Reviews Wanted

S

Steve Tall

Joined
Aug 28, 2010
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Are there any axes, hawks, or hatchets that you would like to see reviewed? Here are a few that I haven't seen much written about. Feel free to add to the list. And if you own one that's on the list, please consider doing a review for the rest of us.


1. Condor Double Bit Michigan
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This small cruiser (or large saddle axe?) has a 1-3/4 pound head on a 24" handle.


2. Moore Maker Double Bit Axe
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This double bit hatchet (14") is made in the USA from 4140 steel.


3. Goosewing Hewing Axe
trailmaker said:
Some Euro broad axes.
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How do these compare (performance-wise) with the more typical broad axes found in N. America?


4. Baileys Work Axe
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(photo from Google Images)

Looks like it's more of a competition-style axe than a work axe. How does it perform?


5. Helko Tasmania Axe

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This is a "timber sport training axe" from a German company; I wonder how it compares to the Baileys Work Axe (the Baileys is made in China).


6. Have anything to add to the list?
 
I will have a review coming up on another thread - GB American Felling VS BMC Black Donald.......
 
Another upcoming reviews will be for this double-edged billhook, forged in Italy by Falci. [Long story how I obtained it.]

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It comes without a handle, and I'm now in the process of making one. The straight blade on this is 7", and the overall length with my handle will be 26.5". (I'm making a handle from a baseball bat.)

I'll be sending the billhook to this forum's resident connaisseur of billhooks, Mr. FortyTwoBlades, to give it a workout and do a review.
 
I am wanting a Condor Scout hatchet. for a nice little beater. But all I have seen is a comparison to GB mini and one is $35 and the other is pushing $180. And I think they are out of stock thill the boat comes in. Also wanting one of the small spike or fireman's axes from condor.
 
omniviking said:
I am wanting a Condor Scout hatchet. for a nice little beater. But all I have seen is a comparison to GB mini and one is $35 and the other is pushing $180. And I think they are out of stock thill the boat comes in. Also wanting one of the small spike or fireman's axes from condor.
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The other day at a local sporting goods store, I was looking over their selection of 3 Condor greenland pattern hatchets. I have to say that I was not impressed. One of them the bit was totally warped. None of them were ground evenly or smoothly. The "forge finish" is just some kind of epoxy or paint. I'd be curious to know if anyone here has put one through its paces.
 
I'd sure like to see some more info on the two double bits.
I have been toying with the idea of scoring one of the Moore Makers.
 
scruffuk said:
I have been toying with the idea of scoring one of the Moore Makers.
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Don't bother. I got one a while back. Its a brick on a stick. Poor geometry, really thick edges, not sharp at all. Even after a decent edge was put on it it had barely any bite, mostly just bounced off. The only good thing is the nice shiny polish job and fancy stamping on the side. With the time and effort it would take to make it a useful tool you might as well spend more and get a decent axe from a known maker. Thats what I ended up doing.
 
Arathol said:
Don't bother. I got one a while back. Its a brick on a stick. Poor geometry, really thick edges, not sharp at all. Even after a decent edge was put on it it had barely any bite, mostly just bounced off. The only good thing is the nice shiny polish job and fancy stamping on the side. With the time and effort it would take to make it a useful tool you might as well spend more and get a decent axe from a known maker. Thats what I ended up doing.
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Eek! That good ay?!

I'd read they were a little obtuse in profile. I'll have to continue to scour elsewhere for a 'project' bit.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Arathol said:
Don't bother. I got one a while back. Its a brick on a stick. Poor geometry, really thick edges, not sharp at all. Even after a decent edge was put on it it had barely any bite, mostly just bounced off. The only good thing is the nice shiny polish job and fancy stamping on the side. With the time and effort it would take to make it a useful tool you might as well spend more and get a decent axe from a known maker. Thats what I ended up doing.
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I sort of like this one.
Do you still have it? Just wondering if you can do any measurements of the bit about half inch in?
 
Still have it. Here are some measurements -

From the eye wall to the edge its 1 1/2". At the eye its 5/8" across. Halfway from the eye to the edge its 3/8", haflway again from there to the edge its 3/16". Note that the head is convexed across the entire surface from eye to edge and top to bottom, not flattened or tapered in any manner to make it thinner at the edge. If you want something that will actually cut, don't waste your money on this brick.

a couple pictures -

A comparision with a similiarly sized double from Twohawks
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the Twohawks axe
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M3mphis said:
The other day at a local sporting goods store, I was looking over their selection of 3 Condor greenland pattern hatchets. I have to say that I was not impressed. One of them the bit was totally warped. None of them were ground evenly or smoothly. The "forge finish" is just some kind of epoxy or paint. I'd be curious to know if anyone here has put one through its paces.
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They've had some issues with their new axes, but the forged finish IS NOT epoxy or paint. Not sure how you got that impression. :confused: I do agree that buying one sight unseen isn't a good plan at this point in time, but if you get a good one it's a very good bargain.

I got in one each of the revamped Woodworker Axe and the Scout Hatchet and they both had issues. The woodworker axe was gorgeous in every way...except that the head was hafted crooked. It's out for replacement. The Scout Hatchet was great, but the edge cover had a snap that was wayyyyyy too long. so I'm waiting on a replacement for that one as well.

I have one of the Condor Double Bit Michigan axes in my stock, and while it's perhaps a little thick in the bit it's not NEARLY as bad as that Moore Maker. It's not going to chop like a Gransfors, but it'll still chop and it'll split, too.
 
Arathol said:
Still have it. Here are some measurements -

From the eye wall to the edge its 1 1/2". At the eye its 5/8" across. Halfway from the eye to the edge its 3/8", haflway again from there to the edge its 3/16". Note that the head is convexed across the entire surface from eye to edge and top to bottom, not flattened or tapered in any manner to make it thinner at the edge. If you want something that will actually cut, don't waste your money on this brick.



Thanks a lot for the info I see what you mean. That is a strange looking profile. Appreciate the reply.
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FortyTwoBlades said:
They've had some issues with their new axes, but the forged finish IS NOT epoxy or paint. Not sure how you got that impression. :confused: I do agree that buying one sight unseen isn't a good plan at this point in time, but if you get a good one it's a very good bargain.

I got in one each of the revamped Woodworker Axe and the Scout Hatchet and they both had issues. The woodworker axe was gorgeous in every way...except that the head was hafted crooked. It's out for replacement. The Scout Hatchet was great, but the edge cover had a snap that was wayyyyyy too long. so I'm waiting on a replacement for that one as well.

I have one of the Condor Double Bit Michigan axes in my stock, and while it's perhaps a little thick in the bit it's not NEARLY as bad as that Moore Maker. It's not going to chop like a Gransfors, but it'll still chop and it'll split, too.
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I've read nothing but good things about your hand selection of tools. If I was going to order a Condor axe, I would go straight to you. I don't think my local sporting goods store does any inspection at all. They just stick it on the racks.

The one's I looked at in the store had to be painted. Next time I'm there, I'll snap a pic. I don't know when that will be, I don't go there often.
 
M3mphis said:
I've read nothing but good things about your hand selection of tools. If I was going to order a Condor axe, I would go straight to you. I don't think my local sporting goods store does any inspection at all. They just stick it on the racks.

The one's I looked at in the store had to be painted. Next time I'm there, I'll snap a pic. I don't know when that will be, I don't go there often.
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They do apply a thin clear coat to the heads to prevent rust in shipping, so perhaps it was that you were seeing? I've been strongly considering getting one of the Woodworker Axes for myself and rehafting on a longer handle. I love the head profile (especially on the crooked one I got in--the head itself was FLAWLESS! It was just hafted crooked) but would like to see it on more around a 28" or so boy's axe handle.

Thanks for the kind words with the inspection process. I'll admit I'm still just human, but I do my best to catch major flaws before stuff is made available for sale. I've only had a couple minor issues pieces slip through, and I've adjusted the inspection process to check for those issues as well.
 
I'll look again. That woodworker axe does look amazing. I love carpenter's axes. You should get one so we can all benefit from your testing! :D
 
The real difficulty is in convincing my lady I need it. Just 'cause I carry 'em doesn't mean I can keep 'em. :(:D

Might test one then put it up as a Grade B though. :D
 
I can vouch for 42, hes good peeps and does a nice job of QC'ing his stuff.

I really like the look of the Woodworkers axe and I also like the Chopping and splitting belt hatchet. Thats very Nesmuk like, with one side sharp and thin for limbing and such and the other side thicker for splitting.

My question is, Are cast heads going to hold up like a forged head ?
 
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