What's a good vintage axe?

[guitarslinger]

I was watching a lumber jack show, and they were talking about how good the double bit axes from the 30's were.

Tell me what to buy.

Collins?
Plumb?
Swedish?

3.5 lbs?

4 lbs?

I have no clue, but I do know I need a better way to chop wood for this camping season.

 

[wetshavewonder]

are you just splitting logs or falling trees as well?

 

[guitarslinger]

are you just splitting logs or falling trees as well?

primarily splitting logs, but I don't want to rule out falling trees.

It's like big amps. They sound better to me at any volume.

 

[Confuzius]

For splitting logs you need a maul!

Wood burning furnace and wood stove at my parents place. I'd never again try to split logs with an axe unless absolutely necessary.

 

[wetshavewonder]

kelly made great double bit axes in the 30's, usually all steel, some were sharpened in the keen and stunt style meaning one side was sharper than the other; the keen side for clean chopping, and the stunt side for limbing and uses where the bit might strike the ground

 

[kzoo1]

I know it's not vintage, but...

This axe from Fiskars kick all kind of tail!

We camp a lot during the warmer months and this is my go to camp axe/splitter. Simply the best tool I have found that is highly portable and extremely useful.

This thing holds an edge like no other axe I have used, and if you buy their sharpener, it is very easy to keep the edge scary sharp.

Edit to add- if you have a Meijers down there, you may be able to pick it up at the store.

 

[nuovorecord]

Dang...I read the thread title and the OP's name and was all ready to suggest a '61 Telecaster. Oh well...carry on.

 

[Jim]

A double bit ax is a felling ax and is less useful for general camping than a good Hudson bay model.

 

[Leche]

For splitting logs you need a maul!

+1, nice heavy maul will ease all your splitting.

 

[Doc4]

Dang...I read the thread title and the OP's name and was all ready to suggest a '61 Telecaster. Oh well...carry on.

Me too ...

For splitting logs you need a maul!

Wood burning furnace and wood stove at my parents place. I'd never again try to split logs with an axe unless absolutely necessary.

I spent several decades splitting wood with axes and that was all well and good, and then finally got a maul.



It's like going from a dull Quattro to a wicked-sharp vintage TI ... and I ain't never goin' back.

 

[Devil Doc]

Flatlanders, sheesh Split wood with a maul, notch trees with an axe, then saw them down with a buck saw. Personally, I use a chain saw and a gas powered wood splitter. Ain't nothing romantic about working in the woods.

Doc.

 

[Magicpixie]

Dammit I love B&B; it's not just shaving I'm learning about. Guns, knives, axes - top of the shop!

 

[Gafer]

Dang...I read the thread title and the OP's name and was all ready to suggest a '61 Telecaster. Oh well...carry on.

Yeah, me too. I was gonna suggest a 60's strat myself.

 

[Chuckaluck]

1965 Fender Jaguar!

 

[thirdeye]

Dang...I read the thread title and the OP's name and was all ready to suggest a '61 Telecaster. Oh well...carry on.

....So did I, well a 58' Strat anyway....

 

[mulepackin]

A double bit ax is a felling ax and is less useful for general camping than a good Hudson bay model.

+1 Here. Many of the guys I pack and camp with carry a double bit. They keep one edge just for trail clearing and one for splitting firewood. I prefer the single blade Hudson Bay. I use it as much or more as a hammer as I do an axe. I carry a small file for touch ups if I need to. Any of the brands you mentioned are great quality tools. It will boil down to what feels good in your hands.

 

[thirdeye]

A double bit ax is a felling ax and is less useful for general camping than a good Hudson bay model.

Or there's the All American Collins Axe. They were made right here in Collinsville, CT for years and years.

 

[Bluestaco]

Yeah, me too. I was gonna suggest a 60's strat myself.

....So did I, well a 58' Strat anyway....

<sigh...> Oh, well.

 

[knlgskr]

Those who chop and split their own wood are twice warmed.

 

[Fnord5]

I know it's not vintage, but...

This axe from Fiskars kick all kind of tail!

We camp a lot during the warmer months and this is my go to camp axe/splitter. Simply the best tool I have found that is highly portable and extremely useful.

This thing holds an edge like no other axe I have used, and if you buy their sharpener, it is very easy to keep the edge scary sharp.

Edit to add- if you have a Meijers down there, you may be able to pick it up at the store.

I have the Gerber(same as Fiskars) camp axe. Could nearly shave with it, and will fell a 6 inch Oak in about 3 minutes. (drunken shenanigans with my mom, she was tied to the tree to keep it from falling into the yard. Did not stop the tree even in the slightest )