First axe - $100 max budget

00ChevyScott

00ChevyScott

Basic Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2010
Messages
2,678
I'd like to get somewhat of a "general purpose" axe if there is such a thing. I don't want one that's too big and heavy as to make it a hassle to bring with me on a walk, but I don't want it so small it loses performance. Uses would be chopping trees, taking off branches on fallen trees, splitting wood, and possibly even future "camping tasks" on a trip. I've looked at the Estwing axes but I'm not exactly digging the way they look. I'd prefer a good wood handle over a metal one.
 
I.N.F.K said:
How about a Wetterling's Swedish Forest Axe
Click to expand...

That's a nice looking axe. I'd been looking at it on a few websites just a minute ago. How does it compare to a similar Husqy or Condor axe? I'm not exactly a professional lumberjack, but do I do appreciate buying good tools when I can. I'd like to buy the better axe, but I'm not familiar with the levels of quality in axes.
 
Keep an eye out and buy a vintage head. Great treasures can be found for little money. I haven't paid more than 25 for an ax head/axe and they all serve me better than "new" ones.
 
I know you said wood, but you should check out fiskars x7 or even something larger in the fiskars line.
 
Monkeyz said:
I know you said wood, but you should check out fiskars x7 or even something larger in the fiskars line.
Click to expand...

Are they any good? I had lumped them into the Gerber quality just based on the fact Fiskars owns Gerber.
 
I love mine, and I see a lot of other people do to.

Not sure what the exact steel that used but I believe it's of a high carbon, and the factory edge is pretty nice.

There are some videos of it failing, but from what I can see people are going out of their way to break it.
 
00ChevyScott said:
That's a nice looking axe. I'd been looking at it on a few websites just a minute ago. How does it compare to a similar Husqy or Condor axe? I'm not exactly a professional lumberjack, but do I do appreciate buying good tools when I can. I'd like to buy the better axe, but I'm not familiar with the levels of quality in axes.
Click to expand...

I don't have the Swedish Forest Axe, but just a suggestion. As far as quality, its up there and it's a popular brand on the BF as well. But there is also antique heads, I have found some real users in my hunt.
 
Pick up a vintage boys axe head off ebay for $10 or $20 and re-haft it. You'll have a better tool than a new axe and you'll be learning a skill that you need to learn anyway. Or have one of the guys on the forum here hang one for you. You could probably get a first rate axe hung for $50 +shipping. It would be a better axe than anything you can buy now, and that includes all the high priced imports.
 
If you are willing to spend a hundred then save up twenty more and get a gransfors bruk small forest axe. If you insist on spending a hundred or less then watch eBay for a vintage GB head.
 
I'll second Square_peg, find an old boys axe sized head (a good general use size if you only have one) either on ebay or at the junk, *ahem* "antique" store and hang it yourself. You'll end up with far more axe for your money than if you bought new.
 
Square_peg said:
Pick up a vintage boys axe head off ebay for $10 or $20 and re-haft it. You'll have a better tool than a new axe and you'll be learning a skill that you need to learn anyway. Or have one of the guys on the forum here hang one for you. You could probably get a first rate axe hung for $50 +shipping. It would be a better axe than anything you can buy now, and that includes all the high priced imports.
Click to expand...
My sentiments exactly. Every rural home and property owner up until 40 years ago owned at least a few different axes. For 100 years the domestic axe industry in n. America was huge, very competitive, offered hundreds of different sizes and styles and produced first class implements. Hundreds of thousands of these beautiful tools are currently languishing in barns and sheds and with estate sales/flea markets and scrap dealers and can be scooped up for pennies on the dollar. And yet greenhorns with a sudden yearning or nostalgia for the old days all seem to want to rush out and spend a couple of hundred bucks on a brand new axe! It is inevitable that a handle is going to break, that you're going to have to learn to sharpen a blade, that you'll gravitate to another size or style so might as well start fresh and learn about all this stuff before hand rather than somewhere down the road. Treat yourself to a practical history lesson and a useful apprenticeship in maintaining hand tools; research and resurrect a 'golden oldie'.
I limb branches, cut snags and small trees for firewood, and build structures and campfires as often as I can 3 seasons of the year with an old 'pulp axe' (referred to as a 'boy's axe' in USA) that is stamped Walters Black Diamond. Knowing that it was locally-forged (directly across the river from where I live) and that the company's heyday was during the late 1940s-early 50s, re-named itself Walters before WWI, went out of business in 1973, that 'Black Diamond' was their finest grade, that at least 2-3 generations of folks before me used it with pride (frugal buyers rarely invest that extra few bucks in 'top of the line') all makes me feel that much more content when sitting in front of the fire along side a nice quiet lake.
You can probably guess that if I owned an Estwing or other metal-handled chopper that it would be in the trunk of my car with the booster cables and tow rope or else mounted next to the fire extinguisher in my truck. Good luck with your purchase!
 
300Six said:
You can probably guess that if I owned an Estwing or other metal-handled chopper that it would be in the trunk of my car with the booster cables and tow rope or else mounted next to the fire extinguisher in my truck. Good luck with your purchase!
Click to expand...

That's where my Estwing is.
 
Are just about any vintage heads going to be good? What's a fair price for just a head? $50?

Also, if I were to go that route, where's the best place to pick up a handle?
 
I only buy heads for using, not wall hangers, and I'd only expect to pay around $20-$30 for a "used but still usable" head from a junk shop. I have a Wetterlings in the shed right now that cost me all of $15. If you don't need it "right just now" and can invest a little time looking around for a deal I'd think $50 would be the upper end of what you need to spend for the head and handle together.
 
Alocksly said:
That's where my Estwing is.
Click to expand...
Ain't that the truth! You do not have to fuss over or respect an Estwing product! Strangely enough my beat and bent Estwing 20 oz framing hammer (purchased new in 1972 when I was a young whipper-snapper) is awaiting being cleaned up and hung on the wall only because it made more money for me over the past 40 years than 2 university degrees and 2 college diplomas. But when I move on I expect one of my kids will toss it in with their camping kit or in the trunk of the car.

To 00ChevyScott: Sky is the limit for bargains and it's routine for someone on here to gloat about a $5 prize axe they scored somewhere. Handles aren't expensive either (usually $10-15) but finding good ones is like seeking out hen's teeth.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top