YO-HO 2.5lb Boys Axe Quick Review Lots of Images

C

cattledog

Joined
Oct 7, 2011
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So I came across this while looking for kerosene lanterns. Thought I would buy it at the low price and see if it is a keeper.
Criticism and feedback welcome
Thanks for looking
Alright here are the standard shots yada yada yada.......
about 27 inches

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Balance is very good, I noticed this right away.
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between 35 and 45 degree edge A good all around is 25 degrees
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Just shy of 4inches my favorite small axe length
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Even metal on both sides
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1 inch in is 1/4 inch thick my hand moved during photo on this one but you can see the thickness
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Splitting a little to make sure everything is goodntight
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Quick file test and it is surprisingly very hard to remove steel.
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THE GOOD:
Fit and finish is not bad for a $25 shipped 2.5 lb boys axe
Like the handle
Compact shape
Balance
Made IN USA? Got an email in to the Co and will find out if they reply.

The Bad:
The grind is a wedge type similar to a fiskars grind
The edge is obtuse at 45 degrees by my measuring
Currently this will split but to be more usable it needs to be reprofiled a file will take a long time to redo the edge.

THE UGLY:
The grind
Not sure it is actually 2.5lbs

My Assessment:
So I did not actually use this to chop with only a brief splitting session. It is accurate so far with the limited use. The head is compact. Feels pretty good in hands. Much time is needed with an angle grinder or file to bring it into a all around user. I like the handle.

Conclusion:
This needs a lot of work to make it a user. It will be a leaner on my axe wall for awhile and when I get around to it I will bring it into shape and then probably give it to my landscape friend. I think this would make a good beater ax for someone chopping into roots branches etc.
Nothing special here with this one, it sort of reminds me of the Ace hardware store collins axe a little.
Not a keeper now but I will update when I bring the edge in a little.

I'm not an axe snob but I would rather spend a little more and and get a better quality ax.
Currently looking at this one for my boys axe Rocky Mtn Bushcraft did a review on the hatchet and it looked pretty good so I might try this one.
http://www.helkonorthamerica.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80&products_id=200


Just received an email from the Company about the ax:
The boy’s axes are imported from India .
The axe head is a Michigan pattern and manufactured from SAE 1045 steel. The cutting edges are induction hardened to 40-55 HRC.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info. I'm curious about what the company says about where it was made. BTW, I think your measurement for 1" from the edge is 1/2" not 1/4".
 
Steve Tall said:
Thanks for the info. I'm curious about what the company says about where it was made. BTW, I think your measurement for 1" from the edge is 1/2" not 1/4".
Click to expand...

Thanks for looking.
It is 1/4inch more or less, that is a bad shot my hand moved and the rule is at an angle. I'm thinking about taking it out of the post or redoing it.
 
cattledog said:
So I came across this while looking for kerosene lanterns. Thought I would buy it at the low price and see if it is a keeper.
Criticism and feedback welcome
Thanks for looking
Alright here are the standard shots yada yada yada.......
about 27 inches

p178757978-4.jpg

[/URL]
Click to expand...

Thank you for the review. For $25 shipped, there's not much that one can argue with....Looks like an older style, wedge shaped head before the American axe makers started profiling their heads.

Looks like you have to remove lots of steel to profile that one. I wonder how the tempering will hold up.

Double Ott
 
Just got an email today from the factory:

The boy’s axes are imported from India .
The axe head is a Michigan pattern and manufactured from SAE 1045 steel. The cutting edges are induction hardened to 40-55 HRC.


I filed it a little and brought the edge in. Not too bad looking.

Well it's a certified root chopper now off to the landscaper.
 
cattledog said:
Just got an email today from the factory:

The boy’s axes are imported from India .
The axe head is a Michigan pattern and manufactured from SAE 1045 steel. The cutting edges are induction hardened to 40-55 HRC.


I filed it a little and brought the edge in. Not too bad looking.

Well it's a certified root chopper now off to the landscaper.
Click to expand...

A hardness range of 15 points...what the?????
 
Last edited:
cattledog said:
Just got an email today from the factory:

The boy’s axes are imported from India .
The axe head is a Michigan pattern and manufactured from SAE 1045 steel. The cutting edges are induction hardened to 40-55 HRC.
Click to expand...

I can't dispute their information on the steel or their treatment, however, the pattern that they are using with this axe is much closer to a Hoosier pattern than a "Michigan". The Michigan patterns have a flat or straight top to the head, from the poll to the bit. Yours is flared on the top and bottom, closer to the Hoosier pattern.

Just a small point. It will not effect its use and again, for $25 shipped, it's hard to argue with.

Double Ott
 
Nice review CD, too bad it's not USA made but for $25 it's not bad and there's definitely worse out there.
 
OutdoorEnvy said:
Nice review CD, too bad it's not USA made but for $25 it's not bad and there's definitely worse out there.
Click to expand...

Thanks
I would have stayed away from it if I knew it was an import from India. Not a bad little beater though.
The handle is made in the USA though.

I have a Helko classic on the way to supplant this one.
 
Wonder if they stole a page from Snow & Neely? Made over seas, but assembled in the U.S.A

Double Ott
 
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