Need opinions on various axes and hatchets

shangchi108

shangchi108

Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
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I've got a list of axes and hatchets that I'm interested in. I was hoping some people here have had experience with one or more of them.

So, what do you all think of:

McGowan Firestone Belt Axe

model_1201_leaves.jpg


Estwing Campers Axe

ES44A.jpg


TOPS American Trailmaster (Not really an axe, but sort of resembles a small hand axe)

TPATM01.jpg


TOPS Fast Axe

TOPS-FAX-01.jpg


TOPS Max the Mini Axe

TPMAX01.jpg


TOPS Outfitters Axe

TOPS-OX05.jpg


Any info would be much appreciate and interesting as hell!
 
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What are you going to do with it? If it involves chopping wood one of the top two are the best. If it doesn't involve chopping wood why use an ax?

Estwings have a great reputation. About the only bad thing I've heard people say is they can be hard on your wrists and arms due to the stainless shaft. But for a occassional use utilty ax to take canoeing or something it's perfect.

Many also think highly of the Fiskar / Gerber axes, which have fiberglass shafts. A friend has one attached to his Land Cruiser roof rack. That's a good choice, the fiberglass is more weather resistant than wood handles.

Still for all around perfection nothing beats a good full size standard ax. I have a vintage Collins I'm quite fond of.
 
dr0 said:
What are you going to do with it?
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Good question. I don't expect to do just one thing, hence the interest in axes that are of distinctly different designs from each other. And I don't expect any one of these axes do to everything I want to do. I'm just curious to know if anyone has had direct experience with any of these designs and what they have to say about them. I've gotten responses about the Estwing, which is a pretty ubiquitous axe, but no one seems to know much about the others, which I also find very interesting.

Seems like most of the guys in the forum are pretty conservative when it comes to axes.
 
My motto is get what you like. Have a few different styles for different uses.
I have a couple Tops products and like the quality....
 
Get a fireplace or woodburning stove, so you can give free reign to your axe fixation.

I've been very happy with Gransfors Bruks (to feed our woodstove).

This isn't what you asked, though.
 
Erasmus said:
I've been very happy with Gransfors Bruks (to feed our woodstove).
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That seems to be the brand that is preferred by people who know. But I was also wondering if anyone had any experience with the smaller hatchets that are touted as being able to replace all your knives in one package.

Or are those just gimmicks?
 
If you're looking to cut wood, stick with the Estwing (out of the given choices). If you need a really expensive paperweight... buy the TOPS Max the Mini Axe... most useless piece of kit I've ever bought. Awful edge geometry, too short for chopping. Be good for SD, but that's about it. IMO
 
DRMUDD said:
If you're looking to cut wood, stick with the Estwing (out of the given choices). If you need a really expensive paperweight... buy the TOPS Max the Mini Axe... most useless piece of kit I've ever bought. Awful edge geometry, too short for chopping. Be good for SD, but that's about it. IMO
Click to expand...

Thank you. That's helpful. Any opinion on the Firestone belt axe?
 
Why don't you ask on the Wilderness & Survival Skills forum? The Firestone axe DOES look cool, but trust me, cool looks may well let you down when you need a good tool. I've used a plethora of hatchets & axes over the years, however, the McGowan isn't among them. The handle looks comfortable enough and the blade looks like it'd be a good skinner.
 
I have known hunters that liked the Firestone belt axe. They used a poly handled one. Said it was great for splitting a rib cage. I don't know anything about it myself though. Think it was a skinning tool as well. The poly handled one has a thinner head though, and the handle wraps around it.
 
I have found that I can use my Ft. Turner Pole Hawk as a primary cutting tool in a pinch. I would never use it as such unless I had to. In my mind there is no such thing as a do-all-best tool. There are always compromises, and using an axe as a knife you usually compromise some level of control. I would say that if you are looking for something along those lines, a Ft turner hawk, Wetterlings Hatchet, or Fiskars is along what you are looking for.
 
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