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Post by homerj on Feb 22, 2015 5:06:23 GMT
I have never been a fan of axes but have started a small collection to see if they are for me or not. My first was a Fiskars X7 hatchet which really got me thinking that axes should have a place in my kit. The X7 is lightweight, virtually indestructible composite material, and pretty good ergonomics. During the holidays I chopped a small cedar tree down and processed it and some rock solid mesquite for a fire pit. The hatchet performed well for its size and weight and was pretty fun. The steel took some rolls and chips that I had to repair but is good to go now. As lame as the sheath that comes with the Fiskars look don't through it away, looks stupid but is actually very functional, light, and well made. I have no intention of getting a kydex or making a leather sheath, the stock sheaths will hold up fine. My next Fiskars is the x28 chopping axe. Still have not had the chance to test it on any trees (need to get out of the desert and up into the mountains to find some trees) but fully expect it to be a great chopper. It is light, well balanced, and sharp and I love the composite handle, a noob like me doesn't have to worry about shattering a handle with an overstrike. Today picked up an Estwing campers hatchet, smaller than the X7 but way sharper, handle feels great, and everything is of very nice quality. Small splitting and chopping I have done around my fire pit have been impressive but need to test it and see the limits of what it can chop and split. I was tempted to get the longer Estwing campers axe, and may still for truck camping, but decided against it and went with the big Fiskars. I feel allot safer and have more control with hatchet/small axes so I think I may be leaning more towards these than with a big chopping axe. If I feel the need to collect and use more axes I think I will be getting some of the axes off the Condor line or the mora hatchet.  |
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Post by redeyes on Feb 22, 2015 5:30:16 GMT
I was wondering something. I know that you are a good bit taller than me. If you were to swing that Fiskars x28 at something on the ground and missed would it bite into the ground or would it possibly hit you in the foot or ankle? I was wondering that because you said you felt safer with the hatchets. I kneel when splitting or chopping with short axes for safety. I get you on short handles being more controllable. Kneeling is not a good idea for felling of course.  |
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Post by homerj on Feb 22, 2015 5:36:59 GMT
It would def bounce into my shins if I missed or deflected. I have never been comfortable chopping wood flat on the ground I always look for something to prop it up against when I can.
I have never tried kneeling while chopping but thats a great idea, do you loose any power or accuracy?
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Post by nxp on Feb 22, 2015 15:02:09 GMT
I've got the older version of the X7 - and let me tell you it is my LEAST favorite of the "axe" I own - notice the parenthesis? I don't know if you could call the X7 an axe or a hatchet as it's somewhere in the middle of the two.
My gripes:
1) The head's too light to be an axe but too heavy to be something like a T-hawk.
2) The shaft is too short, so I end up kneeling while using it just to keep safe.
3) The blade's edge is easy to sharpen but rolls too easily (eg, weak steel on the edge)
4) The way the handle wraps over the head, it seems to constantly collect splinters/shavings as there's not enough flare on the blade to keep it from taking impact on deep hits.
What I like:
1) Blade sharpens up quick
2) Light for it's size but doesn't give me a lot of wrist fatigue from impacts due to the flex handle
3) Head shape is great for fine work like feathering, stripping, etc.
Between the X7 and the X28, IMO the X28's the better tool as it'll give you more reach and has more head weight. It's still compact, and offers enough purchase for fine control of the head also.
That being said, these days I'm more and more about saws over axes. And I mean real saws, not the pocket jobs. I can get more work done with less effort it seems, and the weight offset's not too bad with the saw/working knife combo. Still, nothing makes you feel more like Tim Taylor than going Canadian on standing deadwood for camp.
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Post by redeyes on Feb 22, 2015 20:22:30 GMT
It would def bounce into my shins if I missed or deflected. I have never been comfortable chopping wood flat on the ground I always look for something to prop it up against when I can. I have never tried kneeling while chopping but thats a great idea, do you loose any power or accuracy? Maybe just a little power, but the increased safety is worth it. |
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Post by homerj on Feb 22, 2015 21:09:50 GMT
NXP what is a better option for the X7 size range? I don't think I am ready to drop serious cash on a weterlings or grandsfors. I have been testing out some saws too, the Sven Saw is my favorite so far. The only downside is that it needs proprietary saw blades but it is very light, compact, and comfortable to saw with. www.svensaw.com/ |
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Post by red on Feb 22, 2015 22:34:34 GMT
I have umm i lost count how many axe's /hatchets i have. Some are old family axe's that we found in a grand parents old shed/barn ect. I re handled them use abelt sander to sharpen them from blunt to hand sharpenable and they are good to go. Most of them are the 3 and 1/2 pound head on a 36 inch handle. One is a 1 pound hatchet head i put on a California framer handle it seem good for back packing on the light side. One other i did was a 1 and 1/4 hatchet head i put on a 24 inch boys axe handle , fills in as a good middle ground tool. Light and easy to pack in with decent performance. New axe i got is this Estwing www.estwing.com/ao_campers_axe_long_handle.php. It is a little big and heavy just for an over night thing but , for packing in and setting up a camp for say a week its good. I also have the Gerber Gator saw 3 uses a chain saw ,blade hack saw blade,and any bow saw blade. It is heavy to carry all the parts plus my other gear for a over night , but a group packing in for a week i find it can be highly useable if you need a bone blade a hack blade and a wood blade. www.gerbergear.com/Outdoor/Gear/Gator-Saw-III_22-41514 |
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Post by nxp on Feb 22, 2015 23:40:46 GMT
NXP what is a better option for the X7 size range? I don't think I am ready to drop serious cash on a weterlings or grandsfors. I have been testing out some saws too, the Sven Saw is my favorite so far. The only downside is that it needs proprietary saw blades but it is very light, compact, and comfortable to saw with. www.svensaw.com/ Two good options that don't break the bank are either Plumb or Husqvarna. If I was going to plop down some money for an intermediate axe, I'd go for this one: www.mowersatjacks.com/Product-Details/HUSQVARNA/576926501The Carpenter's Axe has a 2.75# head (so heft and follow), and a 19" handle so it's got some reach without being so short it's in the X7 territory. They have smaller ones, but I like the longer handle. The weight's in the head, so the handle's just along for the ride. I usually put mine in between the frame and pack on my MR, head down and sideways with the handle up. 19" still tucks nicely into the frame without hanging on crap. Sven makes a good saw, I just don't care for the way it goes to the point. I know it's necessary, but it's a lot of wasted blade because you can't use anything in the tip, so your blade is only half as long. I prefer this one: sawvivor.com/ or the Wyoming saw: www.wyomingknife.com/saws.htmIt's a more traditional bucksaw shape, so you can use the entire blade length. It doesn't collapse down as nice, but it still collapses to a reasonable dimension. You could also mod blades to fit it if you want. Red - I don't use a bone saw often, but if I hunt out of state for something big I usually carry one of these: www.sageninc.com/ssii.html***EDIT SO I DON'T LOOK LIKE A COMPLETE NINCOMPOOP - I didn't click Red's Gerber link, I saw the name and thought it was one of their exchange a blade knife/saw combos, had I actually CLICKED the link first, you wouldn't be subjected to the stupidity or the first two sentences below... TLDR, don't guess - click and see first before confirming to the world you're a moron*** I tried the swap a blade thing, and didn't care for the way that it locked up. Also had a lot of nooks and crannies for meat/bone to get stuck in which made field cleaning a PITA. With the Sagen it's all molded in, and the blade's a true bone saw blade and is stiff enough to guide around. Doesn't weight a lot either, only thing is it's another thing to carry with you. I was sold the moment I saw a guide use one to cut the rack off an elk - just popped the eye out, busted through the occular socket enough to get the tip of the Sagen in, and then sawed the skull cap/antlers off. Then to clean it he just put it into a pot with boiling water for a few. Done. I know that the Wyoming saw has a bone blade that works well for it and it's similar to the Sawvivor - question begs how much crap do you want to carry. |
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Post by homerj on Feb 23, 2015 1:21:09 GMT
Nice Red, I would like to see how those old axes clean up when you refurbish them. That estwing was the one I almost got and have a feeling I will eventually get.
That Husqvarna looks nice, size looks about right for the small trees I find out here.
Do they make the sawvivor any more? I have been looking for one every since I saw nutnfancy do a review on it and have never been able to find one in stock.
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Post by red on Feb 23, 2015 23:29:30 GMT
My fault NXP ,i cant post pics for some stupid internet reason. I do have a Wyoming knife i like and for a game/pelvic bone saw i use a broken bandsaw blade i taped 2 chunks of wood to for a handle.
homerj they are all done and abused y the current family. One i use as a mud axe to chop roots and stuff. Another is the one i keep in my truck. A third i gave to my brother and he uses it to spit thin/small logs in his garage. Many an axe make in the concrete over there. Even though they get abused badly with stones and concrete 3 min with a belt sander makes them brand new.
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