Axes & Hatchets 101??

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
Messages
4,827
Hey guys I'm new to this survival forum. I've been away from Bladeforums for a while and I see that it has improved immensely. I just mailed my money for my Gold Membership today and look forward to getting back in full swing again.

I hope this subject hasn't been beat to death already but I've recently been doing some studying and reading on axes and hatchets. After watching "Survivorman" on the Discovery Channel a few times it seemed like there was always one tool that Les Stroud wouldn't do without and that was a good, dependable ax and/or hatchet.

I have some older axes that my dad left me when he passed on and they both appear to be good quality. One is a double bit and the other a single bit. I have rehung new handles in both of them with good new O.P. Link Hickory handles. I also have a stainless steel Sears CRaftsman hatchet with a solid handle/tang that I bought from Sears back in the 80s and it has been a GOD-Send on hunting trips.

I've heard that Granfors Bruks are great tools and I was hoping to compare notes and learn what all edged striking tools you all are using for survival gear. JD
 
i put this list together for someone in the tomahawk/hatchet forum asking for a good beginners axe...

-$ is no object, ready to work out of the box:
gransfors bruks (check out leevalley.com for the whole lineup)
-less $, willing to do some grinding/sharpening:
wetterlings (check out bensbackwoods.com) (sometimes needs a sharpening + oil the handle)
snow and nealley (check out snowandnealley.com for a list of local distributors) (needs some grinding to cut well, but good axes)
fiskars (check out sears, ace, walmart, etc) (comes with rudimentary sheath, i suggest making your own)
-less $, even more work:
iltis oxhead (check out bensbackwoods.com for heads in 2 different sizes)-supply handle and sheath

i use a wetterlings 19" hunters axe the most. i also sometimes use my 14" fiskars and my 30" snow and nealley. i also have a large modern collins for a beater and a few other misc hatchets and axes floating around that don't see much use.

gransfors are great tools, based on my limited experience. when counting chopping strokes and effort to get through a limb or piece of wood though, i put my wetterlings against the same sized GB and they were the same. they felt totally different, mostly because of the slightly different head shape and different handle shape, but effectively they will both work well.

someday when i have the $$ i will probably pick up a GB, but i have been totally happy with the Wetterlings, which is about half the price or better, depending on where you shop.

here are individual reviews, if you are interested:
Snow and Nealley
Wetterlings and Fiskars
 
You may also want to check the axe/hawk forum. There's almost always a GB thread or two going over there.

DancesWithKnives

[I have a bunch and like them a lot.]
 
JD Spydo said:
I have rehung new handles in both of them with good new O.P. Link Hickory handles.
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What was your source of the O.P. Link handles and how did you find the quality?

I received a Ox Head axe head from bensbackwoods for Christmas and I am now looking for a quality handle for it.
 
I need more axes like I need a hole in the head, but I have been looking at the Gransfors Bruks and Wetterlings. I currently have an Estwing no 5 campers axe, and a campers hatchet.

The Estwing no 5 works great, but if you want an old timey feel, with a heavier head, I would go for the Grans and the Wett axes. Saw some Collins 3 lb axes at the local True Value, but wanted to go with something lighter for camping.
 
bigox said:
What was your source of the O.P. Link handles and how did you find the quality?

I received a Ox Head axe head from bensbackwoods for Christmas and I am now looking for a quality handle for it.
Click to expand...


I bought both of the O.P. Link Hickory handles at a local hardware & farm store here locally where I live known as Feldmans. I don't know whether or not they do mail order but their phone number is 816-229-2221. I've been doing business with them for years and they do carry a lot of quality items like Carhartt clothing, Redwing boots, STihl chainsaws & power equipment.

I suggest you get a copy of a book that you can get free from the US Forest Service. It is called "An Ax To Grind" and it's done by an expert in the field name Bernie Weisgerber. It shows you how to select a great handle and what to look for when buying one. Like I said they sent me the book and video absolutely free. I hear that they don't have any more VHS videos but they still send it out in DVD form. But that book "An Ax To Grind" is the most thorough information book on axes I've ever seen.

I had an old farmer that I hunt on tell me that he has used O.P. Link hickory handles for many years on a lot of his tools. You might do an internet search and find a better source. But that video sure shows you the right way to install them. The people at the US Forest Service were very accomodating. He did say in the video that you want a handle that is sapwood rather than heartwood. That really surprised me because I thought it would be the other way around. But the 2 handles I installed are working great. Let me know if you need any more information. :)
 
Thank you for the info JD. I have a "E" copy of "An Ax To Grind" and should get a copy of the DVD. I saw his recommendation of OP Link handle but I have not been able to find any local. All that I have found are True Temper handles that are horrible. Often the grain is up to 180 degrees out of wack and/or they have heart wood in them.
 
bigox said:
Thank you for the info JD. I have a "E" copy of "An Ax To Grind" and should get a copy of the DVD. I saw his recommendation of OP Link handle but I have not been able to find any local. All that I have found are True Temper handles that are horrible. Often the grain is up to 180 degrees out of wack and/or they have heart wood in them.
Click to expand...

When you view that video/DVD pay partcular attention to the part where he shows how to select a good grade of handle. It's not something you want to mail order because you truly want to see what the grain pattern is on the butt end of the handle. The grain pattern according to Mr. Weisgerber will determine whether or not the handle will last for years or just a few jobs.

Also I hung both of my older axes with "fawns foot" handles and they sure give me a great grip when swinging. The "fawns foot" handles are bent on the end and give you a much more secure grip when swinging. I bet you can contact O.P. Link company and they would be able to locate a dealer near you. Also I can't stress enough that when you do your final stage of hanging the handle to use that "Swell Lock" wood treatment which swells the part of the handle which will swell that part inside the eye of the ax head and will secure your fit very well. You'll see all of this on the video when you watch it.

I can't begin to tell you all just how great an ax feels when you install the head properly. It makes all the difference in the world. I've used axes brand new right off the hardware store shelf that didnt work as well as one that is hung properly. Hey good luck "bigox" :) Keep us posted and let us know how it works out for you. JD
 
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