Ideas and brand recommendations

M

MPE

Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
617
Hey all. Been a member for a while but this is my first visit here. I am looking for a real nice, heavy duty hatchet and axe to use for small branches and to split logs for the firepit arount the house. I would also be using these for camping as well. The help is much appreciated.

MPE
 
MPE... got a few questions to try to narrow this down..

A) How much do you want to spend?
B) What kind of camping are you foreseeing? (i.e RV, car +tent, short distance backpacking, long distance backpacking)

I'm sure we can outfit you with the perfect tools, but a little more info would help. :)
 
FoxholeAtheist said:
MPE... got a few questions to try to narrow this down..

A) How much do you want to spend?
B) What kind of camping are you foreseeing? (i.e RV, car +tent, short distance backpacking, long distance backpacking)

I'm sure we can outfit you with the perfect tools, but a little more info would help. :)
Click to expand...

Short to long distance backpacking. May do a tent/car if the kids are with us on our adventure. I know I am leaning toward a synthetic handle but that is all. My price range will be reflected by what I am willing to spend on my knives, if I like it I will buy it. I alway opt for the upper mid to high level products. I like to keep whatever I buy for a long time and use it alot. I do not know what they should cost, but I would suspect $125 for a hatchet wouldn't hurt my feelings any. I buy alot of custom knives and Sebenza Folders so I will spend the $$$. Thanks for the help to both who replied.

MPE
 
If you're going a long distance, I would look at the Gransfors Bruks Mini hatchet, or possibly the (larger) Wildlife Hatchet. THe mini is about 15oz, not sure about the Wildlife Hatchet. If you were to go with the Small Forest Axe, you would get a big boost in chopping ability, but at a weight penalty... 35oz or so. Here's pics in my hand: (Mini and SFA)

GBAxecompare.jpg


For splitting, I'm not sure... one of the other guys can probably help.

For branches around your yard, get a pruning saw. It's not as manly, but it's faster, safer, and easier to use. I've been impressed with the Silky F180 I have, but they make lots of models.

Hope this helps! :)
 
Thanks everyone for the help. I will be buying one here real soon. It may be a Gransfors Bruks or I may have a custom made. Again, thanks.

MPE
 
I have the SFA as well. I think it's a decent size axe, the smaller models are just too small for me. You can still pack the SFA in a bigger backpack as well.

It's amazing how sharp it comes and how easy it is to keep it sharp. Here I've cut up some tomatoes with it.

bbq2.jpg


Great axe!

--
northernlight
 
If he desires an axe that is well-designed for "splitting" hardwood, the GB SFA, or its brother the Hunter's Axe, are emphatically not "the one." The transition from blade to cheek is too abrupt, creating a shoulder that stops smooth splitting -- as is the case with most hawks. For splitting, the top-down view should show a "V," with little or no shoulder at the blade/cheek transition. On the other hand, for bucking or limbing, the SFA is excellent IMO, and it is adequate for splitting softwood.
 
Gransfors makes a dedicated Splitting Axe. It's perfect for doing just that... Got one last Fall and used it all Winter with nothing but joy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top