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Thread: Where to get a good axe?

  1. #1

    Default Where to get a good axe?

    I need a good axe. The one I'm using is a full sized axe that I got at Home Depot and quite frankly it sucks. It must be really poor steel because it won't hold an edge and it will be dull by the time you chop up a 4" x 8' log.

    Most of the stuff I cut is small downed trees. I chop off the branches and cut into campfire pieces. It's not like I'm splitting big logs or anything. If I didn't carry a large file with me I'd be in bad shape.

    A local Stihl equipment dealer sells a good looking Stihl felling axe for about $70. I'm sure it's quality steel but that's a lot of money for an axe.

    Where else would one go to find a good axe?


  2. #2

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    Flea market. Bought my double headed axe for about 20 bucks.
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  3. #3
    a bushbaby owl_girl's Avatar
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    $70 is average for a good axe
    Come share my fire.

  4. #4
    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    If you don't want to spend much $$$ hit the flea markets (if you have em). Some that have been around that long must be doing something right. If that is not an option and you don't want to break the bank, Estwing's are pretty good.
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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    IMO
    There are good ax's and cheap ax's but not many good, cheap ax's..........even at a yard sales, pays to know what to look for.

    Check out:
    http://www.lehmans.com/store/USA_Mad...__76011?Args=#

    If you just need it once in a while, get a cheap one, if you are gonna use it a lot, get a good one (same with all tools).
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  6. #6
    Coming through klkak's Avatar
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    Cold Steel makes a nice axe. It's called the Trail Boss.

    Blade length: 4.5"
    Overall length: 23"
    Blade material: Drop forged 1055 carbon
    Handle material: American hickory
    Blade detail: Plain

    It sells for about $40.00.
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    1. If it's in your kit and you don't know how to use it....It's useless.
    2. If you can't reach your kit when you need it....Its useless.

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    Senior Member tipacanoe's Avatar
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    I don't know if you have any business's that buy estates, for resale, we have one here the Liberty Tool Company in Liberty Maine, and it is amazing what you can find and how very reasonable the prices are. I have bought several different tools there, and I don't believe spent more than $30, and still have and use all of them.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Ole WV Coot's Avatar
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    The flea market is your best bet. Just look for a good head, forget the handle put your own in cheaper. The old brands are mostly made in China and the steel ain't much now. Good steel is mostly old steel.
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  9. #9
    Gadget Master oldsoldier's Avatar
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    I bought a gerber ax, $65.00 and a gerber hatchet $24.00 at wal-mart they seem to be pretty good.
    If by what I have learned over the years, allow me to help one person to start to prepare. If all the mistakes I have made, let me give one person the wisdom that allows them to save their life or the life of a loved one in an emergency. Then I will truly know that all the work I have done will have been worth every minute.

  10. #10
    Senior Member tonester's Avatar
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    i have a wetterlings hatchet and bushcraft axe. they are awesome! they are so easy to get super sharp and they stay sharp. you can find them for really good prices. this is where i got mine, they have really good prices: bensbackwoods.com
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  11. #11
    Senior Member red lake's Avatar
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    I think these are considered one of the finest axe makers.
    http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

  12. #12
    Not a Mod finallyME's Avatar
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    I heard somewhere that Gransfors bought Wetterlings.
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  13. #13
    Senior Member wareagle69's Avatar
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    ok sounds like this is for sport and not for heating your house, so let me share my experience.
    chopping wood is allot of work for the effort, especially with a dull axe, so i carry a sierra saw in my pocket for small wrist sized branches for shelter and fire, also in my day pack i have a gerber folding saw which works great on any branches then i have a small bow saw in my pack with a hand ax but the saw cuts thru the wood whcih then i use my gerber fixed blade and another pice of wood to section it up, allot less effort for camping with much more effient results
    always be prepared-prepare all ways
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  14. #14
    Coming through klkak's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tonester View Post
    i have a wetterlings hatchet and bushcraft axe. they are awesome! they are so easy to get super sharp and they stay sharp. you can find them for really good prices. this is where i got mine, they have really good prices: bensbackwoods.com
    I carry a Wetterlings hatchet or a Knives of Alaska hatchet. Both of them are really good tools.
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    Last edited by klkak; 12-10-2009 at 06:07 PM.
    1. If it's in your kit and you don't know how to use it....It's useless.
    2. If you can't reach your kit when you need it....Its useless.

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    Tell them Kevin sent you!!

  15. #15
    THE ROCK FACE jrock24's Avatar
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    I have a craftsman axe I got for $30. Double headed, plastic handle though.
    Surviving in Los Angeles-

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