Axe - general purpose recommendation.

[Leigh Robinson]

Hi,

I have been collecting firewood with my saw and processing with a small hatchet. The hatchet isn't very good and I am in the market to make things a little more efficient.

I read the axe guide which was great and also watched the tutorial that Ray 'peace be upon him' mears has on his site. What I think I have worked out is that he uses a general one in the woods for cutting wood and splitting for the fire.

The problem is he doesn't say which one he uses.

Could anyone clarify what is a good general all rounder please.

 

[sapper1]

Gransfors small forest axe,funnily enough there one for sale in the swap shop section.

 

[Asa Samuel]

I don't have an axe but it seems like Gransfors bruks is what most people use, Ray says his favourite is the Gransfors small forest axe, and although I don't know much about axes it seems to me like the right sort of size for a general purpose axe.

 

[John Fenna]

Gransfors small forest axe,funnily enough there one for sale in the swap shop section.

but I love mine!

 

[Chris G]

One of these; http://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/v3/lifestyle-5lb-wooden-handle-axe-p-12584.html

 

[sapper1]

I learned all I know from you John.

 

[John Fenna]

I learned all I know from you John.

Nah - everyone knows more than that!

 

[johnnytheboy]

If its for general purpose stuff, the one chris g recomends would be perfect, or the one below, avoid the gransfors, no good for splitting wood it wedges in the wood becase of the head profile, think of an axe as a tool not a fashion accessory



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-Hup-0-8-500-Hatchet-1-3-4Lb/dp/B0001IX7HY

 

[warthog1981]

Bahco Hup-0.8-500 Hatchet 1.3/4Lb

I have one of these and there are a great all round axe
very good at chopping and splitting and even felling and you can get them shaving sharp without to much effort

Its a bit strange for carving until you get the knack of it

They need a little work to get them they way you want them and you need to make a sheath for them to but it just makes it a little more personal then

Cheers Russ

 

[John Fenna]

If its for general purpose stuff, the one chris g recomends would be perfect, or the one below, avoid the gransfors, no good for splitting wood it wedges in the wood becase of the head profile, think of an axe as a tool not a fashion accessory



QUOTE]

No disrespect but I have not had much of a problem with SFAs sticking while splitting wood..but even if some do they are still great for rough carving, limbing, small felling and a host of other tool use.
I tried various axes before settling on an SFA (being a gear reviewer for magazines helps getting many different tools to play with) and I actually PAID for the SFA (folk who know me know that is rare )
Not a fashion accessory, though they may not suit everyone! Depends on your needs and abilities I guess...
When you say "process" the wood is it just firewood or carving or building or what?
The Hultafors axes are very sweet, but I find them a lttle to thick in the neck for "shortening" your grip for carving and other work.
I am no longer impressed to any great amount by Buck or Gerber - in comparison with GB and HB - and unless you want to spend time alone with a file and axe then most £1 axes will not be for you....
My favorite axe for general work - including carving and shaping is the SFA for general without the carving and shaping the HB.
Some of the SFAs may not be the best for splitting but that is only one axe job...if all you are doing is splitting then a small splitting mawl could be what you need.
Fashion accessories
Great all rounders in my book!
This "anti popularist movement" seems to ignore the fact that the darn things got popular for a reason...

 

[Lurch]

I actually PAID for the SFA

Blimey John, you feeling alright mate?

 

[John Fenna]

Blimey John, you feeling alright mate?

Full price too!
But I earned some cash from it by reviewing it in a mag!

 

[warthog1981]

Ive got a fair few axes now come to think of it
Bahco Hup-0.8-500 Hatchet
Gränsfors
Wildlife Hatchet
Small Forest Axe
Swedish Carving Axe

All Superb axes

 

[johnnytheboy]

I do think the sfa is a good tool as you say for limbing and felling, the build quality is pretty good and they hold an edge pretty well. But i just cant justify recomending someone to split with their hard earned for a tool twice the price of something like the bahco that will do general axe work just as well.

I do wonder why they got popular, probably because they are on ray mears hip than anything else.

Sorry John we will just have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[jungle_re]

Love my Roseli (i think its the hunter ones, but not sure on the preecise model as i got it in a trade). Splits like a demon, fine for chopping and felling trees to the diameter for the vast majority of bushcraft project and comfortable to choke up (although the thick bit doesn't make it the perfect tool for carving).

The only downside is John F telling you how ugly it is when your spliting

 

[helixpteron]

...... I do wonder why they got popular, probably because they are on ray mears hip than anything else.......

GB earned their reputation and thus gained popularity long before Mr. Mears selected one for his personal usage!

Some of us actually buy tools on their merits, and without reference to whether or not such tools are also selected by persons whom by their profession, have a high public and media profile.

Your "fashion accessory" remark, and the one above are too late for April 1st, which is where they belong!

 

[John Fenna]

Sorry John we will just have to agree to disagree on this one.

Looks that way!

Not everyone gets on with all tools - some work better than others for different users.
Now Barco saws I realy rate!

 

[John Fenna]

Love my Roseli (i think its the hunter ones, but not sure on the preecise model as i got it in a trade). Splits like a demon, fine for chopping and felling trees to the diameter for the vast majority of bushcraft project and comfortable to choke up (although the thick bit doesn't make it the perfect tool for carving).

The only downside is John F telling you how ugly it is when your spliting

Was it realy the axe I said was Fugly? - oh yeah - it was!
Other than that...and the carving .. a fine axe!

 

[heath]

The only downside is John F telling you how ugly it is when your spliting

The Roselli axe is the best looking axe on the market (in my opinion). Wonderful for splitting, and a nice little carver too. It looks very similar to the new GB outdoor axe designed by Lars Falt.

 

[John Fenna]

The Roselli axe is the best looking axe on the market (in my opinion). Wonderful for splitting, and a nice little carver too. It looks very similar to the new GB outdoor axe designed by Lars Falt.

And it is completely different from your avatar!
I cannot agree that the Rosselli is pretty... but for all that - it is a good axe...

The Wilki one looks OK in the picture, but it also looks "painted" - normally a sign of poor workmanship being covered up (though not always). How is it wedged - or is that detail hidden in paint/resin or somesuch? What is the steel like? What is the grind like?
I have bought cheap in the past but found it false ecconomy - which is why I prefer to spend a bit more cash to get something well made these days...something that will last, does not need remaking straight out of the box, keeps an edge, can be sharpened easily, but does not need constant work etc

For my canoe hatchet I use a Maserin hatchet that is super low profile as it is one lat piece of steel with rubber grips. It is suprisingly effective A different tool for a different set of needs......it will struggle with felling though! Great for clearing snags, sorting wood for my Hobo and above all - fitting into my canoe bag!