First Axe?

[thorpey0]

Looking at getting my first axe, I want something multi purpose and obviously I am drawn towards the small forest axe... However I have seen the Husqvarna hatchet for around £22, I know this is less useful for using two handed (I cant see myself doing much felling or major shelter building).

Is the SFA really worth the extra £45?

Cheers

 

[dave89]

have you thought of a cold steel one?

 

[copper_head]

The husqavarna is a good buy. Certainly there are better axes out there but for my uses it performs well. You can split kindling and rough out carving blanks easily and it takes a good edge.

 

[ammo]

If you want a multi purpose axe, the Estwing hatchet, can be used as a hammer, unlike a standard axe. I do think GB make the best axes, and worth the extra, although i wouldn't abuse one. The Estwing, looks after itself.

 

[Two Socks]

What will you be using it for? I find the small forest axe a bit small to use two-handed and tend to grab a smaller hatchet for one-handed tasks. The husqvarna would be a good size for this. Then again, if you want to carry one axe to do it all, and this 'all' includes some felling and limbing then the SFA-size is ok. I find that I grab mine a lot less now that I have a smaller hatchet available. I do not do much 'heavy' axing though. Small diameter splitting and some carving is it for me.

 

[crucible]

Another vote for the Estwing- quality, durability at an excellent price - now that's value!

The now make a variety of axes and hatchets, some of which lend themselves easily to bushcraft.

 

[dave89]

have you seen this website


http://www.oldtools.co.uk/tools/Adze_and_Axes.html

 

[bryndlefly]

I have a gerber gator and I really like it. Although I Havnt had experience of.any others.

 

[onfire]

Funnily enough I am in the opposite camp with regards to the Husqvarna ... it is a tremendously sharp edge and a lovely crafted hatchet but ... after sinking mine into my hand when it jumped from the top of a piece of VERY hard wood I never really use it. I have a Wilkinson Sword version of the Small Forest Axe (I would have the SFA if I could afford it) and it does all but the toughest logs for our woodburner. I carve (albeit rarely) and split kindling with mine and the size gives me some reassurance that I wont cut my hand off with it. My logic runs along the same lines as the thought that a pistol is more dangerous to the user than a rifle!

 

[woodstock]

I have owned a Husky for a year or two and pound for pound it is a great little axe, takes a keen edge and retains it, these are not the best axes around but for the money they take some beating.

 

[rg598]

In my opinion, if you have never used an axe, and want to learn how to properly use one, get a full size axe. Once you know how to use it, you can play with different sizes until you find something you like. If you just want to split some small pieces of wood and do a few carving projects, a hatchet like the Husqvarna one is more than enough. An axe is a personal thing, and no one can tell you what a good all around axe would be for you. For example, for me, an all around axe is a boy's size axe. I find the Small Forest Axe and the Scandinavian Forest Axe to be too small for me. That doesn't mean they would not be perfect for someone else, but for me, they are not.

 

[spader]

sorry double post. deleted.

 

[spader]

Fiskars axes are excellent. Good performer, durable, light, easy & quick to sharpen. Nice to have 2 or 3 different size for different type of work.