Axes!

[Tedro2022]

I’m looking for recommendations for a place to get an axe. I have one that I picked up for Home Depot with a fiberglass handle, but I’m looking for a company who makes axes, hatchets, etc with quality metal and of course a wooden handle. 

 

The idea is that I’d like it to last the rest of my life time and have it to pass down to my son. 

 

And of course, I’d like to see pictures of all of your axes, hatchets, tomahawks, etc! 

[MacGyver]

I own three Gransfors Bruks axes.  They’re handmade Swedish purpose built axes.  

They come shaving sharp - which can be strange/dangerous for anyone who’s only ever used  cast hardware store axes.

Not only are they perfect tools, they’re works of art.

I’ve got a large splitting axe, a small forest axe, and a wildlife hatchet.

They’re more expensive than a Fiskars (which is actually a completely fine axe for everyday needs) - but your kids will fight over them. 

[Erik88]

39 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

They’re more expensive than a Fiskars (which is actually a completely fine axe for everyday needs) 

I was prepared to recommend a Fiskars axe but I see that he wants a wood handle. Fiskars makes a great budget friendly axe but it's not exactly what I would call an heirloom. 

[Tedro2022]

I’ve got a Fiskers machete that I use for my neighbors bamboo that creeps onto my property. Love it, and it’s almost always super sharp. Handles really well too.

Definitely looking for something that will be an heirloom one day, but I want it to be usable too. 

[hipower]

Wife introduced me to Fiskars garden tools. They have been really good. 

I use the racheting snips and clippers a lot here

[TripleGGG]

4 hours ago, MacGyver said:

I own three Gransfors Bruks axes.  They’re handmade Swedish purpose built axes.  

They come shaving sharp - which can be strange/dangerous for anyone who’s only ever used  cast hardware store axes.

Not only are they perfect tools, they’re works of art.

I’ve got a large splitting axe, a small forest axe, and a wildlife hatchet.

They’re more expensive than a Fiskars (which is actually a completely fine axe for everyday needs) - but your kids will fight over them. 

X2 on Gransfors Bruks. Amazing tools and craftsmanship. 

[Erik88]

Just had a thought. Does @Grand Torino make any axes or hatchets? 

[Tedro2022]

Reading about these Gransfors, but stumbled onto Brant & Cochran also. They look like they both make really good pieces. 

I’d be really interested in picking one up from someone on the forum that makes them, as long as the materials are quality. 

I’ve got a splitting axe, I’d like something I could take backcountry camping. So something light weight (3 - 4 lbs), with a handle between 24” and 28” inches. 

[peejman]

I've got a CRKT Woods Chogan, its a handy camp sized axe.  Not in the same category as Granfors, but functional for my needs. 

[MacGyver]

You might check out some Hultafors axes.

This Ekeland Hunting Ax has been in continuous production since the 1870s.

https://www.hultafors.com/products/axes/H0292-ekelund-hunting-axe/160443

[GlockSpock]

On 1/10/2021 at 11:24 AM, MacGyver said:

I own three Gransfors Bruks axes.  They’re handmade Swedish purpose built axes.  

They come shaving sharp - which can be strange/dangerous for anyone who’s only ever used  cast hardware store axes.

Not only are they perfect tools, they’re works of art.

I’ve got a large splitting axe, a small forest axe, and a wildlife hatchet.

They’re more expensive than a Fiskars (which is actually a completely fine axe for everyday needs) - but your kids will fight over them. 

I didn't know about Gransfors Bruks but now I want one.

Edited January 11, 2021 by GlockSpock

[Chucktshoes]

1 minute ago, GlockSpock said:

I didn't know about Transfers Bruks but now I want one.

I’ve been drooling over a Hults Bruks axe myself. 
 

http://hultsbruk1697.se/

[MacGyver]

2 minutes ago, GlockSpock said:

I didn't know about Gransfors Bruks but now I want one.

If I was only going to own one axe - that would hands down be it.

Each of their axes comes with a book detailing the different use cases for each of their axes.  It’s an education by itself: 

https://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/axe-knowledge/using-an-axe/different-axe-models/

[DL126]

What I carry to the campsite ....

https://www.estwing.com/collections/axes-outdoor/products/leather-sportsmans-axe

[RED333]

Here are mine, the one with the burnt hanble my son made for me. The head was found at a yard sale, my son put in the 36" handle. The other ax is 34" and was a yard sale find as well, the splitting maul has a pipe handle we did to add weight, works well and is a great work out. The little hatchet is a custom job I picked up off the net.

 

 

Edited January 12, 2021 by RED333
Because I can

[Tedro2022]

8 hours ago, DL126 said:

What I carry to the campsite ....

https://www.estwing.com/collections/axes-outdoor/products/leather-sportsmans-axe

My dad had one of these when I was growing up. Until I was old enough to swing anything bigger, this is all he let me use. Had my fair share of time playing Cowboys and Indians in the woods with it! 

[Tedro2022]

7 hours ago, RED333 said:

Here are mine, the one with the burnt hanble my son made for me. The head was found at a yard sale, my son put in the 36" handle. The other ax is 34" and was a yard sale find as well, the splitting maul has a pipe handle we did to add weight, works well and is a great work out. The little hatchet is a custom job I picked up off the net.

 

 

I like that burnt handle! 

[ReeferMac]

Can't say its an heirloom, but I love my Estwing. Light enough I can swing it like a hatchet.

 

[peejman]

1 hour ago, Tedro2022 said:

I like that burnt handle! 

I did that with mine as well.  Pretty easy and came out nice.  

[Tedro2022]

2 hours ago, peejman said:

I did that with mine as well.  Pretty easy and came out nice.  

Propane torch? 

[peejman]

1 hour ago, Tedro2022 said:

Propane torch? 

Yep.

[res308]

Look up Council Tool. I love mine. Made in USA.

[brat]

You can also likely find what you want at Bailey's logging and arborist site.

https://www.baileysonline.com/forestry-woodcutting/axes-mauls.html

 

I like to shop the antiques stores and pawn shops. Surprising what good steel people throw away.

[Ropin4gold]

I’ve got a council hatchet I keep in the truck and loan out as needed but the small forest axe from gransfors (or any of their products) is what you seek. I’ll never sell mine. 
 

if you are on a budget the husqvarna and stihl offerings are decent too along with the aforementioned council.
 

Few coats of boiled linseed oil on the handles and you are good to go. One coat every day for a week. One coat every week for a month and one coat every month for a year. 

[mondojackal]

I got an old axe from my father-in-law. Best I can tell, it's about 50 years old. Very rusty. Soaked in vinegar for a few days and then sanded and polished. Still haven't fixed the axe head to the handle.

 

Learned some differences between cheap store-bought steel and a real axe head - real steel has a tempered edge and a lot of cheap axes don't have that hardened edge. 

 

Also, never use an axe with some sort of clear coat on the handle without gloves. It will eat you alive with blisters. Naked wood + oil = way better.

Edited March 9, 2021 by mondojackal