help choosing a Axe make

http://www.mik.com.au/
http://www.mik.com.au/layout/productDesc.asp?subCategoryId=490

I googled "gransfors au -ebay" got a lot of hits. The above is a good one.
I do not trust the tiny hatchets, because their handles can break too easily.
Gransfors hunters hatchet might be strong enough.

If you must have a small hatchet, consider:
You can reinforce and pad any handle with a foam+splint collar,
near the head. Example: Thin stainless steal (cut from table flatware),
taped to the outside of a foam collar. Get foam from closed cell packing
material or a mouse pad, perhaps.
 
Have a look at Snow & Nealley of Bangor, Maine, (www.snowandneally.com). I now carry their Hudson’s Bay axe when I need a chopping tool on the trail.The head weighs only 1 ¾ lb. and the 18” handle adds another half a pound or so. It’s a better all-round tool than a hatchet, although with the relatively short handle you still have to be careful to have something between you and whatever you’re chopping.
 
I'm not too fond of the GB Hunter's or Small Forest Axe. The 19" GB axes fall in a length that doesn't work for me. The 24" Scandinavian is a better axe and the Wildlife hatchet is a better hatchet. If the length works for you they are great axes.
 
I'll be the odd duck and put in a word for the Roselli Axe. I like that it is more compact than the GB SFA, and I think its head is better shaped for an axe one would actually carry on a long trek and press the tool into general bushcrafting.

I'd rather have a bigger GB Scandi Forest Axe in a camp where building a cabin or a fort was the order of the day, but if I were on the move quartering large game, building improvised shelters, scraping hides, etcetera, the compact head and the bearded edge of the Roselli are what I want along. Per chop it doesn't seem as efficient as a GB SFA, but then again, I have never really had the head stick in anything either.

I have used the Roselli to quarter an elk and then fashion kabob spits of green wood. I love that little axe. Part ulu, part axe, and can be rather like a knife if you put your mind to it. When I carry my Roselli, I only carry a smaller Barkie and a SAK as complimentary tools.

roselliaxe2.jpg
 
Alberta Ed said:
Have a look at Snow & Nealley of Bangor, Maine, (www.snowandneally.com). I now carry their Hudson’s Bay axe when I need a chopping tool on the trail.The head weighs only 1 ¾ lb. and the 18” handle adds another half a pound or so. It’s a better all-round tool than a hatchet, although with the relatively short handle you still have to be careful to have something between you and whatever you’re chopping.
Click to expand...

+1. I have two of theirs and feel it's equal to the GB as well in terms of quality and history.

Here's a link that works. You left out the letter "e" in nealley.

http://www.snowandnealley.com/
 
frediver, I'd like to order from bladematrix, they have nice prices but I was looking at their reviews and their not good, several people who ordered from them said they haven't recieved the stuff they ordered (months) and they have terrible customer service, even having a fake phone number! Did you have any problems? thanks for any tips.
 
There is an Australian importer of GB Axes - they are:

http://www.dahlgrentrading.com/.

I contacted them and they emailed brochures, prices etc and were very helpful. They are also the importer of Mora knives.

GB not only makes contemporary axes but has a great line of historical reproductions and puts out a very informative booklet on axes. I haven't purchased from the site referenced above so can't help with comments on service etc.
 
I've been using a iltis oxhead for the last 20 years here in the bush of northern saskatchewan & like it a lot.The steel is excellent.No matter how cold it is the edge won't chip when chopping black spruce,jackpine or birch,even knots.It's best for chopping & limbing,not splitting as the edge is quite thin.However,it will split wood reasonably well if it's not too big & if it's cold out;the colder the better as frozen wood splits fairly easily.
 
It's all about bang for the buck. GB are top of the line. Top dollar as well. The Roselli axe with the longer handle is great for splitting. Also pricey. Iltis Ox Head is a superb axe. Lots of bush trappers in Canada use them. Wetterling is a great value, as is Fiskars/Gerber. Snow and Nealy makes an excellent axe. It is less $ than GB but not by much. I like to go to flea markets, buy an old axe head of high quality, ( from pre-chainsaw days when American axes worked for a living). re grind it and re handle it. Total cost...usually $15 or less.
 
I have had the Gransfors Bruk axes and hatchets on my "to get" list for awhile. In the meantime I have been using Bahco brand hatchets and axes with very little complaint. Excellent product for the price!
 
I just thought I would drop my two cents worth and say that my choice would be an oxhead. I am over 50 years old and have been using one most of my life for camping, cutting firewood and cutting lines in survey work, this is an excelent all around axe but falls a bit short in spliting big wood over 10".
 
After watching the Stihl Timbersports lumberjack competition I did some searching on the specialized axe they use on unknotted pine.

They run around $350.00 USD. :D
 
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