i read/researched a bunch, but still not sure which......

jbmonkey

jbmonkey

sure sure
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im looking for a better than box store quality axe in the length of around 26" or slightly longer. my plans are to use it for mainly chopping fallen larger limbs and logs from pine, live oak, water oak, and hybrids of the two oaks. both fresh and seasoned.

i'm digging the council tool hudson bay axe. on the pricer end i'm liking the gransfors bruks scandinavian forest axe.

i was tempted to just buy the gransfors, but read somewhere the design(i am paraphrasing here) is more for fresh wood.


i don't care so much about having the absolute best, just a solid tool that can do what i need.

any better choices out there for what i'm looking for, also are the picks i listed terrible for the tasks i am planning on using them for? i am not an expert in axes, all i use now is a box store axe and a cold steel trail boss for smashing up rotted logs. thanks in advance for any advice, insight.
 
GB is flat cheek, thin and sharp. Might work ok for dead seasoned conifers (don't hit a knot though). They make good carving axes, a lot of bushcrafters use them. I would not consider it a good axe for bucking and limbing, especially compared to other axes. Council is also flat ground but its thicker. I would go for the boys axe over the HB, I had a norlund HB and I didn't like the weight. Especially if you are going to do lots of chopping, that would not be its strong point. Council boys axe or a vintage 2.5 pounder would probably be my pick for an all around axe. GB and now Wetterlings are overpriced for what they offer in my opinion. I have a 26" wetterlings that I very seldom use over one of my old beat up american axes.
 
For what you are looking for I think Council Tool is right down your alley. Tough, American made, and not exspensive. I recently bought a standard Council jersey online for $38 shipped.
 
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Thank you gents for the advice and info. Greatly appreciated.
 
I am limbing with a husqvuarna limbing axe made by wetterlings. It has thick cheeks and a thicker blade for the job, heavy hickory handle. Good cheaper option and I think they are cheaper than the wetterlings let alone GB.

Dropped 4 dead standing fir on the long weekend, limbed then sawn to lengths and packed to the truck. About 2 chords.
 
all good suggestions mentioned above...
i will say, that i heat with wood and cut around 6 cords a year (real cords, not 'face' cords). i have used the GB forest axe for several years now to do my limping (on lodgepole pine, larch, and douglas fir, with the majority being beetle kill lodgepole). it performs very well. i use my GB american felling axe some as well, but overall i generally prefer to use the forest axe. its damn near perfect for the job IMO...
i would advise as mentioned above to get the CT boys axe over the HB for what you are going to be using it for. i have both and both are fine tools, but for limbing i would choose the boys axe anyday... it is a very nice american made little axe IMO and for the price you cant go wrong...
but... those GB's sure are nice ;)
 
first thanks for all y'all advice. good info, greatly appreciated.

seems the dayton pattern or jersey pattern head is what would work best for my tasks...unless i totally misunderstood what y'all are advising.

think i'll grab one of those boys axes as mentione dand keep my eye out for a garage sale bargin head. thank you fellas....
 
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