Expensive Axe Buyer's Guide: (SPOILER ALERT, Don't Buy One)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 18 июн 2024
- Using, modifying, testing cheaper axes to find out what you want to be using and how to use it, makes more sense than relying on RUclips videos Forums and Axe manufacturers to tell you. Once you test that stuff out, you may find that you don't need to spend a lot of money on an axe.
Support on / skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store/ But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Silky f180 saw: amzn.to/3yZzM71
ARS 10 foot long reach pruner: amzn.to/3esETmM
Victorinox grafting/floral knife: amzn.to/3Jki1E9
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: ruclips.net/user/skillcultsubs... Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: www.skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
Expensive axes like Wetterlings and Gransfors Bruks are probably not the best thing for beginners to learn on. I've owned one Gransfors, but I sold it, because it was very crooked and I wanted the money for other projects. I'm not convinced they are worth the cost or that the fact that they are shaped on presses, or "struck several times" is of any tangible benefit to real life users. I'm not saying that it's not, just that I'm not convinced. The world is full of inexpensive axes that are high quality and perfectly serviceable with less than an hour of filing and a new handle. Even a budget line new axe might be perfectly serviceable, though handle quality, alignment and quality consistency may very well be an issue, especially if they are ordered sight unseen.
Common arguments might be that they are stronger and hold an edge longer, which I don't think are important enough for novices, if they are true at all, especially if you look at using a vintage head. Hand forged axes don't possess any giant advantage that will translate into more work done per amount of effort expended. If you imagine they will, you will be disappointed.
Perhaps the most important point, which I may have skimmed over too much in this video, is that beginners don't know what they should want or prefer for themselves, and an axe company, no matter how old, is not likely the best to tell them that. The process of testing, modifying, weighing and feeling out what axe length, weight and design you might want is better carried out on cheap axes. You can go on forums, but there is no guarantee that the people there have the experience to validate their opinions. modifying and learning on expensive axes that will be devalued by damage and modification and expensive to re-handle with the manufacturers handle, makes little sense and most of the advantages are probably imagined. People are afraid to modify them because they are expensive and it is imagined that such a fine axe would be good to go out of the box.
Ask yourself hard why you really want one before pulling the trigger. Homesteading and self reliance are not about working and saving money to buy the best fanciest tools that you plan to use one day. It's about working with what is available to you and being creative, resourceful, intelligent, thrifty and spending your time building skills and making due over making money, endlessly researching and buying stuff. Skills like restoring, handling, modifying and above all, using axes is what will serve you well, not that intriguing axe surrounded by mystery that you might think will do more work for you than the rusty head that you picked up at the flea market. If you want skills, you have to put skills before gear. If not, then, then I have no relevant argument against your axe fetish. Peace out.
When the high end axe craze dies out we might be able to score some nice unused axes at garage sales and such. That will be fun.
Hans Umguy dude, that's a great idea!
Hans Umguy or divorce tag sales
And later on when quality collections are sold there is often again an opportunity for cheaper buys.
Richard Fageroni - Fine then. I should know better than dare to dream...
No worries. I will just keep buying cheap/good council tools. ces't la vie!
A thing is only worth what someone will pay for it. As soon as no one is willing to pay the high prices, those prices will drop. Just wait, you'll see them for cheap eventually.
My first axe I bought brand new at 18 years old from the local hardware store 34 years ago. I still use it today. It cost me about $15.00. To me, mine is the best axe ever made!
Same
Same bro. Picked the best one and tuned it. $27 with a good American head and decent hickory.
34 years ago, the hardware store had American made axes. Now you'll lose a limb when the Chinese made axe comes apart.
$15 - 34 years ago, after inflation that's like $78,945 in today's money, right?
That being said, the gransfors Forrest axe I bought cuts unbelievably well. The first time I swung with it, I had a grin on my face that has lasted to this day (4 years and many camping trips later).
It might matter if you're in a city and don't necessarily want to bother with sharpening tools. I spent some years on a farm as a kid and later occasional summers or winters and I have no idea what make of axes I used. You had a manual grinding wheel right next to a chopping block so you just used that if you weren't happy. And with a good swing I wasn't really paying attention to how finely or fast I chopped stuff up anyway.
Agree with supporting local artists / brands in general (especially when it comes to food purchasing).
This video was so spot on for general buying advice. Replace the word “axe” with anything (computer, weight lifting equipment, car) and this is great advice. Well done.
Who knew Rob Zombie knew so much about axes.
ZombieFighterOf2001 how the fuck did I not notice that 😁
Lmao!!!!!!!!
@Alpha Centauri nice!!
Great video! Just ordered my Axe from Gucci with Tiffany diamonds! Cannot wait to go to the club with it and impress the ladies!
That's okay, but if you didn't get the upgraded titanium sheath.... meh...
SkillCult hahaha nah I got the gold lined crocodile skin sheath. It even came with a Starbucks gift card so I can order my Iced, Half Caff, Ristretto, Venti, 4-Pump, Sugar Free, Cinnamon, Dolce Soy Skinny Latte!
DAMN YOU now I have to buy one!
SkillCult 😂🤣
Don't forget to extend your pinkies when you hold those. LOL
As a 2nd generation tradesman, I was taught that good tools are earned when your skills are up to par to the tool itself, but you learn with basic tools first. Your first real good quality tool you receive as a gift from a journeyman who taught you when he feels you're worthy of it like I received from my old man and like I passed on to those that I taught the trade when it was my turn to pay it forward.
And I've made the same argument with the Council Tool Boy's Axe VS the Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Axe for typical chores (splitting, chopping, delimbing, etc...). It's not $100 better in my opinion. A $30 boy's axe in the right hands will last a lifetime and outperform a boutique axe in typical real-world uses.
For the record, my first two boutique axes came ridiculously poorly hung and were unusable (the first one and the replacement). My $30 Council Tool boy's axe I bought to hold me over and I never put it down. It came hung right, I beat it winter, spring, summer, fall and it went through softwoods and hardwoods (my boutique axes couldn't last the first hour of use).
That seems like a good default policy.
I don't know why I even comment on your videos bro. I always just find myself repeating what you already state in the footage. LOL Always good to hear what you have to say man. Keep it up.
Oh, and I own a $300 custom forged 3/4 camp axe made to my specs. Truth be told, I don't use it. But I have no problem whipping out one of my $30 CT's and sometimes, my vintage axes and beating them like they owe me money. :)
And I'm not beating up on Swedish axes. I just bought my 3rd and it came with the absolute straightest grain I've ever seen on a haft, a nearly perfect hang and I couldn't have handpicked something better myself.
The great thing is that it only cost me $57/shipped in 48 to my door.
It's the Husqvarna-branded Hults Bruks Carpenter's Axe and I got it mainly as a crafting & camp axe when I won't be needing a 3/4 axe (I don't do hatchets really). Then again, the Hults Bruks despite costing 1/2 of what their premium cousins cost for some reason come with a lot fewer issues for the most part.
The Gransfors, the Wetterlings, etc...they make great carving axes. But I don't carve much really. Plus, they are designed for mostly softwoods use. That's why so many first time users chip their edges to death and have to reprofile them. Other than that, for light duty chores, they are great. Then again, who needs a $130 "light duty" camp axe when a $30 axe will do just a good or better?
I digress.
I think the Hults are probably much closer to modern drop forged process, because they don't seem to have much in the way of hammer marks. custom forged stuff is different too. That is art if nothing else and that is worth something.
"Couldn't last the first hour of use"??? What the hell happened???
@@SkillCult What is your favorite mass produced brand?
My favorite for the 2017 - 2018 season, is a $10 local bit, hung on an almost perfect $8 local handle.
That doesn't include hanging, scraping and oiling but $18 isn't bad for an axe that's a joy to use.
I never imagined a 175 dollar Gränsfors axe would be a status symbol lol.
And make sure you wear Jordans while using that ax
I never imagined anyone was crazy enough to pay that much
This should be a mandatory video to watch BEFORE people purchase an axe or hatchet. lol
If you're using it for firewood splitting it doesn't have to be that sharp, the profile is more important
Good video! I started by repairing an axe with a broken handle and then a flee market axes. After a few years my wife and I found a retail that had Gransfor Burks in stock. She picked me up a American felling axe. I was shocked!! Best axe that I currently own. I split wood with it regularly. I agree with you, start off with a beater from the flee market. When you rehandle a head it almost makes you develop a relationship with your axe. From there you can grow.
The further along I get in your video the more I am impressed.
Great thoughts, Steven. I've changed a lot the way I used to see things since I found your channel. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. - Davi
Hi Davi. Thanks :)
Just came across your channel and this video, I'm glad to see someone not touting expensive axes! I've been using a collins double bit and a council Hudson bay for years with GREAT success.
Very good advise here. I have some expensive axes but my favorites are family hand downs and the second hand ones I found for a few bucks and decided on the handle and edge myself. Be Well
Love the double bit you have sitting in front.
You want to know who convinced me that I needed a high end axe? YOU did! All of your critique of off the shelf axes, all of their flaws... Only natural to think, "Hey, I'll skip all those deficiencies and buy a premium axe."
Not to say that I have bought a high end axe. I have a sordid axe history, but right now I'm using an X15! 23.5" long, no weight for the handle, and I use it as a backpacking/bushcraft axe. I did some file work (with that bahco file you recommended, thx, and bought $500 of other stuff through your link), and now I like using it.
And I have to say, what I see, people are paying serious premiums for old quality American axe heads. No 5hit, but I just saw someone buy a $75 Plumb head, rusted to hell. I think this idea of finding $5 quality heads maybe is already in the past.
I can't tell you how many times I've been out on my lawn in just my chonies, gut hanging out, screaming, "Get off my lawn!" People coming into my space, jacking the prices up. A couple of years ago, we escaped California, moved to a free western state. 2.5 years later, 1/2 of all the license plates I see are from California, it can take 3 green light cycles to make it through an intersection, mid day, and home prices have gone through the roof. That whole scenario has played out so many times, in so many ways. If y'all could get off my internet, that'd be great.
I will, if able, buy a GFB small forest axe for backpacking. But only after I wear out that X15. Then again, we may buy them all for axe mask construction.
And finally, I was staring at an old beat up pair of my New Balance this morning, thinking I'm such a cheap bastard, paid maybe $45 bucks for them. Thinking about all the people who needed a taste to get them to me. All of the raw materials that had to be created, shipped, all the machinery, all the humans, all the fuel to get them to me. It is insane that I can get them for $45.
As hand makers of leather goods, we've really come to understand the cost and VALUE of hand produced goods. In my thinking of late, all this "deal" culture, like everyone (especially millennials and younger) wants a smoking hot deal on EVERYTHING. F'ing loosen up that wallet cheapo, and pay people for their work, and hey, maybe you'll have a job if people start including some freaking margin in their purchases. I'm totally a part of that deal culture, in a big way. Have been disabled since 2010, don't collect any kind of disability, money is TIGHT. But still, when there is a small company working hard to compete in this marketplace, spend a little money, man.
Serious WOT, early morning ramble! Thumbs up if you actually made it this far.
Ha! sucka. Most of those Californians stupidly pass NorCal and move straight up your way. I'm just praying we aren't "discovered". You can have 'em.
Good point on the deal culture. There are still plenty of axe heads out there. More in some areas though.
Here's a vid you might enjoy: vimeo.com/3518256
Is putting vimeo links on youtube seedy?
That's funny you found that. His example looked awful thick to me though lol. It was more like he had to look around and still couldn't find a good example. I saw one, the axe in the window that looked like old American axe handles do. There is also a really weird handle in the early part of the vid up high on the wall. I'd like to take a look at that one closer. Looks like a hewing or carpentry axe. the string example is almost an interesting way to look at it, just to try to explain something, but a handle works quite a bit differently. It could communicate a couple of things though., One is that it's not necessary to push the axe into the cut with the handle at all. The handle is just there to get the head to the target. and second, that it's that same mechanical advantage of a wheel at work, whatever that mechanical advantage or movement is called. The take home on handles is that the handle should be under very little stress if it's not gripped tightly when it hits the target. There is always side impact and hitting the handle, but for straight chopping and splitting under normal use, probably not much stress if the handle is viewed as just a way to get the head where it's going and not as a thing to force the head into the wood. Those companies should put someone on salary whose job is just to test and use axes year round. Either that or sponsor serious traditional craftsmen to get as much feedback as possible. That would be a good selling point. Like if they heated the offices with strictly axes ala cordwood challenge. Credibility is good.
Perhaps you can apply for that position, CAUO, Chief Axe Use Officer? Also thinking that you could swing a head on a rope, like he says, and drive that into a log. Viral gold there. Think about it!
What type of leather work do you do
My Dad, now deceased, did not have many tools but, I did inherit a USA Collins that had been around for as long as I can remember. I'm now 51. I've no idea how he ended up with one of those over here in the UK. It is regularly used and still lovely in every way.
The subtlety of your tank top for this video is hilarious. Love your videos dude. I live in Portland Oregon, but I'm from a small rural town where forestry was a legitimate class in high school. So you can just imagine the boutique overload at every turn. So many urban lumberjokes.
Finially someone gives the straight goods. Internet is full of 16yo kids giving advice on what to do, with no life experience. Garage sales, flea markets are all good places to get a decent axe. Split your winter heating wood for at least 5 years and you'll know what you need to about axes... experience is the best teacher.
I think I'll be ok with the Husqvarna 26" axe.
Thanks for the advice!
Watching your video is what I needed to figure out what I needed compared to wanting. Thanks again
Glad you brought up people who buy the most expensive things as their first item.
I live in TX and your comments remind me of people who buy Jeep Rubicons with lift kits and off-road tires,
yet they never take them off road or go in the woods.
Great video with some excellent advice that can be applied to much more than just axes....
I really enjoy the videos where you show your sense of humor. :)
I don't always have a sense of humor lol.
Your very funny when you do....
In that same vain....I am thinking about getting a badass tattoo of a ax with the words....
"proper axes come from sweedin" and or "wranglerstar approved"
lol, branded for life, literally.
Bit of a fun ramble but all so true. I'm 70 years old and used axes most of my life. You swing 'em at wood. They cut the wood or you sharpen them and swing again. If you don't know how to swing an axe or how to maintain it, it doesn't matter if its a Collins or a high dollar Swede! Don't have to cut wood for fuel anymore but still love axes and axe work so now I'm teaching myself to carve with an axe. No high dollar one though! Bought a $29 camp hatchet, re-profiled it and fixed the wimpy handle. Sharpened to a razors edge and will put it up against any of those European axes as a practical tool. Thanks for the chat.
Thanks for sharing that. I recommend people start carving with a regular camp hatchet, just because it build skill and familiarity with a multi-use tool. I can see why some people would use an expensive carving hatchet like the one that Liam and Max at woodsman's finest just put together. I'm sure it's great. Not anything anyone needs to get started in hatchet carving though.
Martin LE =) interesting story thanks for sharing. When I was 12 I modified a carpenters/shingle hatchet I secretly bought (my parents thought it was to dangerous) at a garage sale down my street for $2 ...16yrs later still have and use it and there is still no significant wear yet.
Excellent video. You speak the truth. I have found my best axes are ones I bought old heads and rehafted. And the hunt for them is fun as well.
You are 100% correct as a old explorer the old Estwing axe handed down from Grandfather to father and kids still works good and it cost very little for a camp tool. Great video thank you!
Great to see more of your personality and humor coming through in these videos. I think some of these companies charge so much just for that "new axe feeling" haha
and the logo...
I have found that local used tool stores, antique shops and yard sales are a great source of good quality, US-made axes from companies like True Temper, Collins, Sears/Craftsman, etc. Oftentimes the handles are junk and the heads may be rusty/pitted/need filing, but it's rewarding, not too difficult and not too expensive to rehang an axe yourself.
Finding good handles has been the biggest problem for people. I think that is the best option too though if someone can pull it off.
SkillCult I just picked up a Council Tool Railsplitter at an estate sale this weekend for $5. It still had a shipping decal on it that showed it was delivered in February of 1990. Can't wait to scour and sharpen it and try it out.
I enjoyed your video.A refreshing viewpoint on the fact that many people buy what they think is the best when in reality it is not a whole lot better than something more affordable.Also that they think the best will make them better too.There was a time when I watched the videos and read the reviews and actually thought about buying a premium axe but somehow spending that kind of money made me reconsider.In that time I realized that I never had a problem with the stuff I already had.
Steven, You're right about the use of cheap hand tools. Presently, I have a large supply of ash that I got from a recent job. I am steadily cutting it up into blocks and splitting away with a cheap three and a half pound axe that I got about twenty years ago. The only change that I made to the implement was to replace the loose fibre-glass handle with a nice timber one. I do keep it sharp though. You got the thumbs up for a very informative video and some good old-fashioned common sense.
This was the video that changed my axe thoughts. Thank you.
I found your channel through Essential Craftsman, what a great recommendation he gave. Enjoying your videos.
Yes, that was great. I've picked up a lot of really good people from that. He has good people.
Thank you! I came here from another channel (Essential Craftsman) but could not remember who it was that sent me here. Thanks for reminding me.
Kyle Snowdon yea, same.
Same here. I'm a sub now
same!
Great vid!
My first axe is the Trail Boss. Two of them! One for a learning beater. Learn how to file. Learn how much it changes with each application of BLO following the 'once a week for month, once a month for a year', etc. Learn knew body mechanics. And so on. The 2nd one is literally new and untouched still. Also bought a Flying Fox for a starter hatchet.
My 2 favourite axes are my Walters boy axe that my dad bought around 1979 when clearing the lot for the family home. Still the original handle, which I am happy because it’s small from the factory and has a really nice palm swell knob end that feels really comfortable to me.
The other is a Sandvik hatchet that my dad bought at K-Mart in the mid 70s when we started camping, handle came off (resin instead of wedge), I need to make a new handle for it.
Using knowledge I gained from watching you, I bought a cheap baseball bat (I mean handle) from Canadian Tire, fitted it on a cheap Canadian Tire head, then trimmed it down to be comfortable.
Here is the kind of reviewer I really want.
I think its more of an attitude than tool issue. I noticed other people (i.e. really me, but I would rather blame other people) always have an excuse for not using whatever it is they have. If they have a $25 tool then its not good enough, and if they have the $250 tool then its too nice for the junk work they are doing with it. In the end you just have to get out and do it. You'll never get better at driving unless you drive. It doesn't matter if you are in the ferrari or civic, you just have to drive. You'll get better at driving by driving either just the same.
good thoughts.
Great advice. I've fallen into this pitfall in the past too. I have lots of experience with a splitting maul. Not so much with an axe. 🍻
Great video all I buy are antique axe heads just recently bought a vintage 1 3/4 pound hults bruk head for 5$ can't beat that and is in perfect condition
Agreed on the buying a cheap one TO GET STARTED....
Once you're comfortable and find that you enjoy using it and or use it a lot....I am a strong advocate of spending the money and buying a tool that you absolutely love....saving the money and finally being able to get it and use it is so rewarding.
Ps if you're still reading this take note: DONT EVER LOAN YOUR AXE TO ANYONE!! It WILL NOT return as the same tool that you sent out. I know that from experience:(
Amen to that, my friend. I've been bitten like that a couple of times. Loaned a neighbour my splitting maul, collected it after a couple of weeks and had to spend hours cleaning the rust off the head, re-shaping the edge and sanding/oiling the woodwork. Also, Son-in-law borrowed my chainsaw which came back to me ruined because he used it to cut into soil and neglected to top up the chain oil. Never again.
s10m0t10n
Jesus, he ran the chainsaw in the dirt?? I imagine you had to have a nice stern discussion with him after that. If nothin else just so he doesn't ruin his own chainsaw if he ever buys one.
...I can't seem to wrap my head around how people think it's ok to borrow something and not return in "the same or better" condition. Never seizes to amaze me..
Anywho, it's not much fun, but: a lesson learned the hard way is a lesson never forgotten!
Hi Shane-O,
Yep I've worked with that young man on several occasions and found that he is death to tools of almost any kind. He tends to buy budget priced stuff and works them past their capacity to perform at any satisfactory level. Consequently, I take my own tools if he needs help with a project and try not to let him get his hands on them. If I owned an anvil, I'd think twice about letting him use it - he might break it.
He's a lovely young guy but, as you say, a lesson learned.
Great vid.
I've had a 20 dollar boys axe that I bought from Tractor Supply 5 or 6 years ago...beat it all to hell. To this day I still pick it up and slam it into some rounds and it works just as fine as the day I questioned myself for buying a cheapo axe. I still have not spent more than 70 or 80 bucks on an axe and still get all my work done just fine. Preach it, sir!
Love the honesty man. Keep up the great vids!!
Thank you.
I want a tool that works every time i need to use it without having to overhaul it to make it work..
My take was one of several things , where i live i have dealers that carry tons of made in China axes/hatchets , ahhh nope not for me .. But these dealers also sell axes made by Stihl , Husq, Estwing (which i have owned , which produced more glancing blows that any axe i have ever owned) just didn't like the grind, so it was an overhaul of filing some of the convex out of the blade.. Better but i don't use it much now .. Fiskars made in Finland axes started to show up with their fiberglass hollow handles ( a bit too large ) but i bought one around the $40.00 mark and found the steel and grind (flat) to work very well, then i bought one with a shorter handle length of 19" I like it .. Some folks hate them, but in over 10 years of use they both just keep on going fine ..
When blacksmiths didn't really have much more that an anvil and a set of hammers and a way to heat steel glowing red, forged steel has strength that the way it was back in the 1800, what other choice was there ..
So next for me was to move up the line with either Wetterlings , Granfors , Hults Burk , yes as you know anyone of those three is expensive , well the days of the $17.95 made in America axes are gone off shore, my grandads axe prices are also gone .. That's the way it is, plus 60 years has passed us by and tools just cost more today.. I did look at Council tools which is like 136 year old company and i'm sure would have been very happy with a model but could not make up my mind on a certain model , plus the made in USA is very good .. Their top line models were not that far from the Swedish axes in price i discovered.. Gransfors it was for me, my choice was finally made after a year.. I use it a lot and really like it , i cannot find one thing i do not like about the tool ..At today's prices out there for almost anything in quality tools i didn't think $150.00 was unreasonable to pay.. Do i have regrets i ask myself , no i don't .. Could i chop the same wood and complete the same wood tasks with a $40.00 axe , yes i could and have done so .. Your video clip was very well done , i really enjoy them and learn things i did not know much about ..
I just heard some real practical advices, do I really need that expensive axe or is it a simple want ??
your information is always important .. I'm and avid axe user i still enjoy all your videos .. and the skinning of the deer was excellent !
That reminds me. That red painted axe reminds of a red Chinese axe I bought in the mid 1980. Very elegant had a large Cresent cutting edge for such a small axe head . Nice portable axe . Supper sharp right out of the cosmolin paper
Best thing I heard in this video was “retail therapy”
I like Hultafors axes, good quality and reasonable price
I'd probably be recommending some of them if they were as cheap here as they are in Europe and Canada
SkillCult Are they expensive in the USA ? Here in France they are available around 50 euros (1,2kg head)
I read a rumor that they don't like selling to the US due to liable. I haven't seen any major importers here. Husqvarna sells a few of their models fairly cheap, but otherwise, they tend to cost a lot more here than anywhere else it seems.
Their 3 1/lb felling axe looks like it works very well with a bit of filing and they have a center line which makes it less sticky when splitting.
@@SkillCult Yeah, recently I bought the basic Agdor (900g) model, and I really like it. But still, spending $50 on an axe makes me feel that there are no excuses now - I have to go out and do some camping :) Especially now, during the global pandemic I feel like I need that little push.
Thank you so much for sharing excellent principles, and penetrating questions of motivation “why”. I guards me from wrong decisions. 😊
Excellent video as usual. I only wish you made it 5 or 6 years ago.
lol
I've noticed the same thing you have on RUclips and the axe craze. I'm 15 and don't have a whole lotta money, I only get a few bucks here and there from shoveling driveways and such. Yet I have not spent more than 10 dollars on all 5 of my axes combined. By the way 5 axes is probably more than I need but it's fun to fix up a broken handled axe. So I only see a few reasons to buy a 200 dollar axe, none of them very good and most of them lazy reasons to do it.
Cool. People like to accessorize, but I think it's a trap. I like good gear, but it's also a skill to make due with what is available. Fortunately, there are plenty of good axes around. I just picked up a couple the other day from a yard sale.
Young Woodsman. Good for you. Nothing wrong with buying stuff and fixing it up. Good way to develop skills and pride of ownership.
I love refurbishing old tools. In the last couple of years I’ve picked up some great old axe heads at the swap meet or online all from $2-$20. Most were made here in North America 1960’s or before. One (a Swiss) I found on an army surplus sight. I fix them up, grind off the rust, sharpen them, and make new handles for them. After that I’ll make leather covers and handle protectors for them. ( most people I know don’t know how to swing an axe so they beat the crap out of the handle from overstriking) it’s turned into a fun little pastime. I give them to my friends who have cabins, fire places, or do a lot of camping.
I like what your saying. I’ve been attracted to large vintage Connecticut and Tasmanian pattern axes but those in good condition are fetching between $100-$200 on eBay. I’m now looking at Jersey pattern heads that are just as big but not as popular so go for way less. Truth is I don’t even have a need for one but seeing huge chips fly is pretty awesome and draws me in.
hippies smell, and by the way, I have a $30 Estwing hatchet that I love and use for everything that a hatchet can do. I slightly changed the profile (very slightly). It holds an edge better than I was expecting it to. Ive had Estwing hammers for 25 years so I figured Id give there hatchet a try. Also really like the stacked leather handle.
One of these days Ill get a fancy smancy Gransfor, but most likely a Hults Bruk
Great video. I've noticed a lot of Scandinavian axes have very thick handles. I think it might be because they use it differently than you. So the handle might not come from ignorance or pandering to the newb but from a different philosophy of expert use.
I'd like to hear a well considered argument for that. It's been proposed that it's because the woods traditionally used were less dense and or less strong than hickory and the designs over there just haven't compensated. The eyes are consistently larger. I feel like I have a very light handed technique and I can't stand those thick handles. Maybe I'm missing something though. Thanks for commenting.
SkillCult yes, light handed but with a nice snap that would probably be impossible with thick one. I don't you if you're much of a golfer (I'm not) but driving is all about club head speed and flexing the handle to get that snap at the impact of the stroke. Just like you do with an axe. It would be a fun experiment to measure what your axe head speed is at impact and compare it to others. You might be onto something with the boys axe tho. Putting a lighter head with a snappy full length handle might be the ticket.
Ooh! A titanium axe head - the formula-1 of axes
I did not know that about golf clubs and thanks for telling me because that's another brick in a wall I'm building. I'm already pretty well convinced that a flexible handle operates as a whip like that. I first knew about the effect with atlatl darts and throwers. I'd like to measure it sometime. When I'm rich and famous and fix my honda, buy boots, and get a new camera and move out of my trailer, I'm buying a goddamn chronometer! it's either speed or mass. The real trick is to gain speed without a lot of effort. I'm not sure that sort of high physical efficiency can really be taught. Some fighters have it for instance and some don't. Floyd Mayweather definitely has it lol.
SkillCult you're a smart dude so you might already know this about physics…
The measure of collisions, which is what an axe striking wood is, is kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is (1/2)mass x (velocity squared). Therefore if you reduce the axe weight from 3.5lb to 2.2lb [a 36% reduction] to make up for it you only have to increase the head speed at moment of impact by 25%
To put it another way, if you increase the axe weight 5%, you increase kinetic energy 5%. If you increase axe speed 5%, kinetic energy yields a 10.25% increase.
In short, head velocity has a better impact than its mass, it's not a 1 for 1 thing
The real trick is to gain speed without a lot of effort??? Maybe consider Frankenstaining the sh###t out of your boys axe.. Hang it on 36 inch handle; with the same angular speed you will achieve higher tangential velocity... it will not be nicely balanced anymore and because of higher speed it might be prone to breakage but it might be an interesting experience
I know this vid is a little old, but its much appreciated. I'm happy to start with some cheap axes, and have been happy with the performance so far. I ordered a cold steel trail boss from amazon and got really lucky with the quality for 30.00! With a little modification, its been a perfect all purpose tool so far. Thanks from 2019.
That's good to hear. Most people like their budget council axes. I wouldn't even buy new axes except for tests and reviews. I've passed up jillions of used ones over the years and still find them.
My first boys axe i ever bought, since there aint alot around my area, was the cold steel trail boss. Handle was ungodly thick and recently i thinned it out alot. I learned alot on that and now i have more experience i got a Council tools boys axe. Recommend def getting a cheap axe as well. Trail boss is what 30-35 bucks!!!!
ready, set, autoplay ;)
\m/>.
*sigh*, Wranglerstar. I unsubscribed from him because all he does is try to sell me stuff.
Edit: But the same is true for almost anything. Cooking? Don't go out and buy a really expensive chef's knife and all this stuff you don't know how to use. Woodworking? Don't go out and buy a $3,000 table saw and all this stuff if you're just starting out. And you're right, enthusiasts will always try to upsell you. I think they just want you to have something nice, to enjoy what they enjoy, but I think this advice extends to everything: get something minimal and cheap until you know what you're doing and know _which_ expensive thing you might want, if at all.
Worked on homeslice I guess lol.
And it's funny you mention him because the video that really prompted me to unsubscribe was a video about an axe. He'd only taken a few swings with it and was using words like "faithful" and "reliable" to describe it, he has no idea if that's true or not. He's so very obviously trying to sell the axe because (surprise!) there's an Amazon affiliate link in the description. Most of his videos go something like this now.
He doent even know how to use one ...One of the biggest POSERS on You Tube.....
W-Star seems to be a nice enough guy but I gave up on him. The final straw was hearing the repeated mantra about the simple life and then he goes and makes a video where he's driving his $60K BMW to the ski slope. It was that and his $290 pocket knife. I know "live and let live." Sorry.
uzimonkey,
A lot of truth in what you said. Each tax bracket seems to have it's sweet spot. For me it's Vortex scopes, Forschner knives, Husquvarna axes (which is a love/hate thing), and so it goes. If I can find a used tool for a bargain, great. What I hate are tools that cannot complete the intended task due to poor engineering, or bad material spec. In all categories there seems to be a baseline tool for the job. Buying below that line brings a poor return on your investment, and a headache to boot. It doesn't have to be top shelf, but there's some truth in the line "Buy once, Cry once".
Brutal and true.. Loving your vids man! +1 on rehanging a classic
thank you very good advice so glad I watched this video
I can't agree with you on this video.
When you buy a tool of any kind, you should always buy the most expensive (I meant to say best quality but you usually get what you pay for to a large degree) you can afford and then you don't have to buy it again.
I've been in forestry most of my life and I've only broken a few axe handles. I don't abuse my tools. I still have the first axe I ever bought because I didn't buy junk. It's that throwaway mentality that is ruining the tool industry. I can't see any reason to buy a $30 axe if you're actually going to use it. Pay a little more and get something that you'll enjoy using. Unfortunately council tool is one of those companies that's trading on their good name and producing a lot of junk now. Sad. They do you still make some decent stuff in their premium lines.
Most expensive doesn't always mean most best. I have a bunch of old heads around here that when hung on a good handle will be as good as anything. Part of the premium price of some axes is just marketing. i'm not advocating that people buy total junk.
I totally agree with you on old axes. But the reason is that they were the best axes ever made. (and were very expensive new). Pretty much all production US axes made during the late 1800s and early 1900s were decent quality and no one wanted to buy junk. Most of my axes are old US made Sager chemicals or Kelly Works Perfect's that I made my own handles for. You just can't buy that level of quality anymore. Even Hoffman has decided that proper grain orientation is too expensive to use on his axes. If you want it done right you have to make your own handle.
PS I still disagree a little with you on buying cheap stuff but after watching a few more of your videos I see you really know your stuff. Respect and keep up the excellent work. Subscribed.
I just have a weird gut feeling that the proper grain theory might be just some kind of urban legend multiplied by internet. I might be wrong but forest service requirements does not even mention grain orientation (not having runouts is the key ). I just had opportunity to hold in my hands 1800s hewing axe and the grain orientation was horizontal.. For "S" shaped fawn foot kind of handle one needs vertical orientation, because of runouts, but for semi straight handles it might be actually the opposite
I think over time I've leaned more toward out of the box solutions for people. Even a year ago I was more about vintage and people hanging their own, but I keep hearing that people can't find heads in some areas and quality handles is always an issue. After my last handle buying experience I'm gun shy on buying anything sight unseen. I think Adam's handles are going to be great, but then there is fitting. It's a journey to figure all that stuff out and one I think people should make eventually anyway, but fitting a handle is more of a thing that many people will pull off the first time around. Hard to know what to recommend. My thinking on council is that I've used them and they seem to work okay (we'll see about the consistency issue) and they are cheap and unexciting enough that hopefully people won't be too shy about getting in there with a file and rasp. Still, agree that vintage is more ideal value wise. Expensive new axes that are also only allegedly high quality and design, isn't the best first step for most people. I'm hoping to deter people from that route until they know they are ready and know what they want. Also hoping that many will realize they don't need to spend much at all and will be perfectly happy with vintage stuff. Cheers.
"Watched a bunch of wranglerstar videos"
Well THERE'S yer problem...
Thx for this great video. I’m a beginner and agree with all you say .. I bought the council tool boys axe 28 inch and really enjoy learning with it. Thx again. T
I saw a vid on here a while back where someone bought the cheapest axe poss, steel was really soft so he heat treated it himself and it turned out that it hardened really well and took a good edge.
just buy fiskars axe
thats crazy talk
No, please no.
Said no one ever.
NOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo - LOL
Agree
I spent £39 on the Husqvarna forest Axe for my first axe. I made the modifications to the handle you recommended and put a rawhide collar on it. Couldn't be happier.
One of my best splitting axes is a 10.00 no name double bit and the plumb single bits are relatively cheap and are great splitting axes. Most of my axes I pick up at yard sales and if you know what your looking for you can find some pretty good deals.
I can’t believe I just discovered your channel, I love how down to earth you are. Thanks for quality content. I am making my way through your axe videos, I have a small pile of axes to restore and you have given me some good food for thought!
What do you think of straight handles?
The one thing I really noticed with straight handles is that when you are bucking close up on a log, like timbersports people do, and most people do with any short handled axe, or even with a long axe on a large diameter log, there is an ergonomic issue with the wrists on straight handles. At the end of the stroke, the wrists have to cock at a funny angle that is a little stressful. It's not a big deal, but it's there for sure. I would prefer a small curve a the end of the handle for that. Otherwise, doesn't really seem to matter a lot to me, but maybe I'm missing something. I've been meaning to make a handle with no curve except at the end, but have only done it with a hatchet so far. As far as strength goes, I definitely don't like drastically curved handles and some make them that way basically for looks. They are weak and wobbly and pointless. I like the council tool handles and I'm not the only one.
Solid no hype advise, thanks. I picked up a 15" camp axe due to the way the American hickory handle was secured to the head, using a wedge and two metal locking rings. $35 seemed like a good starting place for the few times a year I camp and need to split kindling.
I have a good size woodlot and a very old cottage. When I was young, I used to split the wood for the stove and fire place. Using a cheap axe, maul and sledge hammer and monster wedges. Being 40 years older the chainsaw's and manual milling tools have taken their place. I have installed an insert in the old fireplace and now have an efficient wood burning source. I have 5 cords coming in Sunday. Some has to be re-split because of size or to make kindling. Yes I looked at wrangle star bucking billy etc. . I settled for a nice Swedish small splitting axe by Husqvarna. Half the price the top of the line ones. Hand forged, razor sharp and nothing like the bulbous big box stores. Also works for de branching, and taking bark off. Happy camper.
I agree!
I got curious about exes a few years ago. So I went down to Harbor Freight and bought a $5 hatchet with a plastic handle. It had a beveled edge. So I took a file to it and put a convex edge on it. I was surprised I actually did that because it was all new to me. So I beat the thing around for a while. I then got a Council Boys Axe and sharpened it right up. Did not re profile it. I’m on the journey and very happy about it.
Thanks for your videos man.
Cool. You should thin that council down and it will chop a lot better. Unless you just use if for splitting.
When trying to figure out the right axe to buy quite a few years ago, I ran across your recommendation of the Council Tool 28" Boy's Axe and I ordered one. I loved that axe. I learned I need to bend my knees more with that axe by one slip while I was sick and a bit worn down. Lost it in a fire. As I use my current collins axe I find myself missing the Council axe. Excellent recommendation. On the plus side, I just found a no name 24" boy's axe at a flea market. It was sitting out on the weather for some time but looks as if it never had any use more than a weekend. She has come back beautifully and is making a perfect companion to my power saw for pounding wedges and an occasional chop. Thanks for all the work of your videos. I appreciate them.
Cool story :)
It may be the vodka talking but this dude has such a chill way of speaking.... I don't even care what he's saying....
Hi Steven, Such a great video about expense and quality. The axes I have I bought at public sales and garage sales, $5 or less. One had a clunky handle. I shaved it down to fit my hands and flex and it turned out to be a great axe for $5. Shane with my molding planes. I was at a public sale where they had two 1/4" beading planes. Both in good shape and both looked as if they would work well. One sold for $125 and I bought the other for $15. One had a collector name and mine had Sundusky stamped on the end. Mine works just as well and the other was going into someone's collection because it was made by a famous local maker, Carpenter of Lancaster, Pa. It's purchaser was a collector. I doubt if he even knew how to use it properly. I have used mine many many times. Same with axes. And my $5 axe has a lovely used linseed oiled handle that would look great on my wall but even better used,a joy to use. And as the old Shaker saying goes: THAT WHICH HAS IN ITSELF THE HIGHEST USE- POSSESSES THE GREATEST BEAUTY. Ain't so! DaveyJO
My new hashtag for instagram is #beautility :)
I love this guy.
“Who cares. It’s cheap.”
I love it 😂
I process firewood just to heat the home I am by far no experienced woodsman. I have 2 Swedish axes that I found in a barn that after refurbishing I never use. I have a home depot plastic handle pos that sucks. But what I have bought and use weekly is Collins axes at Ace. The splitting maul and I have become old friends and have went through many cords of wood. I know many people think they suck but mine has held up very well.
This video is really helpful. I bought the Council Tool boys axe (24" handle) instead of the Woodcraft Pack Axe, as I'm still learning how to use an axe. The boys axe is great, and if the handle gets skunked, then I'll re-hang the head on a new handle. And it was cheap, so I'm not panicked about using it as a learning tool.
I like the form of that axe in general too. Careful though, it's true what they say about short axes being less safe.
I had a boy's axe from Collins that was in the house when we moved in as a kid. I whacked it into all kinds of things, and generally dinged it up, and never gave it much thought. Star wipe to a few years back, me and mine were moving into our first house, and my folks dropped off the rusty, wrecked Collins, with the cracked handle, and I figured I might as well get it back to functioning again. I ended up getting the head cleaned up with vinegar, the handle hung (the eye was particularly small, so it was a lot of elbow grease to get the handle to size, then filing all the chips out of the edge, reshaping it, and getting it servicably sharp. It was a good learning process, and even though the handle is a little askew, I'm happy every time I look at it. I think I spent $15 at the local hardware store for the closest handle size that fit.
I've got a husqvarna splitting axe as well, and an old maul that was cheap when it was new. The Husqvarna is prettier. It's nice to look at, and that's worth something, but it also got dinged up with a missed blow, and that hurt a lot more because of it.
Ironically, riding in the back of my car, the one that gets the most use and was the most worth the price was and is the X11 fiskars, the short splitting axe. It's gone on all the camping I've done since I got it, and it doesn't mind getting left in the rain.
I don't begrudge someone wanting something pretty, but you're spot on, getting so you know how to sharpen first and maybe hang an old axe head is worth more than a closetful of unused Swedish steel :)
I bought a Globemaster hewing hatchet, made in Italy for $5.95 on eBay! I do timber framing and this hatchet is actually very nice! 4 3/4" cutting edge and very heavy. Kindling splitting monster!
i am a beginner and i bought myself a cheap axe which was the husqvarna wooden forest axe and it is great to use for small tree felling
I really like the way you communicate. Good job!
Thank you.
Great information in this video, very true. It’s something I came up with just recently. Thank you so much for sharing. I couldn’t watch this one with my family though. Due to the swearing. I don’t mean to criticize, but it really needs a certain crowd. Love your show.
Respectfully
Luke
I had to get a Hults Brooks replaced because it was top soft to use. Camp axe / boys axe type size and it looks like the hardening process had messed up so the edge was dull after three strokes. The replacement is great, as were Hults Bruks I have to say credit to them the way they reacted.
The notes on the previous video about how to shave an axe down are very useful because that is the one thing I'm really lacking a decently narrow handle. I tend to buck about 50% of my firewood by axe so these videos are great.
tyvm
I have heard of hults breaking, but this is the first I've heard of them being soft. the cheap councils are often soft.
Just found you on YT, thank you for the tune up on "retail Therapy"...suffer from it daily. Recently "bitten by the Axe addiction" and have a acquired a herd of vintage "american heads" looking to get some trigger time. Handle selection/availability was the biggest stumbling block but i'm ready to go..setting up woodworking vice for optimum draw knife position...back in the mid 70's when framing the "plumb hatchet "was the ticket for cleaning out let-in braces... then the california framing hammer came along...Thanks for being real...
Yeah, retail therapy is real. Doesn't help that we are constantly bombarded by messages that stuff is the key to happiness.
Couldn't agree more..why I love my 2 1/2lb iltis ox head axe so much? It was free!! already had a slim handle on it my grandpa hafted. 5 handles/ in 10yrs, 2 in the first year lol. Still holds a wicked edge and rings like a bell =).
Hi Steve, Great advice. I have 6 axes mostly inherited from dad and grandfather. Got two plumbs, a craftsman, which look like the plumbs and a few vintage with no marks. Since I watch Skillcult, my axes and hatchets are a joy to use. The handle sliming and to fit my hands is all the difference. I've seen many axes, with and without handles for as little as two bucks at garage sales this summer. I have plenty already and wouldn't even consider buying an expensive axe. So many times I have custom made handles for my tools, being a cabinetmaker. But didn't think of reshaping my axe and hatchet handles until Skillcult. DAH! Indeed they are hoys to use, hold a good edge and are looking lovely as they age with linseed oiled handles, which I often did before with tool handles. So once again Steven, another home run for Skillcult and many thanks. My hides and knowledge on tanning skills and the results are great because of your sharing. I will always be learning and improving of course. Hopefully sharing and handing down our skills to the younger folks will create skillculted craftspeople and keep alive knowledge of our ancestors. Cool! Good work and Thanks again. Davey
Thanks Davey :).
I love this channel. The detail on oiling is amazing and well appreciated. I completely agree on quality. Ive done hobby blacksmithing and you come to know just how hard O1 is compared To wrought iron. Both amazing materials. There is no way iam spending 250 dollars on an axe. I have a five dollar axe and a free axe both of which I can make serviceable. The other day I remembered I bought a double bit back in the 90s I went and looked it turns out it is a woodings Verona US 90. Anyone know the steel they use I could not find out on the internet.
I have several Wetterlings, Granfors Bruks, Collins, Sager Chemical etc. All are vintage I bought as heads in junk shops and on ebay. I think my most expensive one is a 1942 Sager cruiser that cost me $60 plus a handle.
Hi :) Interesting point of view. I actually would say to get that expensive axe if you want it.
I would say to beginers before they buy an axe : Obviously learn basic technics before hand not to get injured or to damage the axe (Im thinking of ray mears' video , short, simple, works great). Then when you get your expensive axe you'll look after it, you'll bond with it. You'll respect it more probably than a junk axe you don't care about. My first axe was the small forest axe from GB, i spent a looooot of time with it in the woods, learning how to use it best, learning how to sharpen it, fix some damage (because murphy's law). That's an axe i'm proud of. I'm not saying that i'd do that with every tool i have but i do with axes because they are my favorite tools. :)
Newby axe guy here who caught the tom sawyer fever; I've been a gun guy most of my adult life since joining the army in 2004 and I've gained the mentality that "you buy once cry once" so I've been eyeing some pretty spendy axes lately. Well... after helping a buddy splitting some logs I was humbled a little and realized that I didn't like the heavy ass mauls so I picked up a fiskars splitting axe and that sent me down the axe trail; what it also did was made me rethink starting off with a spendy GFB or hults. Well after watching a few of your videos and really listening to you I scored a fiskars x15 off Amazon "used, like new" for $25. I'll beat the piss out of this one and then graduate on up.
Thanks for the content!
I have a couple of Wetterlings axes that I got many years ago because I saw them in a catalog (remember those?). Also at the time I thought the price of them seemed pretty reasonable. Maybe they're marked up more now. I really like the limbing axe, and I've used it a lot, though the first thing I did to it was shave down the handle.
Good for you on the handle. a lot of people are afraid to touch them. All of those brands used to be a lot cheaper.
Hey bro! Im thinking about buying a new axe. Ive been eyeing the hults bruk Agdor axe with a 2.5lb Montreal head on a 28 inch handle. Any thoughts on that axe? Ever used Montreal patterns?
That's how guys like Wranglerstar rake in the money.
Anyway...good talk!
Every now and then you come across a video/channel like this, which makes you realise how rare and increasingly valuable common sense has become.
Completely can agree, I have about 10 axes that I've spent maybe a total of a little more than $100 buying from antique stores.
A terrific video! This really made me humble after purchasing two Swedish axes and an Italian splitting maul, all recommended by W-star, of course. Thank you for bringing me back to reality, I think I'm good for years to come . . . or until I crack a handle from lack of experience! ;-)
lol. You can always save them or sell them. Hit those junk stores and flea markets. Lots of treasures out there.
You are so right when you say that there is a culture where people take pride of their tools instead of their skills. It reminded me of all the survival show where people in it are bushcraft instructor but in the forest itself they dont seems to know what to do.