Got my first Axe- Condor Michigan Long Axe

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

Just thought I would share my joy as a first time axe owner!

Ive been a knife nut for a long time but the only axe Ive ever owned is a big splitting axe that I use more as a wedge than anything. Ive always used a Kurki, machete or big knife for my chopping needs but I figured it was time to pick up some real firepower in the chopping department.

I've had my eye on a few axes at my local sporting goods store and broke down today and bought a Condor Michigan Long Axe. 1045 forged head, 36in straight grained hickory haft, and made in America all for $54. I haven't gotten to use it much but so far Im really happy with the quality and it swings with serious power.

I might have to start getting into Axes! Is a 36in haft the best length for a back yard axe? Also what would be a good trail axe for camping trips?

 

[Double Ott]

SWEEEET!!! Very nice...Looks like your hooked. I see many more axes & hatchets in your future.

Tom

 

[Square_peg]

Congratulations on your new axe and you have my condolences for your impending addiction.

That's a good lookin' axe. A 36" axe is perfect for the backyard. Good for chopping, felling and limbing. With the right weight and shape they can be great splitters, too.

I'm surprised to learn that a Condor axe is made in the USA. I would figure the hickory handle to be American but I thought Condor axe heads were made in El Salvador. 1045 is a medium carbon steel and a good steel for the body of an axe but it's a little low in carbon for the bit, IMO.

For a camping/hiking axe there are many good choices - too many for me to remember. The Estwing Riggers and Carpenters axes are popular. Fiskars makes some axes and hatchets with super light handles which might be an advantage for hiking. Claw hatchets are handy around camp as they drive and pull nails along with doing the chopping and splitting chores. For car camping or hiking in a large group where gear weight can be spread around a boy's axe is great - a 'do-it-all' sort of axe.

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

Actually on closer inspection the head was made in El Salvador. Either way its an awesome axe!

I'm going to take a look at a couple smaller axes. The Gransford Bruks forest axe has my eye

 

[John Frankl]

Good looking axe.

I suppose if there is enough feedback, Condor could start using something like 1050 or even 1070/1084. For now, they are probably most concerned with cost and minimal failure of their products, for which 1045 is not a bad choice. But if they grow a bit and start thinking more of performance...

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Handle is American hickory, but the overall product is made in El Salvador. I agree that they could step up the steel a little, but as is it's a heck of a lot better than the average hardware store axe and is easy to touch up. In fact, I'd say they're better than Cold Steel's 'hawks and we know how much folks love those. You mention performance, but that would come mostly from geometry, with steel being a secondary factor heavily influenced by heat treatment. As Benjamin Franklin said, there never was a good knife made from bad steel, but he failed to mention that plenty of bad knives have been made of good steel and many more still knives of good quality made from only ok steel.

That's a very nice lookin' axe! I honestly haven't gotten my hands on any of the longer ones yet but I think that'll have to change.