Which axe ?

[Paulm]

Can't decide whether I need (or want ) the Outdoor Axe

http://www.woodlandcraftsupplies.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_4&products_id=327

or the Small Forest Axe

http://www.woodlandcraftsupplies.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_4&products_id=15

or even the Hand Hatchet

http://www.woodlandcraftsupplies.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_4&products_id=235

or something else !

I've already got the Swedish Carving Axe for spoon carving and similar, and a Husqvarna hatchet for smaller stuff, and a large maul for bigger firewood duties. The new one will be for general campsite and garden duties. Any thoughts welcome

Cheers, Paul

 

[tom.moran]

ive only used the SFA before and imo unless your felling trees regularly then you wont go far wrong with it

 

[dwardo]

The best all-round, year all-round axe is the http://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/products/forest-axes/gransfors-scandinavian-forest-axe/
I use it for everything from felling, splitting, roughing out bow staves to whittling and splitting kindling.

 

[British Red]

I'd stay away from the Small Forest personally Paul - I find it too large and heavy for general pack carry, and too small for proper two handed use. So, according to need, go smaller or larger - I would say the Outdoor is a good choice in "smaller" - its the smae length and weight as the one I designed and Cegga made - a perfect "pack axe". For larger I would look to something in a 24" helve - the Scandinavian Forest or Ray Mears design (which has a wider profile) - this can be used properly two handed but are manageable with one hand.

 

[chimpy leon]

I have the gb small forest axe. Nice tool but as British Red mentioned, its neither here nor there - too small for two handed use and too big and heavy for single handed use and back pack carry. However the gb Wildlife hatchet is a much better for carrying in a pack and single handed use. For the larger option you could do a lot worse than the range of axes fiskars do.

 

[Shinken]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3108...f11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0 Never used one but look pretty good for the price, anyone used one?

 

[Shinken]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HUSQVARNA...92-64-01-/201102072553?_trksid=p2054897.l5659 this one cheaper

Also this might be good, again anyone got experience of it. From the picture the edge looks to have a good geometry http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hultafors...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2ed29bc853

 

[ammo]

Hudson bay axe. 2lb head. You've got a big un, and a little un. This would fill the void nicely.

 

[Paulm]

Lots of food for thought there guys, thanks. Shame I can't go and see and handle the different options in one place, I'm sure it would be easier to decide.

I used to have the Ray Mears Wilderness axe but sold it on a few months ago as I found it too big to take anywhere with me and likewise oversized for most jobs around the garden, so I guess that points towards something smaller and more packable but bigger than the wee Husqvarna hatchet I've got.

Thinking about the GB Outdoor axe or the Wetterlings Bushman axe. Don't like the metal sleeve on the Outdoor though, just on aesthetics, I know it's functional, but then I don't like the aesthetics of the Bushman that much either ! I do like the way you can choke up on the Bushman though for finer work and it seems a bit bigger and heavier than the Outdoors one but maybe not a lot smaller than the Wilderness Axe that I found too large/heavy to tote around.

Hmm, confused now ! Wish I could get hands on with a few, would be so much easier !

Cheers, Paul

 

[British Red]

Shame I can't go and see and handle the different options in one place, I'm sure it would be easier to decide.

You can

http://www.wealddown.co.uk/Visit/Shopping-at-the-Museum

 

[lou1661]

You can

http://www.wealddown.co.uk/Visit/Shopping-at-the-Museum

And a great day out as well!

 

[British Red]

I can spent a whole day on the collection of tools and not go near the buildings

 

[Paulm]

Didn't realise W&D did stuff like tools ! Been a few years since I've been there, might well be worth another trip

Just been out to the workshop to check and the small Huskie hatchet is about 650g in weight and 32cm in length, and the GB Swedish Carver is about 950g and 36cm, or thereabouts.

I think that means that the GB Outdoor is too similar in weight to the Huskie with a slightly longer handle, but not really sufficiently different to be worthwhile ?

Tends to then come back to the Wetterlings Bushman or the GB SFA, both being around the weight of the Carver which seems about right to me, but with longer handles, the Bushman being a bit longer by a couple of inches which might deal with the SFA being not quite one thing or another ?

The other kind of uses it would be likely to get are splitting timber for woodturning or green woodworking, I often use a froe but would be good to be able to use a smallish axe that could take a bit of battoning when needed, the maul being more suited to larger lumps of firewood.

Starting to look like the Bushman fits best.....

Cheers, Paul

 

[Paulm]

Sorted. I can be decisive, eventually !!!

Went out to the garden with the Huskie hatchet and prepped some kindling and stuff by breaking down some branches that were needing tidying up, only small stuff up to about an inch or a bit more, green wood and dry stuff. No problem at all, easy and effective despite it's modest size. Split some thicker bits too and that went fine also.



Having re-read the thread again and picking up the reservations of the GB SFA still being a bit big and heavy for a rucksack, I think I'll stick with the hatchet for now as I think it'll do most of what I need when camping out, with the Silky and/or folding bowsaw if needed.

The answer was under my nose all along !!!

At least I can be sure I'll be likely to pack it as it is small and light enough to not need a second thought really, even if it won't do bigger stuff.

I'm also planning on getting the Bushman anyway For use at home as it seems like a good all round workhorse for the kind of things I do and if needed I can always try camping with it, particularly if not too far from the jeep.

Thanks for the help guys, got there in the end !

Cheers, Paul

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Got the same one as you and find it really useful. Does all the tasks I need and light enough not to leave behind. For bigger work I will take my Scandi Forrest axe but only when needed.

 

[Hibrion]

How about a GB wildlife hatchet, or a small hawk? I'm starting to appreciate hawks more lately. They have their limitations, but for the type of stuff you might do on a one or two day trip they are good, and they are of course light.

 

[outpost31]

Just a wee observation I made recently,with regards axe size and weight. My mate Ian and I were camping last week Ian is 6 foot 5" and weighs 25 stone he wields my 3 and a half pound "full size" axe like a hatchet with one hand so it's all relative really. Top tip take a huge friend with you for a plentiful supply of firewood

 

[Clouston98]

I've got the small forest axe, I like it and it works well for me, I also have the outdoor axe, it's great. The sleeve I like and it's come into its own, most of my axes have a very weather bit where the sleeve is from splitting and that's kept the outdoors helge tip top. It's got a nice profile and cuts well! Funnily enough I have the Gransfors large Swedish carver- we must have a similar taste in axes!

Now I have a dilemma of my own- a double bit or an American feller?- I really cant chose!

 

[British Red]

Well, you know my answer Cam

Kelly Perfect Axe with Gransfors Bruks Working Axe by British Red, on Flickr

 

[Clouston98]

Ooh they are gorgeous- I need a. Double bit in my life, but I reckon I'll just babble on about how they're both important and I need two!