Trapper/General outdoorsman needs axe/hatchet

[steve-in-kville]

My son and I are taking up trapping on a small scale to hopefully expand on a larger scale. We need a quality hatchet or camp axe for various trapping duties and camping functions as well. Would prefer a leather belt sheath.

The variety of hatchets on the market is daunting and I'm not sure what to look for.

 

[Rotte]

You might look at the Granfors-Bruks Hunter's axe. It is a small hatchet with a leather sheath. Very nice hand axe.

 

[Smash05]

The question is, what are you willing to spend. A good Fiskars/Gerber will run you a lot less coin than a Granfors, and will be more than good enough for what you need it for.

 

[siguy]

i agree that it depends on your $ point and also how much work you want to put into this axe.

do you want to open the box and be in the woods in five minutes or are you handy and willing to do some work from attaching a handle and making a sheath to filing a sharp edge onto it?

here are some suggestions for a mid/small size axe:

-$ is no object, ready to work out of the box:
gransfors bruks (check out leevalley.com for the whole lineup)
-less $, willing to do some grinding/sharpening:
wetterlings (check out bensbackwoods.com) (sometimes needs a sharpening + oil the handle)
snow and nealley (check out snowandnealley.com for a list of local distributors) (needs some grinding to cut well, but good axes)
fiskars (check out sears, ace, walmart, etc) (comes with rudimentary sheath, i suggest making your own)
-less $, even more work:
iltis oxhead (check out bensbackwoods.com for heads in 2 different sizes)-supply handle and sheath

 

[thunderstick]

http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=17HBS18&ID=30

This is the tool I would pick for a trapping companion. Its the Hudson Bay style that trappers use in the north. I was a trapper in my younger years at home and am a hunter/outdoorsmen now. I have this particular tool and would recommend it. It is small enough to carry and large enough to do serious work. I prefer wood handles for their warmth in cold weather and the ability to choke up on the handle. You will want to file the edge down narrower, stone it, and then it will be ready to go.

 

[thunderstick]

Let me add that I also would consider the Wetterling. I would not pay the dollars for a GB and then subject it to a hard trapping usage. I also think the profiles of the Wetterlings and Council Tool Hudson Bay are better suited for all-round utility usage.

 

[steve-in-kville]

Thanks for the link. The Hudson Bay looks good.

 

[cegga]

I go for something like this but I am part in this case

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Ore a more expensive one

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Cegga

 

[Loosearrow]

Just gorgeous.

 

[Pydpiper]

Yup, pretty as can be!

 

[steve-in-kville]

I thought I'd bump this thread to the top. I never did buy the belt axe I was looking for. Maybe there are some newer offerings on the market since I started this over a year ago??

Thanks!!

 

[omniviking]

for trapping , chopping small brush, making anddriving small stakes you may want a small forest axe, they are about 18 to 20 inches long so they will get alot more work done, but small enough to put on a pack.

I have custom made hatchets, old plumbs and keenkutters. Wetterlings and Gransfors bruks, even some Estwings.

Estwings are tough and the steel handles don't break to often.

I may be one of the few that likes my Wetterlings wildlife hatchet better the the GB, the handle fits my big hand better and it sharpened up quickly and pretty easy, not afraid to chop some roots in the dirt with it either if need be.

but serious trapping a smaller axe would maybe be better than a big hatchet.

 

[bcm]

Not much of an axe user myself, but when I do, it is a estwing. and it has suited me well for several years. Its called the sportsmans axe. Never have belt carried it, so cannot comment on how it carries, but it swings good and its not to heavy.

good luck on your trapping ventures.

http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1600

 

[steve-in-kville]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[COAL CREEK FORGE]

I thought I'd bump this thread to the top. I never did buy the belt axe I was looking for. Maybe there are some newer offerings on the market since I started this over a year ago??

Thanks!!

If your going to run a trap line and use drowning stake's,you'd be better of with Poll hawk with a long blade and a slight beard for scoopin your chain out of the frigid water,you'd use the bottm side of the blade where the beard is to scoop the chain up-been there done that a lot in my younger day's

 

[camo kid]

I hunt and trap in New Hampshire, durring the winter months I trap beaver through the ice, fisher cat with standing pole sets, and coon. For beaver and fisher cat I almost always use a 2.5 lb single bit axe on a 24 - 30 inch handle. It helps because I often need to chop holes in 5 - 10 inches of ice to set and check my traps. And for fisher cat I need it for building my sets that use 3-5 inch saplings. I also use it for cutting my bait sticks, and frozen beaver meat for my fisher sets. When spring comes and my trapping becomes a wild life control opperation I tend to just use a 1 1/4 lb hatchet. All my woods axes have a large red band painted the handles so I can spot them easier in the woods. I also prefer older Kelly or plumb axes. joe

 

[Cpl Punishment]

The Classic "trapper's axe" would be something like a GB Scandinavian Forest Axe, or Snow & Neally Hudson Bay axe. 24-25" long with a ~2 pound head. Not great for belt carry, but they can get a lot done. If you want a smaller axe, a GB Small Forest Axe, or SNow & Neally Penobscot Bay axe at 18-19" and a 1.75 pound head may be the ticket.

 

[PayetteRucker]

HB Forge Camp Axe, 35 bucks.

 

[steve-in-kville]

Thanks again for the replies. I want to get one ordered in a few days. I know there is a local hardware store that carries the snow & neally but I cannot remember which store it was.

 

[fishunter219]

Have 2 different Gerbers for at least 10 years and gotten good service from them.