Axe Reviews - Incoming

Operator1975

Operator1975

Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
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I have 3 axes/hatchets incoming in which I will be performing reviews on. They are -

Wetterlings Hudson Bay

Liam Hoffman custom axe(have already)

BMC hatchet

John Neeman Autine Felling Axe



I will be looking and doing a variety of things this upcoming weekend with a couple of them, and then of course posting on here.

If anyone has anything they would like to see done in particular, let me know, and I will try and abide by the request, but no promises.

Basically review will be similar to what is usually posted, but I will also add in a few extras, such as chopping roots, bit wear, ease of resharpening, among some other things I know I would like to see in a review. Specs of course will be posted, and any other info I can dig up.

Please let me know if you want to see or read about anything else.


Thanks!!!!!!
 
Sounds great.

It seems like you'd be testing two qualities -- geometry and bit durability.

Geometry would be specific to the task (splitting, felling, limbing, etc.), but the bit hardness/durability characteristics would be interesting. I've never had a problem with chipping on my bits, but I use my axes mostly for processing clean wood. I don't chop roots with an axe, mostly because I use a grub axe for that task. I could see where a nice, hard, edge-holding bit would be great for clean wood, but a liability for chopping roots, where you're likely to hit a rock.

It seems as though bit wear and ease of sharpening would have an inverse relationship.

Can't wait to see how you set up the tests.

[Added] One thing you might want to think about is cold-weather performance, if you get anything like that in S.C. I was looking at the Council Velvicut 2lb Hudson Bay Axe, but I noticed some reviews on Amazon where the 5160 steel bits deformed and chipped (yes, both) severely in cold weather. [h=1][/h]
 
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I would be interested to know how the Autine cuts in different wood, how well its geometry cuts vs. chips, and how tough it is relative to hardness.

What are the details on the custom axe?
 
Chignecto Woodsman said:
.... how well its geometry cuts vs. chips,
Click to expand...

Particularly interested in this. I'd like to see good deep cuts made in both green and dry woods to see how it compares to a classic American felling axe with a high centerline. Does is stick like a flat-cheeked Euro axe or release like a North American axe.
 
You're a brave man for volunteering to chop roots with top quality new axes with carefully honed blades. Long ago I developed a belief that a nicely sharpened axe should always be kept well away from dirty work. Just like you wouldn't use a fine carving chisel for chipping away ceramic tile grout. That's what beaters and Pulaskis are for. Takes a lot of elbow grease to get past a stone chip, whereas with a beater you merely get out your angle grinder and 'repoint' the edge!
 
If I own it I use it. I have used axes on a lot of things, and that's ok. I'm not afraid of elbow grease, and my 1/2 hour of woods time has taught me to use what I got at the time.
 
I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the Hudson bay as well. I already ordered one too after finding a good price online. Hudson Bay axes are my main axe collecting interest anyway. I noticed on the Wetterlings site under initiatives they say the axe should be warmed up if used in extremely cold weather.
 
The autine is in. It is a beast. Biggest head I have seen in a while.

The BMC hatchet is also in. Interesting indeed. Quite the specimen.
 
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Wetterlings comparing it to the BMC hudson bay. I've been looking for a hudson bay pattern head for a while and can't find one locally.
 
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