Quality Axes

[Big Z]

I've been watching some recent YouTube videos comparing higher price axes to cheaper ones.  The trend seems to be "Why pay so much for an axe?".  I know that it's a personal thing, absolutely.  I really believe in the old saying of "You get what you paid for." My household uses firewood as a our primary heat source.  I'm still loving splitting and dropping trees manually.  Or course I still drop a lot of trees using a chainsaw but I still chop down a lot of trees as well.  Splitting is done by hand to the tune of 4 chord a winter, at least. My choice of name brand is Gransfors Bruks, as well as a Basque region axe and a Tuatahi axe.  The GB axe steel has a great combination of traits, namely holding a great edge, but can be sharpened easily.  Likewise the Basque and Tuatahi.  I have a cheap axe that I cut roots with.  The steel is hard to work and dulls very easily. My nice axes get worked....a lot.  The are a pleasure to use and require little maintenance.  Nothing has come loose....at all.  I paid anywhere from $150-$400 for my axes.  I'd would rather do that than pay for something that, in my opinion, doesn't come near in performance and I'll need to fix or replace on a regular basis.

[Southside]

I am not an ax guy by any means, I do have a club or two lying around, but when it comes to tools that I need for work then I have no problem paying for quality.  You get what you pay for.  When I need it I expect it to perform, plain and simple.  My peaveys are Log-rite, sawmills are Wood-Mizer, Husky chain saws, etc.  The price tag may seem high, but when it works day in and day out, then it becomes very cheap when you look at the overall picture. 

[Greyman]

I always wanted a nice axe - it's like a nice hand plane or other tool that is a work of art as well as a functional tool that will become an heirloom.  Some day!

[barbender]

I have both cheap axes and an expensive Granfors, and an moderately expensive Wetterlings belt hatchet. Grandsfors has some unique and well thought out designs, I bought one of the carving axes when I was doing some log work. They are undoubtedly well made but, to me, unless I need one of the specialty ones they're not worth the 5x or 6x price over an American Council Tools. I see them as more of a "boutique" type of item.

[lxskllr]

I got a Helko forestry axe last year as a "treat" for handling my fallen oak myself. Paid $150. I agree with barbender. It's nice, but I could have gotten something just as useful at the flea market for $20, and that's assuming I'd have to buy a new handle. It's a pretty axe, and I like the blade pattern, but I could cut just as well with a flea market special after getting it tuned up. I got it as a piece of functional art if that makes sense. Just a nice thing to have, and something I can admire while I use it  :^)

[luap]

I would like to think that the common hardware axe of 40 years ago had better steel than what you find today. I have an axe collection of these types and not by purpose. The two I use take an extremely sharp edge and hold it well. I painted the handles pink so they are easy to spot wherever they get left. I did some extensive plowing years ago that turned up a couple that had to come from the early 1900's. I cleaned the rust off and hung them on the wall. After a while others found there way there. Two broadaxes   showed up also. I Have no idea where this stuff comes from and why they hang out here.Kind of like stray cats

[Big Z]

I agree with the old steel.  I found an old axe head and cleaned it up.  It took a great edge.  Most of the old ones that I find are beaten up so badly.  They look like they've been sharpened with a grinder and not worth the trouble.

I'll try to send a pic of my axes......I'm not great with computer stuff.  Guess that's why I cut my grass with a scythe!  Nothing complicated.

[lxskllr]

Guess that's why I cut my grass with a scythe!  Nothing complicated.

That's hardcore. I thought my old reel mower was old school when I was using it  :^D


I have a riding mower now. I broke one reel mower when I got jammed in the stomach one too many times on a hot day when the reel stopped on a stick, and I threw the mower. Got another one that I used for a few years, but my mother got me a used rider one year as a gift. Been riding around ever since. Bought a new to me rider last year when my old Deere developed issues. I don't have the patience for a reel mower on my twiggy yard anymore. If I was in the country, I'd be interested in giving a scythe a try. Let the grass grow longish, and cut it with a blade. I do have a fondness for fine blades  :^)

[Old Greenhorn]

I just picked up a nice Scythe at a flea market last fall, as a matter of fact, I went back and forth between 2 sellers and had my choice. I love the thing, I can really make some time with it on the tall stuff and its easier to work around stumps and rocks in the rough areas. It's a LOT faster than a weed whacker, by far. Like I tell my son and many others, "Just because it's old, doesn't mean it's no good". As a plus, it sure doesn't use much fuel.  ;D ;D ;D

[Big Z]

I started using a scythe because we have so much poison ivy that if you use a gas trimmer, tiny pieces spray everywhere.  Once you get some practice, they're pretty amazing.  Got mine from Scythe Supply.  They custom fit you.

[alan gage]

A dozen years or so ago I was getting out of my photography hobby and getting into more outdoorsy stuff. I was reading about axes and saw a lot of people who liked GB axes and a lot of people who thought they were way overpriced. I had to chuckle when I actually went to check prices. At that time you could get their full sized axes for $150 and $100 for the smaller ones. Coming from photography where $1000+ lenses were common I thought it was great to finally have a hobby where $150 could buy you top of the line equipment.

I've heated exclusively with wood for about 10 years now and up until last year, when I finally bought a hydraulic splitter, all that wood was split with a Gransfors small splitting axe (and some of the harder stuff with the large splitting axe). I've been very happy with them. I've heard good things about Fiskars splitting axes, and they have a smaller price tag, but for a little more money my Gransfors have more than made up with it in warm fuzzy feelings. Over 10 years of steady use those extra dollars don't amount to much.

I've thought a scythe could be entertaining as well and have been eyeballing some that I see around here and there. For anyone who is a reader the book Anna Karenina has a wonderful few pages about a group of peasants cutting down hay. They talk about the technique, the sound, the stance, the feel, and the camaraderie. Interesting in that this was written at a time when this was still the normal practice.

Alan

[Jeff]

We have a sponsor who makes some pretty fine axes don't forget.

[barbender]

I meant to follow up with a mention of a Hudson Bay pattern axe I got about 15 years ago. All I remember was it was an American made axe, I'm not sure if it was Council or another brand. At any rate, I got it for trimming to scribe lines in log home work, so I really thinned the blade down and had it razor sharp. Nowadays it sits out by the OWB, where it splits up kindling like it was designed for. A good tool, I probably paid $35-40 for it.
   I think too much is made of the steel from "the old days" or what might be in a GB. It's really not that expensive for decent tool steel, I think the reason a lot of cheap axes don't sharpen well is they have a soft temper so they don't fracture when people are trying to win Darwin awards with them. I have chipped the blade on a Wetterlings hatchet. I was doing something I shouldn't have (splitting the pelvis on a deer) with a blade I had also ground thinner for log work. My point is, if they are hard enough to hold a good edge, you will run the risk of chipping blades.

[Old Greenhorn]

I'll bet a nickel (hard American cash!) that if that ax is not an import, it is a Collins. They made a great 3/4 length Hudson's Bay ax. I have a couple and one is he nicest pack ax I have, light and fast. Not so good on the big stuff though. Great for light limbing. Elegant pieces they are. Very sexy axes.

[Brad_bb]

For splitting firewood, don't you use a splitting maul?  I asked one of the head Axe Junkies and he advised for splitting to go get a Farm and fleet splitting maul with a plastic handle.  That is what I split hardwood with. 

Are you splitting birch or jack pine or?

For a felling axe, I have what I believe is a restored collins head on a new Ash handle.  I picked a head out of a buddy's collection of heads and he made a handle and hung the head. Cost me maybe $250 or $275?

My hewing axe is a Gransfors Bruks 1900 which cost me $330 plus shipping. Between that one and my felling axe, they have good steel and they are ones I'll have til I pass.

[alan gage]

For splitting firewood, don't you use a splitting maul?  I asked one of the head Axe Junkies and he advised for splitting to go get a Farm and fleet splitting maul with a plastic handle.  That is what I split hardwood with.

Are you splitting birch or jack pine or?

I most definitely prefer the splitting axe. Shorter handle and lighter head. I think the GB small splitting axe has a 3.5# head. The blade is thinner on entry and quickly flares to split the wood. You're not going to split crotches or badly interlocked grain with it but for easy and relatively easy to split wood it does fine.

Finding firewood isn't a problem for me and up until I got the sawmill I just made it a point to only take the nice straight grained logs. Now those go to the sawmill so I'm left splitting the tougher stuff. That combined with back issues prompted me to finally break down and get a splitter.

I use bur oak and white ash almost exclusively.

Alan

[Dave Shepard]

Toss the plastic handles if you value your joints. 

[Brad_bb]

I haven't had any problem with plastic handle.  Then again as I said, I don't split a ton of wood with it.  I split the cutoff rounds from milling.  Ash, Walnut, Cherry.  Mulberry is the hardest - twisted grain and knots.  I'd be lucky if I split a chord a year, but more like 1/2.

[lxskllr]

Toss the plastic handles if you value your joints.

They're also blister machines. Wood is a bit more delicate, and takes more care, but the performance is worth the extra effort.

[Big Z]

  My wife thinks I have a problem......I think she ain't seen nothing yet!

[Jeff]

Ive got a few. Generally within reach. :D

[Old Greenhorn]

Ive got a few. Generally within reach. :D

DO they have 4, 5, 6, 8, or 12 strings? ;D ;D

[Jeff]

No, really.



 

[Old Greenhorn]

No, really.

Well the one closest to hand appears to have strings, I only count two, what is that?

[Jeff]

3. Its a balalaika

[Walnut Beast]

Let's see some more of your vintage and high quality axes large and small guys!!

[Walnut Beast]

Double Bit Felling Axe? Do you guys that have them like them or think they cut better for felling than a regular one? 

[DonW]

Double bits are a lot of fun to swing, bucking, felling, limbing, splitting, juggling, all that +.
And these too 

br>
Front to back, breitbeil, carpentry axe, carpentry axe, rafter hewing axe.

[Walnut Beast]

Absolutely beautiful! 

[Magicman]

 

 My Great Granddad's Hewing Axe with some ERC timbers that he hewed.


 My Craftsman Handaxe that I use to split kindling.


 
My John Neeman Carpenter's Axe.

[Walnut Beast]

Thanks for sharing Magic! Those are beautiful! 

[Texas Ranger]

Been with me 60 years or better.  Used lesser axes most of the time.

[Walnut Beast]

Nice collections everyone!  Some real eye candy!!  I'm getting jacked out of my mind thinking of putting some trees on the ground by hand and when I get done bore cutting some big Black Walnuts the spurs are getting cut by hand to drop them! Nothing wrong with creating more work and excitement 💪. I think I'm going to get a Gränsfors Bruk double bit axe. For serious felling the double bit seems to shine.

[DonW]

My skew on Gransfors is one of relativity and while I have some I've also gotten rid of them out of discontent when compaired to actual high quality. Probably for availability and ease of acquisition it's a reasonable way to go, certainly more so than what's there at the hardware, Council, or whatever. When you wanted a goo d one though this version posted would be like a Cadillac of double bitteds.

[Walnut Beast]

No candy boyz here! 

 

[DonW]

Another kind of double bitted action.

[RPF2509]

Spot on Brad B with using a maul for splitting rounds.  I got mine 30 years ago for $5 at a yard sale.  Sharpen it up once a decade or so.  3-5 cords of oak every year since and its still going strong.  Replaced the wood handle every so often after a missed swing.  Tried a fiberglass/plastic handle once and never again when I missed and it shattered and almost took off my ear with the shrapnel.  I don't use an axe for kindling anymore after I sliced my left index finger with a newly sharpened axe.  The maul takes just a tap and the weight takes it through.  Axes are for felling or limbing and only if the chainsaw is not handy.  I tried a hydraulic splitter once and it was more work getting the round to the splitter and vice versa instead of just pecking away where the round lay.  I find that for the wood I split, its easiest very green or very dry.  Its that in-between time that is the hardest.  

[RPF2509]

Double bit axes for felling work no better than a single bit.  The other edge is for when one side gets dull or to use on hard bits like limbing branches or when there is a chance of hitting the dirt.

[firefighter ontheside]

I got a nice solid brass axe for my 30th year at the FD.  Doesn't have a very sharp edge on it.  Nice hickory handle too.  It's adorning my wall now.


 

[Walnut Beast]

Double bit axes for felling work no better than a single bit.  The other edge is for when one side gets dull or to use on hard bits like limbing branches or when there is a chance of hitting the dirt.

Couldn't disagree more on the felling part!!

[Walnut Beast]

Pretty sweet firefighter 👍

[DonW]

....  The other edge is for when one side gets dull or to use on hard bits like limbing branches or when there is a chance of hitting the dirt.

That about covers all the bases.  In other words, for whatever chopping you'd like to use it for.

[woodroe]

Snow & Nealley's up this way.

[Walnut Beast]

Got this bad boy on the way and I'm ready to put some big timber on the ground! 

https://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/butik/products/double-bit-axes-en/

[beenthere]

Will look forward to the video of you putting big timber on the ground with that axe. What diameter size are you calling "big" timber?   8)

Nice axe.

[DonW]

I guess you've got the felling version coming and not the throwing in the link you've posted.

[Walnut Beast]

Beenthere I'm not up on all the video action yet but will do some pictures. Have a few 60" walnut to get the party started to graduate to some bigger.

Don I have the double bit with the 35" handle on the way. Not the short one.  

[Walnut Beast]

Double bit action! I'm looking forward to mine but there is no way I could run with these boyz. 120- 150 feet up cutting the trunk at 14- 20 inches Wow! 

 

 

   

[Walnut Beast]

Double bit motivation! Both guys with them. The one on top has his also. For you suspender boys! How about his!  

[Tom King]

Imagine being inside that notch while you're chopping.

[Walnut Beast]

Time to put the big boy pants on, put it to work and make the old timers proud that were swinging them. 

 

 

   

[DonW]

Where's the puck?

[DonW]

Snow's expected these days,and the lull while not sufficient enough for me to get to my cutting in the truck, gives the chance to hoof it back on top and do clearing before then.

F

[Walnut Beast]

Great picture. Good workout!

I should have just got the puck. I thought about getting some flat diamond stones

[doc henderson]

 

 



 

Does my forestry forum hat make my Axe look big?  :D :D :D  hard to take a selfie and hold that double bit throwing axe. 8)

[DonW]

 

  Huh? What was s'posed to show the white-out that's arrived becomes a black out through the edit function.

[DonW]

 

 Snow's picking up. 

[Old Greenhorn]

I was about to say "Try it again Don" but you did already. :D


So what's the deal here? WB are you gonna show us the 5 acres you clear cut with your ax or what? ;D

 I think (if I counted) I probably have 30 axes around the place, some are good, some are not, most are workable. I just never got around to treating myself to a high end one, not that I wouldn't want to. I did have one that was close to a good felling axe with a decent sized head and full handle. It had good bit on it too, took a nice bite. I swung it in a competition once was I was about 20. might even have a photo. But I got snookered in that one. Long story, but it's where I learned even friends can be sneaky when pride and community reputation are on the line. But I knew I was young and an outsider at the time and was naïve' enough to deserve it. I don't hold no grudges and I kind of admired the guy that sandbagged me, I never saw it coming. :D It was the beginning and end of my 'competition days' all in a few short hours.

[beenthere]

Snow's expected these days,and the lull while not sufficient enough for me to get to my cutting in the truck, gives the chance to hoof it back on top and do clearing before then.

F

Can almost detect an axe in that photo. But think I did find it.  ;D ;D

[Walnut Beast]

Nice axe Doc! 

Love your place Don! 

Greenhorn I'm sure out of all the axes you have you have a few dandy ones! I plan on chopping down several respectable trees and finishing off some monster walnut that I bore cut. That should be interesting and fun! 

[DonW]

Snow's expected these days,and the lull while not sufficient enough for me to get to my cutting in the truck, gives the chance to hoof it back on top and do clearing before then.

F

Can almost detect an axe in that photo. But think I did find it.  ;D ;D

Blue's supposed to stand out in the woods. That could explain why Gransfors, Hult, and some of the others used it to paint their axes for a time. Oschenkopff's yellow would not be so functional 'specially in the autumn.