TerraCrawler
New member
I need an Axe.......I have no axe.......I know nothing of axes.......other than, I thin in the middle of no where, it may be very useful to have an axe. Recommend me the one axe I should own!
I need an axe....
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nb rob
New member
I have a healthy, totally normal interest in axes.
That being said, I have a lot of axes.... and it pains me to recommend a fiskars.
It is by far my favorite axe to use. It chops well, it splits incredibly well (it really shouldn't outperform my mauls, but it does) it holds an edge well, it sharpens well, and it has a composite handle. The composite handle isn't normally a positive for me, but if it's the only axe you're bringing with you, it is almost impossible to break that handle. If you have an axe with a wooden handle and you long strike something and break the handle, you're SOL until you can get home to repair it.
Check out the fiskars X27. It's an outstanding, ugly axe.
That being said, I have a lot of axes.... and it pains me to recommend a fiskars.
It is by far my favorite axe to use. It chops well, it splits incredibly well (it really shouldn't outperform my mauls, but it does) it holds an edge well, it sharpens well, and it has a composite handle. The composite handle isn't normally a positive for me, but if it's the only axe you're bringing with you, it is almost impossible to break that handle. If you have an axe with a wooden handle and you long strike something and break the handle, you're SOL until you can get home to repair it.
Check out the fiskars X27. It's an outstanding, ugly axe.
SSDuck8
New member
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Steel-Michigan-Axe-with-33-5-in-Fiberglass-Handle/50303863
You can spend a lot of money on an axe, however, with this forum, I'm sure you have seen you can spend a lot on anything. The reason I suggest this is because you're not about to start to make your living cutting trees down. If you need an axe, this will cut something for you. This is what I have and have used it a few times and it feels comfortably weighted. Also, when you get an axe, learn how to sharpen it. This will make any axe even more valuable. Then, learn how to chop wood. When using an axe, its not just slam the tool on the wood. Lastly, I recommend this axe because IF you lose it, or break it, you've only lost 30 bucks. (I have not broken mine, just FYI.)
Happy chopping.
You can spend a lot of money on an axe, however, with this forum, I'm sure you have seen you can spend a lot on anything. The reason I suggest this is because you're not about to start to make your living cutting trees down. If you need an axe, this will cut something for you. This is what I have and have used it a few times and it feels comfortably weighted. Also, when you get an axe, learn how to sharpen it. This will make any axe even more valuable. Then, learn how to chop wood. When using an axe, its not just slam the tool on the wood. Lastly, I recommend this axe because IF you lose it, or break it, you've only lost 30 bucks. (I have not broken mine, just FYI.)
Happy chopping.
nb rob
New member
Also, skip the fiskars-type sharpener,
buy and learn to use a flat file. You can make an axe shaving-sharp using a file alone.
Double bit axes are nice in the woods because you can bury the blade in the end of a log and sharpen the other side.
Otherwise a bench vise, gloves, and a flat file will keep your axe in tip-top shape.
buy and learn to use a flat file. You can make an axe shaving-sharp using a file alone.
Double bit axes are nice in the woods because you can bury the blade in the end of a log and sharpen the other side.
Otherwise a bench vise, gloves, and a flat file will keep your axe in tip-top shape.
I have a healthy, totally normal interest in axes.
That being said, I have a lot of axes.... and it pains me to recommend a fiskars.
It is by far my favorite axe to use. It chops well, it splits incredibly well (it really shouldn't outperform my mauls, but it does) it holds an edge well, it sharpens well, and it has a composite handle. The composite handle isn't normally a positive for me, but if it's the only axe you're bringing with you, it is almost impossible to break that handle. If you have an axe with a wooden handle and you long strike something and break the handle, you're SOL until you can get home to repair it.
Check out the fiskars X27. It's an outstanding, ugly axe.
came to recommend the Fiskars as well.
TowMeOut
New member
Hmmm....care to elaborate on what you're expecting to do with the axe (harvest firewood, fell trees, split wood, etc.)??
Because.....chances are you're better off with a saw. No offense to axe folks but they're considered one of the most "dangerous tools in bushcraft". Without a significant amount of skill, respect, and caution you can lose a digit or your life in worst case. The vast majority of wood cutting tasks can be accomplished with a saw. A folding "buck saw" is smaller/lighter than most axes, goes together in less than a minute, and is very useful for other bushcraft tasks that require cutting a notch or straight through.
I've got a number of axes and several folding saws. I keep one of those big fiskars combination axe splitting maul in the truck for camping and perhaps to move a log that's beyond the scope of my folding saw (bigger than maybe 12"). Anything smaller and I can cut one end of the log and drag it out of the way with a tow strap.
Because.....chances are you're better off with a saw. No offense to axe folks but they're considered one of the most "dangerous tools in bushcraft". Without a significant amount of skill, respect, and caution you can lose a digit or your life in worst case. The vast majority of wood cutting tasks can be accomplished with a saw. A folding "buck saw" is smaller/lighter than most axes, goes together in less than a minute, and is very useful for other bushcraft tasks that require cutting a notch or straight through.
I've got a number of axes and several folding saws. I keep one of those big fiskars combination axe splitting maul in the truck for camping and perhaps to move a log that's beyond the scope of my folding saw (bigger than maybe 12"). Anything smaller and I can cut one end of the log and drag it out of the way with a tow strap.
nevada
Senior Member
have had one for a while now. got it based on a recommendation from a friend. at first I was skeptical of the composite handle.I have a healthy, totally normal interest in axes.
That being said, I have a lot of axes.... and it pains me to recommend a fiskars.
It is by far my favorite axe to use. It chops well, it splits incredibly well (it really shouldn't outperform my mauls, but it does) it holds an edge well, it sharpens well, and it has a composite handle. The composite handle isn't normally a positive for me, but if it's the only axe you're bringing with you, it is almost impossible to break that handle. If you have an axe with a wooden handle and you long strike something and break the handle, you're SOL until you can get home to repair it.
Check out the fiskars X27. It's an outstanding, ugly axe.
it was unfounded. they are amazing. I still cannot believe the head doesn't ever come loose.
they are nice and light, so you can get good speed, the blade holds an edge wonderfully. they really are a great axe.
I believe Fiskars and Gerber are connected somehow..
Drunner97
New member
I have a healthy, totally normal interest in axes.
That being said, I have a lot of axes.... and it pains me to recommend a fiskars.
It is by far my favorite axe to use. It chops well, it splits incredibly well (it really shouldn't outperform my mauls, but it does) it holds an edge well, it sharpens well, and it has a composite handle. The composite handle isn't normally a positive for me, but if it's the only axe you're bringing with you, it is almost impossible to break that handle. If you have an axe with a wooden handle and you long strike something and break the handle, you're SOL until you can get home to repair it.
Check out the fiskars X27. It's an outstanding, ugly axe.
x3 I love my Fiskar X27, it's ridiculous and it continues to work well despite the fact I constantly miss and bury it in the dirt regularly.
Get a Husqvarna axe. They are hand made in Sweden, and the traditional wooden handle is replaceable. They have several variations, and I'm not sure which is best, but maybe just the 26" multi purpose axe unless you mainly need to split wood (in which case, a splitting axe or maul may be better. Husqvarna has those too)
https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-26-Wooden-Multi-Purpose-Axe/dp/B004WJGXAQ/
For off-road use a saw may be more useful than an axe. You can easily cut fallen trees that are blocking the trail, and that will be more efficient than using an axe. The best ones I know of are Silky saws, such as the Silky Bigboy 2000 (https://www.rei.com/product/120668/silky-bigboy-2000-folding-saw) or even the Katanaboy if you need to cut big trees. I have a Bigboy 360mm, large teeth (the straight blade version of the Bigboy 2000. Straight blade is harder to find but folds up better if you're carrying it in a pack), and I can cut an 8 inch fresh pine log in about a minute. I have it for trail work for MTB trails, although it's too heavy to carry most of the time. You should be able to cut logs up to a diameter that equals the length of the blade, or maybe a bit bigger with a lot of extra work, but I have not used it enough to test the max capacity.
Ideally get an axe and a saw.
https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-26-Wooden-Multi-Purpose-Axe/dp/B004WJGXAQ/
For off-road use a saw may be more useful than an axe. You can easily cut fallen trees that are blocking the trail, and that will be more efficient than using an axe. The best ones I know of are Silky saws, such as the Silky Bigboy 2000 (https://www.rei.com/product/120668/silky-bigboy-2000-folding-saw) or even the Katanaboy if you need to cut big trees. I have a Bigboy 360mm, large teeth (the straight blade version of the Bigboy 2000. Straight blade is harder to find but folds up better if you're carrying it in a pack), and I can cut an 8 inch fresh pine log in about a minute. I have it for trail work for MTB trails, although it's too heavy to carry most of the time. You should be able to cut logs up to a diameter that equals the length of the blade, or maybe a bit bigger with a lot of extra work, but I have not used it enough to test the max capacity.
Ideally get an axe and a saw.
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cheeseinspector
New member
Choosing the right axe is easy. This forest service publication covers the basics pretty well.
https://www.pcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/an_ax_to_grind.pdf
https://www.pcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/an_ax_to_grind.pdf
Trailblazer
New member
Count me as another vote for Fiskers. I have three.
I have nothing to contribute as to which axe to buy. I will say to keep it sharp. I inherited a very dull axe that I never sharpened. A dull axe is useless for cutting.
Fiskars owns Gerber.
Fiskars owns Gerber.
n2advnture
New member
Gransfors Bruks wildlife hatchet and forest axe or felling axe :thumb:
nb rob
New member
You know, I've long felt that my hatchet is a safer tool for most campsite operations than the shit I see people doing with knives in the woods.
I loooove my GB hatchet
Ron Burgandy
New member
i have an estwing for cutting and the fiskars X27 for splitting, they both work swimmingly well.
TerraCrawler
New member
What if you just want one axe, for utility, not two. Which to go with for general duty? I think I would use it to clear branches or maybe chop some firewood.......not sure what else, just don't want to get stuck somewhere and think 1) I should have had an axe!, 2) you idiot, every overland vehicle has an axe, what the hell were you thinking with no axe!
lol
lol
I think it makes sense to have an axe, a hatchet, and a saw. The hatchet is probably the least useful of the three, but it is safer to do small tasks like making kindling with it since the long handle and heavier head of an axe could make it easier to accidentally strike something you don't want to (like your hand). I bought a Husqvarna 19" Carpenter's Axe as a compromise between a larger axe and a hatchet, and I kind of wish I had bought a larger axe instead. It's too small for heavy wood splitting, and it's probably overkill for things you might use a hatchet for. If you're splitting wood, bigger is better. If I could have just one, I would have a full size axe, but I don't know which one. Probably the Husqvarna 26" multipurpose axe. It looks like the Fiskars X27 everyone recommends is unusually long at 36 inches, but that should make heavy work a bit easier. It looks like a typical handle length is 26-30 inches.
n2advnture
New member
GB Small Forest Axe :thumb:
Why is this so popular? The GB small forest axe has nearly a cult following on Youtube. I know it's a quality tool, but it's smaller than a full size axe, so it's not as good at axe things. It's similar to the Husqvarna 19" carpenter's axe I have, but I believe a bit lighter. What is it good for?
TowMeOut
New member
I'm a cutting tool nerd so I've got one of the GB Small Forest Axes. I had their full sized one and found it was just too big to carry in a pack so it stayed home most of the time. The SFA can fit nicely into a pack or small storage container.
As much as I like it I don't use the SFA much. It's really meant for cutting green soft wood (spruce/fir) and the like. The head design means it doesn't really split seasoned wood that well (digs into the handle). I keep mine sharp enough to make feather sticks in a pinch. It's fantastic for cutting small saplings and sharpening the ends for making tent stakes or other general bushcraft tasks. However, I wouldn't want to attack something much bigger than maybe 6" in diameter. You can hack through but you're going to be there for a while.
I've got an old Estwing hatchet my Dad had that I keep in the truck sometimes along with the big Fiskars. It's handy for really light duty chopping and the head is a good size/shape for making quick kindling. Plus, the back of the head is handy for pounding tent stakes. This plus a folding buck saw means I can hack up most anything I need to given a bit of time.
As much as I like it I don't use the SFA much. It's really meant for cutting green soft wood (spruce/fir) and the like. The head design means it doesn't really split seasoned wood that well (digs into the handle). I keep mine sharp enough to make feather sticks in a pinch. It's fantastic for cutting small saplings and sharpening the ends for making tent stakes or other general bushcraft tasks. However, I wouldn't want to attack something much bigger than maybe 6" in diameter. You can hack through but you're going to be there for a while.
I've got an old Estwing hatchet my Dad had that I keep in the truck sometimes along with the big Fiskars. It's handy for really light duty chopping and the head is a good size/shape for making quick kindling. Plus, the back of the head is handy for pounding tent stakes. This plus a folding buck saw means I can hack up most anything I need to given a bit of time.
