Recommended minimum axe set?

[daizee]

Re-handling the Plumb was so satisfying that now I'm thinking about the rest of them, and what else I should have (or discard).

In general I THINK I need the following - your opinions are welcome, and your own lists too!
This is about USERS, not collectibles.

My activities are supplemental heating with a woodstove (usually buy pre-cut/split cords, but work is always needed), modest property maintenance, and hiking/hunting.

1) middleweight chopping axe - this can be my plumb.
2) splitting maul
3) truck axe?? should this be the plumb? something shorter? a hatchet? it would be a companion to my chainsaw
4) a nice custom bearded hatchet/tomahawk for hiking/hunting/camping
5) A hatchet for her
6) cheap tomahawks for throwing.


Oh yes, now I WANT a double-bit, but don't NEED one, and generally prefer my edged tools to have a safe side that faces me...

Comparing that list against what I have:

1) Plumb ~3lb on a 28" handle (yay! keep it!)
2) poorly profiled modern splitting maul - either do a ton of work to it or replace
3) crappy-profiled chopper on a 32"+ synthetic handle. Too hard to re-haft and re-grind?
4) Hudson Forge rigging hatchet, no haft. Not real fond of the shape. Could be useful, but if my set is limited, maybe replace/trade


Your thoughts? Your lists?

-Daizee

 

[rwn2000]

Daizee, I would tell you to run, take up fishing or crochet, but I am afraid it is too late. You have been infected by the virus just like the rest of us. Six months ago I had 2 axes and 2 hatchets. This pic was taken 6 weeks ago (since then I have added 4 or 5 more axes and 2 hatchets)

But to answer your question; if I only had 3 or 4 chopping tools it would be:
1. 3 to 3 1/2 pound axe ( i seem to like the jersey pattern)
2. 2 1/2 pound boys axe (Council tool)
3. Wetterlings SAW13 hatchet.
4. sledge and wedge (I dont like mauls, YMMV)

randy

 

[John Frankl]

Yeah, you are only a little ways behind me, and I fear we are both totally doomed

I've added 5 heads that need refinishing/hafting over the last couple weeks, in addition to one axe in good working order.

 

[Maniacal Pete]

Oh yes, now I WANT a double-bit, but don't NEED one, and generally prefer my edged tools to have a safe side that faces me...

Your thoughts? Your lists?

-Daizee

I think in the case of the double bit the handle is the safe side.

I've got two axes and 3-4 hawks.

GB small forest axe
GB hand hatchet, both users.

Emerson CQC-T
Benchmade Killian Hawk
SOG hawk

Nice collection rwn2000!

 

[daizee]

You guys are enablers.

Crazy Pete, I'd like a GB for one of mine... maybe the splitting maul since I've yet to see another that was any good. My friend has the GB maul and it's a glorious tool. The rest I'm thinking may come from flea markets etc. This isn't a sideline I can invest a ton of money into... But look, I've already talked myself into half a dozen MORE on top of the little Plumb.

My other chopping axe is a piece of crap. It's marked India, and has a hideous edge profile, and the shape is weird, for lack of a better description. The 'unbreakable' fiberglass handle is slipping out of the eye, but maybe it will just get recycled... I'm thinking of sticking to USA and Scandanavian chopping tools.

How do you guys store them all?

 

[DJG097]

How do you guys store them all?

I have 3 axes and 2 hatchets (3if you count the one I bought that may never et to me) the hatchets stay in the garage and the axes fit into a gap in my shed between the walls and shelf's. its kind of hard to explain ill snap a pic tomorrow.

 

[Square_peg]

Minimum axe set is a 2-3/4 to 4 pound single bit and a hatchet. But if you're processing firewood then it would be nice to add a maul and sledge and wedges. You don't need a big sledge, a 3 or 4 pounder will do.

2) poorly profiled modern splitting maul - either do a ton of work to it or replace

Do a ton of work. Get a grinder.

3) crappy-profiled chopper on a 32"+ synthetic handle. Too hard to re-haft and re-grind?

Easy to re-haft and grind. You can profile an axe with just a file. And no need to replace the synthetic handle. If it's loose you can re-epoxy it.

 

[daizee]

Minimum axe set is a 2-3/4 to 4 pound single bit and a hatchet. But if you're processing firewood then it would be nice to add a maul and sledge and wedges. You don't need a big sledge, a 3 or 4 pounder will do.

Do a ton of work. Get a grinder.

Easy to re-haft and grind. You can profile an axe with just a file. And no need to replace the synthetic handle. If it's loose you can re-epoxy it.

Sounds like I've got the chopping axe covered, tho maybe it will get a longer handle.
I'm jonesing for a hatchet something fierce - looking at the Wetterlings 13"

I'm somewhat allergic to grinding large quantities of hardened steel, and don't have the facilities to re-heat-treat something that massive. The crappy synthetic chopping will never be a tool I'm proud of, so that one might get sent down the road too.

wedges and sledge I have, no complaints there.

I'm drooling over the GB and Wetterlings lines... all new, of course. This is BAD, I need to get to the flea market this sunday and see if there's something decent to distract me and reduce the craving for a bit. Ultimately I'd like one new Swedish axe to call my Precious, maybe two...

Speaking of equipment, do you guys use leg or shoe armour? Seems like a ridiculously good idea, but inconvenient to carry except when clearing operating from the house or the truck.

 

[Square_peg]

I'm somewhat allergic to grinding large quantities of hardened steel, and don't have the facilities to re-heat-treat something that massive.

There's no need to re-heat treat anything if you just keep it cool while you're grinding. Keep a quench bucket close and use it often. And stay away from the very edge - leave that for filing.

I'm drooling over the GB and Wetterlings lines... all new, of course. This is BAD, I need to get to the flea market this sunday and see if there's something decent to distract me and reduce the craving for a bit. Ultimately I'd like one new Swedish axe to call my Precious, maybe two...

Speaking of equipment, do you guys use leg or shoe armour? Seems like a ridiculously good idea, but inconvenient to carry except when clearing operating from the house or the truck.

I think the vintage North American axes have just as good of steel and better geometry than the European axes. But that may depend on how it will be used. The thin flat cheeks of the Euro's are great for bushcrafting but not as good for chopping and splitting. And if you have your heart set on a Euro than have a look at Stubai as well. They make a wide range of impact tools.

Regarding armor, I wear steel toed boots when I'm using the adze. That tool is dangerous even when used correctly. I lost my grip on an axe once and the bit hit my shin. My double-knee Carharts took most of the punishment but it still drew blood. Chainsaw chaps are designed to choke the chain with fiber not to resist the bit of an axe. But if you get the kevlar ones they have to be better than just jeans alone.

 

[Liam Ryan]

Flea markets are great, it's generally slim pickings around here though. I still manage to acquire some in one way or another though, my collection is slowly growing.
I have yet to get one of those sweet American axes you guys are always posting, Kellys and plumbs and such.

 

[bjp]

There's no need to re-heat treat anything if you just keep it cool while you're grinding. Keep a quench bucket close and use it often. And stay away from the very edge - leave that for filing.



I think the vintage North American axes have just as good of steel and better geometry than the European axes. But that may depend on how it will be used. The thin flat cheeks of the Euro's are great for bushcrafting but not as good for chopping and splitting. And if you have your heart set on a Euro than have a look at Stubai as well. They make a wide range of impact tools.

Regarding armor, I wear steel toed boots when I'm using the adze. That tool is dangerous even when used correctly. I lost my grip on an axe once and the bit hit my shin. My double-knee Carharts took most of the punishment but it still drew blood. Chainsaw chaps are designed to choke the chain with fiber not to resist the bit of an axe. But if you get the kevlar ones they have to be better than just jeans alone.

With regards to leg protection.......I spent 10 bucks on a pair of catcher's shin guards at the flea market last year. I wear them when using the chainsaw for any extended length of time and for splitting sessions. I find that they're easy to use, and were cheap. After having a few pieces of wood fly towards me when splitting, the slight inconvenience of having to put them on is way less than the inconvenience and pain of having a piece of wood whack me on the shin at 30 mph. I imagine that shin guards would be handy for adze work, too. Covers the top of the foot, and paired with steel-toed boots, would make for more-or-less complete lower extremity coverage.


-ben

 

[Polarclaw]

So maybe this will be against popular opinion, but if you have access to a angle grinder, you could totally work on that hudson forge hatchet. I had a husky hatchet with the same shape and I didn't care for it. I took a grinder to it and made myself a little bearded hatchet thing. you can also reprofile the edge witht he grinder. just make you sure you keep it cool. Dunk it in cold water throughout the whole grinding process.

Got from

To get this

 

[daizee]

I REALLY like that. Now if only the poll were square and it was on a tomahawk handle!

My hudson hatchet already has 3 pencil lines on it. I don't have an angle grinder, and amn't competent to use one safely, but I know a guy... I could throw it on his KMG too, but the blade on the hudson is hardened pretty far back. I'm on the fence about cutting up something vaguely collectible, but honestly the current shape sucks for choking up to do any precision work.

The convex edge on yours there lends itself to this mod better than the straight edge on the hudson forge head. Anyway, I'm bringing it to knife night at Rock'n'Roll Knife and Tool tonight. There might be pictures tomorrow...

Daizee, I would tell you to run, take up fishing or crochet, but I am afraid it is too late.

Randy, what makes you think fishing or crochet isn't a also rabbit hole for gear freaks?


-Daizee

 

[Wyszrd]

Good call, Daizee. You might as well ask a room full of coke-heads how many vials of crack one should keep on hand! If you don't mind my paraphrasing Ron White, edged tools are like naked women. Once you've seen one, you want to see...all the rest of them.

 

[Polarclaw]

Cool well If you don't feel comfortable doing the mod you could always sell it for a hatchet or a hawk or something? I'm sure someone wants to get that thing. But I'm with you on the side of not being very fond of the shape.

 

[Liam Ryan]

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