Estwing mini axe

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yodog

Joined
May 9, 2004
Messages
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I just picked up an estwing mini axe at a local yard sale, anybody tried one of these? about 26 inches long but too light in my opinion
 
These are not axes but axe-like objects made by people who make mainly hammers. They work well as sod cutters and similar but for wood cutting the performance is low (a fraction) of an actual quality axe.

-Cliff
 
I want to get a CHristmas present for my Father-in-law. I want to get him a camp axe. He has a small Estwing that is a piece of junk. Can anyone suggest a "good" comercially available small axe? It will be 99% of the time for chopping kindling and small peices of wood for fire.

Thanks,
Gary
 
Thanks Cliff,
Are they available at a place like Home Depot or other big hardware store? Or do I need to go online to knifecenter or someplace like that?

Gary

EDIT: I just found them at knifecenter. Thank you again.
 
I think the question of light feeling may be a lack of positive head weight .
They are so sturdily made that the weight of the handle overcomes any weght forward feeling . I think it would be hard to damage the handle but once it was damaged it would be hard to fix . Unlike a wood handle which can be replaced the metal handle is integral to the eyeless head .
That having been said Estwing has a good reputation and I like the looks . I just wouldn,t lay out the extra cash they cost . You got yours at a reduced price so enjoy . Maybe the weight issue will resolve itself with practice . Let us know how it tests out ?
 
Just got two Wetterling 15" ers from Knifecenter. One will go to my father-in-law and one goes to me. THey look great so far. Thanks again for the advice.
 
Wetterling are cheaper then Gransfor Bruk which are finished better. While I like the Gransfor Bruk axes better, I wouldn't hesitate to take a Wetterling with me.
 
anyone looking for an excellent axe can't go wrong with an iltis oxhead. They make a 1 3/4lb with 24'' handle & 2 1/2lb with 28'' handle.I have the 2 1/2 & it's fantastic.Handles aren't that great sometimes unfortunately but the steel is unbelievable.
 
I'll choose to ignore Cliff's statement above. I've packed an Estwing #1 and a 3/4 axe for a number of years, and I have never found a better cutter. Sure, I needed to thin the edge, but nothing I couldn't do with a file and about twenty minutes work.
 
I have an old Eastwing (not a mini) lying around somewhere, it is a little thick, but you can take the edge down with a simple belt sander. The eastwing certainly isn't a top-of-the-line product, but it can be made serviceable. The bit seems a little soft, but for occasional use it would do just fine.

I'll jump in and echo the others; you can't be Gransfors :) ;) :).

Matt
 
LongRifle said:
I have an old Eastwing (not a mini) lying around somewhere, it is a little thick, but you can take the edge down with a simple belt sander. The eastwing certainly isn't a top-of-the-line product, but it can be made serviceable.
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The main problem isn't the head, but the balance and handle. You can't swing them like an axe, it is essentially a sharpened hammer. A two handed axe swing is very different, as is the feel of a wooden handle. The heads are also a lot to be desired as well, not just the edge, but the complete lack of the primary grind of a wood working axe. They are decent utility axes, but not wood cutters.

-Cliff
 
Absolutely nothing wrong with a Wetterling. A pal and I chopped a lot of sun dried Beech with one over 3 days fishing and the edge was still sharp. The finish leaves a lot to be desired but they do what they were made to, for little money. The GB is the Rolls Royce but on pure performance merit, the Wetterlings only a fraction behind the GB.
 
greetings, new to the forum and early thanks to all...
i have a mini ax (sounding ax from Forestry Supply) i bought to throw in the bottom of my pack. i find it too lightweight for practical use, HOWEVER...
i find it works pretty good for driving tent pegs, and best of all, my young son loves it cause it fits his hand perfect and is teaching him safe ax use when we camp. he gets to chop the kindling sticks for the fire. find a need and fill it.

dhawk
 
Have an Estwing Camp Hatchet. Good beater hatchet. Throw it in the trunk of your car or in your truck tool box. Takes a lot of abuse, you won't break the handle, and you won't mind if it gets beat up. Not an axe, but easy to tote.
 
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