Looking for a felling axe recommendation, something better than Gränsfors?

[VikingGirl]

Not so long ago I had an injury on my shoulder, and since then the american felling axe I own from Gränsfors starts to feel a bit heavy at the end of the day...

Keep in mind I'm also a girl, and that I always felt the felling axe was too heavy for me, still, I push through it..

Now I'm thinking I could be more efficient clearing out areas with another axe..
I use the felling axe mostly to bring down green trees and some of the axes I've used beside the GB get stucked a lot...
And the ones that aren't heavy are too light, taking me forever to clear out a whole area..

I've used axes all my life, but I don't know much about them.. Is anybody here a gifted or expert axe-man that might help me find the perfect tool?

Thank you for reading. Kiki

 

[mrcharly]

I don't think you need to spend much money on an axe to have something right.

Most off-the-shelf axes are too blunt and have a terrible grind. For felling (ie chopping across the grain), the axe needs to be sharp and the blade should be quite thin and highly polished. Weight is really secondary. The convex curve should continue quite a long way back.

What diameter are the trees you chop down?

 

[Hibrion]

Have you considered the double bit GB working axe? It is extrenely well balanced and feels much easier to yse than an american style felling axe.

 

[VikingGirl]

What diameter are the trees you chop down?[/QUOTE]

Thanks Charly

Let's see, I'm cutting all types of diameters, but generally between 25 and 40cm. They are all hard wood.
About weight being secondary.. Just from experience I can tell how many strokes and effort a tree requires, and although my blades are amazingly polished and take care of them like babies..
smaller axes don't seem to be cut of for the task. I've been using an scandinavian Gränsfors lately, and it feels like trying to bring down a tree with a hatchet. And also I get stucked a lot whereas with the felling not. What do you think?

 

[VikingGirl]

Have you considered the double bit GB working axe? It is extrenely well balanced and feels much easier to yse than an american style felling axe.

I've tried them yeah, but they feel heavy also.. For some reason I feel more comfortable with the american but I know what you mean, they do feel more balanced. I got mine with the straight handle so it's a bit better. I'm looking for something in between these heavy axes and smaller forest ones..

 

[mrcharly]

What diameter are the trees you chop down?

Thanks Charly

Let's see, I'm cutting all types of diameters, but generally between 25 and 40cm. They are all hard wood.
About weight being secondary.. Just from experience I can tell how many strokes and effort a tree requires, and although my blades are amazingly polished and take care of them like babies..
smaller axes don't seem to be cut of for the task. I've been using an scandinavian Gränsfors lately, and it feels like trying to bring down a tree with a hatchet. And also I get stucked a lot whereas with the felling not. What do you think?[/QUOTE]
I think that a lighter axe will mean less penetration - but a few more strokes shouldn't add much time. I've used a GB mini hatchet to cut 20cm branches and it worked well.

Sticking is really a function of blade shape. If the sides of the axe head are flat, it will stick. I'm sorry that I don't experience of the different makes so can't recommend one in particular, just characteristics you should look for.

Also - you are young. A bit of weight-training will put strength back into that injured shoulder.

 

[Hibrion]

I've tried them yeah, but they feel heavy also.. For some reason I feel more comfortable with the american but I know what you mean, they do feel more balanced. I got mine with the straight handle so it's a bit better. I'm looking for something in between these heavy axes and smaller forest ones..

Maybe keep an eye out on ebay for an american cruiser size double-bit?

I think if you go too small you'll end up putting more effort in to fell the tree.

 

[sunndog]

Anyone remember the specs for a swedish army axe?

Op, i cant, but i reckon an axe that size would suit you....its like the next size up from a GB scandi

 

[VikingGirl]

Anyone remember the specs for a swedish army axe?

Op, i cant, but i reckon an axe that size would suit you....its like the next size up from a GB scandi

I can't find any specific brands for it, do you know if anyone is still producing it? All i can find is china mades

 

[tsitenha]

Instead of an axe, have you thought of a chain saw?

 

[dwardo]

Instead of an axe, have you thought of a chain saw?

X2 Hate the horrible, noisy, smelly, dangerous things. But... they have their place. For the odd tree no, a silky and my GB scandi are easily enough but if I am doing lots .

 

[VikingGirl]

Instead of an axe, have you thought of a chain saw?

Insulting.
I have a heart.

 

[sunndog]

I can't find any specific brands for it, do you know if anyone is still producing it? All i can find is china mades

Hultafors may carry a similar size

Mors talks about it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKRymGciSg8

 

[Klenchblaize]

I gain the impression you're the demanding kind of Girl that only a Norwegian Mustad No. 2 will prove worthy of your attentions.

K

 

[tsitenha]

Insulting.
I have a heart.

???????????????

 

[Tony]

???????????????

Humour ....

 

[Tonyuk]

I'm a big fan of Fiskars axes. Very good quality and they have a lifetime guarantee, for little money.

Tonyuk

 

[Laurentius]

I'm a big fan of Fiskars axes. Very good quality and they have a lifetime guarantee, for little money.

Tonyuk

So cheap you can afford to abuse them as well. I use a small one for all sorts of things on my allotment, it is good for cutting down small trees, and I really have no business to be cutting down anything bigger, that would be a job for a tree surgeon

 

[Tengu]

I recently found a 4lb axe head at the car boot; no idea who made it though.

 

[VikingGirl]

I recently found a 4lb axe head at the car boot; no idea who made it though.

Thanks. I'm trying to find something new. Let me know if you find out about the brand though