Wetterlings Foresters Fine Axe

B

BrandonMFS

Joined
Aug 23, 2013
Messages
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Well I just pulled the trigger on getting myself a Wetterlings Foresters Fine Axe and i'm very excited about it! Just curious as to if any of you own or have handled one before. There wasn't much on the net about this particular axe. But from what I did see I think it will be a good fit for a pack axe/camp axe. But yeah just wanna know anyones thoughts on them if they like them or if i've made a mistake.;)
 
I really really liked the size and shape of the head. The handle was a bit thin for my tastes, and the one I got hade an uneven and sloppy grind. My understanding though is that is not the norm.
Mine got swapped out for the "Bushman" axe which I also love. TOTALLY different axe that looks almost the same ..lol

Fine Foresters: Thin, Sharp bit, lighter and seemed more like a cutter/chopper. Thin curved handle, decent grain. Non hardened poll. ( People I trust have used one to great effect, and were very happy. Not back yard play, but actual out there using it trial.)

Bushman: Sharp but much more wedge shaped, more like a splitter/chopper. Hardened poll, a little heavier. MUCH nicer handle to my tastes. (Thicker, straight, fantastic grain orientation.) Hardened poll. I have chopped with mine in the back yard 4x4 pressure treated lumber, and split with it. Very happy.

Hope this helps you some.
 
Thanks Silverthorn yeah it was a tough decision between the 2 bushman and fine forest but I think I will be happy with the Fine Axe and hey if i'm not Ill just buy the bushman too
 
I love my Wetterlings this is the large hunters but I think they changed the name.
 
I like my FFF. It is definitely a light, all-around tool. I decided that it was a good choice to keep in the truck as my "hey - I need an axe for that" tool. Plenty versatile, and mine was as nicely finished as a GB of old. I know it's become common for both GB and wetterlings to put out product with shoddy finish work and bad grinds, but mine was perfect. Worth the money, especially since I got mine on deal.
-ben
 
Reviving this thread because I'm also just about to pull the trigger on either the Forester's Fine axe or the Les Stroud Bushman but I'm having a hard time deciding between the two. This will be my first "nice" axe and will be used mostly for car camping so basically a general all-around axe. I may also take it with me on some short to medium backpacking trips so that is why I'm not going with a longer/heavier axe but still want something more capable than a hatchet.

So, I respectfully ask the opinion of you knowledgeable gentleman that have experience with one or both of these particular models and which one you think I should get. Your insight is much appreciated, thanks!
 
The Foresters fine axe has a slim handle which I like. Most axes today have a too thick handle. The half rounded and polished poll is nice for tent stake pounding and the like. It's a light well-balanced axe suitable for any camping or bushcraft but is probably too light for log cabin building or any heavy logging. I have no experience with the bushman but the straight handle on it is an interesting feature that would be useful in some situations.
 
halfaxe, thanks for that bit of info. I was unaware that these two axes had different handle widths. Would you (or anyone else here) consider the handle on the Bushman too thick? I would like to think that I too would prefer a slimmer handle as it would make doing smaller one-handed tasks more manageable.
 
I really really like the handle on My Bushman axe. But to my understanding from some Axe guys thinner is a winner. To me the Bushman isnt THICK, but hand filling. I used my Bushman in a very non traditional way just the other day. I Chopped a shuffleboard table to bitty bits and bits, including the giant laminate block of laquored hardwood that makes up the board. The axe threw chips EVERYWHERE. I mean it looked like a wood chipper had been through the room..lol
No hotspots or fatigue from the handle, no ergonomic problems or retention problems. I have chopped a bit of wood with it now, but that table block was by far the hardest thing I have used it on, and it held up great. Even with the thin edge I had put on it, I only got a little rolling right at the edge which came out in about 2 min tops with a stone and sandpaper. I think you will be well served with either. Personally, part of me wants a Fine Forresters, on a Bushman handle.
 
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