Most of the fallers I know would agree with you. A duller edge is also a lot less likely to slice you open if you fall on it. If it's sharp enough to chop myself out of a bind it's fine with me.
Council Axes?
- Thread starter jeepyfz450
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Most of the fallers I know would agree with you. A duller edge is also a lot less likely to slice you open if you fall on it. If it's sharp enough to chop myself out of a bind it's fine with me.
There's a 4-lb GB Stroax for sale on eBay right now with a BIN of $159. Whoah.
I don't deal with trees anything like huge west coast conifers, so the 3.5 lb Council Tool "Jersey pattern" axe I got from Bailey's a year+ back for $25 (now going for $50) works great for me. I use it for driving 5-8" wedges for bucking, and light limbing.
Apparently Council Tool now makes utilitarian tools like that axe and bucks-up heirloom axes. Choice is good.
Apparently Council Tool now makes utilitarian tools like that axe and bucks-up heirloom axes. Choice is good.
Finding a decent straight handle is almost impossible. I spent a whole day awhile back digging through handle barrels in several stores and found two.
It's also hard to find an axe with a good flat head with enough striking surface to make up for my hit and miss axe technique. I usually have my favorite blacksmith add a little to the head and then grind it back down.
It's also hard to find an axe with a good flat head with enough striking surface to make up for my hit and miss axe technique. I usually have my favorite blacksmith add a little to the head and then grind it back down.
treeslayer2003
Addicted to ArboristSite
i all ways thought you could get a good handle easier there...........fortunately a good friend sent me a nice rafting axe. handle........like you i rummaged through till i found one acceptable, then cut it off at 26"
Nothing wrong with that setup. I'm into axe restoration and I find it best to match whatever haft to whatever head I feel like.
Here you can see my 3lbs. Collins with 26" handle I refinished, leaning by the fence. Crappy pear tree I cut today.
Long Bar 60
ArboristSite Operative
Seemed like the right thread for this- long story but my boss told me that my 5 LB. Gransfors Bruks Stroax axes had become collectors items and were worth $500 each. "Yea right" I thought. So I looked it up on the World Wide Interweb (where everything is true) and guess what? One had just sold for $767!!! I have 3 of them. And now I have a retirement plan too!
I sure wish I had one of those. Alas, five hundy for any axe is too rich for my blood.
I found a hoarder and got a beat up head for $200 just to see what the fuss was about. Haven’t had any fatties to tip to test.
I am a big fan of Council Tool stuff. They have several axes that are just as good as the Velvicut for much less money, and I consider even the Velvicut a good deal. Biggest difference in them is appearance and finish, and sometimes the handle quality. IMO they are as good as anybody's.
