Recommendation? Boys/forest/limbing axe suggestions?

[FortyTwoBlades]

Honestly for limbing work specifically you'll have a hard time doing better than an Italian "Trento" pattern axe. Nice broad knife-like bit that just sails through limbs and saplings like nobody's business.

 

[garry3]

Where do you shop?

Ebay seems like the only real venue for these but I’m not sure that I’ll be able to tell how much a head has been sharpened (eg how much hardened steel is left in the bit) via just pics…

There are usually some no name boys axes on the bay with the eye ridges, sometimes in red. I would pick one of those over any of the modern offerings. I seen one yesterday, a buy it now for less than $30 if I remember right. Lightly used, head only.

 

[9.3x62]

I’ve got a Hults Bruk Kisa and a Gransfors Scandinavian Forest. I cant say anyting bad about either one

 

[scdub]

Thanks everyone for the ideas!

I ended up splurging and going with the Council Velvicut in 5160 (never actually bought an axe before so I figured that was a good excuse ) and I believe I got a nice example.

The handle is very straight and the hang looks good as well. There is some splitting around the metal wedge which I don’t like but my understanding is that it likely won’t cause any problems. The handle was also quite thin and the blade was apexed and had fairly thin convex geometry (although not “sharp”) so I put it to use the day after I received it. I also visited my local Ace Hardware and got some nylon strapping and some plastic hardware including a cam buckle to make a nice carry rig.

I’ll put a proper edge on and post a review soon after some more work, but here are some pics for now.

Overall I’m very pleased and I expect this will be my most-used axe.

 

[scdub]

I used shock-cord on a slide-buckle for the handle keeper:

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Oh and coban (self-adhesive bandage) worked great as a temporary over strike guard while I get used to the new handle length…

 

[FLINT77]

Very Nice!!! Excellent choice! The more I see and learn about council axes, the more they appeal to me !

 

[trevitrace]

Also, if you’re up for it, a 28” rehaft on a flying fox works a charm.

Curious what the 28" one is. Been trying to find a source for decent replacement hafts and like the looks of that one.

 

[Miller '72]

Curious what the 28" one is. Been trying to find a source for decent replacement hafts and like the looks of that one.

FortyTwoBlades here may sell replacement handles, please check him out.

Always be prepared to shape and thin any off the rack haft...hardware store or online boutique buy.

If you dont mind spending more, there are a few carving for others, found online in social media sites and axe groups.

You will see great hand carved handles here on the forum from time to time, possibly the best handles i have ever seen anywhere have been carved by;
Q quinton & C cityofthesouth

 

[EngrSorenson]

Curious what the 28" one is. Been trying to find a source for decent replacement hafts and like the looks of that one.

I got that one from the House Handle company as a boys axe haft. I usually select the hand picked option for a bit more, but generally get good hafts.

It looks even more swoopy than normal because I had to knock down the tongue to fit in the smaller (yet oversized) hatchet eye. The material has to come off the front of the haft to make that work out.

 

[scdub]

Did some thinning today - wow does it ever chop now!!

 

[MolokaiRider]

This Helko has been amazing.


For something smaller, the Condor Greenland axe always brings a smile to my face. It lives in my truck and is pressed into duty often.