Quality Axe for $50 -$70

C

cc-hays

Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
2
All,

I'm looking to get an axe as a gift for my brother. He is an avid outdoorsman so he'll use it for general purposes, but mainly chopping wood. I do not want to get him a split maul, I am looking for a simple, quality constructed axe, one that will hopefully last quite a while. As I said in the title I'm looking to spend between $50 and $70. Obviously if I need to spend a few extra bucks for something really worthwhile I'd be open to it.

So far I've come up with the following ideas:
Condor Danish pattern Axe - http://www.knifehog.com/p-1854-condor-danish-pattern-axe-ctk4060c35.aspx

Husqvarna Forest Axe - http://www.husqvarna.com/us/accessories-old/tools/forest-tools/forest-axe/#wheretobuy

Council tool Jersey patterned axe - http://www.baileysonline.com/Forest...ssic-Jersey-Pattern-with-36-Curved-Handle.axd

Snow & Nealley 3.5 lb axe - http://cspoutdoors.com/snownealour3.html

Does anyone have any suggestions of one over another? Any personal experiences with these axes or thoughts? I'm leaning to the Council Tool Jersey Axe right now.

I appreciate the help and any responses. Thanks!
 
Hello CC, 1st let me ask is this axe to carry on pack as part of a 'kit' or is it going to reside in the woodshed hung on a pegboard or leaning in the corner of the cabin? There is a pretty big difference between the Council Jersey with its Fire Dept head and the Husky Forest. Unless you're a lumberjack, Any axe over 3.5#'s is going to become a burden after the first mile on a woodtrek or Deer hunt. On the other hand are we going for campfires and cook stoves or are we chopping logs for 3 weeks in the lodgehouse? Dont underate Condor. They have been making Choppers for many years. Probably the best value on your 'menu'. If you want to impress him try Gransfors Bruks costs a bit more but there are several axes in thir lineup around $120. You have shop around for best pricing but Granny's are the Top of the line.
 
Why are Consumers so hell bent on buying expensive new? To even attempt to reproduce 'taken-for-granted quality of old' you gotta fork over (at very least) $100 these days whereas there are forum members on here regularly gloating about $5 prize heads they scooped up at flea markets and garage sales. Do your history homework, learn to re-halve and sharpen, and then scout out one of these beauties. Guaranteed your brother will treasure that implement far more than any current creation, and top it off it'll be sharp and have already been 'proof-tested' by a previous generation or two.
 
Thanks for the feedback Grey. I did come across Gansfor Bruks in my search but kept moving because of the price. I'll take another look at them though.
As for your question; I'm purchasing this with the intention of him to use it more chopping logs out in the backyard and any miscellaneous work around the house, so I'm not too concerned about him taking it on a trek.

300, I appreciate the response, but as this is a gift that I need to have in about a week I'm not sure I have the time to find a prize head at a flea market, nor do I have the time to re-halve and sharpen a head. While the nostalgic approach is a good one and something that I would entertain if I had started my history homework earlier, I just can't do that at this point. I wouldn't be so quick to label the ordinary consumer as 'hell bent on buying expensive new'. I want to buy a quality axe for my brother, if I had known with a little time and some effort I could have gotten him something much less expensive and still a great quality I probably would've done so. But as it stands now I'm short on time and know how, so to compensate for that I will use money.
 
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I have picked up a couple of Council Tool axes recently and so far am very happy with them. I got the 3.5 lb Dayton Pattern and the 2.25 lb boys axe. Both are well made and are made in USA! I had to sharpen both, but so far they seem to be holding up well. I the the 3.5 lb was about $40.00 and the 2.25 lb one was $32.00 purchased locally.
 
cc-hays said:
Does anyone have any suggestions of one over another? Any personal experiences with these axes or thoughts? I'm leaning to the Council Tool Jersey Axe right now.
Click to expand...

I think you're on the right track. One of the lighter axes would be better for bushcraft. But the heavier Council Jersey will be much better for clearing a fall of the road or splitting firewood.
 
"Hell Bent" "Do Your Homework" "Learn To Sharpen"... Wow
I joined the forum just this week at the repeated suggestion of a Platinum Member who stops by my forge pretty regular. Rules are pretty stringent and I agreed to them all, but already I notice a lot of aggression and a very perceptible need to correct each other.
Oh Lord, what have I done?
The question was not "Hey Guys, What's the best Axe Ever to give my Brother for Christmas" was it? Or did I miss something here?
Notice I didn't suggest a Thompson Forge Kentucky Beveled on Knotty Alder. Now that, Darlin' would be a gift.
My personal axe is a Rogers and Son (Pre-Baltimore) 1907 Turpentine Beveled on Red Hickory. Its carbon index is still above 71% with a hardness of 19 Barts. I paid $8 for the Hickory Handle at Lowes. My Great Grandfather forged the head and my brother also has one too.
 
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Greykilt said:
"Hell Bent" "Do Your Homework" "Learn To Sharpen"... Wow
I joined the forum just this week at the repeated suggestion of a Platinum Member who stops by my forge pretty regular. Rules are pretty stringent and I agreed to them all, but already I notice a lot of aggression and a very perceptible need to correct each other.
Oh Lord, what have I done?
The question was not "Hey Guys, What's the best Axe Ever to give my Brother for Christmas" was it? Or did I miss something here?
Notice I didn't suggest a Thompson Forge Kentucky Beveled on Knotty Alder. Now that, Darlin' would be a gift.
My personal axe is a Rogers and Son (Pre-Baltimore) 1907 Turpentine Beveled on Red Hickory. Its carbon index is still above 71% with a hardness of 19 Barts. I paid $8 for the Hickory Handle at Lowes. My Great Grandfather forged the head and my brother also has one too.
Click to expand...

Well said sir, and welcome to the forum!
 
Greykilt said:
"Hell Bent" "Do Your Homework" "Learn To Sharpen"... Wow
I joined the forum just this week at the repeated suggestion of a Platinum Member who stops by my forge pretty regular. Rules are pretty stringent and I agreed to them all, but already I notice a lot of aggression and a very perceptible need to correct each other.
Oh Lord, what have I done?
The question was not "Hey Guys, What's the best Axe Ever to give my Brother for Christmas" was it? Or did I miss something here?
Notice I didn't suggest a Thompson Forge Kentucky Beveled on Knotty Alder. Now that, Darlin' would be a gift.
My personal axe is a Rogers and Son (Pre-Baltimore) 1907 Turpentine Beveled on Red Hickory. Its carbon index is still above 71% with a hardness of 19 Barts. I paid $8 for the Hickory Handle at Lowes. My Great Grandfather forged the head and my brother also has one too.
Click to expand...
My apologies if you perceived the comments to be negative as opposed to positive criticism. There are literally millions of fine 'previously enjoyed' axes out there awaiting new homes so I try my best to put a plug in for folks to find one of these. Welcome to the site.
 
I'm sorry CC. I seemed to have twisted the thread a bit here. (No worries 300six. We're all brothers here.We sit at the same table and fight over the biscuits.)
I noticed nobody mentioned Snow/Nealley yet? Here's my take on them. Great catalog pictures and well grained hickory wood for handles...But... (here goes. Got my seatbelt on) Everyone I've ever held is rounded at the beard. You see this nice crisp corner in the picture but its ground curved when you actually get your hands on it. Edge is not squared to the handle. (Now these are Stamped forged multi production heads and they're Tool/ Die set must be a bit askew and apparently has been for years.) They 'look' good but they don't 'feel' right, Savy? But I would like to hear the forums response on that. (Got my breastplate on)Remember, Hand worked does not mean Hand Made. That leather blade guard is a strap riveted to a pouch and one has to stretch that strap to fit. They put "Our Best" on everything they make, there is no "Our Good" or "Our Better". Highly marketed Ace Hardware Style tool. Certainly not the hierloom they profess. And here is where 300six hit the nail on the head; Old World Appearance with a New World pricetag but falling far short of the mark.
But I'm willing to hear counter points on this. Maybe I'm being unfair to all the Snowmen out there. This is just my take on them.
 
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OP- I would be stoked to recieve a Council Jersey as a gift. Maybe even start some good hearted sibling rivalry over who is better with an axe.. a July 4th cookout featuring a chop off :)

As far as the Swedish axe VS American vintage camps. Same argument insert your favorite subject matter(Ford/Chevy; Skins/Cowboys; Ar15's/bolt rifles)- any time you get guys together, promoting your favorite leans towards bashing the other. I have Gransfors and over 40 American vintage axes- I love them all. Of course I do not like ot be limited :)

Bill
 
Welcome Greykilt. It is kind of like sitting at the bar drinking beer and BSing. As long as the comments don't get personal... Anyway, you might start a new thread on that Snow/Nealley Ax. Some of the members, with a lot of experience, might not revisit this thread. I'm also interested in learning about Barts? I'm guessing your carbon index is similar to points of carbon?
 
Hello Bo,
Two schools of thought ages apart.
1. Bart is short for Bartholomew Press. An antiquated British device which tested the tensile strength/structural integrity of forged iron (iron, not steel) tools. Each pull of the lever was a "Bart". You pulled until an indent formed. Similar to what Puma does with thier knife blades. Anything over 12 was good. 15 was Supreme. My great grandfather had great scottish pride in that 19, quite the hallmark in Aberlour back in the day. ( I threw that out there to see how many Wrights were in the room)
2. Carbon Index is a line on a data sheet from the Metalurgical Science lab at the Colorado School of Mines where a milk crate full of heads, blades, and railroad spikes was tested for me a decade ago. During my youngest daughters doctorate studies while attending there she had access to the lab. Since most of my retirement went there too I thought it was the least they could do I figured. No idea how the lab came to that reading or what is exactly involved in the test. I just wanted to make sure a 100 year old axe could still take it.
As soon as I learn how to start a thread I'll post the Snow Neally debate.
Now that I've completely unraveled the thread altogether I'll stop here.
Never did hear back from CC Hays on his final choice.
 
Just read Mr Tall's post from a year ago almost to the day. Not much need to take the Snow Nealley issue any further. I just know I wouldn't want one. Not when there are so many Home Depots around where all the finest quality can be found:)
 
I recently ordered and received a Husqvarna axe and I love it. Great quality and great price. I would definitely recommend it.
 
2 drams and the glass is upside down on the bar. Joined Monday amd gone Tuesday. Hope you find what you were looking for CC.
Your friend,
G
 
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