Felling AXE questions Old/New

J

jmh76

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Mar 27, 2012
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I've been in the mood for a good felling axe or two. I am bidding on couple kelly double bits now. Just cause I want an old axe. What should I look for in old axe heads. Obviously little/no pitting is a plus. Name? What else. I have little experience with heavier axes. I have a GB scandinavian and love it but am looking for sumpin with a little more bite. This leads me to another question, what weight is good? I know thats individual preference but what works best? Lastly, I would like to have one forged, who makes em in the states. Thanks
 
So u are looking for an older axe or a newer American made axe? First question u need to ask yourself is how much money am I willing to part with? Then we can take it from there.
 
Just wondering what you are really looking for. You mention your looking at a Kelly double bit. I consider a Kelly Perfect double bit (Michigan pattern) a great axe for felling. However an American felling axe is often described as a Jersey, Baltimore, Kentucky or a Michigan pattern axe. Also a true Falling axe is a double bit with a 13" head w/ 3 or 4" bits, often referred to as a Puget Sound Falling axe.

I know confusing...see part two of ten at the link;
http://www.sctrails.net/trails/LIBRARY/FSPubs/ax/ax2.pdf
It's a listing of Kelly patterns.

Double Ott
 
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For a forged one that I really, really like I got it from Latvia...see John Neeman online and facebook.
 
Well I am looking for both a new and maybe a few old. Is there a maker in the US that makes felling axes? I have seen those John Neeman axes and they are beautiful. Last I looked his site wasnt up, ill try again. Really would like a US maker.
 
You're best off finding a vintage axe and restoring it. You'll get a much finer axe for your money plus the pleasure and pride of restoring your axe yourself.
 
I have seen best made and reall like theirs but am really partial to the look of a hand forged axe. May contact Neeman, or maybe the GB. Anybody know what the Neeman one cost?
 
Oh, I forgot, what are your thoughts about the 3.3# of the GB? I am thinking it is too light.
 
jmh76 said:
I have seen best made and reall like theirs but am really partial to the look of a hand forged axe. May contact Neeman, or maybe the GB. Anybody know what the Neeman one cost?
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According to the John Neeman Tools Price List, the American Felling Axe is listed at two hundred and thirty U.S. dollars. I have an axe (not the AFA) on order with them, but I'll have to wait for about two or three months. Can't wait for it!
 
jmh76 said:
Oh, I forgot, what are your thoughts about the 3.3# of the GB? I am thinking it is too light.
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That's not too light for a feller. I like a 2-3/4 to 3-1/2 pound axe for felling. Axes heavier than that cause loss of accuracy - unless maybe you're a competition axe man. For us mortals you're better off staying at or below 3-1/2 pounds for a feller. I like 4 pound splitters, though.
 
I'll write a few lines on this subject. Not an experienced feller but I've cut a few and thought about it enough so maybe I can pique some interest. A felling axe typically is used to describe an axe in a specific weight range or shape, it does not necessarily mean that axe is what I would consider "good" for felling. Furthermore, the specific method used to fell the tree must also be taken into account. If we are talking about felling a tree entirely with an axe, the axe I would choose for that would be much different than an axe used in conjunction with a crosscut saw, wedges and 2 sawyers. If you make an under cut with a crosscut, you can use damn near any old axe to whack the chunks out to finish off the notch before making the felling notch on the opposite side. I usually use a 2 1/4 pound axe for this because it's handy and I have it with me (although you could probably clean out the notch in about 3 swings with a heavy 4 pound double or something). For cutting the entire notch for both the directional notch and the felling notch, the axe must be chosen more carefully. I would probably go for something around 3 pounds give or take a quarter in each direction on about a 32" handle or something. About halfway between a maneuverable boys axe and a hard hitting full size axe. The reason for that is mainly the control a slightly lighter, shorter axes give you. Cutting the whole notch with an axe, including the flat "floor" of the notch is not easy and takes some practice. So many things factor into this I am having a hard time writing a lot on the subject without really writing a LOT.
 
Well i've narrowed it down to the Neeman or the GB. It will definatly be a user, im not much on decoration. They both look like fine axes. My heart goes to the Neeman, my pocket goes to GB. Flip a coin?...
 
Here's a question - I notice a lot of guys stay with their axes in the 2 3/4 lbs to says 3 3/4 lb range when it comes to felling and chopping. When I look back through my collection and then also read old catalogs, advertisements, etc - it seems the dominant weight for a felling axe is 4 lbs. why is that? Why the shift to lighter axes these days? Bushcraft? More utility for multiple jobs? Guys just don't like hauling 4 + lbs around? I'm just wondering, seems like an interesting question.
 
Yeah, I think it is probably a wash in the end. A lighter axe might be an easier swing, maybe more accurate, taking a few more swings. A heavier axe uses momentum/energy to power through. Guess you should just have both. This has been fun. Oh, how do you guys store your axes, hang em or what? It seems my axe collection is rapidly growing. My boys wont have to buy any when i'm gone.
 
I like the 3.5 - 4lbs range. While I used a boys axe size for a longer period of time, I found out after a while, I am more accurate with my full size than a smaller axe. With practice one handed use isn't hard either. I find for myself the 31"ish handle range is my butter zone.

I don't need a felling axe for how I use them, which is just camping firewood or the occasional carving. I just like using the tools.
 
Operator1975 said:
Here's a question - I notice a lot of guys stay with their axes in the 2 3/4 lbs to says 3 3/4 lb range when it comes to felling and chopping. When I look back through my collection and then also read old catalogs, advertisements, etc - it seems the dominant weight for a felling axe is 4 lbs. why is that? Why the shift to lighter axes these days? Bushcraft? More utility for multiple jobs? Guys just don't like hauling 4 + lbs around? I'm just wondering, seems like an interesting question.
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I'd say most of the timber fallers probably used an undercut and whacked the chunks out with the axe. You'd have to get catalogs from the last quarter of the 1800's to have an accurate representation of an used for the whole felling process I guess.
 
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