The Trail Boss handle has varnish on it…thats why it is smooth. You need to scrape it off and use boiled linseed oil on it. The other axes are ready for linseed oil.
Intresting test... I'm Swedish and I use axes that my grandfather bought 80 years ago (Hultafors, Hults bruk and the best in my opinion is the Gränshammars Bruk) and after one generation of use the handle is perfect. You want a good grip operating the axe in rain or -30. No oil, just use it. Cheap axes ar solid carbon steel and the more expensive are forged laminated steel. Maybe You wont tell the difference but your grandchildren will. By the way, one of my axes is more than 100 years old and handle is replaced 4 times. Don't get flimsy over the handles. Otherwise nice upload, thank you!
In my opinion You’re concerned about the wrong things, but nonetheless your point is valid. Is it worth paying so much for Swedish axes. Grain orientation means nothing-did any of them break? All the handles are too fat for real use anyway, outside of just splitting kindling. And you don’t want lacquer on the handle, which the trail boss has and will give you blisters. The two things that matter in a production axe is the hang and the steel, period. If it comes loose after a year and moves in the eye or is out of alignment, both of which I have had happen with expensive axes, than I might as well have bought a head and hung it myself.
Maybe take the axes out and actually use them. See how the edge holds up, see how easy they are to restart sharpen, see how long it takes before the heads come loose. Who cares how sharp they are when you get them?
The first thing to do to the Trail Boss is scrape the slick clearcote off the handle, leave it a little rough, and apply oil finish to the wood. You do not want a slick handle when doing hard work with an axe : sweaty hands + slick wood = flying axe.
You're right I found the same thing. The Trail Boss is a good tool. I think there are a lot of people after bragging rights and think that spending more gets you more and that just isn't always true.
That rough surfaced handle is a bonus in my opinion. I have a trail boss and I scraped all the laquer off the handle cause it will give you blisters over time.
Good video Robert. I own a Trail Boss and a Husqvarna carpenter. They both do well at what they're meant for. If someone wants a " Bushcraft" show piece to hang on the outside of their pack then Granfor's and Hult's is the ticket. Both those makers are excellent but the price has a lot to do with the name now that they have become an outdoorsman's fashion statement, kinda like a Gucci Purse, lol. Again good video Rob.
The amount of mental gymnastics I had to do to follow your logic and train of thought was exhausting. I think you’ll change your views on a lot of this as you get more experienced in the world of axes.
after a bunch of Norse mythology and myths and shows like Vikings.... they still can't get the handle right on an over priced axe.. great review and comparison.
So this tells me that any person who has NOT ever swung an axe,( or otherwise) can buy a big ole bunch of axes, (or stuff) see if it cuts paper and be rich .
In my opinion, axes in most cases are quite random. No matter which brand, I prefer buy them if I can examine and check the grains direction of their handles, how the head is attached, how the grind is, and the sheath. So other than Fiskars, I prefer not buying them online.
I bought a trail boss and I love it. I used it last weekend when I cut down a 24 inch maple tree and it cut through this tree like it was soft pine. I did clean up the edge with my stones before I used it but it was sharp right out of the box. Well worth the money I paid for it.
I bought a Trail Boss, Carded the handle and gave it many coats of toung oil then gave it a razors edge. I am not strangers with working axes and I am more than pleased with my Trail Boss after adding this extra work to it. I went to Helco works and the sheath is unavailable. I want to add a sheath and handle protector to mine. Money well spent but it wasn't that much to begin with.
Nice video. Ive got to many axes. All the ones you have there plus Granfors et, etc. No one i know this side of the pond uses an an as the the handles come. All mine and my mates handles are different. I like a thin "whippy" handle, my mate Josh like a medium handle and my massive 6.5 mate Lars who lives in Hammerfest Norway hundreds of miles north of the artic circle leaves his a lot thicker for his bear paw hands and thick gloves. So, Swedish companies ship them thicker.
Paper has 'grain'. It's easier to cut with the grain (along the long side of a typical sheet of paper) than against it (along the short side of a typical sheet of paper). A little stropping helps a lot.
honestly you should sand down any axe handle when you get it to remove the nasty varnish and apply linseed oil or tongue/Danish oil I aint judging. the more I listen the worse it gets I don't think this guy understands that having the hand protrude out the top about 8mm helps lock the head on better and the handles are ruff because your meant to just ruff them up with sand paper then oil them.
What you need is a Gransfors Bruks. They are gems and have a guarantee on head not coming loose. Grain is outstanding and the handles are smooth as can be and come already treated with beeswax and boiled linseed oil. Look em up.
They're overpriced and trust me the grain is not always outstanding (it doesn't even matter as much as people think). They do a good job of hanging them though
Robert Silvers 19” is a perfect travel size. You can fit it in a pack, but you can also use it with two hands. That’s why most people like a 16-20” axe. I myself prefer a 19” for those same reasons. However, if I was going to be needing to do major chopping, of course I’d bring a larger axe. But most people don’t need a full size axe that often.
Steven's mantra at his site "Skillcult" is to "stop shopping and start shopping". Good advice. How many axes does one need? I own a Trailboss and after a single use, discarded it for my Swedish made axe. Piece of junk that Taiwanese made axe. Soft metal, knicks easily and requires constant sharpening to just get it to moderately cut. Even bounces back up with certain hardwoods. Too superficially detailed a comparison review, my friend. There are better American and Canadian made axes at a reasonable price than the Trailboss.
The Trail Boss handle has varnish on it…thats why it is smooth. You need to scrape it off and use boiled linseed oil on it. The other axes are ready for linseed oil.
Agreed. Varnish is not friendly to axe work.
@@danesparza77 yeah its realy slippery
This. What Sam and Dan said.
Intresting test... I'm Swedish and I use axes that my grandfather bought 80 years ago (Hultafors, Hults bruk and the best in my opinion is the Gränshammars Bruk) and after one generation of use the handle is perfect. You want a good grip operating the axe in rain or -30. No oil, just use it. Cheap axes ar solid carbon steel and the more expensive are forged laminated steel. Maybe You wont tell the difference but your grandchildren will. By the way, one of my axes is more than 100 years old and handle is replaced 4 times. Don't get flimsy over the handles. Otherwise nice upload, thank you!
In my opinion You’re concerned about the wrong things, but nonetheless your point is valid. Is it worth paying so much for Swedish axes. Grain orientation means nothing-did any of them break? All the handles are too fat for real use anyway, outside of just splitting kindling. And you don’t want lacquer on the handle, which the trail boss has and will give you blisters. The two things that matter in a production axe is the hang and the steel, period. If it comes loose after a year and moves in the eye or is out of alignment, both of which I have had happen with expensive axes, than I might as well have bought a head and hung it myself.
Maybe take the axes out and actually use them. See how the edge holds up, see how easy they are to restart sharpen, see how long it takes before the heads come loose. Who cares how sharp they are when you get them?
The first thing to do to the Trail Boss is scrape the slick clearcote off the handle, leave it a little rough, and apply oil finish to the wood. You do not want a slick handle when doing hard work with an axe : sweaty hands + slick wood = flying axe.
You're right I found the same thing. The Trail Boss is a good tool. I think there are a lot of people after bragging rights and think that spending more gets you more and that just isn't always true.
The Trail Boss is a great axe. I love mine. Paid $23 and you can’t beat that!
That rough surfaced handle is a bonus in my opinion. I have a trail boss and I scraped all the laquer off the handle cause it will give you blisters over time.
4:00 First North American to say 'bruk' correctly, you've earned a firm like.
That was awesome!!! Thanks so much. My trail boss came perfect. I did thin out the edge to were I like it. Blessings 🙏
Love my Trail Boss too. It’s funny, I filed the cheeks down a little bit too. Paid $23 and you can’t beat that!
of course we all use our axes to shred paperwork!
Good video Robert. I own a Trail Boss and a Husqvarna carpenter. They both do well at what they're meant for. If someone wants a " Bushcraft" show piece to hang on the outside of their pack then Granfor's and Hult's is the ticket. Both those makers are excellent but the price has a lot to do with the name now that they have become an outdoorsman's fashion statement, kinda like a Gucci Purse, lol. Again good video Rob.
NOW THAT'S THE WAY YOU DO A REWIEW. Hell yeah. THANK YOU......bought one.
I’m happy with my Trailboss too although I’m still gonna get a gransfors bruks
The amount of mental gymnastics I had to do to follow your logic and train of thought was exhausting.
I think you’ll change your views on a lot of this as you get more experienced in the world of axes.
after a bunch of Norse mythology and myths and shows like Vikings.... they still can't get the handle right on an over priced axe.. great review and comparison.
This is not an axe guy. Ok.
Nice review, wish I had seen this a while back. Looks like I will try the trail boss with minor modification.
So this tells me that any person who has NOT ever swung an axe,( or otherwise)
can buy a big ole bunch of axes, (or stuff)
see if it cuts paper and be rich .
That's what I was thinking...
In my opinion, axes in most cases are quite random. No matter which brand, I prefer buy them if I can examine and check the grains direction of their handles, how the head is attached, how the grind is, and the sheath. So other than Fiskars, I prefer not buying them online.
I bought a trail boss and I love it. I used it last weekend when I cut down a 24 inch maple tree and it cut through this tree like it was soft pine. I did clean up the edge with my stones before I used it but it was sharp right out of the box. Well worth the money I paid for it.
Did it remain sharp after cutting down the tree?
@@kivenkantania yep
I bought a Trail Boss, Carded the handle and gave it many coats of toung oil then gave it a razors edge. I am not strangers with working axes and I am more than pleased with my Trail Boss after adding this extra work to it. I went to Helco works and the sheath is unavailable. I want to add a sheath and handle protector to mine. Money well spent but it wasn't that much to begin with.
i dont think this ole boy has swung any of these axes.
I love my trail boss, my wedge is starting to get a gap in it, which kinda worries me, but gonna keep chopping away with it
The difference is your Swedish axe handles need to be hit with some steel wool then coated with boiled linseed oil.
Agreed.
Unless you're some sort of axe connoisseur, I wouldn't overthink it!!! Just buy something you like and if it gets the job done great!!!!
Love my Trail Boss. I use it for kindling and limbing.
This dude is not experienced enough to make a review.
Trail boss is a good deal but the husqvarnas for $55 is a ridiculous deal. I think those are over 100 now if you can find them.
Nice video. Ive got to many axes. All the ones you have there plus Granfors et, etc. No one i know this side of the pond uses an an as the the handles come. All mine and my mates handles are different. I like a thin "whippy" handle, my mate Josh like a medium handle and my massive 6.5 mate Lars who lives in Hammerfest Norway hundreds of miles north of the artic circle leaves his a lot thicker for his bear paw hands and thick gloves. So, Swedish companies ship them thicker.
Paper has 'grain'. It's easier to cut with the grain (along the long side of a typical sheet of paper) than against it (along the short side of a typical sheet of paper). A little stropping helps a lot.
Do you ever use these axes or do you just collect them and learn about them online. Lookin like a city boy with that puffy ass coat.
Yeah. Used it today in fact. And last week. I have 13 acres of land.
Photo from today: i.postimg.cc/9FWhtVrH/IMG-8952.jpg
You know that Hults Bruk made those Husqvarna axes, right?
You know that he says that in the video, right?
@@OFFICIALUND Was i talking to you?
honestly you should sand down any axe handle when you get it to remove the nasty varnish and apply linseed oil or tongue/Danish oil I aint judging. the more I listen the worse it gets I don't think this guy understands that having the hand protrude out the top about 8mm helps lock the head on better and the handles are ruff because your meant to just ruff them up with sand paper then oil them.
The paper on the long side is always easier to cut.
Couldn't you have just bought some good Hickory axe handles? Instead of buying new axes?
no, why waste the money on the handle when you can get a head with it for a few bucks more?
If you had to keep only one for the rest of your life, Which would it be?
The Trail Boss is great. I still can’t believe they are $25. I am completely happy with it.
What you need is a Gransfors Bruks. They are gems and have a guarantee on head not coming loose. Grain is outstanding and the handles are smooth as can be and come already treated with beeswax and boiled linseed oil. Look em up.
Yeah, they are nice.
They're overpriced and trust me the grain is not always outstanding (it doesn't even matter as much as people think). They do a good job of hanging them though
Are you a Hollywood actor and are you paid off by cold steel
Get a Gransfors Bruks and compare.
why would you buy hults brook when small forest axe is 10 dollars more at least were I am.?!
$70 more in USA.
Hoosk-varna, not Huska-varna. Otherwise nice video.
Blah blah blah blah...
Kleenex anyone ?
“From my experience so far” you haven’t even used it.
I have three of them. I was not going to show the one that I sharpened in the video because it is not how it comes from the factory.
Robert Silvers well I own the hultafor classic hunters axe. It is a great axe. What do you think of the Husqvarna carpenters axe?
I never tried one. I didn't want a handle that short.
Robert Silvers 19” is a perfect travel size. You can fit it in a pack, but you can also use it with two hands. That’s why most people like a 16-20” axe. I myself prefer a 19” for those same reasons. However, if I was going to be needing to do major chopping, of course I’d bring a larger axe. But most people don’t need a full size axe that often.
Steven's mantra at his site "Skillcult" is to "stop shopping and start shopping". Good advice. How many axes does one need? I own a Trailboss and after a single use, discarded it for my Swedish made axe. Piece of junk that Taiwanese made axe. Soft metal, knicks easily and requires constant sharpening to just get it to moderately cut. Even bounces back up with certain hardwoods. Too superficially detailed a comparison review, my friend. There are better American and Canadian made axes at a reasonable price than the Trailboss.