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Good First Axe?

machinest said:
a 30 dollar ax from the hardware store works just as well. found an ax head in the woods 25 years ago cleaned it up, still has the same hickory handle i made for it at the time, always wrap copper wire around the handle below the head so you dont damage the handle if you miss.
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depends on the axe....ive used some CRAP axes from HD and Ace....all came dull as a stone and once sharpened the edges would roll... :(

as for the 25+ year old axe head....they sure dont make em like they used to!! nice score on that one! :thumbup: :)

also with some tweakings on the axe head you can improve performance.
 
I'd be interested to hear what brand of axe you are using. You mentioned finding it in the woods 25 years ago. It could be that you found a very fine old American axe. However, if that's the axe you used in your comparison test, your experiences don't necessarily support your earlier statement that "a 30 dollar ax from the hardware store works just as well." You may have an old axe of MUCH higher quality than currently available for $30 from hardware stores. I know that the Sears hardware department axe I have doesn't perform as well as my Swedish axes (although it's quite possible that a vintage American axe would).

DancesWithKnives
 
Axes are old technology. Get a cheap outdoor saw from a big-box store. Lighter, faster, use less energy, not dangerous, no sharpening, etc. (But you can't pound tent pegs with a saw.)
 
keithcarter said:
Axes are old technology. Get a cheap outdoor saw from a big-box store. Lighter, faster, use less energy, not dangerous, no sharpening, etc. (But you can't pound tent pegs with a saw.)
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No, but you can easily cut a baton to drive tent stakes.
 
keithcarter said:
Axes are old technology. Get a cheap outdoor saw from a big-box store. Lighter, faster, use less energy, not dangerous, no sharpening, etc. (But you can't pound tent pegs with a saw.)
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im sorry but id have to disagree with some of that.

1. lighter, very true saws are lighter
2. faster, not necessarily - i can chop a 2" branch usually in 2 sometimes one chop...a saw would take at least 5-7 strokes.
3. less energy, goes hand in hand with #2....id expend more energy sawing than with 1 or 2 good chops.
4. not dangerous, there are tons of safe ways to use an axe/hatchet...same with a knife.
5. no sharpening, ive come across way too many dull coronas in my time.

i do understand your point, but id have to saw pack a saw and an axe....much better than each of them stand alone.
 
DWK2 said:
I'd be interested to hear what brand of axe you are using. You mentioned finding it in the woods 25 years ago. It could be that you found a very fine old American axe. However, if that's the axe you used in your comparison test, your experiences don't necessarily support your earlier statement that "a 30 dollar ax from the hardware store works just as well." You may have an old axe of MUCH higher quality than currently available for $30 from hardware stores. I know that the Sears hardware department axe I have doesn't perform as well as my Swedish axes (although it's quite possible that a vintage American axe would).

DancesWithKnives
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dont know the brand no markings, looks similar to a collins, was walking thru the woods my foot snaged on a log chain buried under the leaves, as i was pulling the log chain i uncovered the axe head.
 
been using the 19in wetterlings large hunter axe and it is the best pack axe I have used and own, bought 2 for friends and were very well received. Don't get the smaller one's, this still fits in a daypack and the extra leverage is worth the couple of ounce's.
coupled with a folding saw, mine is a gerber slidesaw you can process a lot of wood or deer for that matter.
 
I picked my son up a 15" Snow & Nealley for christmas . He is only 14 so it wont see any hard use for a while.Hopefully it will get plenty of use camping this spring/summer.The edge is nowhere near shaving sharp but should be good for camp use.The sheath has belt loops so it should come in handy.Here are some pics .
4139227546_a9986bfa40_b.jpg

4139241468_04a755ecb8_b.jpg
 
crowsniper said:
I picked my son up a 15" Snow & Nealley for christmas . He is only 14 so it wont see any hard use for a while.Hopefully it will get plenty of use camping this spring/summer.The edge is nowhere near shaving sharp but should be good for camp use.The sheath has belt loops so it should come in handy.Here are some pics .
4139227546_a9986bfa40_b.jpg

4139241468_04a755ecb8_b.jpg
Click to expand...

Been wanting to see something on that S&N for a long while now! I'd love to hear any and all thoughts you have on it! Especially relative to the GB Wildlife (or some approximation). Edge holding, balance, 'power', bite, etc. ??
 
I'm interested. What are ya'lls price points for smaller axes.
 
CrowSniper: Good looking S&N ! Chris will love it !
JoeZilla : I paid $34.99 for my Wetterlings Wildlife model ...I think that price would be hard to bet for what you get :thumbup: I think between $30 ~$50 is my limit on a small (Belt axe) Really depends on the size I guess.
 
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