suggestions for "all around" Mid-size Axe

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
924
Hi all,

This is my THIRD attempt at posting this darn thread! I'll cut to the chase. I live in Maine. I own property/woods. I like to hike in the Woods. I Deer (Bow) hunt. I'm interested in Bush Craft/Survival. I'm 58 years old. I'm 6'3" tall and 265 pounds with longish Arms. I am NOT experienced using an Axe (I can learn). I have a Wood stove (mostly for emergencies). I have been spending HOURS per day reading up on Axes/Hatchets from all the related Woods/Knives/Bush Craft Web sites. I THINK I am mostly interested in an "all around" Axe (should such an Animal exist). The beautiful German made Ox-head Universal Forest Axe is said to be such an (all around) Animal. I dunno. Beautiful but EXpensive! I also like (viewed on computer only) the Husqvarna Forest Axe, Council Tool Hudson Bay and Boy's (V-cut) Axes. The Wetterlings Large Hunters Axe and the GB Small Forest Axe are nice but, perhaps a bit too short/small ? I am open to all suggestions/comments/experiences. Please post pictures if ya got em. Per G-Pig suggestion, this morning, I closely inspect an older Larger (yard sale) Axe I was thinking about having restored. However, once in the Sun light, I spied a small "hair line" crack in the Eye. I won't be investing money in this Axe. At any rate, thank you for your help.

Regards,

HARDBALL
 
There are many excellent axes to choose from for all around use. I am 5/10" with average length arms so mine may not work for you but I really like my Husqvarna Multi Purpose axe. 26" haft so a bit short for felling but it does everything I need in a handy size. I also have and love the GB 19" SFA but it is more for fine work/crafting. Ok for felling maybe to 6-8" across the stump but not much more than that.

Bill
 
The Euros tend to be flat-cheeked and therefor are best suited to bushcraft and not an 'all around' axe when it comes to felling/bucking/splitting wood. If you own a woodlot then you should have a full sized (3 pounds or greater - 30" haft or longer) North American style axe (convex cheeks). This probably isn't the same axe you would take along bow hunting - at least not on your pack but fine in base camp.

At your size I'd look to a 3-1/2 pound single bit on a 36" haft.
 
IF you can find one (they're out there but you may have to be patient) maybe consider a 3 # head on a 28-30" heft.

I have 3 that are similar to that and they are very nice.

And of course you could consider the very popular all 'round 'user'...
The 2/2 double bit cruiser axe.

Or of course, you could just go with a boys axe.

Either way, I wouldn't go with anything shorter than a 27-28" handle and lighter than 2 1/4 lbs.
 
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Hi Im, Sq. & Bear,

Thank you for the suggests. I would LOVE to find a nice condition older Axe as I don't have a lot of money to spend. Here in Maine, I have a good chance of getting lucky finding a nice ol' gem.
Im.....I will look into that Husky Multi! Sq....I have some acres with woods but, it is mostly new growth and I don't think I'll be Falling any trees so, I THINK I can get by with something a bit lighter/shorter. Bear.....I like you're suggestions! I think I WOULD be better off with a little bit more handle and a bit more weight.

Regards,

HARDBALL
 
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Hi Hep and Bear,

Time ? Oooh, I have plenty of time! Money.....errrrr.....not so much. Who knows, maybe Mr. John Neeman
will view this post and realizing that I am poor, send me one of his beautiful Axes to "test" for a extended period of time just because he is a nice guy! Hey, it could happen!

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
I have a wetterlings fine forest Axe, which may be a little small for your needs, but other than taking down large trees I have found nothing it couldn't tackle, One thing I like is that it has a lightweight head which let's you still have control over it when using only one hand
 


gransfors bruks small forest axe, generally considered the 'best' all round axe outside america! Side by side with a cold steel steel trail hawk.

Very nice axe. Plenty of weight, decent steel and a solid warranty to satisfy even thw most pixky of us.

Don't expect the average american to know loads about this axe as the exchange rate makes it somewhat out of reach of the majority but take it from me and the rest of us Europeans, it's a trooper. A fine one at that. Desinged to do everything, it does it all just right and still has a razor sharp edge!
 
Lots of yupsters and subaru driving bushcrafty types have GB's. I think the Swedes, well intentioned as they were, bastardized the Maine axes they patterned off of.
 
What do you mean 'all around'. If it is everything from grubbing roots to cutting feather sticks, then I think you are out of luck. At the grubbing roots and chopping wood level a True Temper True American is inexpensive but a bit soft. I've used one to split a lot of wood and it works fine. You might have to check around to find one with a good handle. Next, one of the Collins axes. For camping the boys ax will give you a bit more power over a hatchet if you need it and you can choke up on the handle and use it as a hatchet. I have an old Collins boys ax that splits almost as good as my True Temper 3 1/2 pound ax. Of course, if you find a vintage double bit you can sharpen one blade for splitting wood and grubbing roots and sharpen the other for limbing trees and making feather sticks.
 
HARDBALL said:
Hi all,

This is my THIRD attempt at posting this darn thread! I'll cut to the chase. I live in Maine. I own property/woods. I like to hike in the Woods. I Deer (Bow) hunt. I'm interested in Bush Craft/Survival. I'm 58 years old. I'm 6'3" tall and 265 pounds with longish Arms. I am NOT experienced using an Axe (I can learn). I have a Wood stove (mostly for emergencies). I have been spending HOURS per day reading up on Axes/Hatchets from all the related Woods/Knives/Bush Craft Web sites. I THINK I am mostly interested in an "all around" Axe (should such an Animal exist). The beautiful German made Ox-head Universal Forest Axe is said to be such an (all around) Animal. I dunno. Beautiful but EXpensive! I also like (viewed on computer only) the Husqvarna Forest Axe, Council Tool Hudson Bay and Boy's (V-cut) Axes. The Wetterlings Large Hunters Axe and the GB Small Forest Axe are nice but, perhaps a bit too short/small ? I am open to all suggestions/comments/experiences. Please post pictures if ya got em. Per G-Pig suggestion, this morning, I closely inspect an older Larger (yard sale) Axe I was thinking about having restored. However, once in the Sun light, I spied a small "hair line" crack in the Eye. I won't be investing money in this Axe. At any rate, thank you for your help.

Regards,

HARDBALL
Click to expand...


The guys here would know more than I would, but I think a 3lb+ larger ax would your best bet to start out with.
From what I get by reading your post, I'm thinking you'd want to do some land maintenance and shelter construction
and firewood processing more than anything else. As Square Peg mentioned, at your size, a Boy's Axe (which IMO is a
mid-sized ax) would be too small and at least something starting at 32" would be ideal to start with. FTR, I can only
speak on axes work-wise (not so much bushcrafting).

Knowing what I know now, I'd start with an entry level ax, learn how to handle it and as you determine your needs better,
you can purchase something nicer as your budget allows. I'd think that a medium sized ax would be the next logical step
(like a 20" model) for smaller detailed work. Maybe that'd be a good time to invest in something a little higher end.

Council makes some decent axes for around the $40./$50. range. Bailey's has this Council on sale now for only $25.99
(down from $38.). IMO, you can't beat that for the money.

LINK: Council Tool 3.5 lbs. Dayton Axe with 36" Curved Handle

21C2t4UGcdL._SY300_.jpg
 
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camp/pack axe, I'm really liking my Husquvarna - as has been said, it's a bit small for a felling axe, but for an all around one, that you are going to pack around for short trips, it's just about perfect. Long enough to get the job done, small and light enough to not be a problem on the pack. I'm 6'1" with long arms, and this size works out well for me, as long as I don't let my mind wander from the task at hand.

For a larger dedicated felling/splitting axe, I'd look at Council Tool - a 3.5 lb dayton on a 36" haft would be about right.

Neither one is going to break the bank.
 
HARDBALL said:
Oooh dear God! I had to discover the "John Neeman" Axe web site!
Click to expand...

HARDBALL said:
Who knows, maybe Mr. John Neeman will view this post and realizing that I am poor, send me one of his beautiful Axes to "test" for a extended period of time just because he is a nice guy! Hey, it could happen!

Regards,
HARDBALL
Click to expand...

FYI, Mr.. John Neeman doesn't work at John Neeman Tools anymore. He has a new shop that he calls Autine Tools.

http://www.autinetools.com/en
 
I can offer an opinion. By no means do I have as much knowledge of axes as alot on this forum. I have many axes to choose from when I go to the woods. But the two that I gravitate to are a GB Scandinavian Forest axe and a Plumb boys axe, in that order. They both will do alot of work. The Scandinavian is a great path clearer, small feller. It slices through branches like a machette. As mentioned before, it its not the best "splitter" but for doing what you want I would highly recomend. Just my 2 cents.
 
I have a Husqvarna Carpenters axe that I find handy for a variety of tasks.
 
Just a couple more nuts from this locations... the Husqvarna multi purpose has a rather fat handle- I like this and with long dimensions it may appeal to you as well. The GB tend to have slimmer handles. While I love both of mine, they are a bit different in that regard.

For building- shaping notches in timbers and hewing square. I use a Fiskars 14" hatchet and 2.5lb hand sledge. Great for splitting wood as well. Think of it as a chisel and splitting wedge with a handle. Cheap, sharp and light. Mine has held up to ALOT of abuse. It is not traditional in anyway and will not replace my other axes but it has its place.

I also have a Collins hatchet and a 3/4 double bit that I adore but I do not really use them hard. They are special :)

Bill
 
G-pig said:
Lots of yupsters and subaru driving bushcrafty types have GB's. I think the Swedes, well intentioned as they were, bastardized the Maine axes they patterned off of.
Click to expand...

So a meager 250 years of history predates thousands of years of European axe making?

LOL! don't go there girlfriend!
 
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