Your favorite axe/hatchet?

RSS
Email

0 Kudo

Forum Jump

Author	Comment
BillOregon	Your favorite axe/hatchet?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 813 (05/12/09 10:04 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I am currently using a throwing hawk for reducing staves. Works OK if sharp, but I would like a better tool. The ultimate is of course the Gransfors Bruks Swedish Carving Axe, but it's about $160. Anyone have any faves that cost a bit less?
Jorgumund		#1	[-]
Posts: 521 (05/12/09 10:42 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	My own preference, purpose built for making bows: More details in this thread I've posted it before on this forum but, well, it's a favourite, so... Can't say I'd do one for less than a Wetterlings or Gransfors Bruks might cost though You often get Wetterlings showing up on eBay for next to nothing if you are patient enough to wait. Gransfors Bruks are either superb or flaky - I've had a couple more recently that were poorly heat treated By and large though, they are tremendous tools that will last a lifetime, so the cost isn't that much if you assume you will be using it decades from now. One American eBay seller was doing old Gransfors Bruks heads and complete axes from logging operation clearouts a while ago for very reasonable prices. The tools might need a little oil and maybe even a new haft, but for a few dollars who cares ? I'd say one thing at this point though - the tool is less important than the person using it. Good tools help, don't get me wrong, but any tool used in skillful hands can produce good output. Here is an interesting discussion on bow making axes. if it ain't broke, don't tiller it... www.bladesmith.co.uk
BillOregon		#2	[-]
Posts: 814 (05/12/09 11:08 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Jorgemund: Beautiful axe, and thanks for the link to the bo-making axe thread. Great stuff.
bookworm		#3	[-]
Posts: 310 (05/12/09 12:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	That's a beautiful hatchet Jorgumund. This is my favorite. It is a replica of a Viking hatchet found in the Mastermyr find, which you can see most everything they found here. This hatchet is great. It's lightweight, at about 18 ounces or so, and you have great control. It will take a good cut without wearing your arm out. And if you ever feel like invading the British Isles from Norway via longship you're ready. (Just kidding.) I got mine here, as well as the photo you're looking at. At the time it was $45US, but that was a couple of years ago. For years I used a throwing tomahawk before I got this. That worked well, but this offers finer control in my opinion. As an added advantage the little hook on the hammer section will double as a bottle opener. Don't ask how I know that. I really like it, but YMMV. Good luck in your search. Doug
KeganTheCaveman		#4	[-]
Posts: 168 (05/12/09 12:34 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I really like the Estwing I have. Nothing fancy, but it was the best at the local hardware store. Cost $35. I've seen it lots of places though. Seems popular.
Metalking00		#5	[-]
Posts: 77 (05/12/09 1:42 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have a Gransfors Bruks hunters axe, and its amazing. Not cheap, but once you use it you know why. Great axe. Life has meaning only in the struggle Triumph or defeat is in the hands of the Gods So let us celebrate the struggle Last Edited By: Metalking00 05/12/09 1:50 PM. Edited 1 times.
village bowyer		#6	[-]
Posts: 72 (05/12/09 5:08 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I've been after a Gransfors too, but haven't taken the plunge because of the price(one day I will). For the last 10 years I have been using a broadhatchet. It has a single bevel, like a chisel, and is used to hew to a line. The flat face of the axe goes on the side you are cutting. The handle is offset so you don't bash your knuckles on the object you are working on. They come in right or left handed versions. Mine is made by Stubai, an Austrian co. Axes are good on bow wood, providing the wood is pretty straight grained. Not to good on a snakey piece of osage unless you are really careful. I prefer a small sculptors adze, as I find you have a lot more control than the average hatchet. Hamish.
zaboomafoozarg		#7	[-]
Posts: 172 (05/12/09 6:23 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Never use a hatchet, axe, or anything like that. Heck, I hate my drawshave at times because of all the fiber tearing. THe one time I tried to use my hatchet, it was ugly. Very ugly. I do all my roughing out with the bandsaw now and then do the finer reductions with the surform, spokeshave and scraper.
Nathan Elliot		#8	[-]
Posts: 125 (05/12/09 8:18 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Yep its the Gransfors large Swedish carving axe for me. Simply the best I have tried. Its the third from left. that said these two cost me a couple of euros to make and work fine. Nathan. Last Edited By: Nathan Elliot 05/12/09 8:20 PM. Edited 1 times.
BillOregon		#9	[-]
Posts: 815 (05/12/09 8:36 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Nathan: Those restored axes look fabulous.
Metalking00		#10	[-]
Posts: 78 (05/12/09 9:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I wish I had that many nice axes. I was eying a gransfors double bit felling axe for christmas, but it never happened. Life has meaning only in the struggle Triumph or defeat is in the hands of the Gods So let us celebrate the struggle
dwardo		#11	[-]
Posts: 65 (05/13/09 4:53 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I use a Gransors scandi forest axe. I do have the hatchet too but i find it tool light weight. My axe work is only roughing out then its draw knife time.
westbow		#12	[-]
Posts: 77 (05/13/09 5:24 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have used a Gerber hand axe with good results to rough out green staves. It is very sharp and easy to handle.And the price is under $30.
flamemax		#13	[-]
Posts: 10 (06/10/09 8:24 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hey All, Ever heard of Cold Steel - they make awesome hatchets/hawks at decent prices. All drop forged! http://www.coldsteel.com/tomahawks.html
CarvedTones		#14	[-]
Posts: 89 (06/10/09 8:40 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Stubai small sculpting adze: they make a big one also. -Andy www.carvedtones.com
BillOregon		#15	[-]
Posts: 852 (06/10/09 9:32 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Cool sculpting adze. I ended up getting a Fiskars for a very reasonable price, and like it so far. Something about stuff from Finland ...
CarvedTones		#16	[-]
Posts: 90 (06/10/09 9:54 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	One thing I really like with the sculping adze is being able to scoop out split stops. It's not the right tool for the roughest work, like felling or splitting, and doesn't have a blunt end or mass for driving wedges. I also have a small axe and a pallet tool that are more usefull for that sort of work. But you asked what my favorite was, not for the most versatile. The Stubai wins by a mile... -Andy www.carvedtones.com
fusizoli		#17	[-]
Posts: 275 (06/10/09 11:08 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Very nice peaces there. After tham here is my very simple old hatchet ( my Granny made firewood with this in the last century ) a bit heavy for bow making but it works for my preaty well.
veggiebowyer		#18	[-]
Posts: 4 (06/10/09 11:23 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have a bow making axe that is a little heavy but works well too. I have noticed that a curved edge allows for skewing cuts instead of a constant up down motion with the stave.
fusizoli		#19	[-]
Posts: 276 (06/10/09 12:00 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	This one good for roughly carve from sapling, I use for this, to dryes out wood faster without cracking. For fine work is too heavy and the blade part is too wide. But like to work with, this one is a little peace of my family's present. I'll buy (or make) a smaller one because like to work with hatchet, nearly all of my bows start with this one
YounGrasshopper		#20	[-]
Posts: 28 (06/10/09 6:59 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Jorgumund....Where can I pick up the same style axe as you have in the pic? Metal looks outstanding. I like style of blade design

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Yuku free message boards

Your favorite axe/hatchet?

Your favorite axe/hatchet?

Quick Reply