For 40$ whats best

M

mjdukefan23

Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
98
Ok currently I have the current setup:
Swisstool
Buck Diamondback Guide with 3 inch blade
Buck Parallex 2.3 inch blade

I have about $40 or less to spend and Im wondering if I should get a fiskar hatchet or some sort of fixed blade like a buck 105 or moras or do you have another suggestion for my woods combo?
 
If I was you, I would pick up a Wetterlings Wildlife Axe ($25-30) and a Frosts Triflex 780 ($11). The Wildlife Axe has a 13" handle and a three inch axe head. I don't have an exact weight, but I think it is somewhere around 1 1/4 pounds. I have one and I really like it. The blade didn't come shaving sharp out of the box, but I quickly fixed that. That being said, I bet the Fiskars hatchet would work just as well and I think it still costs about the same. I just prefer the more traditional look of a wooden handle, so I got the Wetterlings.

I think the Frosts 780 (4 1/8 inch blade) is the best Mora available. I haven't tried the Mora 2000 but have tried just about everything else. At $11 it is a steal. It is basically the Swedish Army Knife that you sometimes read about, but with a differentially heat treated carbon steel blade.
 
I personally don't like the Fiskar hatchets. The Cold Steel Trail Hawk performed better for me. Some things aren't suited for everyone. Lots of people praise Bark River, but I don't like the feel. What I am trying to say is go to your local sporting goods store and handle some blades and find what works for you. I found that ordering knives on the net is trial and error. I would get knives from the net, use it for one day and realize that it's not really what I wanted.
 
AustinTXShooter said:
If I was you, I would pick up a Wetterlings Wildlife Axe ($25-30) and a Frosts Triflex 780 ($11). The Wildlife Axe has a 13" handle and a three inch axe head. I don't have an exact weight, but I think it is somewhere around 1 1/4 pounds. I have one and I really like it. The blade didn't come shaving sharp out of the box, but I quickly fixed that. That being said, I bet the Fiskars hatchet would work just as well and I think it still costs about the same. I just prefer the more traditional look of a wooden handle, so I got the Wetterlings.

I think the Frosts 780 (4 1/8 inch blade) is the best Mora available. I haven't tried the Mora 2000 but have tried just about everything else. At $11 it is a steal. It is basically the Swedish Army Knife that you sometimes read about, but with a differentially heat treated carbon steel blade.
Click to expand...

Great recommendation but I have seen the Fiskars for as little as $16 (google-products) - ATXS has the right idea - go over to ragweedforge.com and pick up a Wetterlings and a Mora.
 
I walked into sears the other day to buy me a craftsman hatchet and walked out with a Estwing #1 hatchet for $30 bucks you will not be disapointed.
 
Fiskars and a Mora would be my advice. I love my Fiskars. I don't have as much experience with the Wetterlings, but hear nothing but good things. I like the 510 as far as the Moras go, or the Triflex Craftsman.

In their virgin state:
nessmuk2.jpg
 
I suggest that you get the Mora 711. I prefer the 711 over the 780 because of the difference in the handles. The 711 handles are sure grip under most conditions you're likely to find in the bush and if the hard plastic handle of the 760 (which I own), is the same as the 780s, then it can be slippery under certain situations. They both run about the same money.

The Fiskars is a fairly good hand axe for the money. It's sharp and fairly lite weight, but again, the handle can be slippery and if you get one, add some sure grip tape to the handle. I don't know how it compares to the small Wetterling, but compared to my 19" Wetterling large hunter axe, the Fiskars axe isn't even in the same league. I picked up my Wetterling for $30.00 plus shipping.
 
You cannot beat a Wetterlings 16" hunters axe for the price, and I feel the same way about the Frosts Mora 780 Tri-Flex Craftsman. It's just like their survival knife, but with a thicker (.098" vs. .079") differentially heat-treated blade. These two great items will put you two dollars over budget.... :-)

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
For a fixed blade, you can get a SOG Field Pup if the Moras don't appeal to you. You can get them online for $30-35.
 
AustinTXShooter said:
If I was you, I would pick up a Wetterlings Wildlife Axe ($25-30) and a Frosts Triflex 780 ($11). The Wildlife Axe has a 13" handle and a three inch axe head. I don't have an exact weight, but I think it is somewhere around 1 1/4 pounds. I have one and I really like it. The blade didn't come shaving sharp out of the box, but I quickly fixed that. That being said, I bet the Fiskars hatchet would work just as well and I think it still costs about the same. I just prefer the more traditional look of a wooden handle, so I got the Wetterlings.

I think the Frosts 780 (4 1/8 inch blade) is the best Mora available. I haven't tried the Mora 2000 but have tried just about everything else. At $11 it is a steal. It is basically the Swedish Army Knife that you sometimes read about, but with a differentially heat treated carbon steel blade.
Click to expand...

pretty much my thoughts. my wetterlings hatchet was $23. with the remainder of the $40 i'd go for a SAK or Mora. at sosak you can find used saks cheap, then you can get all three.

considering what you already have, though, you might just want to get a kabar heavy bowie for the entire $40.

tramontina's bolo is an axe-class chopper (so i hear) for about $7. that'll leave you $33 for a victorinox one handed trekker. that's a killer combo.

for about $40 new:
Delica
kabar heavy bowie
Vic OHT ($33)+ Tram bolo($7)
Wetterlings hatchet($25)+mora($7-$12)
Byrd Cara Cara($20)+Ontario machete ($20)
 
I hate it when I read these thread. Now I am gonna have to go over to Ragweed tomorrow and pick me up a Wetterlings.
 
Not knocking down other hatchets, but... heres a story.


I found an extremely old estwing hatchet in the woods. It is rusted heavily, and the leather washers are almost gone exept for a couple. It is still a great tool, I am thinking about working on it when I get the time, Give it new life.

Anyway, the point is, I think they are indestructable- with the metal handle and all.
Take care,
Scottman
 
i'll also chime in on the wetterlings/fiskars and the mora. i just completed a month long cross country trip through most of the national park/wilderness lands and carried my mora clipper, small axe, and a spydie delica. i have a gb small forest axe, but i've heard plenty good about the wetterlings and fiskars. i used the clipper for all camp chores and never felt under knifed. the delica is my edc, and is always in my pocket. the mora and a small axe is great combo. might change if lived somewhere further south, then i might consider a mora and a 12" ontario machete.
 
Scottman said:
Not knocking down other hatchets, but... heres a story.


I found an extremely old estwing hatchet in the woods. It is rusted heavily, and the leather washers are almost gone exept for a couple. It is still a great tool, I am thinking about working on it when I get the time, Give it new life.

Anyway, the point is, I think they are indestructable- with the metal handle and all.
Take care,
Scottman
Click to expand...

The handle is rotted off? That's hardly more "indestructable" than a wooden-handled Wetterlings or Granfors Bruks! ;)

I have ruined the hickory handle of a splitting maul before (more likely to happen with a maul) but never an axe or hatchet. I also own three different metal-handled hatchets (Craftsman, Kershaw and Estwing) and I'd take the Wetterlings every time.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
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