Thoughts on a Collins Hudson Bay style axe head

Don't post them on my account. I own a Wetterlings Hudson bay axe. Cheeks are almost flat. Convexed usually refers to transverse along a line behind the bit from the toe to heel. Narrower at the toe and heel and a thick portion in the center in the middle of the axe. OK I just looked and they are convexed, however slightly compared to a vintage American axe, please accept my apology.

The problem is you are not seeing the purpose of a lightweight axe. Too bad I can't explain it better than Grafton did above. There are times, most times for me, when I don't need a big axe, or a lot of wood.
 
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When you get done deciding how you feel about the picture above H halfaxe do an internet search on fir trapping in new England. Particularly leaning pole traps. It will quickly become apparent when you notice both the time of year, and what goes into fir trapping that the above statement I responded to is clearly untrue.
 
halfaxe said:
Don't post them on my account. I own a Wetterlings Hudson bay axe. Cheeks are almost flat. Convexed usually refers to transverse along a line behind the bit from the toe to heel. Narrower at the toe and heel and a thick portion in the center in the middle of the axe. OK I just looked and they are convexed, however slightly compared to a vintage American axe, please accept my apology.

The problem is you are not seeing the purpose of a lightweight axe. Too bad I can't explain it better than Grafton did above. There are times, most times for me, when I don't need a big axe, or a lot of wood.
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Ok, I will now post some vintage American ax pics. You are wrong again.
 
halfaxe said:
The problem is you are not seeing the purpose of a lightweight axe. Too bad I can't explain it better than Grafton did above. There are times, most times for me, when I don't need a big axe, or a lot of wood.
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Ah, no. Let me stop you right there. @grafton is talking about traditional trapping and camping. And uses of an ax in such activities. While I am definitely not a Hudson Bay expert I am well enough versed in traditional trapping and camping in the north east to call B.S. when I see it.
 
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OK you win in this thread derail.

However the Wetterlings Hudson Bay weighs more than a half pound more than a classic Hudson Bay. I'm not saying it's a bad axe, but it missed the point of the Hudson Bay pattern just as you do.
 
I've put up a lot of fur in my time. Made farm payments back in the 80's with $45 coons, and $75 grey fox. A tree across the trail was a golden opportunity to tie a snare or set a conibear in the funnel it created. No trapper would dare clear one!;)
 
halfaxe said:
OK you win in this thread derail.

However the Wetterlings Hudson Bay weighs more than a half pound more than a classic Hudson Bay. I'm not saying it's a bad axe, but it missed the point of the Hudson Bay pattern just as you do.
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Lol. I think you may be the one who has missed the point.
 
quinton said:
I've put up a lot of fur in my time. Made farm payments back in the 80's with $45 coons, and $75 grey fox. A tree across the trail was a golden opportunity to tie a snare or set a conibear in the funnel it created. No trapper would dare clear one!;)
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Lol. So you walked the field and stepped on to the trail and started stepping over logs and deadfall? Or did you, like every other farmer and trapper keep clear trails in and out?
Certainly on the farm I grew up working on we kept clear paths. Can't imagine hauling game through deadfall cluttered paths. Especially in the winter.
 
Woodcraft said:
When you get done deciding how you feel about the picture above H halfaxe do an internet search on fir trapping in new England. Particularly leaning pole traps. It will quickly become apparent when you notice both the time of year, and what goes into fir trapping that the above statement I responded to is clearly untrue.
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Classic straw man argument. No doubt there are times when a larger axe is necessary. Just as there are times when the lightest axe available will be sufficient and more comfortable and convenient.

Woodcraft said:
Lol. I think you may be the one who has missed the point.
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I think you think I missed the point but I did not.
 
Woodcraft said:
Lol. So you walked the field and stepped on to the trail and started stepping over logs and deadfall? Or did you, like every other farmer and trapper keep clear trails in and out?
Certainly on the farm I grew up working on we kept clear paths. Can't imagine hauling game through deadfall cluttered paths. Especially in the winter.
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Me, nor any other trappers I have ever known chopped through a deadfall on a trail. You can take that to the bank. Most carried a hatchet of some sort, but clearing trails ain't in the job description!
 
quinton said:
Me, nor any other trappers I have ever known chopped through a deadfall on a trail. You can take that to the bank. Most carried a hatchet of some sort, but clearing trails ain't in the job description!
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It is, to every other trapper in the world but you apparently.


Traditionally here the clearing of the trail would have been for snowshoe use or sleds.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3952252/Trap_line_clearing

Perhaps they ran the dogs through and over the deadfall.
 
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quinton said:
Me, nor any of the other trappers I have ever known mushed dogs either.
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Ok. I grow tired of the foolishness.
Traditionally trapping starts around October. Travel to and from the traplines is happening. In modern times people drive trucks and snowmobiles down trails. Traditionally dog sleds and snowshoeing was done. Regardless of your "experience" that is what was done. Around the time the Hudson Bay company was in full swing, the dogsled trails used then were later described like "highways".
Trapping was a business. The path in and out was kept clear. You can not snowshoe through a mess. You do not run dogs through a mess. Cabins were set up on lines, getting to and from was important.
You claimed you were on a farm. Then you more than likely had access paths to fields on that farm. Getting to and from that crop, or moving animals from field to field or field to barn is important. You keep those access paths clear.
It was, and is no different for trappers. You keep your path in and out clear.
 
This is what I expected. You're each talking about different traditions in trapping based on your localities. In Kentucky it would be easy pass around a fallen snag through the woods. But in Maine and in 4 feet of snow a trapper will need to follow the trail and wish to keep it open. Different strategies based on enviroment and the amount of equipment being transported.
 
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