Suggestions for crosscut saw and pickhead axe under 4 pounds?

[carnifex knifeworks]

Looking for a pickhead axe or an axe with a log pick (hadn't heard of this until I started this search) that weighs under 4 pounds. I'd prefer something like a 28 inch handle, but beggars can't be choosers. It looks like most options are 6 lbs. or higher. If possible, I'd love to keep it under $180. If this price is unrealistic, feel free to say so.

I found one on the home depot website that's 21 inches long and weighs 3.2 pounds for around $75. It's made by "kings county tools", but I'm not familiar with that manufacturer and I couldn't find any reviews. There's also one on Garrett wade dot com that looks to be the same thing for about $62.

Then, there's the hardcore hammers version with a 2.25 pound head and a 27 inch handle for $160-$170. I thought I read some negative comments on hardcore hammers though. Any thoughts on this as an option?

I'm probably leaning towards the home depot or Garrett Wade options and just re-hanging it if I really feel it's needed.

My thoughts are this may be a good all around tool; the pick can be used to assist with grabbing rounds off the ground to be split with the axe and in a pinch it would work for demo work as well. Let's say there's a house fire and you need to cut through a roof to escape (unlikely, I know). The head weighing 3.2 pounds is kind of an intermediate weight from the axes I already own. I would think (with the proper geometry) it would be decent at splitting and okay at chopping. I'm not as knowledgeable as many of the forum members here, so I'm open to the possibility that I'm looking at the wrong tool/option; I'm open to changing course if it makes sense. I'd rather not get a pickaroon/hookaroon; I'd like to have a single tool to carry/store.

Any other suggestions?

I'm also looking for a good saw, but I'm pretty clueless in this area. I have a silky that I really like, but I was wondering if there was something a little more durable. Would a 3 foot one man crosscut saw be better? I don't know what I don't know in this area. New to thinking about saws with any kind of real intent.

 

[kvaughn]

Good questions and well stated.
I'm also curious about this.
A fireman's axe comes to mind.
A lot of knowledge here, I'm sure someone will come along soon.

 

[kvaughn]

Search "fireman's axe" here.--May be what you're looking for.
Sorry. Post overlap or something

 

[Square_peg]

A New York pattern ice axe might fit your needs if you could find one.

3’ cross cut saw lack the weight and length to cut well. A 4’ saw with a supplemental handle is a good cutter. But you need to learn how to sharpen them.

Unless you’re going to devote the time to learning crosscut saws you’re better off with the Silky.

 

[garry3]

The problem with a lot of the foreign made axes and even some made in the USA ones is that the eyes size isn't common. Meaning that if the haft breaks you are either buying a replacement from the manufacturer or modifying another tool handle to fit. With that in mind if the Kings County axe pickaroon would probably do the job for you if the eye isn't oversized and you could swap the haft to a larger size or decide that it is worth it to you to modify another handle to fit.

A bucksaw might fill your needs with a lot of different configurations out there both new and vintage with replacement blades readily available. They really are great saws as long as the logs are not too big.

 

[BitingSarcasm]

For full disclosure, I am biased against double bit axes and sharpened back spikes for anything but throwing. I have managed to whack myself in the shin with a poll taking a tree in an awkward space, and that would have been an ambulance ride with a sharp back end. I handled a Hardcore Hammer once, and I didn't really feel anything that special about it to merit the big price tag, but maybe they hold up really well? I have stopped using combo tools too, the hassle of storing and switching off feels less onerous in my personal calculus than using a multi-tool. I move logs and rounds around with the pick on a Cold Steel war hammer because the 30" handle lets me reach things with just leaning over. It's 2.5 lbs-ish, so it's easy to place one-handed and the hammer end makes a decent fulcrum, though I'm usually on the wood end because the shaft is slip fit. They are also under 50 bucks and often on sale at the pacific battle site.

 

[carnifex knifeworks]

The problem with a lot of the foreign made axes and even some made in the USA ones is that the eyes size isn't common. Meaning that if the haft breaks you are either buying a replacement from the manufacturer or modifying another tool handle to fit. With that in mind if the Kings County axe pickaroon would probably do the job for you if the eye isn't oversized and you could swap the haft to a larger size or decide that it is worth it to you to modify another handle to fit.

A bucksaw might fill your needs with a lot of different configurations out there both new and vintage with replacement blades readily available. They really are great saws as long as the logs are not too big.

Would a bow saw be similar?

 

[garry3]

Would a bow saw be similar?

I assume you are talking about a modern steel bow saw.

There might be some new steel saws that address issues with frame clearance, handle comfort (bare metal when it's warm or cold) and handle placement.

Surly they would have a better chance of surviving if the truck backed over them and no need to relieve blade tension when not in use.

 

[carnifex knifeworks]

I assume you are talking about a modern steel bow saw.

There might be some new steel saws that address issues with frame clearance, handle comfort (bare metal when it's warm or cold) and handle placement.

Surly they would have a better chance of surviving if the truck backed over them and no need to relieve blade tension when not in use.

Correct. I was referring to a modern steel or aluminum bow saw.

I wasn't sure if a bucksaw had some kind of advantage over a modern bow saw that I wasn't aware of.

Edit: for grammar

 

[trailtime]

Correct. I was referring to a modern steel or aluminum bow saw.

I want sure is a bucksaw had some kind of advantage over a modern bow saw that I wasn't aware of.

Big Silky saws are good on logs up to about 10-12" diameter. Crosscuts can cut any size tree and are more efficient when two people "double-buck" with them. All depends on what you plan to cut. Modern retail crosscuts are poor quality and any big saw you find will need to be filed before you can use it.

https://imgur.com/vGXDsgZ