Looking for an 3ish pound axe with a straight handle

M

Mendoman

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Hi. I’m in the market for a new axe. I’m looking for around a three pounder. I cut timber with a chainsaw. I’m looking for an axe mainly to clean out face cuts and pound wedges. I want something with a fairly, if not completely straight handle so that it’s not as awkward when pounding wedges. I don’t want to buy something and have to immediately rehang it. My number one contender is the Helko Werk classic forester. Does anyone have experience with this axe? And is there another one you would recommend above it. Thanks in advance for your advice, feedback, opinion, and expertise.
 
Mendoman said:
Hi. I’m in the market for a new axe. I’m looking for around a three pounder. I cut timber with a chainsaw. I’m looking for an axe mainly to clean out face cuts and pound wedges. I want something with a fairly, if not completely straight handle so that it’s not as awkward when pounding wedges. I don’t want to buy something and have to immediately rehang it. My number one contender is the Helko Werk classic forester. Does anyone have experience with this axe? And is there another one you would recommend above it. Thanks in advance for your advice, feedback, opinion, and expertise.
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https://byxco.com/products/woox-axe-forte-28?_pos=2&_sid=bd905a748&_ss=r
 
^^^Hardened poll, ~3lb head, straight handle, slip fit eye so you can use handles of different lengths according to taste and easily swap out a spare if you ever bust one in use. The cheeks are a true taper, not a phantom bevel, so you'll never grind back into a thin point.
 
Excellent. Thanks to both of you for chiming in. Would you benefit from me purchasing it from a specific place?
 
I mean, getting it from me means more of the money comes my way, and I can do extra grinding work on the bit. But I'm mostly happy that people are getting their paws on them regardless of where they pick them up, as I'm obviously quite fond of the design, having made it based on my own preferences lol
 
It appears to be just what I was looking for. Nice job with the design. The hardened poll that has a little more length should be great for wedge work. Thanks again
 
Thanks! I had specifically wanted a "lighter than a full axe, heavier than a boy's axe" that had crafting/construction and general homestead-class tasks in mind. Having handles of multiple lengths comes in handy more often than you'd likely expect and the eye is deliberately sized to be large enough for a bit of a swell when slip-fit but smaller than a standard pick handle end, so an off-the-shelf pick handle can be rasped down to fit if you want a full 36".
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I mean, getting it from me means more of the money comes my way, and I can do extra grinding work on the bit. But I'm mostly happy that people are getting their paws on them regardless of where they pick them up, as I'm obviously quite fond of the design, having made it based on my own preferences lol
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What does special grade mean for additional 7.00? Nice looking axe!
 
shinyedges said:
What does special grade mean for additional 7.00? Nice looking axe!
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Thanks! As noted in the item description, that's the additional thinning and refining of the factory edge. Special Grade work is any additional add-on services we perform on the given item, and those services vary depending on what we think the particular tool would most benefit from. On Tramontina machetes, for instance, it includes sanding the scales flush with the tang, squaring the spine, and pointing the tip in addition to sharpening.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Thanks! As noted in the item description, that's the additional thinning and refining of the factory edge. Special Grade work is any additional add-on services we perform on the given item, and those services vary depending on what we think the particular tool would most benefit from. On Tramontina machetes, for instance, it includes sanding the scales flush with the tang, squaring the spine, and pointing the tip in addition to sharpening.
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Well worth the 7.00! Thank you for the info, I've read your posts for many years gleaning information.
 
I suggest thinning the factory edge down before taking it out for your first spin, if possible! It especially shines with a good low edge angle on it. Mine's probably about 12° per side.
 
I would have liked have ordered it directly from you, and and had you dial it in, but I received it as a birthday gift so I just made the recommendation.
 
Not to worry! I'm seriously just happy to get more of them out there. I'm quite pleased with the overall execution of the design, especially with the newer slightly revised handles. The factory edges are just not amazing, but you only need to fix that base geometry once, so it's not too much bother.
 
Mendoman said:
I’m really liking the Woox Forte. I didn’t use it to actually chop down a tree yet, but I did take it to work to use it as I would my other axes. I was a little worried about the handle being skinny at the bottom but after using it I really like it. I have xl glove size hands. At the bottom of the handle my fingers fully wrap it and touch the base of my hand. It actually made it feel more secure, but just wasn’t what I was used to. I split some large 24 inch rounds with it and it worked better than my 8 pound maul. I tend to use an axe as a hammer as much as for any thing else, and at that it is far and away better than any other axe I’ve used. I use it for pounding wedges and knocking out face cuts and ect. Today I had to send a tree uphill against its lean and it took all the wedges I had with me, and they were doubled up. So I was really beating on the with the axe. The longer hardened pole really helped me by allowing me to drive them deeper into the back cut. View attachment 2411713For my uses, I’m happy with it. It feels well balanced and seems well made. Time will tell if the skinnier handle holds up. But they are slip fit and easy to replace. They also have a 22 inch handle for it(I have a 28) so you can swap it out. View attachment 2411722
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IMG_7059.jpegIMG_7057.jpeg
 
I really think it would do really well at some of the logging supply companies. I don’t know how hard it would be to get them to carry it or what it entails but I think it would do well there. I don’t think I’m supposed to say retailer’s names on the forum. I know for me, when doing commercial timber operations I am required to have an axe and shovel in every vehicle or piece of equipment, and keep a box of fire tool that includes more axes. I know a lot of companies are just going to buy the cheapest ones to meet the requirements but a lot of people like to have something a little more high end in their vehicle.
 
thanks for the thread and continued review, it's been a while since this axe first dropped so its good to hear some real world reviews of it on this forum
 
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