Wetterling's vs. Snow & Neally

T

Texas Slim

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I've been looking at all the axe choices out there, trying to find something my son and I can use for Boy Scout projects/advancements. I'd love to have a Gränsfors Bruks they are awfully pricey to turn a 12 year-old loose with. Still, I want to get something that will hold up to years of use AND maintain the traditional look and feel of an axe. For that reason, I'm not really considering synthetic, metal handles.

Which brings me to Wetterlings vs. Snow & Neally. Wetterlings look good both in quality and price, Snow & Neally also are very attractive and get bonus points for being made in America.

So, please, those of you with opinions (there must be a few here :) ) speak up and let me know what you think.

PS: I'm open to other makes but these are the two I'm most interested in at the moment.

THANKS!!!
 
The GB will hold its value over time because of the great quality directly from the factory. Both the Wetterlings and Snow and Nealy can vary greatly in quality. I handled many Snow and Nealy's two years ago in Maine and they all had bad (real bad) grinds that were way off center when examining them from the poll. The grain alignment can be far from perfect and you really need to have someone hand pick one for you.

This being said, I've seen many Wetterlings perform like GB's and have yet to find one that can't be brought back to life even if it came from the factory in less than ideal condition. Scott Gossman is one maker who knows how to reprofile an axe. I used his Wetterlings on the MLK winter trip back in January. Really nice user.

Personally, my favorite axe maker is Iltis. You'll find many professionals carrying them because of the wide German style blade and the almost impossible to separate handle/blade fitting (stainless tube). Mine doesn't have the best grain alignment but it does have a rock solid blade and a wicked grind (again, thanks Scott!) Mine was used over Presidents' Day Weekend last month by the entire party and it held strong all weekend long. That says a lot considering we were cutting frozen hardwood and splitting firewood to stave off the cold.

Here are some pics.

KevwithIltis.jpg

OXHEADFROMTRADITIONALWOODWORKER.jpg

100_0263.jpg

100_0256.jpg
 
That's one heck of a collection there! Thanks for all the info. Sounds like Snow & Neally is ko'd with the first punch. Unfortunately, I don't know where to find someone to pick over a load of Wetterling's till they find a good one for me. But I do know where to find Scott Gossman once I do find an axe. Where can I find Iltis brand to look over?

Also, I'm looking for a hand axe that we can take with us on the trail that's not so expensive that I'd break down if it were lost.
 
The Oxhead Itis axes are very good, and because theyre drop forged theyre very consistent.

As for hand forged axes, if I were you I'd go and take a look at a selection and hand pick one, checking to make sure everything is in order. I even got a Gransfors that had a crooked grind, which really took me aback seeing as theyre charging 3x as much as wetterlings for something thats made the same way in the same country, I really expected 100% quality control for that price, just goes to show you cant take anything for granted.

I dont blame you for not wanting to give your 12 year old such an expensive piece, best to let the lad learn how not ruin an ax with a cheaper one first!

Alas I've never owned a wetterlings or a snow & neally, so not much help there lol
 
I've had very good luck with Snow & Neally.
Mine is probably newer stuff. The grain alignment is good. They didn't come painted like they show in pictures, they had a smooth, satin finish (glides through wood better). Only bad feature is the edge was NOT sharp, but took an edge very well.

Overall, I really like them.
But if I wanted an axe and didn't go with Snow & Neally, I'd definitely make Iltis Oxhead my next choice.
 
I've got a small Wetterlings hatchet which is really good - the head's not too heavy and it just feels really well balanced in the hand.

One other thing - I'm not sure that I'd let a 12 year old kid use an axe, in the same way I wouldn't let them use a chainsaw. Most kids of that age just don't have the strength and coordination to use an axe safely - and obviously when things go wrong with an axe the results are usually somewhat horrific.

Personally, I'd wait until the kid was at least 14before I gave him an axe, and then it would be used only under very strict supervision.There are many other wilderness skills for a kid to learn before axemanship.
 
I was using an axe when I was 10, so I don't think it matters as much how old the kid is, but how mature he is, and how comfortable his parents feel with giving him more responsibility.

K_estela: I would also be interested to know what that cord wrapped one was.
 
jh205 said:
One other thing - I'm not sure that I'd let a 12 year old kid use an axe, in the same way I wouldn't let them use a chainsaw. Most kids of that age just don't have the strength and coordination to use an axe safely - and obviously when things go wrong with an axe the results are usually somewhat horrific.
Click to expand...

It's a requirement for earning their second class rank: "On one campout, demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of the knife, saw, and ax, and describe when they should be used."
 
I think the GBs are well worth the extra money. It's my favorite ax. That being said, I have a Estwing hatchet that is as tough as nails.
 
I was using an axe from a very young age too. As long as there's proper instruction and constant supervision there should be no problem.
 
I like the S&N Pen bay Axe.

It's my pick because:
It has a straighter handle, which I always prefer. Too many hatchets have goofy S-curve handles. Straight handles = better balance, longer grains, etc...
It has a more bearded head that I can choke up on and get right behind the edge
It's American Made, if that matters.

DSC03734.jpg
 
My brother bought the Snow & Neally Penobscot Bay and liked it so much he went out and bought the Hudsons Bay also. He says the edge on the Hudsons Bay needed to be touched up but all said and done it the best money he's spent on out door gear about $40 ea. made in the USA and come with a lifetime warranty.
PS Both my Bro and myself own Gransfurs Bruks among many other brands we have been collecting knives and axes since our Boy Scout days (Mid 1960's)the S&N Axe is hard to beat price wise and with the guarantee. especially as this is going to be a first axe for a child to learn with.
Just my opinion though YMMV:)
 
I know it won't be popular, but for a young boy how WILL abuse a tool (axe), I'd buy him a Craftsman. Heck, thats one he can learn from and experiment with and if he does destroy it, Craftsman will replace it for free. No questions asked! My handle came loose on mine and they swapped it. I offered an explanation, but they didn't ask for one. I have a GB and a Wetterlings, but when I have to chop into dirt or something questionable, I ALWAYS grab my Craftsman. Pick one up, take it home, chop with it and if there's something you don't like about it....anything...take it back for an exchange.
Heck..experiment with different grinds and if you burn the blade or make a bad grind...take it back. Craftsman is a wonderful name in tools, mainly because of their no questions exchange policy.
Consider it....as they only cost like $20!
 
markhait said:
I know it won't be popular, but for a young boy how WILL abuse a tool (axe), I'd buy him a Craftsman. Heck, thats one he can learn from and experiment with and if he does destroy it, Craftsman will replace it for free. No questions asked! My handle came loose on mine and they swapped it. I offered an explanation, but they didn't ask for one. I have a GB and a Wetterlings, but when I have to chop into dirt or something questionable, I ALWAYS grab my Craftsman. Pick one up, take it home, chop with it and if there's something you don't like about it....anything...take it back for an exchange.
Heck..experiment with different grinds and if you burn the blade or make a bad grind...take it back. Craftsman is a wonderful name in tools, mainly because of their no questions exchange policy.
Consider it....as they only cost like $20!
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with Craftsman products for sure.
Unfortunately the Sears hereabouts have totally wimped out, no more sharp things other than saw blades and box-cutters.
I remember when i was a kid Sears used to sell camping gear rifles/shotguns/ammo etc!
Canadian Tire also wimped out in the last 5 or six years. No more firearms. Airguns, ammo and a handful of knives are about all thats left.
Thankfully they still sell axes.
 
Noshtero said:
I like the S&N Pen bay Axe.

It's my pick because:
It has a straighter handle, which I always prefer. Too many hatchets have goofy S-curve handles. Straight handles = better balance, longer grains, etc...
It has a more bearded head that I can choke up on and get right behind the edge
It's American Made, if that matters.

DSC03734.jpg
Click to expand...

Looks good, another one to add to my list!
:thumbup:
Lets see i need a CS Trailhawk,Marbles Double Bit, A Vaughan Sub-Zero, A Snow and Neally, leather handled Estwing, Iltis and someday a Gransfors Bruks.
And i'm sure that list will continue to grow, lol.
Actually one of those racing axes would be cool too.
:)
 
For a 12 year old Scout I'll recommend this Truper 2.5 pound Boys Axe w/ 28" hickory handle for just $13. I just got mine - to bring with me when with my son's troop (I'm an ASM). I spent half an hour or so filingit down a bit to a nicer edge and it does have a decent edge. The handle looks good - nice grain alignment. Gosh, for $13 (plus shipping) you can't go wrong ... and you won't shed much of a tear when they slam it into a rock in the ground.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200325121_200325121

It doesn't come with a sheath, so I ordered one from http://www.forestry-suppliers.com.

For dad ... I just bought a S&L Kindling Kit recently, which has the small Hudson Bay axe and the small 3 lb maul. Very nice steel, though it needed a little bit of sharpening! I don't think you'd go too wrong with a S&N axe and it IS made in the U.S.

I've never had a Hudsons Bay axe before. Clearly it is not designed for splitting wood, as the wood would shred the handle. Thats OK for me since I have both the axe and the maul. I find myself (and the Scouts) spend more than 50% of their time splitting wood rather than cutting it, so I have a 6 lb Truper fiberglass-handled maul on backorder for just $13. I'm not sure if they can handle that weight, but we'll see - Maybe just the older Scouts.
 
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