the Wetterling price. Worth a look IMHO
 
Thanks Skab.....you da man. :thumbup:

From what I gather, the Husqs are the same as Wetterlings?
 
omniviking said:
J. I think the 19" would be great because if you were going lite weight, the length at 19" would not be much, if any longer than your pack. The axe that is 25+/- inches would be sticking out and have a better chance of getting hung up in brush or branches.

I think you will be happy with a Wetterlings.

I have a GB and a Wetterlings in the wildlife model and am just as happy with the Wett.

Pat
Click to expand...

Thats a good point.

Thanks Pat.
 
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