My new Ochsenkopf Forest axe - some pics!

[Humppa]

Hi guys!

I already posted in other threads what I got new. But then it always looses its story. I hope you know what I mean.

On Friday I bought a new Ochsenkopf Forest axe at a local hardware store for round about 72,00 €. Not cheap, but with Ochsenkopf you can never go wrong

Headweight 1,2 kilogram.
Haftlenght 80 cm.

I used that little guy on saturday in the woods, so it took some scratches. But nothing really bad. It gonna be used more and more during the time.

That´s what I don´t like on the industrial haft-finishing - iron wedges!!!

Here is a comparison pic about its big brother with 1,6 kilogram headweight and a haft with 90 cm.

Nice guys, aren´t they!?

This is the way I add my wedges inside the haft. A crosscut and three wedges. I fits much better and works pretty well. And you don´t need to buy steel wedges or whatever.

What I don´t like on that new axe is the thin handle. I makes my hand hurt during working on a longer time. I prefer the self-made-hafts with the thicker handles. And with none of theese heavy-turns inside when haft gets at its bottom. (Better look at the pic, I can hardly explain that)

And a fun pic at the end

With that new axe I worked in the woods whole saturday. Makes a nice and mid-weight-felling-axe. Though I didn´t fell a tree with it (I have a good chainsaw), the head form is nice. When removing branchets from the trees I fell, the headform works pretty well. The other Ochsenkopf axe is a real felling axe and nothing for light-duty.
As I already wrote, I don´t like the thin haft. But I´m sure, it will break at some time. I´ll make a new one and everythings ok, again

Imo the coating of the older Ochenkopfs was much more durable. Now it shows off scratches easily. The coating is not beautiful, but it helps finding the axe again in woods better than without that coating.

I hope you guys enjoy that nice axe!

Kind regards
Andi

 

[trailmaker]

Beautiful axes. I really like the stamp on that older axe, do you have a close up photo? I'm curious about the pain you feel from the thinner handle. Is it pain from the shock of the impacts or pain from a tighter grip required on a thin handle. For me, a thick handle requires a tighter grip which makes my hand muscles sore at the end of the day.

 

[Humppa]

Well, maybe it´s because of both. Imo the impact energy ca be better absorbed by a thicker haft. But the mainthing I think is because of the tighter grip. Maybe my hands are a little too big or long for that thin hafts. When I use the thicker hafts, nothing hurts... ever after hours...

I can try to get a better pic of the stamp on the older head. It has the emblem of Ochsenkopf axes and written 1600 (which are the gram of the head)

Kind regards
Andi

 

[bearhunter]

i really like that head style... there is a company here in america that sells those... good looking axes for sure...

thanks for the pics

 

[Square_peg]

Beautiful axes.

I agree. Gorgeous axes.

I'm curious about the pain you feel from the thinner handle. Is it pain from the shock of the impacts or pain from a tighter grip required on a thin handle. For me, a thick handle requires a tighter grip which makes my hand muscles sore at the end of the day.

I feel the same way Trailmaker does. I prefer the thinner handles.

 

[Square_peg]

i really like that head style... there is a company here in america that sells those... good looking axes for sure...

What is the effect of putting the mass of the axe behind the center of the bit versus putting the mass more behind the toe of the bit as in typical American patterns? Think of a Jersey pattern for instance. The toe of the bit is backed up solidly while the heel has less mass behind it. Does the weight distribution effect how the axe is used or how it cuts?

Oh, and I discovered that 'Ochsenkopf' means 'ox head' in English.

 

[bearhunter]

What is the effect of putting the mass of the axe behind the center of the bit versus putting the mass more behind the toe of the bit as in typical American patterns? Think of a Jersey pattern for instance. The toe of the bit is backed up solidly while the heel has less mass behind it. Does the weight distribution effect how the axe is used or how it cuts?

Oh, and I discovered that 'Ochsenkopf' means 'ox head' in English.

im not sure, i dont own one of that style (i should have said that i like the 'looks' of that style)...

i believe that memphis has one of that style as well a jersey or two--- maybe he could be of some help

sounds like an opportunity for a test to me... that means you memphis...!

 

[Turbo4x4]

Thanks for the sharing!
I like this brand- really quality tools. Ochsenkopf is Gedore division, isn't it?

And did You touch Mueller axes from Austria? I have the pair, very good!

 

[littleknife]

Nice axe, Humppa & you did an excellent job with re-handling the older axe too!:thumbup::thumbup:

I agree that on smaller axes of this type a very curved handle is not comfortable: it makes the axe twist more, especially if the poll is less pronounced.

 

[trailmaker]

"Well, maybe it´s because of both. Imo the impact energy ca be better absorbed by a thicker haft. But the mainthing I think is because of the tighter grip. Maybe my hands are a little too big or long for that thin hafts. When I use the thicker hafts, nothing hurts... ever after hours..."


Yes I suppose it's a question of proper fit rather than thick or thin. How you finish the handle probably also determines how tight your grip must be. Some of my handles have lots of linseed oil and are sort of tacky or sticky. These require less gripping strength but are more likely to cause blisters on my wimpy hands. Some of my other handles have less oil which gives a smooth satin finish. More grip required for these but less blistering on the hands. I wonder how the axe men of old finished their handles? They probably had thick, calloused hands so maybe they could get away with tackier finishes. Maybe they didn't even worry about finishes, they just let body oil, sweat and dirt take care of the finish.

 

[OutdoorEnvy]

Very cool axes. Thanks for the pics. They look like great users. That's an interesting way to secure the head with 3 wedges. I've never seen that before. Did you learn that from someone or is it something you tried on your own?

 

[M3mphis]

im not sure, i dont own one of that style (i should have said that i like the 'looks' of that style)...

i believe that memphis has one of that style as well a jersey or two--- maybe he could be of some help

sounds like an opportunity for a test to me... that means you memphis...!

The only axe I have in this style is that little 1.25lb Sandvik hatchet. I guess I'm off the hook! I'm going to buy one though, so we'll see.

 

[Humppa]

Thanks for the sharing!
I like this brand- really quality tools. Ochsenkopf is Gedore division, isn't it?

And did You touch Mueller axes from Austria? I have the pair, very good!

Hi Turbo!

Which division is Ochsenkopf with in, I don´t know. They make really good and useable tools.

I know Müller Axes from Austria. I live just one kilometre away from the austrian border. They are also good tools. I have used some during time. But I don´t own one, til now. I might look in an austrian hardware store for a Müller axe. Now, you made nervous about getting a Müller axe

Kind regards
Andi

 

[Humppa]

@ square_peg: Ochsenkopf means really ox head. But not to use in the same term! It´s place somewhere in Germany. Just for information

@ trailmaker: You´re completelly right about your thoughts on the thickness. As I already wrote, I prefer thicker ones instead of the thinner. For sure everyone likes another shape, thickness and form of the haft.

@outdoorenvy: That thing with the three wedges is pretty typical here for us in Southeastern Bavaria and in Austria. I have seen it already on an old hatchet from my great-grand-pa. Unfortunatelly I left it outside the house over night and someone must have stolen it. Not quiete cool from that guy! I tried it out again, and it works pretty good.

Thank you guys for the replies!

Kind regards
Andi

 

[Operator1975]

What about the paint on the handle????

This must be a major issue? You cant have paint on a handle.

 

[Humppa]

What about the paint on the handle????

This must be a major issue? You cant have paint on a handle.

Well Operator; for sure you´re right. The paint on the handle is a little useful in the woods. When laying the axe down and working on and on you can find the axe easier. I´ve spent already a lot hours looking for my tools. This really sucks after a while

It´s not the true way, but as I said, it can be useful some times.

Kind regards