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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
Double bit axe is nice, but I think you could find the use of a mattock and brush hook useful as well.
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
What the heck, you may want a couple of scythes to go along with the brush hook for tall grass and weeds.
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,090
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2014
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If you are interested in passing tools to your kids, you might think about Ebay and look at an old Kelly or True Temper Kelly Works "flint edge" and put a good ash or hickory handle on it. You can get a pretty nice one for about 30 bucks I think. There will never be anything built like that again. I have a Collins Puget Sound pattern, they are asking 300 bucks plus on Ebay now. Four generations of loggers in the family, going on five, I'd never sell it, part of our heritage.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 5,165
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 5,165 |
https://www.estwing.com/products/campers-axe-long-handleIt's not something you want for cutting timber, but is an excellent all purpose tool that will chop a tree down. And it's made in the US of A.
Life is good live it while you can.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,209
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,209 |
What ever you decide on, take a torch and spot up the handle then wipe it down with used motor oil. Then the neighbors will be impressed and start calling you Grizzly....
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 278
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2020
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My granddad was a lumberman/woodcutter most of his life. I have a few of his tools, his single bit axes were Snow and Neally out of Maine . I can't tell the brand on the double bit, but I believe it was made in Michigan. Also have his 8' crosscut saw. When he started working in the woods in the winter of 1919, he had lost 2 sisters and a brother to the Spanish Flu. Guess what goes around comes around, eh? When he and Gram turned 64 yrs they bot a fifty cow dairy, so as to keep busy after they retired. He died in 2004 just a month shy of 100. Never had bank acct after 1930. Said they got him once in a bank failure, never again. Kept their cash in milk cans in pantry. Lived a good life and loved every minute of it. Never borrowed and drove a new Chevy truck every 4yrs. Oldcuss
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,421
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,421 |
Made in the USA....bang for buck....Council Tool. Council Tool - ZoroA little rough....but good steel, reasonably priced.
Council tool has a US made model for about the same $ as a Husqvarna.
"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson
Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today. Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,379
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,379 |
When I first started wolf hunting in the Stanley area of Idaho the beetle kill was bad and I quickly learned to carry an axe, a saw and a tow strap any time I left the pavement. I have found several orphaned axes in junk shops in former logging areas that I have enjoyed resuscitating. I am the opposite of a 'tool guy' but an axe is a tool that I can enjoy using, for recreational pursuits.
mike r
Don't wish it were easier Wish you were better
Stab them in the taint, you can't put a tourniquet on that. Craig Douglas ECQC
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 95,648
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 95,648 |
My granddad was a lumberman/woodcutter most of his life. I have a few of his tools, his single bit axes were Snow and Neally out of Maine . I can't tell the brand on the double bit, but I believe it was made in Michigan. Also have his 8' crosscut saw. When he started working in the woods in the winter of 1919, he had lost 2 sisters and a brother to the Spanish Flu. Guess what goes around comes around, eh? When he and Gram turned 64 yrs they bot a fifty cow dairy, so as to keep busy after they retired. He died in 2004 just a month shy of 100. Never had bank acct after 1930. Said they got him once in a bank failure, never again. Kept their cash in milk cans in pantry. Lived a good life and loved every minute of it. Never borrowed and drove a new Chevy truck every 4yrs. Oldcuss Great story. Thanks.
Ecc 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but that of a fool to the left.
A Nation which leaves God behind is soon left behind.
"The Lord never asked anyone to be a tax collector, lowyer, or Redskins fan".
I Dindo Nuffin
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,208
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,208 |
Gransfors.
Buy once, cry once.
I received mine as a gift from my BIL and at the time, didn't appreciate what I'd received.
I now give him an update every Thanksgiving or Christmas on how I put it to use. Which is frequently when I am in the hills.
Last edited by duck911; 04/25/20.
The DIPCHIT ADD, after a morning of drinking:
You despair, repeatedly, constantly! daily basis? A despair ninny. Sack up, despire ninny.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3,721
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2019
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I have 2 Emerson Stevens axes one a double and one a single. Great axes I use on my trapline. Handed down from my grandfather who acquired them pre 1900.
Osky
A woman's heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth and I can find no sign on it.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,280
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,280 |
I'm of the opinion that a chainsaw is safer to use than an axe, but everyone should still have a decent one. The cheap ones are junk and most people will never be able to appreciate an expensive peice. Your best bet is find that sweet spot between affordability and quality.
For a basic axe I hear good things about Cold Steel.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,786
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,786 |
But figured I should buy a nice single bit axe. In case we purchase some land down the road.
Haven't run an axe since a kid.
Remember a F&S article about Brant and Cochran "Allagash Cruiser".
Anybody running one? I have a few axes and a couple of chainsaws...my vote goes to the chainsaws.
These are my opinions, feel free to disagree.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,232
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,232 |
I have a Gransfors Bruks, a Wetterlings and an Estwing. The Gransfors is the best, Wetterlings next and the Estwing brings up the rear. The Estwing isn't even in the same ball park with the other two as far as steel quality/edge holding ability. The Gransfors and Wetterlings are close in steel/ability to hold an edge but the Gransfors is considerably ahead in grind and cuts like a demon. You want the best get a Gransfors.
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,795
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,795 |
I seen a Stihl axe and it looks pretty good.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,165
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,165 |
I spent 3 days attached to my old Collins felling axe after a hurricane tore up a bunch of live oak trees in my yard. I had a chainsaw that quit on me after about an hour. I was amazed at how quickly the axe went through the oak, as well as how long the edge held up. What I was cutting was limbs and tree trunks from 4 to 12 inches in diameter.
I just got a True Temper Kelly Perfect felling axe that I think is going to cut better than my Collins. I got both the axes well used, but not abused. I had to replace the handles and sharpen them but they looked good after a little cleaning up. I'm not sure you can find a better axe than some of the old used axes without spending a lot of money.
If I was looking to buy another good axe, I'd take a look at some pawn shops or antique stores.
Harry
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,070
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,070 |
Nice to have.... Good excuse to buy an American Made steel product... And ash or hickory.
Maybe questionable to buy a cheap one after being locked up at home for a month... Certainly not a good idea to buy plastic sheeting at the same time... At least not in the same place of business.. When you buy the sheeting, buy some paint as well. That will throw them off, and it may be useful anyway. Bleach is for drinking.
Last edited by las; 04/26/20.
The only true cost of having a dog is its death.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,168
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,168 |
What ever you decide on, take a torch and spot up the handle then wipe it down with used motor oil. Then the neighbors will be impressed and start calling you Grizzly.... LMAO!
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,168
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,168 |
Double sided ax only way to go. double bit ax .dummy. Neither is the right answer.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,421
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,421 |
There is reasonably priced, decent quality USA stuff out there. Gransfors.
Buy once, cry once.
I received mine as a gift from my BIL and at the time, didn't appreciate what I'd received.
I now give him an update every Thanksgiving or Christmas on how I put it to use. Which is frequently when I am in the hills. Council Tool vs Gransfors
"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson
Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today. Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.
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