Looking for an axe to primarly use for kindling

Estwing is good stuff. They may not be lookers, but they sure are users! I'm absolutely enamored with the ones I got in recently, especially the Rigger's Axe. The nail puller notch is actually useful for pulling/dragging wire and the like. Would make an excellent urban/woods hybrid survival item. I have one of the long-handled rock picks for my own use, and it's absolutely brutal. It's going to be a big help tearing apart old fence posts on the farm. It's easier to bust apart the rotten wood then it is to pull the rusty nails. :thumbup:
 
I just picked up 2 small axes on ebay for 27 shipped. Both are true temper but one might need a new handle. I would just go used, no need to break the bank on a working too.
 
Agree on the e-bay finds. Just picked up a single bit made in the USA Forged Craftsman for a steal. The patina on the head and handle are beautiful....It's probably bigger then what your seeking w/ a 35" handle but it's in awesome condition and should split wood w/ no worries....I have my feelers out for a dbl head Nessmuk style too.....
 
I love the concept of the Estwing Fireside Friend but I hate the all steel handle. I have a small Kershaw hatchet with a steel handle and it becomes very uncomfortable after using it for awhile. In a perfect world I would find a wood handled version of the fireside friend for a decent price. I'll keep checking Ebay for a vintage axe.

How is the steel quality on a Snow & Nealley Mini Maul? It seems to be similar to the Estwing Fireside Friend but with a wood handle. If anyone knows of a made in America or Europe equivalent, other then the GB, please let me know.

Nothing against GB but I would prefer to keep it a tad cheaper if possible.
 
Was picking up some parts for a tractor yesterday and they had some Stihl splitting axes there.
The PA20 had a 19.75" handle and weight was 2.9 lbs
The PA50 had 29.5" handle and weight was 4.4 lbs.
They were great looking very well made !
 
Finding an old axe head at the flea market or swap meet sounds good to me, spilling wood can be hard on your maul or axe. Hitting dirt or rocks (or the patio or garage floor) I have looked at Axes at the local hardware and farm store and The new Collins aren't fancy and shiny like Wetterlings or Gransfors, but they are a pretty good cheap "beater" axe to get the job done and won't make you mad as hell if yo hit the dirt or rocks. I thinks these were made in Mexico, $20, $30, $40, depending on the size you want

Pat
 
I just bought a small Ox-Head Forestry Axe. I figured I can use it to split kindling when needed if I am camping and do tons of other stuff like limbing or felling if need be. As for a dedicated splitter I am thinking a Wetterling small axe splitter may be in my near future. I really wish there was a good American made splitter other then the Estwing since I cannot stand all metal handles. It is scary how few hand tools are made in America now. Thanks a ton for all the information and guidance I really do appreciate everyone opinions.
 
Have you considered the fiskars x11 or x17, I believe you would be pleasantly surprised with how well they split wood.
 
the council tool 'boys axe' might me a good option for you.
you should check it out, their not very expensive either...
 
The Fiskars are amazing performers for their price. I have a X27 and cannot believe how well it splits wood but I can't get over it's new age appearance and greatly prefer plain old wood and steel without the plastic. The main reason I went for the Ox head over the Council brand was because I was worried about the strength and hardness of the Council heads in hardwood since I gathered they were 50 to 55rc on the cutting edge and the Oxhead was around 57-58rc if what I read was correct.
 
whooki said:
I love the concept of the Estwing Fireside Friend but I hate the all steel handle. I have a small Kershaw hatchet with a steel handle and it becomes very uncomfortable after using it for awhile. In a perfect world I would find a wood handled version of the fireside friend for a decent price. I'll keep checking Ebay for a vintage axe.

How is the steel quality on a Snow & Nealley Mini Maul? It seems to be similar to the Estwing Fireside Friend but with a wood handle. If anyone knows of a made in America or Europe equivalent, other then the GB, please let me know.

Nothing against GB but I would prefer to keep it a tad cheaper if possible.
Click to expand...

Actually I keep seeing a wood handled mini maul pop up on e-bay, it seems like it's been cycling through for months. Here it is again

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AX-HATCHET-...s=63&clkid=3833224015447711251#ht_2052wt_1189

They're asking a lot for what it is, that's probably why it's been on there for months.
 
Well I just received my Ox-head small forest axe and it has three small, 3/8" or so, black knots in the handle. Is this normal for a high end axe to have knots in the handle that are so obvious? The axe head seems to be very nicely machined but the handle is what I would expect on your average chinamart special.
 
OK, I know you already bought the Ox head small forest axe and that you own a Fiskars x-27.

I too have the x27. Its great at splitting wood. For kindling, I usually have plenty of shards and splinters after I whack a few rounds with my x27. When I want a little more, I usually break out the $7 camp axe. Guess it's just a preference, but I prefer the short handle of the camp axe.

If you really want a neat way to make kindling, get a froe or perhaps put your axe in a vice and pound your wood down on the ax blade with a mallet.
 
Dusty One said:
Was picking up some parts for a tractor yesterday and they had some Stihl splitting axes there.
The PA20 had a 19.75" handle and weight was 2.9 lbs
The PA50 had 29.5" handle and weight was 4.4 lbs.
They were great looking very well made !
Click to expand...

that shorter stihl you mention is an awesome kindling maker. I love the one I bought (for my wife!).

I'm sure you know, but those are Ox-head products, by the way.


-ben
 
I picked up a husquavarna(wetterlings) short splitting axe a couple years ago and it is great for 1 handed splitting

Like a minimaul and great head/edgegeometry to force the split. around 40$

it would be the axe I would take canoeing with a saw over my wetterling large hunter, they are the same length but the husq splitter has what seems to be twice the steel and heft in the head
 
I've used a Japanese bamboo hatchet for splitting kindling. It's actually pretty nice. It's got a 3/16" spine which you can hammer on with another piece of wood like you would with a froe. I find it's much easier than balancing smaller pieces of wood upright and then taking an axe swing at them. It's also a good way to split backwoods toothpicks. :D

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photo1-1.jpg
 
I honestly think that making kindling is the BEST argument for batoning. A lot more accurate and controllable, and since you're taking off small pieces you put little stress on the tool.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I honestly think that making kindling is the BEST argument for batoning. A lot more accurate and controllable, and since you're taking off small pieces you put little stress on the tool.
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It's also a lot less effort and more enjoyable. My buddy Dave in the above photo would have split the whole damn wood pile down to pencil-sized pieces if I hadn't taken the hatchet away from him.
 
nickzdon said:
It's also a lot less effort and more enjoyable. My buddy Dave in the above photo would have split the whole damn wood pile down to pencil-sized pieces if I hadn't taken the hatchet away from him.
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sounds like my wife. we'd just burn kindling if it were up to her. funny thing, when I bought her an axe to call her own, she quite chopping kindling all the time..............that's okay, I don't mind using it.
 
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