First axe

T

TheUSMC2017

Joined
Nov 24, 2010
Messages
621
I want to buy an axe for camping and what not. I was looking at the Estwing camp axe or sportsman axe. Something that will last me a while, and get the job done without the head flying off and killing someone, basically.
 
I have never heard of an axe head flying off and killing someone. That is a non sequituer.
There are many axes that are capable of lasting a lifetime that have wooden handles. Their ability to last a lifetime is in direct correlation to the care given to them, basically.
 
i have the estwing camp axe. it's bomb proof. I got the chance to fondle some GB axes at an outfitter in MN, they are extremely well crafted and put the fit and finish of the estwing to shame.
 
762 shooter said:
I have never heard of an axe head flying off and killing someone. That is a non sequituer.
There are many axes that are capable of lasting a lifetime that have wooden handles. Their ability to last a lifetime is in direct correlation to the care given to them, basically.
Click to expand...

I was just kidding.
 
My Pop bought an Eastwing Camp Hatchet with the leather handle over 20 years ago. It was the hatchet my Brother and I used after fishing all day to "tame the wilderness". It's still in use, although my Pop doesn't get out as much as he uesed to.

I wouldn't hesitate to use one for camping. For backbacking I prefer a lighter hatchet however.
 
Check out some junk shops, you can get a great hatchet or small axe for pennys.

Regards

Robin
 
Gransfors Bruks makes the best axes I know of. Wetterlings are almost as nice (may need the edge straightened or something small) and are cheaper.

You won't need a large felling axe for he uses you described. Something like a small forest axe or if you are a hunter the skinning axe is hard to beat.
 
Gransfors Bruks

Wetterlings

Fiskars

Other great companies as well, but these are most well
known and easily found on the web.
Look around this forum, rg58, going off memory, has
done some great reviews in the last month.
So, just look on several of the previous
pages in this subforum, you will find them.
Hope this helps.


By the way, I strongly dislike Estwings.
Even though they are virtually invincible,
they are heavy and are outperformed
by just about everything and anything
I have used.
Not recommended at all
 
If you want bombproof, the Estwing is a decent axe.

I'd look seriously at ordering one of the Husqvarna axes. rg58 I believe has a very good review of them around here somewhere. For the price they look very good. Wetterlings are also good but they seem to be getting more expensive these days.

I love my Wetterlings personally.

If you are looking for something cheaper and a bit less refined than that I have heard good things about the Fiskars/Gerber fiberglass handled axes. They do require reprofiling when you get them, however almost any axe you're going to buy will require that from what I've seen.
 
I have a wetterlings that I really like. But I think if I were going to buy a new one I'd probably go with a Husqvarna.
 
TheUSMC2017 said:
I want to buy an axe for camping and what not. I was looking at the Estwing camp axe or sportsman axe. Something that will last me a while, and get the job done without the head flying off and killing someone, basically.
Click to expand...

Can't go wrong with an Estwing. Never seen the head fly off one of those....:D
 
Estwing is a good axe -- it's definitely bombproof, and the blue rubber handles are easy to find when it's dropped in leaf litter.
Yes, there are plenty of more "traditional" (and expensive) axes out there, but there's nothing wrong with Estwing.
 
Estwing ought to work, Their hammers are great, some times I need a new blue handled hatchet to go with the rest of my stuff.
 
The only problem I have with the Estwings (vs. a wooden handle) is you can't choke up on the head for detail work.
 
I say you want a quality, wood handled axe, which is to say, a GB.

I find solid fiberglass axe handles to be dreadful. I probably wouldn't like a steel handled axe. I know from experience that the GB is a first rate axe, and well worth owning. It has definately spoiled me for all the cheezy axes around here.
 
762 shooter said:
I have never heard of an axe head flying off and killing someone. That is a non sequituer.
There are many axes that are capable of lasting a lifetime that have wooden handles. Their ability to last a lifetime is in direct correlation to the care given to them, basically.
Click to expand...

You never saw the Boy Scout propaganda film about axe safety I take it? :eek: :p

Estwings are good indestructable axes but a bit on the heavy side.
 
Also, for $10 you can get the Graintex Hatchet, which will also outperform the Estwing. Here is a comparison of the Graintex Hatchet, the Husqvarna Hatchet and the Estwing Hatchet side by side after 30 swings (if I remember correctly).

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http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com
 
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