Thinking about an axe

[Scottishwanderer]

Righto i might be getting a fair bit of insurance money soon so i'm thinking about an axe.

I don't really have need for one but i'm sure once i have one it'll open up a world of possibilities.

The things i'd like to use it for is splitting logs, chopping up to 2 ft diameter trees, chopping fire wood. I'd also need it to fit inside a medium sized pack.

Gransfor Bruks seem to be the standard and i like the fact there swedish as i can trust the steel. The sfa axe is usually recomended as is the wildlife hatchet but i'm not sure whats best for what i wan't it for.

I like the kind of old style look of them and if taken care of they should last a lifetime.

GB isn't the only one on the market though.

Any recommendations appreciated.

 

[rik_uk3]

2' diameter trees you need a bow saw.

 

[Retired Member southey]

if your going for trees that big(just to ask why matey) then bin the sfa and go for the scandinavien forest axe or american felling axe style, but have a hunt around lots of cheaper in price deals to be had, look for husquvarner(sp) hultsfors bruks type dealios!

 

[Stew]

I don't really have need for one but i'm sure once i have one it'll open up a world of possibilities.

The things i'd like to use it for is splitting logs, chopping up to 2 ft diameter trees, chopping fire wood. I'd also need it to fit inside a medium sized pack.

Is this for firewood at home or when out and about?

 

[Shewie]

That's a big old tree, why do you need to drop such a beast?

 

[mrcharly]

Can't recommend a particular axe unless we know what you want to use it for.

You've talked about chopping and splitting. TBH, if that was the sole use, I'd get a lesser axe to start with. A standard sandvik or somesuch will do a good job.

 

[Scottishwanderer]

I work as a gardener so we fell trees sometimes. The old boy i work with say's thee best way to fell a big tree is to saw it then chop it from the other side.

I don't know why though. I don't need to fell trees with my axe as we have a cheap axe we use but i thought it'd be nice to use my own axe but if that isn't possible it doesn't matter the work axe works fine.

 

[Scottishwanderer]

For my bushcraft i wan't it for splitting logs and for chopping firewood. If i can't get one that'll fell big trees thats fine i'll just use the work axe for work i don't need to fell anything that big in my bushcraft.

I'm okay with sharpening an axe as my boss taught me . Iv had loads of practice using the work axe.

If i can spli logs with it and chop medium size firewood thats good for me. A hatchet will probably be fine if i use wedges for splitting.

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

If i was to fell a tree that size i would want a chinsaw and some bloody good training first.
anyway the GB SFA is usually more than enough for UK bushcraft.

 

[Soloman]

Ive a few gb axe,s that you are more than welcome to have a look at,im just along the road
Steve

 

[Scottishwanderer]

Ive a few gb axe,s that you are more than welcome to have a look at,im just along the road
Steve

Thats very kind brother i'll send you a message

 

[HillBill]

I work as a gardener so we fell trees sometimes. The old boy i work with say's thee best way to fell a big tree is to saw it then chop it from the other side.

Your going to squash yourself doing it that way round mate. You chop first, on the side of the trunk you want the tree to fall. Then saw just above the mid point of the undercut ( chopped out bit) on the opposite side. The undercut will act as a hinge to allow the tree to fall away from you.

 

[Siberianfury]

i would go for a GB sfa as they are extreamly versitile, as for the tree, a chainsaw seems like the right tool for the job

 

[HillBill]

No fun with a chainsaw though

 

[Siberianfury]

No fun with a chainsaw though

nahh, its great fun

 

[Soloman]

Even more fun with a double bit axe.

 

[rik_uk3]

Why for all things logical would you attempt to fell a 2' thick tree with an axe, use a saw...for crying out loud then get your chopper out for a bit of splitting.

 

[Stew]

I would ask the question as to why you're felling two foot trees anyway.

 

[Scottishwanderer]

We fell some big stuff at work and i chop big chunks of firewood for a neighbour.

Wouldn't use an axe for a 2ft tree, we take the chainsaw to it then chop it out.

 

[Stew]

You'll be best off getting a splitting maul then.