- Joined
- Sep 24, 2010
- Messages
- 2,395
So here is a start at a review, seeing the weather will not allow me to go outside as of yet. Seeing there is a lot to this axe, I will break it down into sections, and review each one :
1. Packing and arrival : At first glance when the package arrived, it is above the norm for axes. As you can see on the website, it comes in a wooden box, with wooden wool all around the axe, and then is also protected with paper around the handle where painted, and then also tied with string. The attention to detail is definetley there. The handle is secured in the box by two wooden ribs, as seen in the pic, which help to hold the axe in place. The cover of the wooden box also has a paper label with the name of the person who purchased it, the date, then specific axe, and the BMC axe disclaimer.
Section 1 review - Impressive. I have bought one or two axes in my time. This is over the top. We will discuss more about this later, as seeing it is already known this isn't for everyone, and rightfully so.
2. Unpacking - The axe itself is truly an american felling axe. Somehow I was thinking it would be smaller, though fully aware of dimensions when purchased. This axe is a brute, size wise. The head comes with sheath on it and ready, full dayton pattern. The handle is painted as requested by the buyer, and I requested the Black Donald pattern. Handle, where painted, is wrapped in paper and string, to save it from the ribs in the box as I can see. Also with unpacking is the paperwork and patches that come with the axe. Paperwork is primarily about the care and upkeep of the axe. One is the registration card, one is the CARE/CCGF card, and the other is the guarantee/documentation card. This seems interesting, seeing that if you wish, to remove the paper label on the axe head, and apply it to the card, for record keeping. Each axe is also given its own axe number, also for documentation/record keeping.
Section 2 review - Again pretty impressive overall. Lots of insight, specifics, info, etc. More than I am used to as a collector of older american axes, so this is new to me. The guarntee is for the life of the tool. I do not believe any other axe maker gives a guarantee that long, though I may very well be mistaken. One must fill out the card and send it back in, which is very painless.
It is stated that that "our policy does not cover axes that have been abused, misued, altered, or simply word out from use". I dont find this hard to agree with.
3. Unpacking/Handling and review - This is were it starts to get interesting. So the first thing I do of course is get to the painted handle, which is all the rage so far from what I have seen on there forums. So, first off, it is very well done, from a painting aspect. Crisp, clear lines, no smudges, etc. Next, to my own surprise, the painted handle is not slippery at all. Actually, if you grab the handle high, up near the axe head, and run your hands down, your hands will gladly run down the haft, until they hit the painted area, then grab tight. This was much to my surprise. I thought the paint would be an issue of handling, but does not seem to be so (disclaimer - not field tested yet). Next, was the handle itself, has great grain structure and proper thickness. Not too thick, not too thin for head size. The handle is smooth and the imprints fresh and very well done. The linseed that is said to be coated to me leaves some to be desired. Of course I am constantly putting linseed on my handles, and I am sure this handle has only had one to 2 coatings. The sheath is solid, constructed well, and fits great. It does need oiled, which I am sure they are leaving up to the buyer.
For the next 3, I will examine the axe head itself. What I look for in an axe head, Look, Physical, Test. Will examine this next. This will be done on monday. Lets get some discussion going on this, as I am sure that there will be.
1. Packing and arrival : At first glance when the package arrived, it is above the norm for axes. As you can see on the website, it comes in a wooden box, with wooden wool all around the axe, and then is also protected with paper around the handle where painted, and then also tied with string. The attention to detail is definetley there. The handle is secured in the box by two wooden ribs, as seen in the pic, which help to hold the axe in place. The cover of the wooden box also has a paper label with the name of the person who purchased it, the date, then specific axe, and the BMC axe disclaimer.
Section 1 review - Impressive. I have bought one or two axes in my time. This is over the top. We will discuss more about this later, as seeing it is already known this isn't for everyone, and rightfully so.
2. Unpacking - The axe itself is truly an american felling axe. Somehow I was thinking it would be smaller, though fully aware of dimensions when purchased. This axe is a brute, size wise. The head comes with sheath on it and ready, full dayton pattern. The handle is painted as requested by the buyer, and I requested the Black Donald pattern. Handle, where painted, is wrapped in paper and string, to save it from the ribs in the box as I can see. Also with unpacking is the paperwork and patches that come with the axe. Paperwork is primarily about the care and upkeep of the axe. One is the registration card, one is the CARE/CCGF card, and the other is the guarantee/documentation card. This seems interesting, seeing that if you wish, to remove the paper label on the axe head, and apply it to the card, for record keeping. Each axe is also given its own axe number, also for documentation/record keeping.
Section 2 review - Again pretty impressive overall. Lots of insight, specifics, info, etc. More than I am used to as a collector of older american axes, so this is new to me. The guarntee is for the life of the tool. I do not believe any other axe maker gives a guarantee that long, though I may very well be mistaken. One must fill out the card and send it back in, which is very painless.
It is stated that that "our policy does not cover axes that have been abused, misued, altered, or simply word out from use". I dont find this hard to agree with.
3. Unpacking/Handling and review - This is were it starts to get interesting. So the first thing I do of course is get to the painted handle, which is all the rage so far from what I have seen on there forums. So, first off, it is very well done, from a painting aspect. Crisp, clear lines, no smudges, etc. Next, to my own surprise, the painted handle is not slippery at all. Actually, if you grab the handle high, up near the axe head, and run your hands down, your hands will gladly run down the haft, until they hit the painted area, then grab tight. This was much to my surprise. I thought the paint would be an issue of handling, but does not seem to be so (disclaimer - not field tested yet). Next, was the handle itself, has great grain structure and proper thickness. Not too thick, not too thin for head size. The handle is smooth and the imprints fresh and very well done. The linseed that is said to be coated to me leaves some to be desired. Of course I am constantly putting linseed on my handles, and I am sure this handle has only had one to 2 coatings. The sheath is solid, constructed well, and fits great. It does need oiled, which I am sure they are leaving up to the buyer.
For the next 3, I will examine the axe head itself. What I look for in an axe head, Look, Physical, Test. Will examine this next. This will be done on monday. Lets get some discussion going on this, as I am sure that there will be.
now, lets see that baby eat some wood...
