Question for the Axe experts

jca21

jca21

Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
3,188
i am looking for an axe for base camp and car camping. i currently own a gransfor bruks small forest axe and it has served me well on backpacking trips.

i am looking between the gransfor bruks scandinavian forest axe and the iltis oxhead felling axe


GB SFA: http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=20129&cat=2,45794&ap=1

Iltis: http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=20124&cat=2,45794&ap=1

i still consider myself a novice when it comes to using axes as my experience has been limited to hatchets and the Small forest axe.

i am looking for an axe to do some felling, limbing and other tasks.

which would you suggest?

i am 5"7 and weigh in at 150 and would like to use this axe mainly for chopping trees down for firewood.

thanks a bunch guys,

JC
 
16 views and no replies? bump :)

i read k_estela's review over at knifeforums about the iltis felling axe (27inch version) and the review made it seem pretty good. the one at lee valley is 35inches and i'm wondering if its a bit too long for me?

JC
 
Yeah, honestly the Iltis they have is pretty giant. There are times when that size is very useful, but in general I think you are a lot better off with a 3/4 than a full size. Out of those two I would go for the GB.

Iltis makes a good axe (although you have to watch for QC issues) but that one is REALLY big. I am about 6'2 and 220 pounds, and I consider it a big axe. It's a useable size but there has to be a need to use an axe that big, you know?

The only thing that I would caution you - about both these axes actually - they are really thin bits.

Now personally, my base camp usage of axes has been more applicable to the hybrid chopper/splitter profile and less of the thin limber profile.

So if it were me, and this is just my take on it personally, but if it were me I would seriously look at either a 24" Wetterlings (Italian Sporting Goods used to have them in stock, you could also try Reliable) or possibly the Snow and Neally.

Those are my thoughts, anyway.
 
thanks for the awesome info dude. considering that your WAY taller and bigger than me i guess i'd be quite the dwarf standing next to that iltis :)

i'll take a look at italian sporting goods and reliable gun and tackle some time this week. my requirements are similar to yours in that i am looking for something to chop and split with and the occasional limbing inbetween. thanks again for the info and the local sources.

JC
 
nothing on either of their websites but i guess a call couldnt hurt.

JC

edit: anyone else know of places i can pick up axes in the local vancouver area?
 
Those are all that currently come to my mind, but I know they both have pretty lousy websites. Give them a shout in the morning and see...they have definitely both carried them in the past.

I am trying to think if I have seen nice axes in any of the big garden shops around town...but I usually just wander around after the gf, carrying pots and things.
 
haha thanks again dude, will give them a call tommorow. and i'll have to buy you a beer if i run into ya. thanks again for the info.
 
I have the GB Scandinavian Forest Axe and the GB Double Bit Felling Axe. My Double has the 35" handle (30" also available). I'm 6', 225 lbs and the double's head is light enough that it is a pleasure to swing. I think a guy your size would enjoy swinging the 30 incher. They have about an 8" edge, bite deep, and throw big chips. Great cutters. Unfortunately, the price is steep.

I've dropped some smaller trees with the SFA and it will certainly do the job on any moderate size tree---as would the Wetterlings of similar size. I agree with Misanthropist that the GB edges are on the thin side (like your GB Small Forest Axe) but I like that for cutting power. I bring a GB maul for splitting.

One of our members sells a custom modified version of the S&N that looks really slick. I'd love to try his version. I'll look for his website.

DancesWithKnives
 
thanks for the info DWK!

i know exactly who your talkin about, i believe its brain over at off the map outfitters who carries the modifed S&N. although i would prefer to go and select the axe by hand mainly because it gives me a chance to actually get a feel for the axe as well as the fact that i need it by this friday since im heading out saturday. i found that deakin carries the 2 1/2 iltis ox-head with a 28inch handle for a very good price so i'll have to check them out as well.

thanks for the input fellas.

JC
 
i assume that the iltis comes with a leather sheath like all the other axes eh?
 
Hmm...back when I bought mine I believe it came without one, but that was a pretty long time ago. I don't have it handy or I would show you a pic as I ended up just making a sheath for it.

But I left it on the island as I don't have as much use for it here in the big city.

Hang on, just thinking about it it might have come with a leather guard for just the blade. I was thinking it just came with cardboard around the bit but that was something else. I think it had a sheath that covered maybe the last two inches of blade. The cardboard one was something else.
 
i saw on most online sites that it came with a leather guard for the first couple inches of the bit. i am gonna call up the head office on powell and hope they have a few in stock so i can check them out. man i'm excited. a new axe to play with!
 
deakins got two that are of interest:

iltis #1002 ox-head with a 2 1/2lb head and 28inch handle
iltis #2002 ox-head with a 2 1/4lb head and 28inch handle

do you guys think that the head will be two light for felling small trees (roughly up to 6inch diameter)?
 
In my experience, definitely not too light for trees of that size. I'll bet you'd be impressed how well your Small Forest Axe would do on stuff less than 6".

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
In my experience, definitely not too light for trees of that size. I'll bet you'd be impressed how well your Small Forest Axe would do on stuff less than 6".

DancesWithKnives
Click to expand...

i've cut up plenty of trees with my small forest axe that are below 6inches, trees that are 3-4 inches seem to just melt away from the axe head with a few quick blows. :)

i was looking at other axe options as i wanted to learn to use axes more and was looking at axes with longer handles and heavier heads as a good way to start.

also i just want to buy another axe :D


thanks again for your input dude, if you ever come up from left angelas your certainly welcome to a beer on me.

cheers

JC
 
jca21, i have the Iltis felling axe, the steel rings like a bell!. If your interested in trying it out sometime we can head up a logging road somewhere.

mine came with no sheath, i really need to get one made up.
 
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