Large Chopping/Splitting Axe: Is the Tuatahi Work Axe Worth it?

C

cm_bushman

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Oct 22, 2012
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I have recently recieved a Husqvarna Forest Axe to take camping and to buid up my strength and technique with an axe. Eventually, I hope to use Axe and saw to proccess wood for my dad's old heating stove through the winter, (he doesn't use it, so I'm hoping to utilize the opportunity to lower heating bills when I move into a new place).

The Forest Axe is of course somewhat small, akin to a boy's axe in size and weight, and so it is limited for dedicated wood proccessing. I'm now looking for a new full-size axe, in the 3-5lb range, to more efficiently handle large jobs. I'm not really equipped to restore old vintage heads (as much as it seems they're of superior design to anything from today), so I'm looking to buy some sort of new axe.
plumb
This really narrows the choices for quality axes it seems. I've been looking at the 3.5lb Council Jersey (with some help from the forum), but I've also been looking at more premium options, specifically the Tuatahi working axe. For a price that's not far away from the Velvicut Dayton, it is basically a full-size racing axe that, from what I could find, is nothing short of excellent in geometry and overall design.

My question here is, is this axe, at 7-8x the cost of your basic Council Jersey, worth it in terms of overall performance and the work involved in bringing it up to peak potential? I know I woud rather go out for an old Sager or Plumb (I really wish I could find a garanteed great Kentucky or Conneticut pattern, but oh well), but for new axes, these two seem to be the low- and high- end options while retaining good overall quality.
 
Hey, firstly, would this primarily be a splitting axe? Or are you going to be using it for bucking as well? If you are primarily going to be using it for splitting, I might suggest a Splitting axe or splitting maul pattern. As far as quality axe heads go, you could buy the tools, handle, and axe head for a vintage axe for much cheaper than most quality axes bought from the store. As far as new quality axe options, I would definitely look into Gransfors Bruks.
Hope this helps.
 
I'll be using it for everything, from splitting to bucking to felling. Mostly it will be for the former two, since they of course take much longer vs felling. I have looked into GB, but they seem very thin and flat-cheeked, something I really came to see as a disadvantage in the Husqvarna. I was actually lucky enough to find an old, almost unused pair of Councils, a 26" Boy's Axe and a 3.5lb Jersey with the full-length handle (paper labels still there and everything) in an old garage, so the point may now be moot. I'll just have to remove the surface rust and sharpen a bit and they'll be good to go.

In this case, I think the vintage route may now be more open. I've been pining for a Sager for a while, but I can't seem to find any in good enough condition for me to go for over a new piece. Are there any online sources for these old axes that you recommend or anything specifically to look for? I am now mostly looking for a heavier axe, 5lb+, splitting pattern or otherwise, to round out the spectrum.
 
Here's the thing about axes, in my opinion. No one axe does it all. If you try to use an axe that is good at splitting to quickly take down trees and buck firewood, you're going to be disappointed. Same goes vice versa. Yes, you can get it done eventually, but I've been there and am never going back.

Instead, buy a dedicated splitter, a dedicated feller/limber/bucker, and enjoy tool specialization. A lot of us here that really use axes have very specialized axes/patterns/weights for different uses. In the process of felling a pine tree, I would use four different axes if I don't have to carry them in. I can get it done with one, but it slows me down and tires me out more.

I realize everybody wants the one axe they can take with them into the woods and do everything, but those people are always unsatisfied with that one axe, whatever it may be.

From what I know, the Tuatahi working axe is for people that want the look of a racing axe, but don't want to have to worry about the edge so much. I do not believe you will be able to use one to do all the jobs around camp efficiently.
 
I picked up a GB American Felling Axe a while ago, and gotta say, very great compromise for an all around axe. I love it, just my .02
dave
 
Tuatahis kinda remind me of someone using the finest African black wood (i just googled "most expensive wood" lol) to make, for example, window bucks. Like, whats the point? Kinda unnecessary overkill, ya know? Those tools, although STUNNING, are not 7-8x the axe even though they cost 7-8x the money. So grab one to indulge, for certain- I am sure they are a great pleasure. But I cannot imagine breaking the $150-$200 mark for a user. Humble opinion only.
 
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