Axes/Hatchets/Hawks - U use on a regular basis

Operator1975

Operator1975

Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
2,395
We have seen a lot of pics of "keepers", but how about some of he good ole boys on the front lines doing work?

Here are 4 of mine. The 3 standbys, and a new kid to the party, itching for some action.

This first pic is the old standby hatchet - came with the old farm house I bought - no markings - but it is a beast - one of my favs. This thing has helped me more than I could tell you. All sorts of things a hatchet should never be involved with. (Pipeman notice, no sheath....Christmas is coming)

SAM_0101.jpg


This next one is the new hatchet - just got done with last weekend - old head, has a partial mark, I think it is an old Fulton tool. Anyway they head was competley shaped wrong, and it took me 2 days of hand sharpening to fix. It is also now a clean beast, soon to be dirty.

SAM_0104.jpg


This next one is the old Flint Edge single bit, and I love this axe. It is a brawler, thats the best way I can describe it.

SAM_0105.jpg


This next pic is of an old double bit that is also a Flint Edge, and as you can see isn't gonna get asked to prom anytime soon. It is a beater, but a hell of a worker. I haven't sharpened it in about 6 months, and it still keeps on ticking. It is on a 32 inch handle, which is a little short for me, but growing on me.

SAM_0008.jpg


Well there are my workers. Lets see some more. I know I know, I am missing a hawk, I am thinking about it.......slowly......
 
The walters on the left if I want a big one;
Picture420.jpg

If I am using it as a crosscut assistant, one of these (the one in the middle is my favorite, a Mann 2 1/4. The other two have both since been rehandled)
Picture284.jpg
 
I make my own. Those ones are all sugar maple. I have used white ash and black locust as well.
 
ON the left; 2 1/4 pound "Made in W. Germany" on 28in handle. I use it for limbing and felling small fir trees. The head in the middle, on a 36 in handle, is stamped 3 1/2 above the letter M. I use it only for felling. On the right is a little hatchet I've been using to limb up some fir and redwoods

IMG_2348.jpg


Here are a couple of splitters that see a lot of action. Gransfors and Fiskars with paracord.
IMG_2357.jpg
 
Trailermaker, I think those West Germany axes were made by ATCO. Thats what I was told about mine anyway. I think the one stamped "M" might be a council, I have heard that was what they stamped in conjunction with a paper label for some time.
 
The "M" might also be a Collins, made in Mexico. CCKW and I have ones that look just like that. But chance it might not be either.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I've got several of those "Made in W. Germany" heads, and they all had remnants of blue paint. They seem to be pretty good quality, the one I've been using holds it's edge for a long time yet it's still pretty easy to sharpen.
 
I have a more or less brand new W. German 5 pounder, still all the paint on it. No idea what to do with it, weighs too much. I seldom even use 3.5 pounders these days.
 
Operator1975 said:
The "M" might also be a Collins, made in Mexico. CCKW and I have ones that look just like that. But chance it might not be either.
Click to expand...

Looks to me like the shape of the Collins. My brother in law has one that is an exact match only a pound lighter.

Matt
 
Good stuff, fellas. I wish I could say that any of my axes get "regular" use. I don't have a wood stove or anything, so I just use them for camping and such. I'm planning a wood stove for my next house, there's nothing quite like a wood stove...my gas fireplace doesn't even get used, maybe twice a year. Its inefficient and frankly, its ugly.

Trailmaker, on your splitters, how would you compare the gb and the fiskars?????

Matt
 
They're both good splitters. The GB is a 5 1/2 lb head, while the fiskars is 4 1/4. The hickory handle absorbs a lot of the shock compared to the Fiskars synthetic. My paracord wrap helps with the vibration but it makes the handle a little beefier than I'd like. That model of Fiskars (#7854) is no longer in production, it's been replaced by a totally redesigned head which is not nearly as good IMO. You should definitely get that stove because it will be an excuse to get more axes!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top