Gumby Axe Gets Mad!

C

cattledog

Joined
Oct 7, 2011
Messages
319
OK so I have a Gumby ax and I like mine. I'm a sucker for that head pattern and this one is unique. Got mine real cheap too.
Yes the handle sux but after using it awhile and getting to know it ways it is usable. I've had mine awhile now and thought I would see what it can do.

This is written for entertainment purposes only nothing scientific here just having some fun with my axes on a lazy Sunday morning. Not a reviewer or fanboy either. Get the ax you like...

So I pulled into a parking spot the other day and this piece of water soaked southern pine was staring at me so I decided to throw it in the back of the van.(Not a Mini Van)
Initially I was going to test my Norlund hang on it which by the way is rock solid so far.

Well anyway here goes
First Photo:
25 one handed chops from left to right. The best two Gumby and Velvicut I was surprised the gerber didn't do any better. The Norlund still needs edge work but I hate to take off metal from a classic and I would probably never chop something this big with it. Never know though.
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This time 25 two handed chops from kneeling position just like previous shot. All swings were on target with the Browning and as you can see it chopped deeper than the heavier council. With this handle if you stick it a quick sharp tug usually releases it.. There is a metal bar extending from the eye about 6 inches down for reinforcement. EDIT" 3inches down for reinforcement"
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In this shot the 3lb Wetterlings was used for a control it chopped the deepest but was uncomfortable to use in the kneeling position.
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I am going to use this one until I need to replace the handle. I like taking it to the fishing pier because it keeps the tourists at a distance:D
 
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Steve Tall said:
Thanks, I like it, especially the title, the van clarification, and the fishing application.
(But officer, this is to dispatch any sharks that I catch) :)
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Yeah it's a new long handled filet knife, thanks
Humppa said:
Must have been great fun! Thank you for sharing!

Kind regards
Andi
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Andi, Vos is los, thanks it was a lot of fun...thats all the German I know.
 
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Outstanding! I really like the head pattern on the Gumby also. It did stick real deep, except mine was in a piece of 3 year old dried oak. I was goin for a split, with the grain. That's some good one handed chopping. What happened with the Gerber? I thought they were good. I was thinkin about gettin one.
 
leebrewer said:
Outstanding! I really like the head pattern on the Gumby also. It did stick real deep, except mine was in a piece of 3 year old dried oak. I was goin for a split, with the grain. That's some good one handed chopping. What happened with the Gerber? I thought they were good. I was thinkin about gettin one.
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leebrewer
I don't know why the gerber/fiskars placed so low. It just seemed like it couldn't get a bite into the wet wood. It's not a bad cheap little hatchet. Works pretty good for other stuff. I'll try it again on some other wood down the road.
Yes and gumby sticks if you swing it and it goes deep, need to back it out with a 2x4. It has potential but needs improvement.
Really didn't know what to expect with this one simple test but having $40 gumby chop deeper than my $130 fancy schmancy velvicut boutique axe has me scratching my head.
 
cattledog said:
leebrewer
I don't know why the gerber/fiskars placed so low. It just seemed like it couldn't get a bite into the wet wood. It's not a bad cheap little hatchet. Works pretty good for other stuff. I'll try it again on some other wood down the road.
Yes and gumby sticks if you swing it and it goes deep, need to back it out with a 2x4. It has potential but needs improvement.
Really didn't know what to expect with this one simple test but having $40 gumby chop deeper than my $130 fancy schmancy velvicut boutique axe has me scratching my head.
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My guess is the hollow ground bit.
 
cattledog said:
Yeah it's a new long handled filet knife, thanks

Andi, Vos is los, thanks it was a lot of fun...thats all the German I know.
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Vos is los? = what´s up? ... and it´s bavarian dialect!! Great term! We use it serveral times a day for asking each other what he/she wants! Great thread! Thank you for this!

Kind regards
Andi
 
Yup. The Browning is hollow and the Gerber/Fiskars is flat.
 
cattledog said:
.....Really didn't know what to expect with this one simple test but having $40 gumby chop deeper than my $130 fancy schmancy velvicut boutique axe has me scratching my head.
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There could be another intangible at work here. It could be that one axe shape/design works better with your body type than another axe shape/design does.

A great pair of boots can feel wonderful on one fellow and chafe the heck out of the next fellow. The equipment has to be matched to the man. I've seen this effect come into play with lots of different equipment.
 
Cattledog, Im with you on the pattern appeal. I have one as well. If I had actually spent good money on it I would probably contemplate returning it. So, since I am a little more partial to wood than the limp noodle gumby handle I think I will add it to my list for rehang and hafting. That list seems to be getting longer by the day!
 
So, the steel seems to be holding up pretty well on the Browning????

CD, both your HB's are sure handsome!
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
My guess is the hollow ground bit.
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I think so too
Square_peg said:
There could be another intangible at work here. It could be that one axe shape/design works better with your body type than another axe shape/design does.
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Maybe but the one I am comfy with is the council. Which brings me to the big picture.
mattyak said:
Cattledog, Im with you on the pattern appeal. I have one as well. If I had actually spent good money on it I would probably contemplate returning it. So, since I am a little more partial to wood than the limp noodle gumby handle I think I will add it to my list for rehang and hafting. That list seems to be getting longer by the day!
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Yeah I hear you. After chopping I was starting to dig into the plastic cap over the eye but it is made out of some super plastic so I stopped. It needs the drill. Does anyone think the oval eye shape will matter or affect performance with a wood handle?
M3mphis said:
So, the steel seems to be holding up pretty well on the Browning????
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Steel is good so far no chips,dings or rolling. Holds an edge too and is on the hard side to sharpen meaning it takes a little longer to put an edge on it.

CD, both your HB's are sure handsome! Thanks Man!
 
The big picture;
After a few axe days off I got to thinking about things. Nothing too deep but when I was real young I would use this for all of my adventures.
My Pops old plumb hatchet. I broke many handles and beat on it pretty good. I never knew there was anything else out there.

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Now as I get older I have many choices and more money to spend. Bottom line is whatever I want to do camping I could do it with any ax I own.
I am an enthusiast when it comes to axemanship and a hobbyist when it comes to collecting them. It sure is fun and I love it!

What I am trying to say is when it comes to using them for my needs they are all pretty darn good.
In the above post anyone of them would have filled the bill in a survival or camping situation if that's all I had.
There is an intangible to it though that keeps me searching for axes. Like the Norlund Hard to explain. Anyway Here'e a shot of the browning profile.
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cattledog said:
Does anyone think the oval eye shape will matter or affect performance with a wood handle?
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I don't think so. 20 pound sledges have oval eyes. They experience more impact than just about any axe ever made and they still hold up - until the haft breaks below the eye, that's where they fail. The oval shape isn't a problem.

Generally an axe eye is a tapered oval just to match the wedge shape of the axe head. I don't think there's anything magical about the wedge shape - it's just utility.
 
Square_peg said:
I don't think so. 20 pound sledges have oval eyes. They experience more impact than just about any axe ever made and they still hold up - until the haft breaks below the eye, that's where they fail. The oval shape isn't a problem.

Generally an axe eye is a tapered oval just to match the wedge shape of the axe head. I don't think there's anything magical about the wedge shape - it's just utility.
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Thanks for the reply.
Never realized that before that the eye shape matches the head shape. When I get around to rehafting this one I will leave some top room to help with the hang.
 
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