Need a new axe.

Tough call. Both great choices.

If the primary use is bushcraft take the Hudson Bay. If you need to clear the camp or the road to the camp then take the boys axe. If you plan to split any firewood then the boys axe is much better.

Either one can do all those task. But their strong points differ.
 
It will be used mostly for limbing, splitting some a few pieces of bigger stuff (maybe up to 10" and dragging some "hunks" into camp to be cut to length by a bow saw.
 
I feel that the small eye of the Hudson bay is a detriment. Personally I don't think a Hudson bay has any advantages over a boys axe of near or the same weight. I have a few in my collection but for actual use, between the two, I'll take the boys axe every time.
 
I agree with S Square_peg , I'd go with a boys axe for sure.

I also agree with Yankee Josh Yankee Josh that for heads of the same weight, the Hudson bay probably doesn't have any advantages.

I THINK the advantage of the Hudson bay is supposed to be reduced weight for a given cutting edge length. A typical boys axe and hudson bay axe both have about a 4" cutting edge. However, the hudson bay axe usually weighs 1 3/4 lbs while the boys axe weighs 2 1/4 lbs. thats almost a 25% reduction in weight, but the cost is a less secure attachment of the head to the haft - as Josh pointed out the height of the eye is much shorter in the hudson bay axe which means there is much less contact between head and handle - so less friction, etc. to hold it in place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top