Looking for a new axe

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'm well experienced with proper technique and can get a good swing going safely. My fiancee and I are spending some time with her folks and they have a wood stove but hate splitting wood. I happen to be quite fond of it, but need a new axe. I'm quite fond of the hudson bay pattern, but am open to persuasion.

So--what do you guys prefer?

 

[DirtyPhill]

I love anything by made by Fiskars, it has taken anything I can throw at it on the farm and in the woods.

 

[siguy]

if you are doing mostly splitting then i would suggest getting a dedicated splitting maul/axe...you can go high-end with gransfors bruks, but i am intrigued by the fiskars splitting axe, and i think i will get that one when i finally get one. i know it will be better than the hardware store "splitters"...

if you will be chopping in addition to splitting, then i would suggest a wetterlings or fiskars in a larger size. or you could go gransfors bruks again, but pricey.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'd rather avoid a full-blown maul. I've virtually never had use for one, as I usually use the wedge-n'-sledge method for the big stuff. The Fiskars are really nice and the like, but I was thinking maybe something a little more traditional. I'll look at the gransfors bruks though.

 

[camo kid]

Another brand that is half decent and a lot cheaper is Council Tool. I have owned a few and have been very happy with their performance, even when compared to Wetterlings, and older Norlund, and Collins stuff. They just aren't as pretty but with a little sanding and linseed oil they are rugged performers. If you can hand pick one you will most likely be better off, but with that said the ones I have ordered have had straight eyes and decent handle grain. Joe