So, I'm looking to buy an axe...

[Toxic_Avenger]

Mainly for use clearing trails, and camp duties. I don't have a fire at home, so it will live in the vehicle.

I didn't know axes were so involved.

Before I came to this realilsation, I toddled down to bunnings and looked at the axe display. Everything was present, from the $10 hatchet, to the $100+ swedish jobs with fibreglass handles and anti-friction coatings on their space age blades.

"Blimey!" I thought...
The sales guy also had no idea.

The cheapies were too small, and of very questionable quality (not sharp, daggy cast material, dodgy handles).
The Fiskars axes were very snazzy, but pricey at 120ish.
To get some clarity, I asked a guy I know who owns a sawmill and does some wood chopping comps... "Just get a Sneddon's Axe" (At about $400!!! GULP ).
I've heard interesting reviews of the Gransfors Bruks swedish hand forged axes, but definitely a primo and pricy product for my use in the bush.

I need something to clear logs off a track up to about 300mm diameter. Usual aussie hardwoods and whatever else I come across. I am no woodsman, so it will need to take a moderate amount of abuse from stray hits etc.
I am impressed with the fiskars X7 hatchet I have, but the fiskars offerings I have seen in the larger sizes (the X21 and X25 models) are more geared towards log splitting rather than felling of trees (or chopping them into more manageable bits).

Can anyone offer some sane advice?

[Mick_Marsh]

Advice? Yeah.
Get a two stroke with a chain.

[loneranger]

I'm sure there's plenty of more experienced guys on here that will no more about axes. I chopped plenty of wood growing up as my parents had a wood heater and the old solid fuel water heater. It was my brother and my jobs to chop the wood and get the water heater going everyday. My dad used to buy all his tools from WA salvage so we never had an expensive axe.= and it lived outside in the rain.

I had a quick look on the Bunnings website and if it was me I'd be going for the cheapo $70 cyclone axe with the wooden handle. If your worried about missing grab one of the $5 overstrike rubber protectors and see how you go. If you find yourself using it a lot in time you may want to buy a more expensive item once you've got the hang off it.

Alternatively go hunting around swap meets for an old axe head. Buy a handle and away you go. If you get an old one it will probably be far better quality than anything you'll get now without spending a fortune.

[Vern]

Fiskars are sooo awesome! My wife loves hers!
She does all the firewood cutting and splitting here.
Best i have used

[incisor]

Another vote for Fiskars ...

[Toxic_Avenger]

Advice? Yeah.
Get a two stroke with a chain.

Yeah, not really an option.
I'm young and fit, and I'd rather have an axe rattling around the back all the time, rather than have a chainsaw, fuel, bar oil, and all the other accoutrements which will more likely than not be left at home when I need it most.

[Saitch]

Look for an older Kelly or Plumb.
In the '70s we were issued with Nordic (won't mention the brand) axes & for chopping Scandinavian Pine etc I'm sure they're very good.
Australian hardwood, not too flash.
Steve




p.s.who's going to bring up the old joke about the best ax they've had???

[Toxic_Avenger]

Alternatively go hunting around swap meets for an old axe head. Buy a handle and away you go. If you get an old one it will probably be far better quality than anything you'll get now without spending a fortune.

I've looked at this, but some axes are well rooted, and have a sever vintage tax applied... not to mention the handle, buggerising around, and all the time to get something that might not be suitable in the end.

There are recommended handle lengths and axe head weights for best results.

Another vote for Fiskars ...

The X7 fiskars hatchet I have is a ripper, but falls way short on anything over 100mm pine. Used the hatchet on a 400mm fresh felled eucalypt that was over the track the other weekend, and it was a 20 minute job with 3 blokes in the rotation. Not enough weight and too hard a wood.

[Dop]

It may be a bit pricey ($149), however, if you have other Ryobi tools it can be handy. You will get through most small to medium Logs with this. https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18...insaw_p3380992
It may be a lot more than you wish to spend, but in the long run it may be a bonus when your camping too. I have found that using an axe on fallen trees can be a pain if the trunk bounces and you can't always reposition the trunk. Also no oil spills inside the landy or the smell of 2stroke.
Just a thought mate. Grant

[Toxic_Avenger]

p.s.who's going to bring up the old joke about the best ax they've had???

Looks like you're front and centre and the spotlight is on you!