Small axe for wedge driving

[blsnelling]

What axe/hatchet do you guys recommend for wedge driving?

 

[stinkbait]

I use the Fiskars axe. 28" handle.

 

[THALL10326]

What axe/hatchet do you guys recommend for wedge driving?

Stihl hatchet, got a few of them, not cheap though, $54.00.

 

[blsnelling]

I use the Fiskars axe. 28" handle.

I'm looking for a small axe, like those hung on your belt.

 

[blsnelling]

stihl hatchet, got a few of them, not cheap though, $54.00.

Part number?

 

[stinkbait]

I'm looking for a small axe, like those hung on your belt.

They make different lengths. The 28" is the largest. The smallest is a 8" handle. Here is a link.
http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10101&categoryId=10277

 

[THALL10326]

Part number?

0000-882-1005 Remember now its not a average hatchet, this thing is big..

 

[bitzer]

I'm sure some guys go all out. I know you can get some pricey ones(upwards of $70)and Baileys has some decent looking ones listed for decent prices, but I don't fell professionally so a single bit (Hudson's Bay style I beileve) works for me. Menards like $13. Handle was a bit long to hang on my belt and swing in tight postions so I trimmed it and sanded it to how I like it. Probably get called a wuss, but its only a 3.5lb. Great leverage and works for me. Has gotten me out of a pinched bar and a tight spot more than once! If I had the cash I'd get a prettier one, but shes down and dirty with a hickory handle and it'll drive hard wedges all day.

 

[blsnelling]

They make different lengths. The 28" is the largest. The smallest is a 8" handle. Here is a link.
http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10101&categoryId=10277

Yeah, I'm looking for something smallish. I kind of like this little feller, especially with the reputation Fiskars has around here. LINK

Edit: I'm not sure 7/8# is going to be heavy enough.

 

[nmurph]

this is what i use. i bought last year and it is still in great shape. i even use it to drive metal wedges occassionally.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=274910-302-1216000&lpage=none

 

[stinkbait]

Yeah, I'm looking for something smallish. I kind of like this little feller, especially with the reputation Fiskars has around here. LINK

You cant go wrong with Fiskars. Those handles are tough as nails and the axe holds an edge forever. I love mine.

 

[blsnelling]

this is what i use. i bought last year and it is still in great shape. i even use it to drive metal wedges occassionally.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=274910-302-1216000&lpage=none

That one looks pretty nice.

 

[nmurph]

it was cheap and seems to be tough. i painted it orange and high viz green to make it easier to keep up with in the woods.

 

[stipes]

this is what i use. i bought last year and it is still in great shape. i even use it to drive metal wedges occassionally.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=274910-302-1216000&lpage=none

:agree2: For the price and what its gonna be used for pretty good bargine...

 

[stihlboy]

mallet???:??

 

[gallegosmike]

I have the fiskars hatchet your talking about getting , go with the gerber branded 14" handled one. The fiskar 14" hatchet doent come with a sheath, it comes with a cheesy plastic holder. Other then that, it is a great hatchet. I mostly use mine to make kindling for my stove. I think it is a wee bit too light for driving wedges. For that duty, I use my fiskars 23.5 inch chopping axe. I dont hang it off my belt, it would just get hung up on brush.

 

[John Ellison]

Here is my current rig. It is a Truper 3lb. rafting axe w/ 20 in. handle. It just depends on what I'm doing, but if I need to wedge and am going to be moving a lot this is what I wear.

 

[bitzer]

Here is my current rig. It is a Truper 3lb. rafting axe w/ 20 in. handle. It just depends on what I'm doing, but if I need to wedge and am going to be moving a lot this is what I wear.

Thats about what my setup looks like for felling. I have a fiskars splitting ax, but I wouldn't use it for driving wedges. Those are too damn sharp to be wearing on a belt. Just old metal and hickory for hard driving! Occasionally when I miss I get wood splintering off the handle. Not sure what a fiskars handle would do in that situation. Maybe nothing. Not sure.

 

[blsnelling]

Here is my current rig. It is a Truper 3lb. rafting axe w/ 20 in. handle. It just depends on what I'm doing, but if I need to wedge and am going to be moving a lot this is what I wear.

Do you feel like 3# is a good weight? I'm currently using a little short handled 3# sledge. I don't have an axe so I thought I'd get one to replace the little sledge.

 

[Tzed250]

If you are going to tap wedges, those hatchets will be fine. If you are going to drive wedges, you need a working axe. Those hatchets are worthless if you need to wedge a back-leaner, or free a pinched saw.


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