The Axe, Hatchet, & Tomahawk Thread

[jonnyt16]

There doesn't seem to be a dedicated thread for this (perhaps turn it in to a Sticky?) so let's see what you guys have! I used to be big on chopping and splitting with my knives (still do occasionally) but once I discovered the advantages of a good quality axe out in the bush it was game over. I love these things. And a knife simply cannot compete with them in terms of processing wood fast and efficiently when out in the field.

My first is a Wetterlings Bushman designed by Les Stroud. This thing is simply awesome. Its a great size; kind of in between a hatchet and an axe and not too heavy at all. Perfect for camping or backpacking. Easily used with one hand but big and long enough for tougher two-handed jobs. Hand forged in Sweden.





Good grain.





My other one is a hatchet by Gransfors Bruks called the Wildlife Hatchet. Another Swedish beauty. Great for my longer backpacking trips where weight is critical. I love how fast and maneuverable this thing is.



Even better grain than the Wetterlings.




My two babies together...

[ARKLITE881South]

GB makes some of the best hatchets on the market, and, they are SHARP. If you get cut by it, you'll REALLY get cut, you can almost use them like a knife.

[jonnyt16]

So true. In fact, these axes are literally hair shaving sharp. These aren't the cheap Chinese-made nonsense you buy at Home Depot.

On a recent camping/hunting trip I used the Bushman to not only make kindling for the fire but also to carve feather sticks, make tent stakes, and even slice salami. The edge is still wicked sharp. I rarely took my knife out of its sheath the entire trip. Haven't had the opportunity to skin a wild boar with it yet though...

[slosurfer]

Here's my GB Hand Hatchet pictured next to my 30 year old Estwing hatchet that's been used and abused for many years.

[jeffrice6]

Have both the Estwing & the Wildlife Hatchet ~ Only problem is the Wildlife Hatchet is so damn pretty I keep using/abusing that poor Estwing!

[slosurfer]

Same here. I just recently have been using the GB more. I am thinking of rounding the poll like their hunter's axe so I can use it on my next boar (hopefully this week).

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[readysetgo]

Thread title was so promising, then the elitist elimination of 80% of what's out there...

These aren't the cheap Chinese-made nonsense you buy at Home Depot.

CRKT Woods Chogan

[jonnyt16]

Thread title was so promising, then the elitist elimination of 80% of what's out there...

Ha ha, no please don't take it like that. I was meaning super low-end stuff like Husky that you can get for 15 or 20 bucks which have a tendency to fail sooner rather than later.

I used to have a SOG Fusion Tomahawk (with wooden handle) that performed great.

That is a beautiful Ryan Johnson designed hawk you got there. You ever take it camping or backpacking with you?

[Satex]

Camping axe: http://www.target.com/p/coleman-camp-axe/-/A-12842103

[slosurfer]

Found a good deal at a random garage sale I stopped at. $20 for a Collins Co. Legitimus double bit axe. It needs some help but for the price I couldn't pass it up.








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[jonnyt16]

Found a good deal at a random garage sale I stopped at. $20 for a Collins Co. Legitimus double bit axe. It needs some help but for the price I couldn't pass it up.

That is a good score right there. Nothing beats the steel used on those vintage American made axe heads. That one appears to be in great shape still too.

I'm actually currently in the process of restoring one of my Dad's old axes I found laying around his workshed. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to keep the original handle as there was just a little too much damage to consider it safe but the head still has a lot of life left. Here it is when I found it:






And here it is now after taking the handle off (which was quite a chore) and after a 3 day vinegar bath:

[slosurfer]

Thanks! I was pretty stoked to pick it up. It looks like someone took an angle grinder to one bit at some point, but I think it is salvageable for sure. I think my handle will have to go as well, it's just a little sketchy at the top.

Yours is awesome and looks like it is cleaning up really well!

[juelz919]

is husqvarna a good place to start?

Utilitarian is the name of the game for me. camping and maybe BOB. their carpenteraxe looks interesting

[jonnyt16]

is husqvarna a good place to start?

Most definitely! Husqvarna axes and hatchets are actually made by Hultafors which is another Swedish company with high quality, hand-forged steel.

[hunterb]

Why do Swedes make such good axes?