Which axe?

[markheolddu]

Hi I am looking for a bit of information abut GB axes. I know plenty of you have them, Mainly the SFA, But do any of you use the small carpenters axe or and this is pushing the boat out , The 511 Bearded axe with eye socket from the ancient axe section. I would really like to know if you use one and how you get on with it. I would be using it for general axy stuff. I know you are going to recomend the SFA but I really like the look of these two.

Thanks Mark

 

[British Red]

For "general axy" stuff the bit on the carpenters axe is too suare - great for shaping but poor for cutting and splitting. The four lugged axed is a beauty - no reason not to try one

Red

 

[markheolddu]

Thanks Red, I have never seen the carpenter in real life and the cost of fuel at the moment it would cost more than the axe to go see one. really like the look of the ancent axes.

Thanks Mark

 

[John Fenna]

Which axe Mark?
One that will not hit your thumb!




Sorry - couldn't resist....

 

[markheolddu]

Very good John, I tried using a lump of round wood but it dident chop the wood very well, a little kinder to my thumb though

 

[bikething]

Which axe Mark?
One that will not hit your thumb!

If it's a sharp axe it won't hit it a second time ...

 

[markheolddu]

It was a very sharp axe, only a 20mm cut but 5 nights in th hospital.

Mark

 

[John Fenna]

Seroiusly - Go for one that has a good rep and you like the looks of!
A man is happier using a tool that looks and feels good to them as well as it just doing the job effeciently rather than one that just does the job well....
Otherwise I would use S/S bladed knives for all my jobs....long live carbon and Damascus steels!
Have you thought about a Damascus steel bearded axe?
There must be a maker out there......

 

[Grooveski]

I use a carpenter axe for roughing out bows. Have tried an SFA, some other GB general purpose axe I can't remember the name of and a Cegga, none of which come close to the carpenter for the long shallow shaving strokes.
It's pants for splitting(but will split), poor for chopping(but will chop). Would only recommend it over an SFA if you had a specific purpose for it.

There'll be some photos on here somewhere, hang on....
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22826

My pal carts an SFA around normaly. I only pack mine if I'm in a whittling mood. For clearance and general use I prefer the billhook.

Works well for notching timbers, bites into seasoned wood well. The slim profile and slight beard lend themself to knifey tasks also, I've gutted fish with it when it was the closest sharp to hand.
...Oh, and I like the straight handle but that's probably just because it's what I'm used to from growing up with my dads axes.

 

[Aaron]

I had a Rolsons builders hatchet (about fifteen quid from most D.I.Y. stores) that I used for over two years before I was given a second hand Gransfors cheap. I still have the axe as it has never let me down - by contrast I have had to replace the handle on my S.F.A. after a piece of the handle split off. I still use the Rolsons to split kindling for the burner at home. Just depends what you are prepared to accept and can afford at the time.

 

[markheolddu]

Thanks for the replies, John I dream about damascus bearded axes

Mark

 

[Fin]

For "general axy" stuff

Don't get too technical there Red - I think Mark's after general advice - not chapter and verse

Mark - you could look at the Roselli long axe - bearded, slightly unusual design and the beard allows you get your hand behind the blade, ulu stylee, for more versatility. My only criticism is that the profile is very (too?) thick - great for splitting and enables more of a flat grind - but a little too thick for finer work IMO.

Like you, I continue to search for the ultimate chopper!

 

[British Red]

Thanks for the replies, John I dream about damascus bearded axes

Mark

Sweet dreams

Red

(axe porn by Göran Enocksson)

 

[Dougster]

If it's for axy stuff and not much fine carving - I'd go for the Scandinavian Forest axe rather than the small if I were to do it again.

 

[markheolddu]

Thanks Red, great axe porn, you know what I like. Thing is guys I have seen the perfect axe It belongs to Wayland ( I know he would never part with it). I have a Red/Cegga Hunter I swaped with Greg and it great just want somthing larger but not too big if you see what I mean?

Thanks Mark

 

[John Fenna]

Oh Red!
Those are so good I even showed them to my wife (non Bushy type) and even she said they looked great!
Desire!
Want!
Cant have!
Porn it is......

 

[shep]

Another thing to consider is making use of Red's excellent rehanging tutorial and putting one together to your own specifications.

There are some great heads/ tatty axes around at car boots or ebay. You can match your preferred head size and shape to your choice of handle and own something unique to your needs. A bit of spit and polish and it will look and feel even better than the GB equivalent. Though you'd have to be VERY lucky at your local car boot to find one like that above!

 

[Neil1]

I just put some pictures up in the gallery of a Norlund Hatchet head that Leon1 gave me (an ebay job - but the same as model that Mors Kochanski gave him). It was very uncared for - dinks all over it - and very abused. A bit of hard work and a new handle and its now my favourite user, its small and light and does everything I ask of it superbly. I would take Sheps advice and have look round and see what you can find.
Neil

 

[Huon]

Where does he get those wonderful toys?

Sweet dreams

Red

(axe porn by Göran Enocksson)

 

[British Red]

They aren't mine - they are from Goran's website who is another of the great Swedish axe smiths. Cegga also works in damascus - well worth checking out his website for examples

Red