Found new single bit, need input.

[mithril]

Ok, so I'm sold on Gransfors Bruks being probably the best axes on the market today. I have 2 of them. That being said, I have the bug to try something new(a rarity, huh!). Cruising the web, I came across a site I've never seen before. It's www.benmeadows.com and it has a small selection of brand axes. One in particular that I haven't seen before caught my eye. It is called the "camper's axe". The unusual thing(to a novice in the axe art)is it's a modern single bit axe with a straight handle! Having read some of Jimbo's threads and his site(all excellent, and thanks for them)and getting the book "Keeping Warm With An Axe" this seems to be an important factor. Now some questions: 1) Why doesn't Gr.Bruks offer straight handles for their single bits? 2)The company making this axe is "EZ Sales & Mfg.Inc."; has anyone heard of them or their reputation? 3) Right now cash reserves are tight, but for a price in the low 20$ (american) range, I am tempted- opinions or suggestions? If anyone is intersted go to the Benmeadow site and follow this route: Foestry>logging and Clearing>Clearing Tools>Log Axes>Camper's Axe.

Thanks,
Mith.

 

[Jimbo]

If you click on the picture of the axe to enlarge it - you see that it has horizontal grain. If that's the ad then things are in pretty sorry state. Also when ever they say sturdy - you can count on a thick profile.
Straight handles go with short blades. There's no big mystery, everything was worked out long before my parents were around - but these days it's likely to be some cost saving factor and not properly designed.
I'd say save money and stay with the GB's you have. What is real fun is to "window shop" on ebay. Sometimes really good stuff comes up - and more importantly at a good price. For now the best way to spend a few bucks is to get Dudley Cook's book.
"The Axe Book: The Lore and Science of the Woodcutter:
A guide to axemanship, wood and the hand tools of a woodsman."
by Dudley Cook. 1981, revised 1999. 134-pages. ISBN 0911469168
The author was born in 1923 and grew up using an axe and has used one all of his life.
Recommended to me by Frank Rossi - and so I ordered one yesterday. Grab it while it's in print and on sale! The other book by Cook was incredible and now is out of print.