The Axe Thread

**Doc4** · 04-14-2011, 12:15 PM

Who doesn't like a good axe?

Most axes one sees in the stores nowadays are cheap mass-market stuff

but every once in a while someone out there makes a really good axe.

Who's your favourite axemaker? What's your favourite axe?

**probesport** · 04-14-2011, 12:34 PM

My favorite splitting axe that I use a few times a week is a Chopper one, seems gimmicky but it works incredibly well. We have an old one that is just great, I keep meaning to buy another since they are being made again but just haven't pulled the trigger since this one is still hacking away.

I will never go without one though, excellent.

http://chopper1axe.com/whatis.htm

**Dude123** · 04-14-2011, 01:20 PM

The spring sportsman showed rolled through town not to long ago, and I left with a Granfors scandinavian forest axe. Very excited to try this baby out. I'll be doing some camping towards the end of May, and that should give me a chance to work it out.

**texcattlerancher** · 04-14-2011, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dude123

Granfors

Wonderful axes.

**strat1117** · 04-14-2011, 02:38 PM

It's already been done.

**honed** · 04-14-2011, 02:54 PM

Gränsfors of course

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

**Doc4** · 04-14-2011, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by strat1117

It's already been done.

I want an axe that goes to eleven.

**MASSDRIVER** · 04-14-2011, 03:58 PM

Of coarse, Granfors makes a good axe, and I won't call their prices too high, but they are "premium"
My personal favorites are vintage heads in general, and plumb in particular.
Here is my Plumb double bit cruiser, and a really nice example of a Plumb Au-to-graph.
I threw my worked over 'hawk in there for fun, it's my EDC as far as hiking goes.
My opinion is spend about 25 bucks on a superior vintage cutter, and save a couple hundred bucks.
Brent.

**ScoutHikerDad** · 04-14-2011, 04:54 PM

For just general splitting (not heavy maul-type work), my Fiskars with the plastic handle (that you can drive a truck over, by the way) and razor-sharp coated (teflon?) edge goes through logs like butter.

**Doc4** · 04-14-2011, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

For just general splitting (not heavy maul-type work), my Fiskars with the plastic handle (that you can drive a truck over, by the way) and razor-sharp coated (teflon?) edge goes through logs like butter.

But ... butter doesn't go through logs.

**johnmrson** · 04-14-2011, 05:23 PM

I've got a Fiskars axe and log splitter and I'm very happy with them both.

**M80** · 04-15-2011, 04:07 PM

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...lling-axe.aspx

**bluther2** · 04-15-2011, 07:41 PM

Cegga

http://www.google.ca/search?q=cegga+...=2536&bih=1221

**The Chandos** · 04-15-2011, 08:12 PM

Oh, I thought this thread was about guitars. I keep mine in the garage with my other tools.

**Montecristo #2** · 04-16-2011, 09:00 AM

I realize that Fiskars axes are mass market... But I beat the living sh*t out of axes and I can't kill them. Are they the prettiest or nicest? Not by a long shot, but I've busted and split too many wood handled axes and hatchets to go back. I also love the fact that my Fiskars hatchet weighs 50 percent less than a traditional one, great for backpacking. Maybe someday I'll get a collectors axe, but for now I want something that will last.

**MASSDRIVER** · 04-16-2011, 10:05 AM

Take Fiskers out for some bucking or trail clearing and compare it to a vintage axe, Plumb, Kelly, Kleen Kutter, etc.

After 10 minutes you'll just give the Fiskers to someone you don't like.
They are good for splitting, but track way behind in the axeman's role.
I hike and clear trails with my cruiser for a hobby to keep in shape, so I have a fair amount of experience in what makes a good axe. Good, curved shape and balanced forging make all the difference, and remember that people around the turn of the century had just the saw and axe to process lumber, and you will find the shapes and balance far superior to anything made today, save the high end handmades.
And nothing beats a slim hickory handle.
Brent.

**honed** · 04-17-2011, 10:24 AM

Fiskars is a very nice axe, especially considering it's price.
Those Finns know how to make an axe that really can put up with anything you throw at it