estwing axe

[alanssaab]

hi , being a joiner i own an estwing axe , i was just wondering if anyone here uses them for bushcraft or are they too small/light thanks
alan

 

[JonnyP]

Yep...Very good tools they are too. I know a few on here use them..

 

[Spark]

I have heard that the axes are good for general splitting. However if you wish to use the axe for finer work then it is quite uncomfortable, as the metal shaft is awkward to hold. But there again it depends what you want to use it for.

 

[British Red]

Oddly, one of the few axes I don't own! Always fancied one though - if I saw one cheap enough, I would grab it!

Red

 

[JonnyP]

Oddly, one of the few axes I don't own! Always fancied one though - if I saw one cheap enough, I would grab it!

Red

I got mine off Smarty at last years Cornwall meet, he gave a load of them away to people there.....Top man..

 

[British Red]

Blimey thats generous! Top man indeed!

Red

 

[spamel]

I gave mine to my brother who isn't in to carving and just needed something for chopping when he is out and about. For general chopping duties it does OK, but for fine carving forget it! Also, you will tire quicker with the Estwing than with a GB type axe.

 

[British Red]

So I should stick to the new one off that Cegga has just forged for me then?



Red

 

[Earlyturtle]

Keep smiling red, maybe one day I'll do a grinch on the BCUKers and head into the hills with a heaving sack of Bushies, ceggas and birch bark.

 

[mr dazzler]

I gave mine to my brother who isn't in to carving and just needed something for chopping when he is out and about. For general chopping duties it does OK, but for fine carving forget it! Also, you will tire quicker with the Estwing than with a GB type axe.

That 'll be because when you try to choke up towards the axe head for fine detail and controlled carving or shaping, your gripping a thin piece of stel handle not a solid thick piece of ash or hikcorey. Which will be tiring in next to no time. I have a couple of estwing hammers (16 ounce and 20 ounce claw') but they arent my favorite choice, my best ones are a 22 ounce victorian strap hammer or a plumb 20 ounce framer they both "feel" better than the estwing's

 

[tombear]

OK, you can't do owt fancy with it but for hard use Estwings are bomb proof. I've abused a No. 4 (?) for the best part of 15 years and its still going strong.

I'm not sure if they still are but they used to be part of RAF survival kits and they do turn up surplus, I got mine still sealed in its stores packing for a few quid way back when, I think the one I got the wife is still in its box!

Overall I'd say more for survival than bushcraft, if you know what I mean.

Tom

 

[alanssaab]

thanks for the replies guys , i might pick up one of the wilkinson ones from homebase might go for the middle sized one or would the small one be ok ? , just getting started here and on a bit of a budget and after seeing the artice on here i think one of those would do nicely