Condor Axes

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ljcsov

Joined
Mar 2, 2012
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Any word on the condor axes as of recently?

I heard they were releasing a few new models for this year. In addition, the greenland axe appears to be a great pattern for a camp or backwoods axe. It's pretty nice that they come with a quality leather sheath.

I like the price but I am torn between this one an a Fiskars X7 or a Gerber Sport Axe II.
 
ljcsov said:
Any word on the condor axes as of recently?

I heard they were releasing a few new models for this year. In addition, the greenland axe appears to be a great pattern for a camp or backwoods axe. It's pretty nice that they come with a quality leather sheath.

I like the price but I am torn between this one an a Fiskars X7 or a Gerber Sport Axe II.
Click to expand...

They're 90% of the way to being a total home run, due to quality control issues that are getting sorted out. When you get a good one it's FANTASTIC. Grain alignment has been spot on in the majority of examples, and the recent heads are very nicely formed now. The biggest issues have been the edge covers fitting a little odd or the head being hafted at a cant. Unfortunately the latter issue makes the axe awkward to use. This has been brought to their attention and I know they're fixing it now.

I've got a couple "Grade B" Greenland models that came in that I just haven't had the chance to put up on the site. They both have horizontal grain (an odd flaw for them, though as short as they are they ought to hold up pretty well) and one has a edge cover that's a little tight getting it on and off. They're hafted straight and have good heads though.

Long story short they've got some problems they're fixing and you'd want to have someone hand pick them for you in their present state. But once they fix the problems they'll be an unstoppable force.:thumbup:
 
Good thing to know.

I recently bought a Condor Bushlore and must say that I am extremely impressed with its quality. Even so, others have stated that they received products of sub-par quality. I suppose I lucked out on this one. I think I'd still take a gamble on one of these. Hopefully I can sell these older axes I have and can make a move for one of these.

Anything on the scout axe? It seems compact and light but I fear that it is so tiny that it will not be very effective.
 
It's a lovely little pocket hatchet and it's very capable for its size. I got one of the revamped "chopping" versions in recently as opposed to the original "splitting" version and it seems like it would handle chopping and whittling tasks quite nicely.

Condor's one major failing is simply their quality control, which is understandable to me for a variety of valid reasons. Their warranty and customer service is phenomenal, but I like to inspect them anyways so customers are less likely to have to bother with taking advantage of it! The further benefit is I'm able to notice trends in production and report them to Condor can fix anything going wrong.
 
Any close ups of the new scout hatchet (2012) Benjamin? How does it split/chop/whittle etc? thanks.
 
No pics on hand at the moment but I can try to snap some later. It can still split in a pinch and chops/whittles much better. :)
 
I'm definitely going to keep an eye on these Condor axes. I think they make a great product overall.

However, for my hiking use, I feel that my best bet is a Fiskars/Gerber model giving me the perfect weight to power ratio.
 
Probably! Those things are airweight powerhouses. Higher end axes may be higher performance, but it's hard to beat the Gerber/Fiskars for performance per ounce.
 
Im not a fan of the Gerber axes, they feel cheap and the plastic that holds in the bit protrudes further than the angle of the steel.
 
My husqvarna hatchet weighs 1 lb 5 ounces. I'd be curious on the weights of the fiskars

looks like the fiskars 8 inch model: Head weight: .86 lbs., Total weight: 1.06 lbs.
Fiskars 14 inch model Head weight: 1.28 lbs., Total weight: 1.65 lbs.

Benjamin if you could take some pics of the profile of the bit I'd appreciate it! Would like to see how it compares to my 35 dollar husqvarna.
 
I have been considering a Condor axe, but I like to re-haft my own now ever since my grandpa gave me two Plums recently (Pics soon). Do you guys know anyone who just has heads?

42, I may shoot you an e-mail after I get back from the farm next week; may I ask your opinion on a Greenland Pattern for being a forest axe?
 
Scottman said:
My husqvarna hatchet weighs 1 lb 5 ounces. I'd be curious on the weights of the fiskars

looks like the fiskars 8 inch model: Head weight: .86 lbs., Total weight: 1.06 lbs.
Fiskars 14 inch model Head weight: 1.28 lbs., Total weight: 1.65 lbs.

Benjamin if you could take some pics of the profile of the bit I'd appreciate it! Would like to see how it compares to my 35 dollar husqvarna.
Click to expand...

I'll snap some pics probably this evening.

DeadFall27 said:
I have been considering a Condor axe, but I like to re-haft my own now ever since my grandpa gave me two Plums recently (Pics soon). Do you guys know anyone who just has heads?

42, I may shoot you an e-mail after I get back from the farm next week; may I ask your opinion on a Greenland Pattern for being a forest axe?
Click to expand...

A Greenland would make a great forest axe if hafted longer. If you're interested in one of the "Grade B" ones just drop me a line--they're at steep discount and I can saw the handle off it so it ships inexpensively via flat rate. Nothing wrong with the heads. :D
 
Picked up the Fiskars X7! From the looks of it, I believe that it will be a great lightweight chopper for me on the trail. As for the sheath, I am not too pleased and wish they included a basic nylon sheath to hold the axe head. I made a simple sheath myself out of nylon webbing but I don't know how it'll hold up.
 
Ok--pardon the crappy webcam pics. Bad lighting and all that but it gets the point across.

Photo on 2012-04-10 at 20.33.jpgPhoto on 2012-04-10 at 20.34.jpgPhoto on 2012-04-10 at 20.34 #2.jpgPhoto on 2012-04-10 at 20.34 #3.jpg
 
I agree with you FortyTwoBlades. The Condors are generally very good with quality control issues showing up a little too often. My nephew uses a Greenland pattern for his float trip axe and absolutely loves it. I find all their products offer a lot of quality for the price.
 
interesting, thanks Benjamin. It looks like it doesn't balloon out as much as the husqvarna I have.
 
I bought the Woodworker's axe from Baryonyx. I bought it as a "b-grade" item as it was hafted slightly crooked. Benjamin cut off the handle and shipped it to me for a smokin price. There's nothing wrong with the head, in fact, it looks great. Unfortunately, I haven't hung it yet. When I do, I'll take it to task and let you all know my very novice opinion of it, FWIW.
 
The head on that Woodworker was just very satisfying to hold after it was cut off the haft. Just like a big beach stone or something. The curves on it were just right, as was the surface finish. Can't wait to see it re-hafted! :)
 
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