Rinaldi Calabria hand axe vs Rinaldi American boy's axe

HeavyHanded

HeavyHanded

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Jun 4, 2010
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Looking for opinions re just how different these are. Love the chopping power of the American Boy's axe but would like less weight for backpacking and for choking up making feathersticks, tent stakes etc. It is def at the top end for mass and bit length for detail work.

I can afford to lose a bit of energy but since I often hike where there is a fair amount of use, the ability to process bigger (6-8") downfall is a huge plus, and the Calabria hand axe is maybe a bit too svelt. If it can handle 4-6" no problem I think it would work.

Anybody have both and an opinion, or just the Calabria and a bit of insight from use?
 
You might opt for the "magnum" size of the Calabria. It has a slightly larger eye size that makes the handle more comfortable for use on that size range, and the extra 50g of mass is more noticeable than you might expect. The standard size is more for incidental chopping and trailblazing but I'd say it's most comfortable to use up to roughly 4" diameter.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
You might opt for the "magnum" size of the Calabria. It has a slightly larger eye size that makes the handle more comfortable for use on that size range, and the extra 50g of mass is more noticeable than you might expect. The standard size is more for incidental chopping and trailblazing but I'd say it's most comfortable to use up to roughly 4" diameter.
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Nice tip. I saw the "magnum" in the name and figured it was more of a felling axe. Looking at the specs the magnum might be just at that sweet spot.

FWIW the American Boy's axe is a beast for its weight. The guys I camp with refer to it as the "camp lightsabre". I thinned it out a little and it blasts through 8 and even 10" downfall with a lot less fuss than you'd believe looking at the thing.

And then splits it...

When camping with the kids I'm still carrying more of the load than I'd like, and the family is asking about anything I might want for Xmas. Can always use another chopper.
 
I'm hoping to have more by late January if things go to schedule.
 
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