Best Way to Ship an Axe

J

John Frankl

Joined
Oct 16, 2001
Messages
1,917
Hello All,

I was just wondering what all of you have found as the best way to ship an axe. I'm talking with a 28-36" handle, etc.

I am leaning toward USPS, but I would like to hear everyone's opinions.

Also, is there a standard or typical price for shipping something 40" long and weighing 5-6 lbs.?

Thanks!
 
I always us USPS.
It's always worked well for me. I think it's a little cheaper than UPS, but I could be wrong.
 
I'd shop around.
My Father ships stuff to my Brother and Sister who live on the coasts.
He will figure out the weight of his package and shop around.

The cheapest used to be UPS, but right now it is USPS.
BTW, shipping is almost 4x what it was 8 years ago for some of the larger items I have shipped.

Also, Plan on them doing the "Ace Ventura" thing to your package.
An axe is heavy and SHARP. If it is dropped, thrown, and mishandled numerous times.... just make sure your packing/boxing is up to it.
 
Yeah exactly, make sure it's taped really good.
I generally wrap the heads with that bubble wrap stuff.
I ended up buying one of those packing tape dispensers. It makes thinks easier.
Heck, I even fully tape those little flat rate priority boxes.
A couple of my heads got 'lost' in the mail once because the box ripped open.
I got the shipping labels back and an apology... Yeah that's great, where the hell are my axe heads :(
Ever since then I tape 'em up GOOD!

Also, if you ship 'Economy' it is a little cheaper.
 
USPS is cheapest for me. I fold them inside a sheet of heavy cardboard and tape the heck out of it. I also protect the bit with a layer of blue tape (no residue) followed by a layer of duct tape.
 
USPS is the way to go.
UPS has so many added fees,charged me $ more non stackable package? $ fuel surcharge,$ rural address charge
Online quote looked cheaper,Till the fine print took it all away.
 
Just thinking of how I have shipped heavy stuff.
Like a bunch of knife blanks to the heat treatment folks, and steel to friends.
I used to mail steel from Crucible's distribution point in Arlington Texas to a buddy in Virginia.
(He quickly got tired of wearing out his belts on S30v and went back to other stuff.)

Typically I wrap everything individually, in paper or cardboard, then I build a wood box of scrap wood I have around. The wood box isn't that special. Just something tacked or screwed together out of what I have around the house. It has to be rigid enough to withstand being crushed. Also, I've used double ply cardboard and wooden sides before and tacked it all together with cheap furniture tacks before. The wood was more for a frame to tack the thick cardboard to.

Then on top I wrap all that really well in packing tape, a dispenser will pay for itself quickly, making sure that I leave a way for the person on the receiving side to get into it.
Finally wrap it all again in brown paper, or place it in the flat rate box and bubble wrap it to make it snug in the box it is actually going to the destination in.

Part of the value is the actual value of the box.
Part of the value is how hard you have worked, and the number of hours of labor, and the uniqueness of the part that you are shipping.
The first can be insured. The second cannot.
A good box can make a big difference.
 
Thanks for all the replies--they really help!

What are some average prices for shipping something like a 36" and 5 lb. axe by USPS? I am considering doing a bit on Ebay and/or here and want to know what to tell people when they ask about shipping.
 
Economy shipping is generally $15 or less for me. I think I had to spend $16 to get one up to Maine from Washington.
 
Thanks again.

What about boxes? Do you all buy special large boxes? Or do you make them out of smaller boxes and lots of tape?
 
Just use reclaimed cardboard and go to town patching it together with tape. The tighter the fit to the axe the less damage from jostling can occur.
 
Rather than a box, I just take cardboard longer than the axe and roll the axe up in it, making two flat sides. You need cardboard long enough to fold over the ends. Also I tape a folded over piece over the bit before wrapping. Part of the shipping fee is the dimensions of the box so this results in minimum dimensions yet very secure if you use good tape. I shipped two boys axes 24" together Michigan to Arizona for $22 USPS priority a couple weeks ago.
 
Here in NZ there are plenty of courier companies to choose from. I like to use the one connected to NZ post. The cost to send an axe to, or from anywhere in NZ is usually only about $8. Sending overseas is expensive though.

Most guys just tape a bit of cardboard around the head and that's about it. The axes are almost always very dull though.
If an axe has been 'done-up' of course serious protection is required.

regards...Frank
 
halfaxe said:
Rather than a box, I just take cardboard longer than the axe and roll the axe up in it, making two flat sides. You need cardboard long enough to fold over the ends. Also I tape a folded over piece over the bit before wrapping. Part of the shipping fee is the dimensions of the box so this results in minimum dimensions yet very secure if you use good tape. I shipped two boys axes 24" together Michigan to Arizona for $22 USPS priority a couple weeks ago.
Click to expand...

That's genius man, thanks for the tip!
 
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