Wetterlings chopping axe

[Todd Robbins]

Does anyone here have any experience with the chopping axe from Wetterlings? How well can one expect it to hold up doing limbing chores and occassional falling in red/white oak, hickory and some walnut? That 32" handle and 3 lb. plus head sound really nice for under $40.

Also can anyone recommend a good double-bit faller in the price range of the Wetterlings? I have the skill and tools to do any reprofiling and polishing necessary. I'm mostly looking for a good design, executed in a good steel that has been properly heat treated. Of course, I'd like to find the best finished product in the under $50 range.

I have a GB SFA and am very pleased with their quality, but the price is a little out of range, at this point, for a full sized axe from GB.

Todd

 

[Temper]

I have the 26" Limbing axe, although I havent had time to try it yet. I read that (and there is some controvery here) that the Wetterlings cut hard woods better than the GB's and were prone to less glancing. Mine certainly feels like it is very easy to swing.
In general I have found the Wetterlings to be about 50/50 for getting a good one, that being defined as the grain going the right way and the head being aligned nice and straight. I have found horrible grain orientation on some of the #13 models but this may be because they are not really subject to much stress or it could just be how they let them out of the factory. I would suggest that you select it by hand if you can or ask the Interent store to select it for you.