Collins, Cold Steel, Stihl?

[Blackcloud]

Are the newer Collins axes worth a darn? I see many collect old ones? I was wondering about those and the Cold Steel Trail Boss. The local Ace had a Stihl Forest axe. Not sure I liked the balance but if it has good steel in it could be a handy camp axe. Opinions anyone?

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

Are the newer Collins axes worth a darn? I see many collect old ones? I was wondering about those and the Cold Steel Trail Boss. The local Ace had a Stihl Forest axe. Not sure I liked the balance but if it has good steel in it could be a handy camp axe. Opinions anyone?

That Stihl axe felt like I was holding baseball bat upside down.
Vintage is best choice; Cost-wise and quality-wise.
If you have to buy new try to support American business.
I am pretty sure 42blades will send you Boy's axe with good quality haft.
http://www.baryonyxknife.com/nsearc...hsubmit=Search&vwcatalog=yhst-129988217023674

 

[HolyRoller]

I wouldn't waste money on a modern Collins. The name is dead. It was bought by Truper of Mexico, so they're just rebranded Truper axes. Better than nothing, I suppose, but trash.

The Stihl forestry axe is... Blah. The handle is a club. Their forestry hatchet is a bit chunky in the handle, but a decent value. I like the blade profile, works pretty well.

Cold Steel, I can't comment on. I've heard good things about the Trail Boss. I've had quite a few of their products and have never been let down.

 

[Square_peg]

I wouldn't buy the Collins, the C.S. or the Stihl. If you want new than buy Council.

 

[BitingSarcasm]

I have a Trail Boss. It works okay, but it's a bit shorter and lighter than I like and consequently doesn't really hit as hard. But the price was good and it had a decent edge right out of the box, so I have been happy. It wouldn't be my first choice for heavy work, but it's been fine for taking down small trees and limbing.

 

[muleman77]

The Stihl is good quality. I would not care for it as an only axe.

Modern collins.......junk

Never had or used a Trailboss

I'd look at Council over all these as well.

 

[Miller '72]

What they said.
Sorry i dont have much experience using any of your options, however I have held and put a file to some of the newer collins. What they said...soft, will not retain a sharp edge for long.
As mentioned i also recommend...
Vintage North American axe or Council Tool axe.

Good luck

 

[FLINT77]

what everyone else said.

I think if I had to choose one of the ones you mentioned, it would be the reverse order from your list. Stihl first, then cold steel, then collins, in fact, I wouldn't accept a new collins probably - you could pay me to take it to the recycle center maybe. I believe Stihl axes are made by ox head or whatever the german version of that name is now, and should not be terrible - though it does look like the handle weighs more than the head which would be very bad, maybe if you could slim the handle to half the diameter it might be handy. I looked up that cold steel axe and it mostly looks like an axe, so it might not be bad.

as others have recommended, look into Council tools axes, there is one hardware store in my area that carries them - but that's mostly because the owner is a really cool guy that's into axes himself.

 

[Yankee Josh]

I can vouch for the cold steel trail boss. While I would recommend a vintage axe over this anyday it's still not a bad little axe. I bought one around 4 years ago when I started collecting. I can't do a whole review but I can share a few thoughts and some photos.
On the plus side it's made with 1055 carbon steel. Which isn't too bad. It took and held a keen edge through falling two good size paper birch, a bunch of limbing and bucking as well. The hickory is good quality with minimal runout.
On the negative side the bit is fairly thin. I've seen worse though. It does stick until you adjust your technique some. And my biggest issue is the fitment to the haft. They just drove it on and filled the gaps with epoxy. That being said it hasn't come loose. Yet. There is plenty of tongue left to rehang once it does. They used 2 round steel wedges on top. Here's a few pics.

Told ya the hang was horrible... Here's the wedges and a few of the bit;

Hope you found some of this info useful. You already had great guidance I just thought I'd share my experience with the CS TB. Good luck!

 

[Blackcloud]

Thanks for the insights. Especially to avoid the Collins. Doing my other research I think I am going with the Stihl. 1060 steel. I can reshape the handle if I so desire. It felt a bit bulky at the store but didn't turn me off. I think it will be just what is needed for tending campfires along with my old Estwing hatchet. Council tool have good reviews as well but I really doubt it is worth twice the money delivered to my door. Plus I can hand pick the Stihl at the store.