best axe?

T

thejiltedsun

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Jan 12, 2013
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hey guys, i'm looking to pick up an axe or two and this seems like the group to ask.

obviously first and foremost, i need to qualify what i mean by "best". in this case, i'm looking for maximum functionality, highest quality, and lowest priced. basically, i'm trying to get the most bang for my buck. i'd like an axe that's light enough to carry regularly, but heavy enough to tackle some of the tougher jobs, i.e. splitting or chopping. throwing seems like it would be really fun, and it seems foolish to have an axe you can't also use as a hammer. if the situation ever arose, i'd like to be able to use it in a fight, but since that's a last resort situation i think pretty much any sharp piece of metal would do lol.

based on some preliminary research, i think a "camp tomahawk" style axe is probably my best choice as far as style goes -although i'd love to hear other peoples thoughts on that too- so the question is, who makes the best ones? unfortunately there is a definite limit to what i can practically afford to pay, but i'd love to hear about some Bob Kramer type axe makers.

at the moment, i'm thinking the fort turner camp or trapper tomahawk. the gransfors bruks hunters axe looks pretty awesome, but it's probably not a great thrower though right?

so yeah, what do you guys think?
 
I don't know that there's an axe that's gonna meet your needs if we include the throwing and fighting elements. Leave those out and there are a few good options. First on my list would be some variety of boy's axe. If you want new, then the Council Tool would be a good choice. It can chop as well as you can, it'll split the odd piece of wood here and there for campfires and what-not, it's inexpensive, and it's made from top-notch materials and by a respected company.

If you value "fighting" and throwing above all else, then get yourself a tomahawk. Any one of a million models would work well, but none of them are suitable for real chopping and splitting (in my opinion).

If you want a hammer, well then get a hammer. The only full-sized axe on the market at the moment that comes to mind with a hardened poll (essential if you're going to whack on stuff harder than the occasional tent stake) is the "Bavarian felling axe" from Garrett Wade (made by Aberl Garmisch). Smaller axes with a hardened poll include the Wetterlings or GB carpenter's axes (good luck splitting and doing much chopping with those) and the Wetterlings "fine forester's axe", a lighter-headed-longer-handled carpenter's axe.

If you are willing to forego some portability and the ability to hammer, then a double bit is what you want. I'd suggest a cruiser, preferably in the way of a vintage American axe. I really like the classic Norlund for throwing (throws with the best of them). It's a good chopper, it could serve in a pinch for splitting some campfire wood, and I guess it's small enough that you could "fight" with it. Hell, you can fight with a tree branch or a rake if you need to, or a handful of dirt and some rocks, or .......well, you get the picture. I think the "tactical" qualities of some general tools are overrated. A pencil or ball-point pen makes a better weapon than most axes.

Anyways, no, I personally don't think any one axe covers all your bases well. You're going to have to compromise at some point, on some point.


YMMV.


Cheers!



-ben
 
There are some great all-around axes, but that means they're not optimized for any one thing. A chopper isn't the same at all as a splitting axe or a maul. Something more portable / lightweight is not up for heavier stuff, etc. Same for hawks, with the added bonus of having a weapon in your hand rather than a "tool of last resort" when Officer Friendly takes your statement.

So decide what you really want to do with the axe, and make sure you choice does that best. If you want to throw but may occasionally split some kindling or hammer a tent stake, get a hawk. On the other hand if you're going to process a bunch of wood, get a more traditional axe and go for a longer handle than on a typical hawk.

As an aside: it makes me cringe to think of someone throwing a high quality tool like a Gransfors/Wetterling, etc. against a tree. Murphy's law says it is the surest way to find every rock in the area, edge first. :-)

Fort Turner stuff is really good, and they are made for throwing. If you really do plan to throw much, you could do a lot worse. I'd love to get one of their Norse hawks.

I think you have a good option (maybe the best under $100) picked out already. A Gransfors-Bruks would cost significantly more. S.A. Wetterling is now the same company as Gransfors and their stuff is a bit cheaper. I prefer the handles on the small Gransfors axes though.

Here are some other things to look at.


Swamp Rat Kill Devil Sniper Hawk

TOPS Knives HAKET

Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe

Wetterling Hunter's Axe (get the large and cut the handle down)

Council Tool Hudson Bay axe, 1.75 lb head and a relatively short handle.

Cold Steel hawks -- maybe the Frontiersman or whichever has the hammer pole.


Good luck, and post up with whatever you choose.

Cheers,

Aaron
 
thejiltedsun said:
.... but heavy enough to tackle some of the tougher jobs, i.e. splitting or chopping. throwing seems like it would be really fun,
Click to expand...

You really don't want to be throwing anything that's heavy enough to do some splitting and chopping. Sounds like you need both a 'hawk and an axe.

As for hammering, you can hammer tent stakes and wooden wedges with any poll axe. Also, many working hatchets (not camp hatchets) have hardened polls that you can use to strike steel.
 
I would prowl the fixed blade exchange forum here, some nice axes and hawks show up regularly.
 
About all I can think of to fit most of your criteria is a an estwing short camp axe.
AO_campers_axe.jpg
 
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