Axe Reviews Part 2

Operator1975

Operator1975

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Sep 24, 2010
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So pictured below are some axes that I will be reviewing either individually or in comparison to others. I am just waiting on the Wetterlings Hudson Bay to get here to start the official process.



From top to bottom we have -

John Neeman Autine Felling Axe (beast)

3 lb True Temper Flint Edge Connecticut pattern on 30 inch handle (my daily go to all around axe)

Liam Hoffman 3 lb jersey style axe on 31 inch handle

Best Made Black Donald Hudson Bay (all around axe #2 of mine)

Estwing 26 inch campers axe brand new

Estwing 16 inch campers axe brand new

NOS Briar Edge half hatchet by True Temper

Best Made Co Hatchet

So here are some early pics of the Liam Hoffman blacksmith made axe - I have already been using it, so it is dirty.







Below you will see the poll - hardened per request and ready if needed. No pounds on it.....yet.



Next the handle - which is interesting. It has "fat" sections and "skinny" sections, which are where your hands are at most of the time - I am still not 100% sold on this, and wish it just had a regular, thin handle. This can be done, you just have to ask Liam, so no issues.







Handle end on the Hoffman -



Finally a shot of the bit - this is what I call a roof top profile - as you can see it has basic triangle or roof top shape. Bit itself was damn sharp when I got it, and despite spending a good amount of time in the ground vs roots, vines, prickers, etc - it is still sharp



Liam provided me the specs on the axe, which I cannot find in my emails(way to go). I do know it was machine hammered, as he was waiting for his press to get his axes up and going. The wait time per this was long - I was to have it in March, I got it in late June. He makes all kinds of tools, and is easy to work with. I also have a claw hammer and a 2 lb hammer from him - very nice overall.


Now on to the Autine - this thing is a modern day beast. One of the biggest felling axes I have encountered ever, new or old. It is simply big.









Bit profile on Autine -



Handle end on Autine -



Specs on the Autine as provided by them -

Felling Axe
32 inches long
5.2 lbs
cutting edge 5 inches
hardness - 59-60 HRC
handle - Elm
Hand forged by John Neeman
Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects
$370

Axes are customizable per customer request. They had this one in stock, so it took about 1.5-2 weeks to get to me from Europe. I don't remember the exact days but I didn't find it out of the ordinary.


So those are some teasers/basics for these two. I havent touched the Autine yet - I am almost afraid to. I will say it is the sharpest axe I have ever received, new or vintage. Unreal sharp. It is big - I am hoping with the sharpness and the weight, the kinetic energy behind it via swing will be a real plate popper. We will see this weekend.

The Hoffman as you can see I have been using. It has spent a fair time in the dirt. I don't use axes to not use - so I don't worry about putting them in the dirt, rocks, etc. To me that is part of using a tool. If I buy it I want to use it. I have no "action pics" of it, I will get those this weekend, but overall it has performed very well and I have no issues - besides the handle just simply isn't for me - I let Liam know and he is aware of it, and has already switched to different handle design before I talked to him.

Overall so far, I am very happy with the two axes, and can't wait to use the Autine this weekend.

The Estwings I had to get for a couple reasons -

1. I have never actually owned an Estwing hatchet. Ever. Hard to believe.
2. The Briars Edge has seen some serious work last couple weeks - vines, roots, small trees, twigs, etc etc. It has performed really well. Wanted to see how an Estwing could handle similar abuse, and perhaps to another level.
3. Wanted a tractor/truck axe - throw it around, leave it out, etc - and not have to worry about it.
4. American made gets me every time.

The BMC hatchet has seen no use yet - it needs a good sharpening first before action. The overall length, weight, balance is nice. I can see it being useful in all kinds of aspects - a few of which I will try out.

The Black Donald and Flint Edge Connie will continue to be the users and beaters, and the ones in which the others are compared to, as I can't imagine 2 other better axes for all around work.

Questions comments welcome. If weather holds will get a lot done this weekend.

Thanks!
 
Bit profile on the Autine looks perfect. I bet it really chops. The only thing I might like to see different is more weight shifted back into the poll for better balance.
 
A collection of beauties!
I suspected that I was spying a nice piece of Elm on the Autine, and lo and behold that's what the spec says. Nothing with the Autine (entire axe head, wood grain, blade profile) that I can remotely find fault with. Except maybe having to heft 5+ lb!

In side by side comparisons can you ever see how the head/haft support of HBs is wanting compared to all the others, especially the Connecticut.
 
Gorgeous collection. Do you know if the flat sides on the Autine are by design, or if it's too impractical to make a high centerline (i.e. not worth the labor involved)? I imagine it may not matter much with an axe that size...just curious.
 
Would be interesting to see the poll to edge balance on the Autine, and the centerline. It completely dwarfs that 3 pounder, makes it look like a boy's axe. I quite like the look of it, but not sure if I'd want something that long in the bit. Wonder how the double-bit compares, also like the look of those. Be nice to see how deep it cuts compared to more standard sizes.

The Hoffman is excellent looking, pretty nice synthesis of old styles and the useful poll. I don't know if that exaggerated Hudson's Bay cutout is a good idea though (but if this is a rough brush axe that's probably really useful), and would agree on the haft bulge, doesn't make a lot of sense. Impressive looking axe though, he's got skills.
 
While I look forward to an objective and unbiased reviews of these axes/hatchet, it appears that to make it truly complete, an American made Snow & Nealley Hudson Bay compared to your BMC HB would be in order.
 
Operator1975 - wonderful lineup of axes.

This last weekend I became the proud owner of a brand new Wetterlings Hudson Bay #180 axe.

I attended the Retro Outdoors 2019 gathering, and one of the features was Wetterlings finishing grinder Marcus Östlin giving a course on hafting the #180 using heads from the small remaining stock of heads held at Wetterlings.

So, not only did I get an axe I have lusted after for a long time now, but I got to hafting it under the tuition of Wetterlings very own Marcus Östlin He is a great guy talking over many of the details of the axe and the company as it is today.

When I returned home after the event, I put the axe to work. I normally work with Ash, Birch and Cyprus (green), but I went straight to a piece of seasoned Ash. The balance was perfection no shock back into the handle and a buttersmooth cut, Then I moved on to splitting some seasoned evergreen Oak (Quercus ilex) in seasoned 15" rounds - two tentative whacks for the first split, then the rest in single blows.

The head (as you all will know) is a chunky two and a half pounds and the haft shortish at 2ft, but together they make a dream of an axe. Having seen others with them, I knew I wanted one, but now I have wooded one I know it will be my Go To axe.

No buyers remorse here - just one very happy bunny.

Retro Outdoors FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/414115818778334/
 
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That's the only best made axe I've ever seen that's been put to some real use, most people who pay the crazy prices for these gussied up Council tool axes just want to show them off to hipster friends or something so good on your for that :thumbsup:
They do definitely look nice with the fancy paint jobs.
 
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