Axe?

Dizwolf said:
The word "cheapest" and "bruks". Ends with "get a wetterlings" ;)

I've got a 19 inch wetterlings and I love it. It was about $55. The bruks are nicer, but you've got to find out if axes work for you before sinking that kind of money into one.

One thing I'm shocked hasn't come up, machetes are light, cheap, pack much easier, and work well anywhere. I recommend the condor Viking and el Salvador models.

Good luck picking, and Take time to enjoy the air
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For reference purposes, here's one of the latest pics I have of my Viking. :D

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I rarely ever find need for an axe, and when I do it's because I'm doing a lot of dedicated felling or splitting. Honestly, most of the time when you're camping or just woodsbumming, you really don't need to do much of either of those things and if you have to split something then you can baton the machete. I've personally batoned a Chinese-made Cold Steel machete through an entire maple log that was taller than I was. It was just fine afterward. I've batoned my Condors plenty of times even in cold conditions and they performed swimmingly. :)
 
I have a couple of Estwings, a couple of Gransfors Bruks, and a small Wetterling. I use the Wetterling a lot to split kindling. We heat our rural home about 90% with wood, so the Wettering has seen a lot of use. It's a fine hatchet, takes and holds a very good edge. Sheath is trashy, but so are the ones for the GBs. I also own and use a Victor Tool Woodsman Pal, a WWII issue version. Also a good tool in the woods.
 
listen to the guys and get a wetterlings, best forged axe around for the cash.
you were looking at the gb small forest which is 26 in, wetterlings makes the same size, they also make a small limbing axe for Husquavarna the same as the gb small forest.
 
I have a GB small forest axe and a Wetterlings 19in they are pretty much the same thing, except GB has better fit and finish. Although, I do use the Wetterlings more often since its cheaper and I feel I can beat on it more. I live in the Northern Midwest so an axe is one of my best tool options in the woods IMO, if I lived down south I would prefer a machete.
 
Gransfors Bruks buy once cry once. Best $ I've spent on a axe. I have 8 at this time my Gransfors Bruks felling axe is a joy to use. Sharpened to a fine edge can be used as a BIG knife.
 
No one is knocking bruks. I'd agree if you know you want an axe, it's not a bad idea. But with somoeone with almost no woods time, I'd recommend trying out several styles of tool and see which one works for you. I'd get a full size wood handled felling axe from sears, a cheap machete from a hardware store, a twenty inch bowsaw from either, and a kabar knife. You can get all that for around $100. After one or two trips, you'll know how to properly sharpen all, and exactly what you're needing in terms of upgrades or better gear.
 
Dr Heelhook said:
I love it that you guys like swedish axes. :)
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I've just started really looking into well made axes. So far they seem to be the best avail. Snow and Nealley look nice, but haven't tried them yet. There are probably a few custom makers I've missed. But it looks like bruks and wetterlings have the best production models. And really, I don't think I need to look much further.
 
I personally like to travel as light as possible. I'll keep my custom double edge in the truck all of the time but for camping where a hike is involved, my 22" Ontario 'chete (with the modded scales) beats an axe for weight, chopping and splitting.

My second choice is usually my CS shovel. The edge has been convex ground for use as a light camp axe.

If you don't mind walking with the weight, a good GB or Wetts will do ya.
 
Thanks everyone! I have a little bit of expendable income right now and i want to make sure I get something nice while I can afford it, things i'll hopefully end up using in my lifetime. I have a few excursions that i'm starting to plan for when it gets a little warmer.

From a camping perspective, i just spent a week camping down in florida and as i was batoning my firewood with my rc-6, i figured theres gotta be a quicker way to process those bigger logs into smaller pieces. Hence my desire to try out an axe. However all the hardware stores around here only really have smaller hatchets. Theres the blank axe handles, but no larger axes. Go figure.

The Wetterlings look great for the price and I think i'm going to order the 19 inch Bushcraft model from Bensbackwoods, (along with a couple moras to play with). The price point isn't too high and it seems to have gotten really even reviews. Plus it'd be fun to work on convexing with. Thanks for the heads up on that.

As far as the machete goes, I've already budgeted for the lite machete. You know, the ESEE bug strikes again…

Thanks again everyone.
 
I got my Collins Hudson Bay pattern axe at Bailey's online. (they also sell the same axe w/a snow & neally sticker on the side for better than twice the $$)
 
my 19. took it camping recently and was very pleased. I did roll the edge pretty bad, but I was dumb and hit ice. It sharpened out easy enough.

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Recon1 I agree a machete is lighter but I find it hard to believe it is a better chopper or splitter than a axe? Please tell us more. Could you do a side by side chop/split off between the two? I will even ship my axe to you if you don't have a good axe. I would love to get a machete that out performs my Gransfors Bruks felling axe. I wouldn't want to try to clear brush or vines with an axe that is what machetes are for. I do want my axe back though :). Nice looking Wetterlings there Dizwolf! I think I'll get one of the small axe from them.
 
for clearing brush and vines around the property I use a ditch bank tool. sort of like a billhook on a 45" handle. Gives me the reach I need to clear the bottom branches off Honey Locust without becoming a pincusion.
 
I used a couple condors on hardwoods and was impressed with the preformance. For under six inches I'd say it's easy for the machetes. Over that I'd want an axe. The machetes, the Viking esp sinks nice and deep, making nice big chips. It's also much more forgiving with the huge cutting edge
 
Dizwolf said:
where do you guys go axe shopping online?
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Check out Ben's Backwoods for some Wetterlings. I read somewhere if you contact them they will hand pick a Wetterlings for you out of their supply.

I really can't decide between 13", 15" and 19" Wetterlings.

I never even cosidered the axe vs machete debate until I came here. I still don't own a machete or any axe other than lightweight pack hatchets. Going to have to just buck up and "get both".
 
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