Fire Axe, Inc: overpriced?

L

lulwut

Joined
Nov 15, 2007
Messages
49
Hey guys, long time no post.

I'm looking for a small axe with which I can go camping. Just for felling small trees and chopping firewood. I came across this review, and was impressed: http://www.vententersearch.com/reviews/fireaxereview.htm

So I searched to find one on sale, and found this: threfirestore.com [link to item]
I quote:
"Each high grade tool steel head is painstakingly hand-cast with the same lost-wax investment casting method..."

I thought it would be forged. Am I being snobbish by turning my nose up to this? I don't mean to resurface the endless "forged vs cast" debate, but I always thought forged was stronger. Any thoughts?
 
I personally probably wouldn't go for a cast axe head. But it seems like a ok product, so maybe it takes abuse just fine. I haven't had much experience with cast axes, so maybe it's just my close-mindedness.

But why would you want to have a fire axe on a camping trip?
I'm pretty sure you're not going to be felling trees with any comfort. Or doing any small chores for that matter. It also seems to be a lot heavier than something most would want to carry around in the woods. That is not a small axe. Fire axes are brute force demolition tools, and I'd assume you would want a versatile cutting axe, medium weight at most.

So while I wouldn't necessarily worry about the quality of that thing, I don't think it's the right tool for the job.
 
I am very new here, but I think I might have some useful input on this topic. I have been using fire axes as a fire fighter for about 20 years now. I have used them for to destroy various and sundry things that you would not normally hit with an ax. I have yet to see a head fail. Lots of handles have broke, but I have never seen a head break. Now that being said, it is not the tool to fall a tree, or cut anything well for that matter. The edges are very thick. They are designed to smash through stuff, rather than cut it.

Ken
 
Yeah, I kind of expected for that to be the answer -- that it's the wrong tool for the job. Well, do any of you have recommendations for a high quality axe that would fit the job?

I would normally search the forums for this topic, but apparently I can't use google because users have to be logged in, so the posts haven't been combed through by google.
 
you will gransfors bruks and wetterlings over and over again. i have never used either of these axes but i have never heard an ill word spoken about them.
 
savage,

I have a feeling that those brands have a nostalgic allure due to being manufactured in such traditional ways. Not to say that they aren't good. I just want the best that modern technology can offer.

I saw that someone on here made a tomahawk from a plate of O-1 tool steel. An axe head like that would be perfect. But maybe someone makes them out of other "exotic" materials, like titanium, perhaps?
 
One of our members, C Bryant, has a small 01 hand axe made by Stomper (who sells on these forums). It was extremely sharp and when I tried it, it felt totally bombproof. I expect Stomper would make you an 01 axe.

I don't think titanium would be high on my list for axe heads. I don't believe it really has all the properties you would want.

DancesWithKnives
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys.

After reading some thorough reviews (like the one by Cliff Stamp on here, comparing it to Wetterlings), I ordered the Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe.

I'm sure it will last forever, as long as I don't abuse it.
 
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