First axe

heefageLA

heefageLA

Joined
Feb 2, 2015
Messages
1,783
Hello forum gods!

Im looking into buying my first axe.
Ive done a little research and I think I know what im looking for, but don't know any brand names that are out there.
I want a somewhat short axe that is 25''-30'' long with a 2lbs-3lbs head.
Wooden handle that is curved at the bottom. And American Made of course!

My budget is about $100.

Thanks for the replies and for helping out an ignorant SOB. :D
 
It sounds like you need to take a look at Council Tool's axe line in either their standard or FSS boy's axe (maybe Omaha knife has these? I'm not sure). They run about 28" with a 2.25 lb head. American made, and good steel. I believe Vaughn also has a boy's axe, and Snow and Nealy are newly-American-made again, but I am unsure if the boy's axe range is at the moment.

For about $40 more over your budget, Council also has a Velvicut line boy's axe, with likely a better handle, fit and finish, and better steel.
 
And as always, you can refurb a vintage American head with a new handle and some file work and get the same or better (best, most likely) quality for a fraction of the cost. The choice is yours! :)
 
I know nothing of putting a handle on an axe head !

My luck, that head would fly off the first swing I made.

I really like that Council Tool Velvicut Hudson Bay axe, and at $140 its not too over budget.
 
I would like to go vintage. I very much like 'old things'.

But, putting a new handle on an old axe scares me away a bit.

What are some brand names of the old vintage axe heads?
I know Norlund and Granfurs, but that's about it.
 
heefageLA said:
I would like to go vintage. I very much like 'old things'.

But, putting a new handle on an old axe scares me away a bit.

What are some brand names of the old vintage axe heads?
I know Norlund and Granfurs, but that's about it.
Click to expand...

Kelly, Plumb, Council Tool, Collins, Craftsman, Sager, and many others are all good choices, with Kellys and Plumbs being my personal favorites.

There are probably a few members on here willing to sell a hung-right vintage axe if you ask around a bit. I know cityofthesouth does some excellent work, along with a few others. Heck, if you decide exactly what you want, there may be a number of guys willing to send you a high quality axe with a nice handle for well within your budget.
 
Great! That's what im really looking for.

Something with history and character.

Im just walking blind and in the dark though.

Ill do some more looking this week and maybe by next week ill be ready to drop the funds for something.
 
You can look for an older USA axe that fits your dimensions and has a tight handle at flea markets, yard sales and eBay. But for a good one with a good tight handle and the potential time spent looking I would without reservation recommend you to go get a Council Tool boy's axe or a Husqvarna Multipurpose axe. I would personaly go for the Husqvarna just for style, but both are great axes and great values.

http://www.amazon.com/22br-21-4lb-B...452&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=council+boy's+axe

http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-576926201-Curved-Handle-Multipurpose/dp/B004WJGXAQ
 
What are you going to use it for? I have 2 Council boys axes that are well used. I wouldn't like to use them for digging roots. I'd use an Ames True Temper True American. For your price point you could probably get a hatchet, a boys ax and a full size ax.
 
jblyttle is a member of this forum and seemingly manages to gather up old axes along the eastern Seaboard by the truckload, and cheap, and weekly. One of these I bought off him recently (pristine Plumb rafting axe) was far from 'a gift, financially' as a purchase but then again he did alert us (me) of what all he has been gathering wholescale at pennies on the dollar auctions and I can't really blame him for cashing in on demand for specific products when he does turn them over. Betcha he has a ton of identifiable axe heads with no stamps (ie non collectible/little value) kicking about that you could convince him to part with, way, way cheaper than going 'Yuppie brand new exotic'. Domestic USA stuff was spit and polished (this costs serious time and money) 50 years ago and nobody (ie niche labour-intensive Swedish) can be bothered to do that today.
The weird thing about swinging 'someone else's axe' (especially if it's worn or has a replacement hand-made haft' is that the experience is sort of like buying a well cared for but really old car. It's never really yours until it's had a really good workout and some time has passed by. But over the long run you won't regret this, the girlfriend you were trying to impress won't remember nor will the campsite drunks that only wanted a big fire.
 
Well said 300Six.
Ive decided, partly based on your post, to buy a new axe and 'make it my own'

I found a pretty good deal on a Council Velvicut 'Bad Boy's Axe' and its now on its way home.

I went with a new axe mostly because ill be able to pass it down one day, and partly because there will be no steel already missing from previous use.
There will be no chips, dings, or any other blemish that wont be caused by my hands.
Hopefully that will mean a lot to my two boys some day when they find 'this old axe' out in the barn.

Next on the list is the Hudson Bay Velvicut. :D:thumbup:
 
post comments when your new axe arrives.
pretty cool getting your first axe.
a friend sent me a little Norlund today. she ain't the prettiest girl at the dance but i'm cleaning her up a bit.lol I'll take her out for a whirl this afternoon.

buzz

buzz
 
heefageLA said:
Well said 300Six.
Ive decided, partly based on your post, to buy a new axe and 'make it my own'

I found a pretty good deal on a Council Velvicut 'Bad Boy's Axe' and its now on its way home.

I went with a new axe mostly because ill be able to pass it down one day, and partly because there will be no steel already missing from previous use.
There will be no chips, dings, or any other blemish that wont be caused by my hands.
Hopefully that will mean a lot to my two boys some day when they find 'this old axe' out in the barn.

Next on the list is the Hudson Bay Velvicut. :D:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Reasonable choice, hope you enjoy it. While I think the standard and particularly the FSS CTs are more than adequate and solid bargains, especially when the handle is selected and the head sharpened by a trusted vendor, I'm hesitant to recommend them to beginners due to the metal wedge system and my experience with it. The velvicut is traditionally wedged, which will likely keep the head on. You also get arguably better aesthetics and 5160 steel. I don't think either one is necessary, but at least they are things that the extra price gets you.
 
Thank you. You forked over $100 for a recommended domestic product. I sincerely hope they shined it up nice for you and installed a good haft in order to prove that 'made in USA' still means something to some of us oldies. 'Super steel' and all that modern BS charade advertizing means nothing if the blade is askew, rough finished and the handle has knots in the middle of it.
 
From what ive read about the Velvicut line if I am displeased with any part of the axe (even if its cosmetic) I can return it for another one.
That 'USA' stamp still means something to me.
I could have easily bought a Gransfors for a lil bit more money, but it doesn't say 'USA' on it ! :p
 
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