What brand of axe currently has best quality?

Stratmeister · Jun 27, 2015

I'm in the market for a new general purpose axe. Yard duty, limbing, occasional small tree felling. I'm familiar with GB, Wetterlings, Mueller, Helko, Council Tool, but haven't bought an axe for a while.

What brand currently has the best quality? I only want to buy one axe for years to come. I'd like something with approximately a 2 lb. head, 24". No need for splitting capability. And I'd like to keep it under $200.

Ideas, suggestions? Thanks...

300Six · Jun 27, 2015

Sock away the $200 and start looking for a flea market, garage sale, flea bay head of good lineage (and there are lots of them including Swede and German) and then learn how to hang a straight grain haft. With the $150 that's left you can invest in axe files, sheaths and other useful goodies such as a wood saw and a splitting maul.

Square_peg · Jun 27, 2015

Council Velvicuts are the best currently available. They have better geometry and slightly better steel than the high end imports.

You specified 'new' and I answered that question. But no new axe matches the geometry and steel of top shelf vintages axes.

aikonen · Jun 27, 2015

What 300 said, but if you insist on buying a new axe i would recommend a hultafors or husqvarna (same manufacturer) great value and quality

JonathanCharles · Jun 27, 2015

Square_peg said:
Council Velvicuts are the best currently available. They have better geometry and slightly better steel than the high end imports.

You specified 'new' and I answered that question. But no new axe matches the geometry and steel of top shelf vintages axes.

What would you say are the top shelf vintage axe manufacturers?

Stratmeister · Jun 28, 2015

Hmmm, I hadn't considered looking for a used axe. I've never replaced a handle either. Are vintage ones really of better quality? Thanks

rockman0 · Jun 28, 2015

300Six said:
Sock away the $200 and start looking for a flea market, garage sale, flea bay head of good lineage (and there are lots of them including Swede and German) and then learn how to hang a straight grain haft. With the $150 that's left you can invest in axe files, sheaths and other useful goodies such as a wood saw and a splitting maul.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ spot on
Yes vintage axes are better than modern production axes. Anyone with a few basic tools can hang a vintage head. I finished my first one last week, turned out great but I couldn't have done it without all the tips from the people in this sub forum and you need check out this link.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment...lications/fs_publications/99232823/page10.cfm

Also good info on vintage axes here.
http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Home.html

garry3 · Jun 28, 2015

Currently, I think Gransfors Bruks are of the best quality. If you want some thing off the shelf read to go they are hard to beat.

Square_peg · Jul 1, 2015

garry3 said:
Currently, I think Gransfors Bruks are of the best quality. If you want some thing off the shelf read to go they are hard to beat.

Yes. For 'off the shelf ready' Gransfors is tops. But I still think Velvicuts are better if you don't mind doing some slight edge work. There's nothing you can do to a Gransfors to raise the centerline or raise the carbon content.

JonathanCharles said:
What would you say are the top shelf vintage axe manufacturers?

Kelly Perfect, True Temper Flint Edge, Warren/Sager, Plumb, Collins Legitimus, Emerson & Stevens, Stiletto, Walters, too many others to mention. But you would be fine with any of those.

In general if you find an old axe with a high centerline and with the toe & heel not badly worn then you've probably got a decent axe. Several makers had serial numbered axes that were their absolute top shelf axe.

Curt Hal · Jul 2, 2015

There are plenty of Collins, Plumb, True Temper and Craftsman heads on eBay. For $50-$60 all in and some elbow grease, you can have an axe that is awesome, mostly because you restored it. As 300Six suggests, put the other $100 or $150 into tools and supplies for further restorations. This can be quite a satisfying addiction. Two years ago, I went online to research a good axe for camping. 25-30 restorations later, I am still learning - especially from many of the masters on this forum. I would say the best steel I have worked with so far are vintage Hults Bruk, Plumb and an old Campbells XXX (from New Brunswick, Canada). A really good bastard file, an angle grinder (I got mine for $35), a decent vice, a selection of sandpaper from 100 - 1200) a quart of BLO and you have the basics you'll need for hours of relaxing and rewarding work. Two tips: read carefully regarding how to dispose of rags used with BLO, and ALWAYS put duct tape on a newly sharpened edge (learned that the hard way - a couple of times). Have fun.