Experience with Iltis Oxhead?

I've heard very good things about them.

From what I've heard, they are just below GB in quality.

The 28" Universal Forest Axe like you're looking at is a very popular specimen.

598-1402-lg.jpg
 
I have two,but mine are different than the one you are looking at.
http://i744.photobucket.com/albums/xx90/camokodiak/axes/IMG_0265.jpg
http://i744.photobucket.com/albums/xx90/camokodiak/axes/narrowoxhead2.jpg
One is wide flare,one is narrow.The steel in these is excellent.I've used mine in temps down below the -40's with no problems.
You'll likely need to sharpen it as it probably won't come ready to go like I've heard GB's are,but to me it's not a problem.
I had a Wetterlings 26'' forest axe that I was 100% happy with but sold because I just didn't use it that much.The oxheads I found to be every bit as good as the Wetterlings with regards to the steel.
The is one problem though with the oxheads.Most I've looked at had lousy handles.Poor grain & handle/head misalignment was common.
It would really be worthwhile to hand pick one if possible.Again,this is directed at the ones like I have,which are commonly available in Canada,so I really can't speak about the ones you're looking at.
 
GB and Oxhead are really not in the same league.

Oxhead is production, among the best production I've seen.
GB is something like half production, half custom.

The good thing about production is that quality is consistent (there are serious variations in the GB I've seen) and the steel is good/ very good.

The bad thing is a lot less attention to details: expect a rough finish grinding and handles are largely random.

That said head should be pretty good, so if you can handpick your handle and put some work on the head, they'll be just fine.
 
I agree, I have an oxhead felling ax, and love it, but it needed some edge work and the handle is unfinished, that's not a big deal to me though as in my mind wood ax handles are a replaceable part. I think that you will be happy with the quality of the head, and plan on replacing the handle at some point.
 
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