Axe Manufacturer

[Operator1975]

So which axe manufacturer we gonna talk about next?

 

[SkogKniv]

Well if you want I will throw out Helko from Germany.

This is their US dealer: http://www.helkonorthamerica.com/

Spoke to the owner personally when I ordered my medium classic axe. Very nice guy.

Some pics of it, and first impressions. No review though, as it hasn't seen use yet. Perhaps this winter.

Helko Classic Axe, 3.5lbs, 31" handle

First an over shot,

Lets get a little closer,

The eye is set with a large plastic wedge, which seems to be in very tight, finished off with a round metal wedge. Seems the head isn't going anywhere. There is a small gap at the back of the eye, but it does not travel all the way down in the eye. The wedge meets at both ends of the eye, very tightly. So I see no problem.

The sheath is a rubberized vinyl, with Velcro. Not exactly exciting haha. However it goes on nice and snug so it will work for now.

The edge is over all sharp, however not up to my standards. It also has a slight flat plain on its profile. Nothing my lanskey puck wont fix in short order,

The alignment is in the good category, not great. Nothing bad enough for me to send back for a replacement.

The pole is nice and slightly beveled, certainly the finish on this head is beyond mention. Very well done.

As you can see here the layers of varnish build up. This will take some time sanding back to proper. Certainly the biggest downside to the axe.

Grain isn't perfect, but pretty good,

Profile is nice, and while still convexed it is VERY slight.

Some more porn shots and also some comparison shots with a GB AFA,

 

[SkogKniv]

After I did some work to it,

I went the scraper route on the varnish finish. As you can see it was thick. Sandpaper alone wasn't going to get er done.

After a nice scraping, a few passes over with 100 grit to take away the micro slivers.

Then to the oil.

 

[Steve Tall]

Lots of nice photos. If this is going to be a Helko thread, I would like to see one of these reviewed (below). Anyone have one?

...
Yankee Tasmania Sport Training Axe, 4#, 32", $94 list

...

 

[M3mphis]

Lots of nice photos. If this is going to be a Helko thread, I would like to see one of these reviewed (below). Anyone have one?

That's sweet looking. Never used a racing axe. I'd like to, though.

If not Helko, what about Plumb? If not Plumb for November, I'd definitely like to get it in sometime!

Matt

 

[bearhunter]

i know this may sound silly, but how about old sears and robuck axes/hatchets.?
who made them, did they have different manufacturers, etc...
i have two; an old DB that my father-in-law gave me and a newer hatchet.

 

[Operator1975]

i know this may sound silly, but how about old sears and robuck axes/hatchets.?
who made them, did they have different manufacturers, etc...
i have two; an old DB that my father-in-law gave me and a newer hatchet.

Long history with Sears. Fulton line. Dunlap line. Then of course Craftsman. Cool side note is, if you get one of those old time Craftsman axes or hatchets, and bust it, they will still replace it. For some reason I have 4 Craftsman daytons, and I need to unload 3 of em. Good axes overall. Ill see what info I have around.

 

[Operator1975]

Skog -

That beast looks real nice.

It looks well made, though I am unsure or perhaps not 100% sold on the wedge. You say it doesn't seem to bother you, which is re-assuring, though I wonder what your thoughts on how you think it will do once you get to action? Think it might be an issue at all? How would you think that wedge style (plastic) compares to what I see you do, which is the old school wood wedge, no metal wedge? What are your thoughts on the round metal wedges? Just wondering.

Seems like a real nice piece.

Thanks for the info and pics.

 

[SkogKniv]

Skog -

That beast looks real nice.

It looks well made, though I am unsure or perhaps not 100% sold on the wedge. You say it doesn't seem to bother you, which is re-assuring, though I wonder what your thoughts on how you think it will do once you get to action? Think it might be an issue at all? How would you think that wedge style (plastic) compares to what I see you do, which is the old school wood wedge, no metal wedge? What are your thoughts on the round metal wedges? Just wondering.

Seems like a real nice piece.

Thanks for the info and pics.

If you look close they must have used a ton or two ton press on that plastic wedge. So tight it separated grain. Then they drove a oversized round wedge. Seems like it isn't going anywhere. I imagine it will not come close or migrate at all. Wont know for sure until it sees actual hard use.

I like being traditional with wood wedge and no steel wedge, and that's because I like the old fashioned look. I figure if you get your wood wedge in correctly and nice and tight, not much more a steel wedge is going to do for you. Round wedge perhaps seems more logical as it gives you an even press all around.

Of course I make no claim of expertise of any kind in my opinion hahaha

What's your take on it?

 

[bearhunter]

skog, thanks for those pics, the axe looks very nice. i've seen those before, but man... that plastic wedge...why in the world would a company put a plastic wedge in such a nice axe?
i just don't get it. with that round wedge in there, i believe it would be almost impossible to take the handle off to get that plastic wedge out and replace it with a nice wooden one.
i mean the axe is honestly beautiful, except for the wedge...

 

[Operator1975]

If you look close they must have used a ton or two ton press on that plastic wedge. So tight it separated grain. Then they drove a oversized round wedge. Seems like it isn't going anywhere. I imagine it will not come close or migrate at all. Wont know for sure until it sees actual hard use.

I like being traditional with wood wedge and no steel wedge, and that's because I like the old fashioned look. I figure if you get your wood wedge in correctly and nice and tight, not much more a steel wedge is going to do for you. Round wedge perhaps seems more logical as it gives you an even press all around.

Of course I make no claim of expertise of any kind in my opinion hahaha

What's your take on it?

I am with you, and have stated before on here, that, like you said, if you do it right with the wooden wedge, you probably shouldn't need a metal wedge. That being said, I am no expert at hanging an axe, and sometimes have had to use a metal wedge. So I guess it is what it is. The plastic wedge seems a little alien to me. Though when I checked out the website, it talked about the handle process, and much like you said, I would also doubt it is going anywhere. I guess if I was going to use it on a regular basis and the plastic wedge meant I didnt have to worry about the handle, then so be it. I figure perhaps it makes the process a little more automated and streamlined, as far as overall manufacturering? Thats why they went that route?

 

[SkogKniv]

I am with you, and have stated before on here, that, like you said, if you do it right with the wooden wedge, you probably shouldn't need a metal wedge. That being said, I am no expert at hanging an axe, and sometimes have had to use a metal wedge. So I guess it is what it is. The plastic wedge seems a little alien to me. Though when I checked out the website, it talked about the handle process, and much like you said, I would also doubt it is going anywhere. I guess if I was going to use it on a regular basis and the plastic wedge meant I didnt have to worry about the handle, then so be it. I figure perhaps it makes the process a little more automated and streamlined, as far as overall manufacturering? Thats why they went that route?

Like you said I think it was a manufacturing decision. The strong plastic wedge left little room for error on broken wedges, and allowed a very strong bond. No warranty claims down the road for loose heads I suppose.

There is also that bit about the German manufacturing standards. Perhaps a metal wedge pressed by a two ton or something was the only way to meet them. Who knows.

 

[Operator1975]

Like you said I think it was a manufacturing decision. The strong plastic wedge left little room for error on broken wedges, and allowed a very strong bond. No warranty claims down the road for loose heads I suppose.

There is also that bit about the German manufacturing standards. Perhaps a metal wedge pressed by a two ton or something was the only way to meet them. Who knows.

Yeah I thought about that to, and that makes sense. You know how the Germans roll. Lets say you did have to remove the head. You somehow busted up the handle and had to replace. How much of a job are you looking at there do you think with the plastic wedge? Could you still drill it out pretty easy enough, or maybe have some serious time on your hands with the whole operation?

 

[SkogKniv]

Yeah I thought about that to, and that makes sense. You know how the Germans roll. Lets say you did have to remove the head. You somehow busted up the handle and had to replace. How much of a job are you looking at there do you think with the plastic wedge? Could you still drill it out pretty easy enough, or maybe have some serious time on your hands with the whole operation?

Nothing a good drill couldn't handle I don't think, and maybe a screw driver and hammer lol.

 

[Operator1975]

Nothing a good drill couldn't handle I don't think, and maybe a screw driver and hammer lol.

Good to know.

What made you go to them for a purchase? Anything specific? Or just trying out a new avenue?

 

[SkogKniv]

Good to know.

What made you go to them for a purchase? Anything specific? Or just trying out a new avenue?

New venue. Someone on here somewhere mentioned the name. I never heard of them before. So I hit the internet. There line up looked great.