Which axe for multi-purpose?

RemyKaze

RemyKaze

Joined
Mar 23, 2012
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I'm sure you guys get as many of these as General does of the "which knife...?" threads, so I'll keep it short and sweet. I have held off buying an axe for a very long time, but I'm wanting to become more proficient with them. I want something that will work well for general use around the house, for camping as well, with limbing, felling, and splitting abilities. A jack of all trades. I've narrowed it down to the following and respectfully ask for the input of those more knowledgeable than myself.

Wetterlings Bushman Axe
Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe(or even the Scandinavian)
Condor Greenland Axe Pathfinder version(long handle)

Thanks for reading, guys.
 
If you have oodles of disposable income you can listen to advice about Swedish forest axes. Otherwise keep your eyes out for a vintage domestic-made boys axe. The weight and size of these is perfect for all around recreational use, and won't break the bank!
 
The Condor Greenland has a very thin bit. Only a chopper--not so much a splitter.
 
I have a Habitat For Humanities Rebuild Center by my house that I monitor for cool tools to pick up. I picked up a West German boys axe for ten bucks that needed a new haft. I'm getting ready to hang it and when all said and done I'll have a pretty good all purpose axe for $25. If you have modest means like I do I would take my time and hit garage sales and thrift stores that specialize in tools. I have also picked up a Collins Felling Axe ($5), pickaroon ($3), Plumb Hatchet ($1) and a lathing hatchet ($1). All of them need handles and I'm slowly working my way through them. I'd say each would run me $75 at least to replace (except for the pickaroon and the lathing hatchet) and I'll have learned how to hang them when I'm done which means they will last forever and make me feel more manly than the dude that picked up their axe at the store. I'd also mention I have the fortune to live in the Northwest where lumberjack tools are in abundance.
 
i say stay away from the euro axes. they are made of superb steels, but the profiles are less than ideal when it comes to many tasks a guy may see in actual use.

not to mention the price.

i agree that an american ax that is more than a few decades old is where you wanna be. for general uses, a 2.25lb "boys ax" would be ideal, on a 26" or 28" haft depending on your stature. im a fan of the Plumb boys ax, they arent to hard to find.
 
I own a GB Scandinavian Forest axe and a Wetterlings Fine Foresters axe as well as dozens of vintage North American and European axes. The GB and Wetterlings are good axes if you don't want to take the time to find a nice old one. I think you should look at the Scandinavian for your purposes. The small forest axe is smaller and more suited for camping and bushcraft. The Scandinavian is about the size of a boys axe so it is still a small axe. It will perform better for chopping and limbing trees. It is much more comfortable and efficient in two handed use than the small forest axe.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I agree, I don't think I would want an axe exclusively for felling/limbing as I want it to have the ability to split even if that is not the primary use. I've seen the Scandinavian split smaller rounds, and I've seen the Bushman do some great splitting but still cut very well. Any input on the Bushman?

I have a full sized American felling axe head that had been in the family and I have rehandled it, and a boys axe that I also rehandled. Couldn't find signs of a maker on either. The boy's axe is terrible at splitting, but I think it needs a major reprofile anyway. I'll try to post a pic. With all the vintage and American references, I'm guessing the Euro axes are not as head-and-shoulders above the rest as people make out.
 
RemyKaze said:
I'm guessing the Euro axes are not as head-and-shoulders above the rest as people make out.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that admission. There are sack's full of top drawer domestic axes out there awaiting adoption by appreciative people. I don't want to denigrate the expensive/exotic 'boutique' stuff but regular folks that are really keen can read between the lines enough to slow down and seek out vintage stuff from an era when performance/durability were first and foremost. A "Yup" axe is mostly a fashion statement whereas
wielding a 'golden oldie' draws no attention but gets the work done.
 
I think this is a Kelly/True Temper because of the "A39" which is the only visible marking. It's a pretty fat axe in terms of width and the bevel.



 
300Six said:
Thank you for that admission. There are sack's full of top drawer domestic axes out there awaiting adoption by appreciative people. I don't want to denigrate the expensive/exotic 'boutique' stuff but regular folks that are really keen can read between the lines enough to slow down and seek out vintage stuff from an era when performance/durability were first and foremost. A "Yup" axe is mostly a fashion statement whereas
wielding a 'golden oldie' draws no attention but gets the work done.
Click to expand...

I can agree with that. I'm more concerned about it simply being able to do what I want without having to fight it. Many Americans made their livelihood clearing and felling and their tools were perfectly designed for the job. Before the advent of the chainsaw, it was very important that an axe be designed properly; now, it is all about comfort and durability.

I'll admit though, that the Hudson Bay, Greenland, and tomahawk styled heads really draw my eye.
 
RemyKaze said:
I'll admit though, that the Hudson Bay, Greenland, and tomahawk styled heads really draw my eye.
Click to expand...
Least durable (haft-wise) but very pretty! Jump! You have to start somewhere and recreational use is not going to make one pattern any more usable than another. Myself would enjoy (visually) having a Hudson Bay style axe on canoe and camping trips but have so far never come across one and the conventional Walters 'pulp axe' ('boy's axe' designation in USA) that I've had for decades has been wonderful, and no one has taken a shine to wanting to steal it. If you accidentally leave an H-B out in public it'll disappear in an instant.
 
I've found the Hudson Bay a really nice general camp axe, gives that atmosphere with it's shape. My Collins HB is typically what I take when I go.
 
300Six said:
Least durable (haft-wise) but very pretty! Jump! You have to start somewhere and recreational use is not going to make one pattern any more usable than another. Myself would enjoy (visually) having a Hudson Bay style axe on canoe and camping trips but have so far never come across one and the conventional Walters 'pulp axe' ('boy's axe' designation in USA) that I've had for decades has been wonderful, and no one has taken a shine to wanting to steal it. If you accidentally leave an H-B out in public it'll disappear in an instant.
Click to expand...

DarthTaco123 said:
I've found the Hudson Bay a really nice general camp axe, gives that atmosphere with it's shape. My Collins HB is typically what I take when I go.
Click to expand...

You guys got me looking for more HB axes and I came across the Council Tool Velvicut Hudson Bay. Looks like another axe I could really fall for.
 
I have the GBA Sandinavian and highly recomend it for limbing and small work. Great quality if the price is OK with you.

I also have over 50 vintage axes and heads and have a few favorites in the boys axe size- many are heads that are excellent condition with new handles for around the 25-35.00 dollar mark. With the added apeal that I hafted them and brought them back to life. If you have time to mess around with them, I highly recomend it.

One of the better splitting axes I have is a 5.00 no name head from a flea market- stuck on a 36" straight handle cut down to 32". Nice fat cheeks and less than 15.00 invested.

Bill
 
RemyKaze said:
Thanks for the input guys. I agree, I don't think I would want an axe exclusively for felling/limbing as I want it to have the ability to split even if that is not the primary use. I've seen the Scandinavian split smaller rounds, and I've seen the Bushman do some great splitting but still cut very well. Any input on the Bushman?

I have a full sized American felling axe head that had been in the family and I have rehandled it, and a boys axe that I also rehandled. Couldn't find signs of a maker on either. The boy's axe is terrible at splitting, but I think it needs a major reprofile anyway. I'll try to post a pic. With all the vintage and American references, I'm guessing the Euro axes are not as head-and-shoulders above the rest as people make out.
Click to expand...

I really like my Bushman axe. Its a wedge shape head, BUT its thinner than some. Its also got a nice edge, nice balance, and I LOVE the handle.
 
Silverthorn said:
I really like my Bushman axe. Its a wedge shape head, BUT its thinner than some. Its also got a nice edge, nice balance, and I LOVE the handle.
Click to expand...

From all accounts, it seems to perform very well in all areas, although it isn't the "best" at anything.
 
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