Favorite axe?

S

SDD

Joined
Feb 19, 2009
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I am looking at buying an axe as the one I had is broken. I had a no name axe which worked pretty well. I don't want to buy a spend more than $60 on an axe as I and others will give it some hard use. However I don't want to buy a crappy axe that has horrible steel and will let me down with hard use. Can you guys help? Im looking for an axe that is about 36".

The only axe that I have seen that I could find good info about was Gransfors Bruks American Felling Axe. But I don't want to spend that kind of money.

Thanks
SDD
 
I just bought a Wetterlings 20" Bushcrafters axe. I haven't had a chance to use it yet but I'm pretty stoked to take it on my next trip. It wasn't too expensive, about $70. I've heard only great things about it, so I sold some knives and took the plunge! :)
 
Wetterlings are also good but still more than you'd like to spend. Some people like the Gerber/Fiskars axes and some don't. Fiberglass handles are a turn off for some. I think the longest handle they come in is 28" though which is pretty standard. They run about $35.

Since you said you don't want to spend over $60 you get in to 2 categories: cheaper $30 "break it and buy another" axes or $100+ better axes. Expecially when you're talking about getting up in to the 36" range.
 
I would suggest Estwing ....solid contruction ,I have a small one w/leather stack handle I've had for 25years and still going strong ,hatchet looks ugly ,now my son uses it from time to time & needs a new leather sheath
 
I thought the gerber axes looked good till I saw Nutnfancy use one and it chipped pretty badly after some light cutting.
 
I guess the first question is what are you mainly doing with your axe? Are you splitting, felling, sectioning for firewood? Do you pack the axe often or is it a car/truck or canoe axe?

For axes that would be well below our budget look at Estwing or Gerber/Fiskars. Both are decent tools for the price, albeit not particularly refined. Both will be quite tough though. I would suggest that in regards to the fiskars/gerber, you should find a review *other* than nutnfancy's, as that guy (this is going to sound harsh, but after watching his videos I think it is true) does not know what he is doing with an axe. Both Gerber/Fiskars and an Estwing will need edge work when you get them to get the most from them.

Next step up is the Wetterlings, and I think Snow and Neally would fit here too. I own a Wetterlings 19 inch and it's a good pack axe, although for a winter axe when you're doing lots of firewood doesn't quite have enough punch for my liking. The Snow and Neally's aren't bad but the heads are now forged in Asia somewhere and the axes are finished in the US. I think they are OK quality, but I probably won't pick one up.

I just ordered an Iltis Ox Head small felling axe (28 inches, 2.5lb head) so I'll be sure to report on that once it gets here next week. It's higher than your listed budget but I hear pretty good things about them. The heads get great marks, the hafts can vary in quality considerably as far as the grain goes, but we'll see what it looks like when mine gets here. The Iltis is the most expensive one I've mentioned, after shipping mine was just over $100.
 
texastonydobbs said:
I would suggest Estwing ....solid contruction ,I have a small one w/leather stack handle I've had for 25years and still going strong ,hatchet looks ugly ,now my son uses it from time to time & needs a new leather sheath
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+1 on the Estwing. I have had mine for about 4 years now and had no problems at all. Sharpened it for the first time yesterday actually, I only have a use for it a handful of times a year though.
 
I've heard good things about the Eastwings. Hoping to get a Wetterlings myself soon.

Personally, I like the wood handle two piece design of a Wetterlings and similar axes. A good point was made to me by an old timer about a wood handle vs the one piece style handle of the Eastwing and one piece styles that use a synthetic.

Basically, if the handle should somehow break on a one piece in a time of need(and sometimes they do), you're somewhat screwed. But with a two piece style axe with a wood handle, you're not at a total loss if the handle breaks. With a little know how, in a pinch mother nature can provide you another handle. Always thought that was good advice.

Doesn't mean one design is better than the other, but again, something to think about.
 
FWIW I put a new edge on a gerber for a friend, and it was COMPLETELY destroyed when I started. The edge was all nicks and dents and rolled sections. Cleaned up ok with a file, but the steel seemed a bit soft. For all I know he was chopping rocks with it though.
 
Spend the money on a Gransfors American Felling Axe. You won't be disappointed and it will out last you as long as you take care of it. Invest and enjoy what it brings.
 
I have a CS trail boss en route, I will post a review for you when it arrives. I too don't really see a need for a $60+ axe. Just my opinioni still get great results from my granpas 60+ year old unidentified 36" er. But for $25 thought I'd try the CS for our fireplace
 
Are the Fiskars andd Gerber axes the same thing? Gerber is owned by Fiskars so i was just wondering. We had a small Gerber axe years ago in Peru and it performed well.
 
I was 11 or 12 when Given my Estwing hatchet and Trust me a young kid can tear up some stuff unsupervised with it and here I am 25+ years later and the hatchet sits atop my safe for my son to use anytime....takes a freaking beating and still going strong....Breaking ..never...onething I'd never worry about....I plan on buying the Estwing withthe blue grip about 16-18"long next as a pack axe and leave the wetterlings at home.
 
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