Searching for a descent axe

M

Martin Trj

Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
132
Hello everybody. I've been searching for a descent axe that I will use for wood splitting when camping (which is not very often) so I don't want or can spend top dollar on it.
I tried an eastwing axe and just could not stand the metal handle...I definitively a wood handle axe kind of guy.
There's a Harbor Freight hardware store near home so I went to check out their stuff. I found a Central Forage axe which is made in India and claims to have a hickory handle, it looks fine, and I like how it feels in my hand but searching info about it, which is very limited, I was able to find one review which totally trashes not only the axe but Harbor Freight hardware stores. Now, I can go back to the store and return it but I'd like to hear what you guys think about it.

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Thanks much!
Martin
 
The grain on the handle looks poor to me. The best handles have grain running the same direction as the head of the hatchet. The grain on your handle is a quarter of a turn off. I've been told a (cross grained ???) handle will have a lot of shock and give and be prone to splitting. I'd take it back.
 
Bo T said:
The grain on the handle looks poor to me. The best handles have grain running the same direction as the head of the hatchet. The grain on your handle is a quarter of a turn off. I've been told a (cross grained ???) handle will have a lot of shock and give and be prone to splitting. I'd take it back.
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Glad I asked before testing. In the $ 20 - 30 what would be a good axe I could get?
Thanks much!
 
I spent a lot of time looking at axes before I bought mine. I found a True-Temper ax that had a good handle on it. I think they are in your price range. I think a part of the 'higher quality' axes is that they usually ship with a good quality handle on them. My ax has a 36" handle on it and is used for chopping wood so a good handle is important. It might not be as important on the shorter hatchet you have pictured.

take a look at the handles on the 'Ray Mears GB Small Forest Axe' thread in this forum. The handle on that ax is almost perfect. The Council ax isn't as good but it is close. It looks real good up to the head where it really doesn't matter.
 
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Bo T said:
I spent a lot of time looking at axes before I bought mine. I found a True-Temper ax that had a good handle on it. I think they are in your price range. I think a part of the 'higher quality' axes is that they usually ship with a good quality handle on them. My ax has a 36" handle on it and is used for chopping wood so a good handle is important. It might not be as important on the shorter hatchet you have pictured.
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Too bad the eastwing has a metal handle. I really like the handle on this one, I just don't want to have an accident.
Thanks
 
If all you're going to do is split some kindling at camp then that hatchet is probably up to the task and a bit more. I agree with Bo about the grain in that haft. Also the import axes tend to be of lesser quality steel. That said, grain isn't as important on a hatchet as it is on an axe. I have a similar import hatchet - could even be the same one - I bought mine at Do-It-Best. I've abused it for several years. That's what inexpensive hatchets are for. Mine has actually held up pretty well.

If that was mine I'd probably take it back and find one with a better grain. I'd also check the alignment of the head to the haft. If it's quite good I might keep it. If I had to choose between great grain or great alignment I'd pick great alignment.
 
Square_peg said:
If all you're going to do is split some kindling at camp then that hatchet is probably up to the task and a bit more. I agree with Bo about the grain in that haft. Also the import axes tend to be of lesser quality steel. That said, grain isn't as important on a hatchet as it is on an axe. I have a similar import hatchet - could even be the same one - I bought mine at Do-It-Best. I've abused it for several years. That's what inexpensive hatchets are for. Mine has actually held up pretty well.

If that was mine I'd probably take it back and find one with a better grain. I'd also check the alignment of the head to the haft. If it's quite good I might keep it. If I had to choose between great grain or great alignment I'd pick great alignment.
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Problem here is that i know nothing about hatchets so not sure I understand this all the way. Would you guys mind explaining a bit further?
Thanks
 
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I am no expert and I'm sure there are others that will explain it better. As far as splitting wood and general camp chores I prefer one in the 1.75 to 2.5 range. Commonly refered to as a "little boys axe." My go to axe for camping is a Grandfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe. Perfection in my mind. Can easily be swung one handed, splitting kindling with little fatigue. Or can be two handed, splitting and chopping pretty easy. As far as grain in the handle, if you hold the axe just below the head with the bit away from you, looking at the eye, the grain should be parallel with the length of the head. Preferably, the grain (lines) will be close together. (This is not as important as just running parallel.) Tight grain was a slower growing tree producing stronger more elastic wood. Maybe this helps.
 
Yard sales, junk shops, antiques stores. $5.00 to $20.00 bucks for great axes all day long ;-))

Regards

Robin
 
I'm with Pipeman. $20 can get you a great axe. I've paid $2 for an axe head and $10 for a handle. It's one of my best users.
 
the gold colored hatchets at HF are supposedly made in Germany and they're not bad.
another though is to google "hudson bay" hatchet -- Tru-temper is a decent one, Snow & Neally is not worth the price - they use the same made in mexico head as Tru Temper for 3 times the cost. (and then there's the Council Tool HB axes... mmmmm...)
 
I just took another look at the second picture of your hatchet. It looks as is you have a bad casting. I think it might break if you hit something hard, like a rock. I'd definitely take it back.
 
Ok, so I'm taking it back to HB and will keep on searching for another axe.
Thanks everybody for your help.
 
Update:

I found the Fiskars x7 for $ 25 so at least for now my search is over.

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Again, thanks everybody for all your help.
Martin
 
That'll be much better.

FWIW, super-tight grain pattern is LESS elastic than wider rings. If you have wide rings of the porous, spring growth that's not great. Wide rings of the dense, creamy solid looking summer growth is ideal. It is stronger, less prone to cracking, and absorbs more shock. Very tight growth rings will be very hard but will generally be more brittle and transmit more shock. You will frequently read that the tighter the rings, the better - it is a common misconception.

My experience with handles has been remarkably consistent with what I stated.

There is a bunch more info on Tuatahi's website here: http://www.tuatahiaxes.com/axehandles.html
 
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