Off road 4wd and pulaski axe

SCputter

SCputter

Joined
May 30, 2016
Messages
43
Looking for Pulaski Axe recommendation. Where do I buy a legit FSS Pulaski Axe?

Intended use is wood chopping and trail maintenance during 4WD trips.

Thanks!

SC
 
Not really. I think a vintage Flint Edge would be better. The Barco claims to meet FS specs at a lower cost. I've only seen a few Barcos. Our trails group is buying the regular (twisted) Councils now. My personal pulaski is a Dixie Industries FS edition. It's been a good tool the past few years. When it fails I'll hang one of the Flint Edges I have in the garage.
 
If going the used route the ones I have had stamped FSS I like a little better as users than the older ones just marked FS.
The difference being the FSS having a larger grub hoe. Head weight stays the same at 3 3/4lbs. I really think any of the vintage brands would serve anyone well enough.
I also noticed that Beaver tooth is offering a 40" handle for those that may prefer them.
 
Unless you're using this professionally, and daily, I wouldn't be in a great hurry to spend almost twice as much for a FSS-spec Pulaski over that same maker's 'standard' version. Likely they're the very same critter except that Quality Control is more rigorous with regard to handle fit and finish and quality/grain orientation of the wood.

I've had the Barco version (non FSS-spec) for 20 years which (aside from new handles every now and again due to overstrikes) that gives me good service.
 
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I suspect you're getting higher carbon steel in the FSS addition. If it's actually made to FS specs it would have to have higher carbon steel.
 
I don't know what your budget is, but you can get a great Collins or Flint edge head for $30 at the auction site and then pick a nice handle for another $10. You just need to supply a little labor and end up with a top tool.
 
Square_peg said:
I suspect you're getting higher carbon steel in the FSS addition. If it's actually made to FS specs it would have to have higher carbon steel.
Click to expand...

Does this mean, within a hurried and paced assembly line, that someone flips a switch or rings a bell and the whole production line knowingly and correspondingly switches over to dealing with a different grade of bar stock? I don't think so. In a similar vein I suspect that Council Velvicuts aren't expensive to buy because the 'Yuppie-fashionable' steel in them costs a lot more, more likely a question of the nuisance of having to switch over to producing differing criterion small batches. An FSS-grade Pulaski head goes through the same closed die industrial process as the standard version and workers doing the temper and hardening have no reason to do less or more of something to the head. It's in the QC, fit and finish and choice of wood, that something like this sees a big hike in price.
It's scary in today's world that a Chinese, Mexican, Sri Lankan, Brazilian, Cambodian or Indian worker can assemble an entire car for what it costs a north American 'able body' to produce a mere axe or shovel.
 
Council's Velvicuts are known to be made of upgraded steel - 5160. I don't know if they run them on a separate line or run batches of them on their main line. Either would be an acceptable alternative depending on the volume and the size of the factory. Many makers advertised high grade steel in their premium lines.
 
Not sure I could tell the difference between a FSS, FS or plain stamped as far as steel quality went. I don't use them that often and never side by side. Maybe others here could? I have had a bucket full or so pass through my hands past few years. Not surprisingly most I have left are gov contract heads because, lets face it, those stamps are cool!

I do think that some steel is a little harder to forge and will require more blows or presses to form. You also get into different heat treats that can be more complicated and expensive.
 
I don't know how to post the link but look up bare bones on soldiersystems.net. There's a nice Pulaski on there. It's not on bare bones living's website.
 
That barebones living Pulaski is sweet...but I can't figure out how to buy it. Not on their site...


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