Also a Hudson Bay fan. Have a few axes but my Council Tool Velvicut is probably my favorite. A little too heavy for long backpacking trips but for short overnight missions or car camping its perfect.
Also a Hudson Bay fan. Have a few axes but my Council Tool Velvicut is probably my favorite. A little too heavy for long backpacking trips but for short overnight missions or car camping its perfect.
Most of the steel today is sh*t. Best advice anyone gave me is if you a need a hand tool of some sort buy it on ebay or a flea market and restore it. Even vice grips of today are crap compared to onse from 10 years ago.
If wanting an axe I would look on ebay for decent head in the pattern you want from Collins, Plumb, Sager Chemical (if looking for a double bit), or Kelly and then get a handle from your local hardware store or from Beaver Tooth Handles. Learn how to hang an axe it's a valuable skill and not hard.
If you must buy new, Councils Tools higher end axes are good along with Husqvarna, Wetterlings, Gränsfors Bruk, and Hults Bruk with Husqvarna being the best deal for the money as they are made by Wetterlings just not hevely finished. Fiskars make great splitting axes but are not the best for felling. The majority of boutique US made axes are OK but hands down you will get a better axe restoring one yourself. US steel from 30s through to the 60s is just unbeatable.
IME, Wetterlings lacked in the fit and finish department as compared to GB which may explain the price difference. I’ve done some joint training with Air Force SERE types and they all carried GB Scandinavian Forest Axes. They used them to great effect and convinced an ultralight friend of mine to start carrying a hatchet.
So, can someone please explain to me, the uninitiated, what makes a GB axe so much better than any other axe?
Drop-forged of good steel which is tough and will hold an edge. QUALITY hickory handles which will last and tightly fitted to the head (these two are especially important and often overlooked). Overall nice finishing and their various models are well-balanced and designed to their respective purposes.
Good read on Swedish axe models if you care - http://www.ramblinjim.com/articles/s...-alternatives/
I have never tried one, but I have always been a fan of the Marbles axe. Anyone here ever used one? Next time I'm at SMKW I'm going to pick one up and give it a try.
https://www.smkw.com/marbles-outdoor-axe-20-in-handle
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