Need AXE (possibly multiples) selection help...

[Double Ott]

That might be a good option. First, I am going to keep an eye on some Ebay heads and see if I can pick one up for relatively cheap. If I can score a good vintage, I'm going to go that route.

Interesting...You ask a question and ignore the advise. It is very apparent that you have a steep learning curve ahead of you...Considering the project that you have outlined for us.

Asking a question is OK, many of us do it. It is one way to learn.

However many of the questions you ask could fill an entire post. There aren't any quick answers and there are many different views.

May I suggest that you try to be a little self sufficient and learn to use the "forum search" before you ask a question. You'll get a comprehensive answer to your topic.

Hope your not offended, but I can see this going on forever, til you move into your new home. Search is your friend.

Tom

 

[Survivormind]

Also G-pig,

I have read that the Husqvarna axes are made by Wetterlings and just aren't as cleaned up. Do you know anything about this? That's why I was initially considering the Husqvarnas.

 

[Survivormind]

Interesting...You ask a question and ignore the advise. It is very apparent that you have a steep learning curve ahead of you...Considering the project that you have outlined for us.

Asking a question is OK, many of us do it. It is one way to learn.

However many of the questions you ask could fill an entire post. There aren't any quick answers and there are many different views.

May I suggest that you try to be a little self sufficient and learn to use the "forum search" before you ask a question. You'll get a comprehensive answer to your topic.

Hope your not offended, but I can see this going on forever, til you move into your new home. Search is your friend.

Tom

Ott, I don't think you read all of the posts above. He was telling me to get a vintage head if I could. After I asked about the Council, he then commented that might be a good way to go initially.

I'll take your advice and utilize the forum search tool more if you take mine and read every post in a thread before being a troll. I've learned a ton on this thread from everyone except yourself and I make comments to that effect throughout.

 

[Square_peg]

Vintage Plumb axes are top notch - but so were many other vintage maker's axes.

The best deals on axes are found on the used market. The key things to look for are convex cheeks (sometimes referred to as a high centerline) and a long toe - the upper tip of the axe's bit. The toe is the most easily damaged portion of an axe. You'll see millions of used axes with the toe filed back short of the heel. That's the sign of an abused axe. Find an axe with a long toe and a relatively straight bit and you've likely found a good axe with lots of life left in her. If the axe comes with a handle then look for a slender handle with an unclipped fawn's foot (this is for single bit axes only).

 

[Survivormind]

Vintage Plumb axes are top notch - but so were many other vintage maker's axes.

The best deals on axes are found on the used market. The key things to look for are convex cheeks (sometimes referred to as a high centerline) and a long toe - the upper tip of the axe's bit. The toe is the most easily damaged portion of an axe. You'll see millions of used axes with the toe filed back short of the heel. That's the sign of an abused axe. Find an axe with a long toe and a relatively straight bit and you've likely found a good axe with lots of life left in her. If the axe comes with a handle then look for a slender handle with an unclipped fawn's foot (this is for single bit axes only).

OK, got it! Since I started this thread this morning, I am now watching quite a few axe heads (vintage) on Ebay. I even found some 3 pounders finally.

 

[G-pig]

Interesting...You ask a question and ignore the advise. It is very apparent that you have a steep learning curve ahead of you...Considering the project that you have outlined for us.

Asking a question is OK, many of us do it. It is one way to learn.

However many of the questions you ask could fill an entire post. There aren't any quick answers and there are many different views.

May I suggest that you try to be a little self sufficient and learn to use the "forum search" before you ask a question. You'll get a comprehensive answer to your topic.

Hope your not offended, but I can see this going on forever, til you move into your new home. Search is your friend.

Tom

I didn't get any negative vibes from anyone else that were apparent, and I certainly dont mind at all. I've spent 5 years geeking out about these tools so I like to write about it. I usually dont post in topics that I dont want to write it.

I remember a guy who was clearly "obsessed" with his axe purchase, and made probably 15 threads in the course of a month. Crapped his pants over every blemish, etc. He was probably from the main knife forum. I was a knife guy before axes and I understand some of them. That guy was one of the annoying ones. The OP here has nothing but curiosity and seems super courteous and genuinely interested. I wish we had more folks like this getting into the use of hand tools.

Also G-pig,

I have read that the Husqvarna axes are made by Wetterlings and just aren't as cleaned up. Do you know anything about this? That's why I was initially considering the Husqvarnas.

Husqy axes are nice from what I hear. Ive never handled them, and I think the council boys axe (not the forest service version) is around half the price. You wont likely get a perfect axe, the alignment might be a little off and the grain not perfect, but that truly does not matter that much. Get used to imperfections, that are abound in a hand made future.

 

[G-pig]

I'm not going to say that we aren't considering a chainsaw for off-the-property firewood gathering...

Was going to address this earlier but forgot to. If you want to use a CC for firewood, I would recommend stowing that chainsaw somewhere off site, if you have a pile a wood, a crosscut and a chain saw, you will probably reach for the chainsaw. Path of the least resistance. Once you get in a habit of using a CC you will likely come to enjoy the hell out of it (I certainly do, and most people ive ever sawn with, much like scything its very pleasant), and maybe you can work the saw back into the mix. Your choice of course, like all of this. just saying, at first especially you might have to make a conscious choice to use hand power.

 

[Double Ott]

Ott, I don't think you read all of the posts above. He was telling me to get a vintage head if I could. After I asked about the Council, he then commented that might be a good way to go initially.

I'll take your advice and utilize the forum search tool more if you take mine and read every post in a thread before being a troll. I've learned a ton on this thread from everyone except yourself and I make comments to that effect throughout.

It appears that you are easily offended. But name calling just isn't polite. My advise was simple, try the search function.
Tom

 

[Survivormind]

I didn't get any negative vibes from anyone else that were apparent, and I certainly dont mind at all. I've spent 5 years geeking out about these tools so I like to write about it. I usually dont post in topics that I dont want to write it.

I remember a guy who was clearly "obsessed" with his axe purchase, and made probably 15 threads in the course of a month. Crapped his pants over every blemish, etc. He was probably from the main knife forum. I was a knife guy before axes and I understand some of them. That guy was one of the annoying ones. The OP here has nothing but curiosity and seems super courteous and genuinely interested. I wish we had more folks like this getting into the use of hand tools.



Husqy axes are nice from what I hear. Ive never handled them, and I think the council boys axe (not the forest service version) is around half the price. You wont likely get a perfect axe, the alignment might be a little off and the grain not perfect, but that truly does not matter that much. Get used to imperfections, that are abound in a hand made future.

Thanks G-pig,

I am very interested in everything that you have said and appreciate the time you have spent commenting on this thread. I am more of a "get-the-job-done" guy than a knife guy even though I post over on the Becker forum much more. It's my desire to get the job done that brought me to this forum and that one. Finding a solution to the "issue". I like that.

I am not concerned about the look of an axe. I am more concerned about it's effectiveness and longevity than anything else and that makes me wonder about half length, edge geometry, quality, and weight of course. Those are things I don't know much about but you have helped me a lot on this thread and I appreciate it.

 

[Square_peg]

Since I started this thread this morning, I am now watching quite a few axe heads (vintage) on Ebay. I even found some 3 pounders finally.

Don't rush into a purchase. Spend some days or weeks watching the sales until you get a good idea what things can go for. Then bid when you find a bargain. Multiple head packages are sometimes the best value. They often contain some real treasures hidden under the rust.

 

[Survivormind]

It appears that you are easily offended. But name calling just isn't polite.
Tom

Were I you and had I let my tongue get the better of my wit, I'd be apologizing right now for being a troll, not trying to make a point.

Edit sure is a nice feature. Isn't it, Tom? I have no reason to change my response to your original post (which was not well thought out). Make all of the edits you want. You still know the truth.

 

[Survivormind]

Don't rush into a purchase. Spend some days or weeks watching the sales until you get a good idea what things can go for. Then bid when you find a bargain. Multiple head packages are sometimes the best value. They often contain some real treasures hidden under the rust.

Yeah, I am not one to jump to spend money. I will be watching these for a bit and I'm sure I'll have more questions for ya. I saw some of those three and even six head auctions. Cools stuff.

 

[Double Ott]

Were I you and had I let my tongue get the better of my wit, I'd be apologizing right now for being a troll, not trying to make a point.

Edit sure is a nice feature. Isn't it, Tom? I have no reason to change my response to your original post (which was not well thought out). Make all of the edits you want. You still know the truth.

I was simply trying to be nice and not mention that you contradicted yourself about accepting advise. Name calling just isn't right. No one can edit your posts, except you
Tom

 

[Bo T]

Were I you and had I let my tongue get the better of my wit, I'd be apologizing right now for being a troll, not trying to make a point.

Edit sure is a nice feature. Isn't it, Tom? I have no reason to change my response to your original post (which was not well thought out). Make all of the edits you want. You still know the truth.

OO wasn't trolling. He didn't get his point across very well but no need to come out slinging arrows. You stated your position very well without the added barb.

 

[Survivormind]

I was simply trying to be nice and not mention that you contradicted yourself about accepting advise. Name calling just isn't right. No one can edit your posts, except you
Tom

The first paragraph in your initial response did not come across as being nice. I am willing to let this rest where it is. I'm not on here to flame people. Just to learn more and share what I do learn.

 

[Survivormind]

OO wasn't trolling. He didn't get his point across very well but no need to come out slinging arrows. You stated your position very well without the added barb.

I was sarcastic and a bit of an a**hole. True. He did edit his original first post and second post. I do believe that I had a reason to react somewhat hostile but like I say above, I'm willing to give it a rest. Let's get on with our forum surfing and learning. No hard feelings here.

 

[Square_peg]

Yep, just a misunderstanding. It happens on internet forums. Ott is good people.

Let's get on with our forum surfing and learning. No hard feelings here.

A wise way to start the new year. Good on you.

 

[trailtime]

An often neglected purchase for someone planning to use a big one-man saw in two-man (woman) mode is a decent second handle. Those little auxiliary handles are ok for occasional cutting, but if you plan to cut in two man mode a lot, you should buy a good western handle for it. Biggest drawback in using the aux handle is getting your finger pinched after crossing the halfway point on the log. A western handle has a finger guard. Depending on where the handle hole is though, you might need to drill another one closer to the tip of the saw.

Saw below is a topper - broken end of a longer saw made into a 4' one-man. Blade is heavy, single bucks well, and takes a big handle. These are fairly common on Ebay.

 

[Square_peg]

Good lesson, Trailtime. Thanks.

 

[Bo T]

There was an old timer lived up off of the Salmon in Idaho who attached an inner tube to one side of a crosscut and used it that way. He ran a one man logging operation.