Snow & Nealley Axe ????

ratamahatta

ratamahatta

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In the market for an axe, found a Snow & Nealley Young Camper’s Belt Axe 15” handle with Sheath....This would be my first axe, is this a starter??????need help????
 
I looked at that one for a long time, and still might get one in a few weeks. I have the S&N Pen bay, and it's a very fine axe. Good quality, good grind. But if you're in the market for a good hand axe/hatchet, I'd say you could do a lot worse.

Other 'popular' options are the Gransfors-Bruks lineup or Wetterilngs.
 
Hello Hank,

The S&N make some really good axes. However, I'd suggest going with a larger axe, either 17" or 19" to start. Small hatchets of the size you are looking at are more specialized in function. In fact, the 19" axe is much more versatile in what it can do for chopping and will down much larger wood.

S&N is a good bet.
Gransfors Bruks are considered the gold standard but are the most expensive (about $100)
Wetterlings - good quality mid-ranged price
Fiskars axes - ugly but good and great value

Good luck!
 
Axe choice depends on a bunch of things, intended use and whether you will you be wearing it on your belt or carrying it in your pack.
For me a 14 inch handle is about as short as i would go.
Unless the axe has a fairly light head (around a pound), even then i wouldn't want a handle shorter than around 9/10 inches.

Either way Snow & Nealley and Wetterlings axes are great!
The 14 inch (or bigger) Fiskars/Gerber are good as well.
 
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I have a Gransfors Small Forest Axe and it's great. The length makes the difference, especially when you're just getting used to using an axe.

I know they're not the cheapest but my thinking was buy the best I can afford and that way I only buy once. So far I have no thoughts as to selling it but I know from watching the secondary market that they don't really lose their value so if I have to sell then it won't hurt my wallet too much.
 
I very much like my Snow & Nealley Pen Bay hatchet. I would think the smaller one would be of similar quality if a smaller axe fits your needs better.
 
I just bought my first axe. Its a Michigan axe, I hope its good. I like it though. Im starting to get into this axe thing myself.
 
S&N has been making axes for a long time, maybe a century or so. They have an excellent reputation. I have their Hudson's Bay model, a 3/4 size single bit. Great for packpacking, easy to carry in the SUV.
 
I really like S&N axes.
I too would recommend the Penobscot Bay over the Youth's, just more capable and more versatile. However, they are probably the best traditional axe that is made in the US.
 
If you get the S&N, consider Brian's custom modified versions (www.offthemapoutfitters.com). I really like the looks of them and may get one even though I have more than a dozen GBs and others.

DancesWithKnives
 
For backpacking ... leave the axes at home. Bring a good knife and maybe a lightweight folding saw.

For a lightweight axe, take a look at S&N's Penobscot Bay Kindling Axe, but I don't recommend taking it backpacking.

For car camping ... take a look at S&N's "Our Best" axes. If you're an adult, I'd recommend the 3.5 lb 30" handle version. If you're younger, I'd recommend the 2.5 lb 28" handle version.

These are VERY nice axes, though they'll need sharpening when you get them. Get a mill file, some leather gloves, and maybe a puck stone.
 
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