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Axes: Selection, tips, recommendations
Following on from the blog post about axe selection, what are your experiences with axes?
They can be particularly dangerous when used carelessly, have any of you had any accidents?
Do you find that frequent sharpening in the field is necessary?
The community would appreciate your input
Tags: axes
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brent Jarnell on -
While I have used an axe many times for many hours it has always been for a simple purpose; either felling, limbing or kindling. I have always used cheap hardware store axes and had to sharpen regularly and replace the odd handle.
Funnily enough, I know of people who get the remnants of the old handle out by sticking them in a fire for the night. I'm sure that will have the metallurgists spinning.
Of interest is the thought we can't get good axes in NZ, for we still have a strong fraternity of sporting axemen. They must supply themselves with quality gear and, before finding your links in the blog, though they would be a good place to start if I were to find the proper jobbies.
Size wise, I guess it would depend on the application. If you had the capability to supply the base camp with a vehicle then more selection is available. But walking in, I'd prefer a mid size. This said, a good deal of work I do for the simple stuff is covered off with my khukri. This isnt to say I havent had a pang for a heavier option.
Nice blog post, thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Sean on
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Found this badass sitting around, rusting away in the garage. Picked it up and thought i might have a half decent relic in my hands.
I could barely make out the inscriptions and brandings
After a bit of sanding.
Any knowledge on this axe? On one side its got
Made in Canada
True Temper
On the other side its got the ''Kelly' branding
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cameron on -
Can't help but I have one too, put 4 handles on it over the last 15 years and chopped a crap load of wood with it. Good axe!
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Permalink Reply by Te Hopo on -
Bloody good axe you have there mate, I have a few different size kelly's and they're all long lasting and good quality.
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Permalink Reply by Sean on
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Hey Jeff.
Speaking of brands. I realised that there seems to be several 'classes' of axe. From what i see there are ones made by professional manufacturers (Gransfors, Wetterlings) and then there are the unbranded or hardware store ones. The prices of the professional brand names can get up into the 100s or dollars typically while your 'Bunnings' Chinese axe can range from $10-30.
I brought myself one of these $10 hatchets the other day. Using it for a bit of roughing out on staves. Its not particularly heavy sort of work. I put a bit of an edge onto it and yea, it makes the cuts through your bits of softwood pine quite easily without much effort. Hardwood's require more effort but it is possible. It does its job
Is the difference in the overall durability? Will the cutting edge on my Chinese hatchet wear out a lot quicker than your Scandinavian hatchet?
Does it really matter which you buy as long as you look after it and keep it sharp?
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cameron on
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Is the difference in the overall durability? Will the cutting edge on my Chinese hatchet wear out a lot quicker than your Scandinavian hatchet?
The main thing I have found with the cheapies is, they break. I used to sell cheapies and the handles go first, if you put a good handle on the head breaks or cracks, usually around the handle where the thinner steel is.
Does it really matter which you buy as long as you look after it and keep it sharp?
I think it depends on what you use it on, if you don't overwork the hatchet you might get years of use, handle will go first but good opportunity to rehandle with something better.
I have a medium priced steel handle hatchet and its probably 20-30 years old. I keep it sharp and oiled and have no problems, I would like a better one like the Gransfors etc, but need other gear first before upgrading.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cameron on
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http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears%20Tools/Kelly%20Axe%20M...
Link to site with info on Kelly axes
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Permalink Reply by Rob Mac on
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I have a Kelly axe I got from a second hand shop following some advice from an old fulla. It's a bloody good axe, good handle and I've hardly ever sharpened it. My missus took a slice of the top of her finger with it when she was cutting kindling. It was a good clean cut.(she wasn't cutting it like I showed her) I don't think she's cut firewood since.
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Permalink Reply by Sean on
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There's nothing shameful about utilising the chicken stick. ;) (For kindling that is)
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Permalink Reply by Te Hopo on
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I have a variety of axes and hatchets which I love to use, some are little kindling hatchets, some are forest axes and I have one real old worn racing axe that is awesome for felling trees.
I make my own handles as can be seen in the blog section and use a very old Norton combination axe stone similar to this one:
With the axes I use most I've found as long as I keep them oiled and am careful not to damage the edge on stones and such the edge lasts for weeks to months of use.
Hmmm accidents, well I watched my mate cut his 8yo sisters pinkie finger off by accident when we were about 10, it was reattached and she never forgave him. =)
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cameron on
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ouch!
I was levering an axe out of a knotty piece of wood, it bounced and landed on the hand bracing the wood, slicing down the side of my finger. I keep my axes sharp, so the resulting cut was nice and clean, I superfixed the skin together and wrapped it up, went to doctor and he was impressed with the repair but not the reason for the cut.
I always take a small tube of super glue in my personal first aid kit. Hope to never need it again.
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Permalink Reply by Sean on
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Around the same time of posting my question up on here i also put up another on on the bushcraft nz facebook page. I found out that it probably gets a fraction of views than the forums. I've taken a better picture and here it is. The bit of wood beyond this crack is still hanging on quite well but i was wondering weather having a handle like this could increase the chances of the axe head flying off
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