If you could only have 3 axes, what would they be?

T

traditionalist

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Jul 20, 2014
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This has probably been asked before, but I find the responses interesting.

Mine would be as follows

My 1860 - 1875 collins and co Kentucky pattern (really love this axe, it would be a heavy work axe) on a 37" haft
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My 5lb flint edge best axe made ct pattern on a 32" handle
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My norlund tomahawk on a 26" handle
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While I like hatchets, I don't use them often enough to feel like I need one. I need a axe I can do heavy work with, somthing I can do everything with, and a light boys axe. These fit these parameters.
 
I would have a hatchet among my 3 axes, possibly a small broad hatchet like a Stubai or perhaps a work hatchet like a claw hatchet. But even a typical camp hatchet (Scout hatchet) would suffice. I would have a full size axe, 3-1/2 to 5 pounds, with a hardened poll. It would be a toss up for 3rd place among a pulaski and a boy's axe.
 
The Norlund Tomahawk Hatchet (My first restore), a Kelly Black Raven Mint condition, Hults Bruk .
 
My Rinaldi splitting maul, 700g Calabria, and 1300g Trento. But if the maul were excluded I'd add my customized 500g Milano axe that I put on a 24" handle. If I could only have one, though, then I'd probably opt for something like a 2-1/2 to 3-1/2lb Plumb National.
 
1. My collins red knight boys axe.

2. Marbles camp axe on 16inch handle

3. 4lb council tools dayton on a 36.
 
1 - My 3.5lb Colin's homestead Michigan pattern on a 32" handle

2 - my Vaughan sub zero 8oz hatchet

3 - and a 1-1/4 hatchet on a 20" handle ( probably a plumb )
 
I'm assuming we're talking what axes we'd want in setting where we'd be using them and not which 3 you'd just prefer to own if you could only have 3? If that's the case it would be:

1. My Collins Legitimus Hudson Bay on a 22" handle
2. My Marshall Wells Zenith double bit, not sure what the handle length is but it's a cruiser so probably 30"
3. My Stanley splitting maul on a 36" handle

If we aren't counting splitting mauls then I'd probably switch that out for my True Temper Kelly Red Warrior jersey, something a little thicker I could split with.

And if we're talking only being able to own 3 axes and not in a survival type situation that's a hell of a lot harder to choose but honestly I'd probably still keep the first two and the last one would be either my grandpas Collins that will be passed on to me or my Marshall Wells Zenith broad axe. I still need to find a quality handle that will fit the broad axe, it's in wicked good condition and I love it, if any of you watch Wranglerstars videos it's the same one he has. My grandpas Collins isn't anything special, just a regular old Collins single bit on the original handle but just the sentimental value makes it a lot more competitive in the ranks than the Collins axe if I got it from a stranger.
 
I refuse to have only three! I need them all! Hahaha
 
I know what Number 1 is my 3.5lb Michigan pattern marked tru temper Vulcan Kelly axe works My uncle bought sometime before WW2 an original fiskars hatchet would be #2
 
Yeah I gotta say ... 3 just ain't gonna cut it. For some reason, when I hear this question, I automatically assume we're talking about living in a world without modern conveniences. Maybe because I figure that's the only reason I'd have to make this choice. Because really, there is essentially no budget too small for a couple axes. If push came to shove, the cheapest, poorest axe could be put into service and hung on a homemade handle for basically no money. So I guess I figure I have to choose 3 axes for daily survival. In that case a hewing axe of some sort really does begin to make a lot of sense. You're going to build/repair/maintain your house and other structures. I imagine you'll be crafting a lot of other necessities (utensils, furniture, etc) by hand as well which is probably where a hatchet of some kind comes in. A 3-1/2lb full size axe is probably going to cover everything else. Problem with the pick 3 thing is, will a single axe last a life time in this scenario?

If I had to just pick 3 axes for myself today to do the things I like doing it would probably be 2 different 3-1/2 pounders and a hatchet for carving.
 
I agree three isn't enough especially when you can get a selection for so little money. I would choose a 1 1/2 pound Hudson Bay on a 22 inch handle, A 3 1/2 pound Single bit Michigan pattern on a 36 inch handle. and a 1 pound hatchet. I do like also a three pound single bit on a 32 inch handle. Also a broad axe and broad hatchet. I could go on and on, double bits are great too.
 
Three just isn't enough, but to play along I made some tough choices and picked what I use the most.

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This random no name hatchet. Its old, "hand" forged, and has a relatively thick bit. That said for whatever reason it has become my favorite for carving projects so it gets used.

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A Mann Edge boys axe, because I honestly don't have a need for a larger axe. And the other is a Kelly TrueTemper Woodslasher hatchet on a 25" handle.
 
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