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Looking for a new axe

shaw11b

shaw11b

Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
518
Hey all, I am currently looking for a new axe to add to line up. I don't know much about axes so I am not sure what to get. I have tons of hawks but want to get something more robust. Price is relative as I am willing to pay for quality but for all purposes lets try to keep in under 200. I do most of mt traveling a in the hills of Mt or in North Wy so it I am not looking for a super heavy but can spot logs. Kind of a do everything an axe can do better than a tomahawk. Thanks in advance.

Tim
 
New axe or new-to-you axe? The golden oldies are out there (all sizes/shapes/weights) and often for $180-190 less than what you are looking to spend. Then you can learn to clean it up, sharpen the blade and rehaft to suit. It'll be "your" axe and not just a factory one-of-a-thousand devoid of any inherent character.
 
I have a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe and it is pretty amazing. The head is hand made carbon steel and the handle is made from selected hickory. The axe is hair shaving sharp and easy to maintain although I have had the blade chip a couple of times it was easy to fix. I'm guessing you could pick one up for around $120. Another option could be a Wetterlings Swedish Forest Axe which would be a little bit cheaper at around $100. Another option if you want to save money would be the Fiskars X7 or X15 ($25-$30) again they are made from carbon steel but they have composite handles which will probably never break. I have the X7 and I must admit it surprised me, easy to sharpen and light. The downside for me is the sheath. I find the plastic sheath a bit bulky but maybe one day I will get round to making one or buying one.

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It depends on what sort of relationship you want to have with this tool. The 'new-to-you' option mentioned by 300six will eventually lead you to know much more about the axe as a tool. I've probably spent around $200 now on axe related things (mostly handles which cost a lot to ship, but hardly anything on the heads themselves), but when all the the handles are attached I will have 7 different axes, (probably many more than I need), but at the cost of just about $29 each (would have been cheaper if I didn't buy a couple of lessor quality handles). In this process you will start to learn a lot about what axes work best for what jobs, and what size you find most useful. Eventually you'll have the axes for several different kinds of jobs, and know the one that's perfect to bring on a specific trip.

Notice I said eventually. Learning always takes time.
 
I have a foot in both camps.... I love my GBA's but also love fixing up my vintage axe finds.

I currenty have a PLumb boys axe I restored hanging beside my GBA Scandi- I would be perfectly happy with either one.

For your use, I would choose a head in the 2.25-2.75 range on a handle 25-28".
I know you already know this but "Ounces + hours= pounds"- a boys axe can do everything from light felling and bucking to crafting to hatchet work and fire prep style knife work.

Bill
 
wdmn said:
It depends on what sort of relationship you want to have with this tool. The 'new-to-you' option mentioned by 300six will eventually lead you to know much more about the axe as a tool. I've probably spent around $200 now on axe related things (mostly handles which cost a lot to ship, but hardly anything on the heads themselves), but when all the the handles are attached I will have 7 different axes, (probably many more than I need), but at the cost of just about $29 each (would have been cheaper if I didn't buy a couple of lessor quality handles). In this process you will start to learn a lot about what axes work best for what jobs, and what size you find most useful. Eventually you'll have the axes for several different kinds of jobs, and know the one that's perfect to bring on a specific trip.

Notice I said eventually. Learning always takes time.
Click to expand...
As he says; if you use one often, and always look to heft and try out other people's axes, you will gradually gravitate towards one particular weight and length yourself. If it's just an occasional thing and for light duty then maybe consider some version of a Hudson Bay pattern. They look spiffy (tomahawk-like) and made in USA base models are still available (Council Tools, I think). I've got nothing at all against Swedish tools but they're prone to theft if left unattended and are price and quality 'overkill' for infrequent use.
 
I just bought a Husqvarna 3.3 lb. Large Splitting Axe with a 30" hickory handle, it is hand forged in Sweden. I ordered it from Bailey's (baileysonline.com) for $72.50 with free shipping.
My opinion is that it is a well made axe at a cheaper price than the other Swedish brand axes. It comes with a simple leather sheath that covers the edge of the axe head.
You might want to give one a try before spending more money on one you are not sure of buying.
 
I suggest you buy a boys axe, a 10" multi-cut file with a handle, a file card for cleaning it and puck-style whetstone for honing. Then you'll be set. You can get a Council Tools boys axe (USA) for $33 if you shop around. Probably get all the rest for another $35 or less.

Oh, yeah. Might want to add a couple of clamps to hold it to your bench for sharpening.
 
Comparison pic: GBA Scandi, recently refurbed Plumb Boys Axe(26.5", Rehandled TT Flint boys head on 27.5" new handle,still needs head cleaning and new edge(love the burl in the handle swell!), Warren 2.75lb fire axe on new 32" handle. Just some ideas of options to consider. The refurbs paying auction prices and new handles still come in under 50.00 ready to roll and I paid dearly for the Warren head. The TT is under 35.00 rolled out. THat Plumb is my FAV at the moment- 26.5"/ 2.5lbs as seen, great in hands.
Bill



 
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