Splitting/Chopping Tool Review Thread

[Ronaldo]

All this talk about putting fiberglass, rubber, burlap, cord, etc, etc on the wooden handles makes me wonder.......just re handle with a synthetic and be done with it. Or get a Fiskars and you'll have it. Just stirring the pot fellas, I'd like a nice splitting axe with a wooden handle too!

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[svk]

All this talk about putting fiberglass, rubber, burlap, cord, etc, etc on the wooden handles makes me wonder.......just re handle with a synthetic and be done with it. Or get a Fiskars and you'll have it. Just stirring the pot fellas, I'd like a nice splitting axe with a wooden handle too!

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What would we do with all of our spare time if we didn't have to hang, rehang, reshape, sand, oil, reoil, fit our wooden tools with guards, and discuss the aforementioned ad nauseam?

 

[Multifaceted]

All this talk about putting fiberglass, rubber, burlap, cord, etc, etc on the wooden handles makes me wonder.......just re handle with a synthetic and be done with it. Or get a Fiskars and you'll have it. Just stirring the pot fellas, I'd like a nice splitting axe with a wooden handle too!

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It's preference. The best answer I can give is that a properly tuned/thinned handle feels like it has better spring and shock absorption, but that's just me. A wooden handle can be tailored to the user as well. As to the rest, well, I restore vintage tools and axes as a hobby, so I'm biased

What would we do with all of our spare time if we didn't have to hang, rehang, reshape, sand, oil, reoil, fit our wooden tools with guards, and discuss the aforementioned ad nauseam?

Hmm... probably chop and split more wood? Maybe fix that gutter, or mend that fence ...

 

[Philbert]

All this talk about putting fiberglass, rubber, burlap, cord, etc, etc on the wooden handles makes me wonder.......Just stirring the pot fellas . . .

(If you really want to 'stir the pot' tell them to just aim better!)

Philbert

 

[Trx250r180]

Here's a few pics of the axe I got to give to my brother for Christmas. He has a POS Chinese hatchet at his cabin that I can't stand...

What do you guys think of these Stihl axes? This one is the universal Forestry/Felling axe. Got it for $39 bucks. Feels like it'll be great for kindling and light splitting.

View attachment 616774

View attachment 616775

I have this same one ,i compare it to my husqvarna carpenters axe for size ,it has a good feel to it ,but the sharp edge is more fragile then the husqvarna ,different steel i guess ,it is a great size to use for pounding wedges felling trees ,the backside is nice and wide ,good size to keep by the wood stove to make the pieces smaller .Nice product for the price though . I felt the other one that stihl made ,the $100 dollar one ,it may be better quality ,but the handle felt fat ,and was head heavy ,this one felt better to me and was cheaper .

 

[LondonNeil]

Huh.... now you've got me thinking... I see that stuff at the hardware store. I would like to have a collar removable so to treat the handle with BLO from time to time. I think you're on to something.

That would be easy, just wrap the handle in something, then wrap the ortho tape and active, the 'underware' will ensure it doesn't stick.

The OrthoTape looks similar to fiberglass cast material (for broken bones) that is activated with water and sets hard.
Philbert

THat's the stuff.

Fiskars 13" power tooth hand saw came in today. Will be testing it out on 200 or so Norway Pines and Spruce that need pruning on the bottom.

Ooooo, I need a new pruning saw, interested in this.

My Wife ordered a Husqvarna 13" hatchet for me a few days ago. It was discounted under 20 bucks on Amazon. I think they are made by Hults.

Nice!

All this talk about putting fiberglass, rubber, burlap, cord, etc, etc on the wooden handles makes me wonder.......just re handle with a synthetic and be done with it. Or get a Fiskars and you'll have it.

LOL! yeah. I actually thing the PA stuff looks great as it is so functional, but some of the axes on the renovation thread are a thing of beauty.

 

[Multifaceted]

The Wife just ordered the Wetterlings off Amazon for me 169.00. Ebay 173.00 on up over 220.00.

Here's mine, I love it. 2.5 lb The bit is very hard steel, not easy to sharpen but holds the edge very well once you dial it in. The file just skates over it... but it takes stoned well.

Compared to my other no-name 2 lb Hudson Bay pattern:

The bit profile is a little cheeky, and more wedge shaped than most other Hudson Bay patterns I've seen, which makes this a very versatile light ax. It's excellent as a light splitter, and the wedge shape throws nice chips, but you need to give it a little more power in the arc of your swing due to the lower weight in order to do that. I also keep it in a scabbard on my power saw belt for pounding wedges.

 

[Lowhog]

Here's mine, I love it. 2.5 lb The bit is very hard steel, not easy to sharpen but holds the edge very well once you dial it in. The file just skates over it... but it takes stoned well.

Compared to my other no-name 2 lb Hudson Bay pattern:

The bit profile is a little cheeky, and more wedge shaped than most other Hudson Bay patterns I've seen, which makes this a very versatile light ax. It's excellent as a light splitter, and the wedge shape throws nice chips, but you need to give it a little more power in the arc of your swing due to the lower weight in order to do that. I also keep it in a scabbard on my power saw belt for pounding wedges.

Sweet! Much more cheek then the sfa. Like you say it should split kindling much easier.

 

[Lowhog]

On these hard steel axes in super cold weather the old time axe men would warm the heads up under their armpits before they started chopping hardwood.

 

[Lowhog]

The new handle is sucking up the oil. I see they use beeswax on handles also. I'll start rendering my wax I have 8 hives.

 

[Dieseldash]

I have this same one ,i compare it to my husqvarna carpenters axe for size ,it has a good feel to it ,but the sharp edge is more fragile then the husqvarna ,different steel i guess ,it is a great size to use for pounding wedges felling trees ,the backside is nice and wide ,good size to keep by the wood stove to make the pieces smaller .Nice product for the price though . I felt the other one that stihl made ,the $100 dollar one ,it may be better quality ,but the handle felt fat ,and was head heavy ,this one felt better to me and was cheaper .

I think the Husky carpenters axe might be my next axe. Thanks for the comparison, I was wondering how large that Husky axe was. My favorite hatchet is a small carpenters hatchet with hickory handle. Best kindling hatchet I've ever used.

 

[Multifaceted]

Sweet! Much more cheek then the sfa. Like you say it should split kindling much easier.

Indeed, but it won't bite as deep and you can't put a nice keen Scandi grind on it like the SFA.

On these hard steel axes in super cold weather the old time axe men would warm the heads up under their armpits before they started chopping hardwood.

I've heard that as well. though I've never had to do that. I think that goes with any hardened steel. The Wetterlings is hardened to 57-58 HRC, not sure about the Gransförs, but considering the steel they use, which according to them is 0.55% carbon, so similar to 1055 and can easily achieve a Rockwell hardness of the mid-50's.

I think the Husky carpenters axe might be my next axe. Thanks for the comparison, I was wondering how large that Husky axe was. My favorite hatchet is a small carpenters hatchet with hickory handle. Best kindling hatchet I've ever used.

I really like the design of the Husqvarna carpenter's ax, the curved beard seems as if it lets you easily choke up on the handle for kindling splitting or more precise work.

 

[Trx250r180]

forest axe, carpenter ace ,and hatchet by husqvarna ,the carpenter is heavier than the longer handled forest axe .

 

[Multifaceted]

View attachment 616919 View attachment 616920 forest axe, carpenter ace ,and hatchet by husqvarna ,the carpenter is heavier than the longer handled forest axe .

Nice looking trio you have there!

 

[svk]

Beautiful and deadly

 

[Lowhog]

I'm wondering if the chopper 1 splitting axe is being made in the states again or is it being made overseas?

 

[Lowhog]

Wetterlings Hudson Bay came via ups today. Thoughts on quality?

 

[abbott295]

I walked into the local prepper store the other day and they had the Gransfors Bruk axes. Two hatchets and two axes, I think it was. Prices were from about $120 to $200. I didn't buy any.

When my son returned to Saint Petersbrug after Hurricane Irma, not knowing what he was going to find, I sent three axes, one chainsaw and a machete with him. They were the handiest to find ones. I have no idea what they were. The expectation was that they could get out of his hands and never find their way back home. But when he got there, it was nowhere near as bad as it could have been. None of the equipment was used, so I may get them back someday.

 

[dancan]

While it's not the "Perfect" grain on that Wetterlings I wouldn't sweat it , try and break it , you'll have to abuse it to do so .
Sure looks like a nice one for splitting kindling , I think it will be more useful than than one with thin cheeks .

 

[Lowhog]

The Gransfors was cheaper and a better finish except for the edge.