In my book. They are only one brand of Axe and Hatchets.

Estwing

See link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Campmor

Personally, I like my double bit felling axe. about 6 pounds or so. Axes do not need, nor have the ability to posess, a razor sharp edge.

For a main axe, I'd suggest the boy's axe. It will take down anything up to a foot thick.

For the hatchet you want, I'd suggest what is called a scout axe, or a boy scout axe. Its slightly larger than a hatchet, and allows you to get behind the swing better. Also the handle is very similar to the boys axe, so you'll be more comfortable.

These 2 axes should serve you well, as they have served the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) for decades.

Have to inject a little humor. My favorite axe is the one someone else is swingin'.
Mike

Maineman,
In my opinion, nobody makes a finer axe and hatchet than Gransfors Bruks. They are VERY expensive but you'll never need to buy another one the rest of your life. Here's a link to their web site:

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

I own several of them and I'm more than satisfied. A google search should identify some resellers and there's a couple of guys on Ebay who sell them as well.

You may also want to look at the Silky brand of tree saws for your needs. I have their excellent pole saw and a folder that's very handy to help tame the forest around our home.

By the way, I've placed my order for a MacKissic 12PT10E based on many of the positive comments you've contributed to the forum-- thanks!

I thought I posted about the Granfors also (I have mis posted a few lately). Anyways, I have always seen them in the LeeValley catalog. I don't have enough use for one but if I did I have always thought I would get the hatchet to see what they are like.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Valley Granfors Axes

rodgers330,

I purchased the HAYAUCHI 390 21-Foot Silky Professional Telescoping Pole Saw this May through Amazon, and I am very happy with it. I have reached many high limbs with it that my old Wolf-Garten pole saw couldn't reach.

The Gränsfors Forest Axe is on my short list, as is their Mini Hatchet.

I think you will like your MacKissic 12PT10E. I certainly get a lot of good out of my "Mighty Mac".

MM

Kevin,

"Personally, I like my double bit felling axe. About 6 pounds or so. Axes do not need, nor have the ability to possess, a razor sharp edge."

I've seen double bit axes and I guess they have their advantages. But I've decided on a single bit axe simply because the Tormek sharpening system's axe grinding jig does not work with double bit axes, and I do intend to use the Tormek system to sharpen my axes and hatchets, as well as a bunch of other stuff.

I am taking a look at the Boy Scouts of America Retail Store. Thanks for your response.

MM

Do you live near a Tractor Supply store? They sell them there.

The small one is called a "Camp Axe" and is about 1.25 pounds and is $9.99
The "boys axe" is 2.5 pounds and is 11.99
The larger single one is 3.5 pounds and is 15.49

Kevin,

I don't live near a Tractor Supply Company store. Apparently TSC doesn't have any stores in Maine. Our local Agway and Home Depot stores have a limited selection of axes and hatchets, as does our Sears.

MM

maineman, another option for cutting saplings flush with the ground is a power brush cutter. I own a Stihl FS-250 which looks like a big string trimmer with bicycle style handle bars. I use Stihl's triangular brush blade which rips through tough, thick brush and saplings with ease. It's almost fun to use and I spend more time gathering the debris than actually cutting with this mean brush eater. As you can imagine, these are not cheap and could only be justified if you have large areas that need annual attention. A family member just purchased a new Stihl FS-83 on close out pricing and it accepts the same assortment of blades as my larger unit so you may be be able to find something lighter and less expensive if you do your homework.

Another option is the Beaver Blade. Turns your string trimmer into a chainsaw. It will cut up to 3 in thick, and can get pretty much flush with the ground.

http://www.atvyardtrim.com/BeaverBlade.shtml

Here is a link that might be useful: Bever blades from MFGsupply

Rodgers330,

I have been considering the Stihl FS-250 as an upgrade for our present string trimmer/bush cutter. I noticed that Stihl has quite an assortment of head attachments, including the triangular blade you mentioned.

I think I'll work with an axe and hatchet for awhile, because the "saplings" I will be felling are in the 3" to 4" range, and I'll be cutting down just a few to start with. I would just whack them down with my Stihl MS361 chain saw, except I don't want to jeopardize my bar and chain on close-to-the-ground cutting.

We do have about an acre in the kind of brush and undergrowth that the Stihl FS-250 would be suitable for, but I may not get to that this year.

Kevin,

I have also been aware of the Beaver blades, and I may eventually get one to flush-cut some small saplings.

Thanks, both of you, for your suggestions.

MM

My favorite "Axe" is a Gibson Les Paul, but I also like the Fender Strats. :)

MainemanI like Snow & Neally. they are up in your neck of the woods too. try this link: www.snowandnealley.com

Steve,

Thanks for the Snow and Nealley link. I discovered that they make a much more diversified line of axes than I thought, and that they come pre-sharpened to a fine edge with a protective leather cover. They are a good Maine company as well. I definitely will consider them.

They fall down a bit in their metallurgy by using only a high carbon steel, while some others have more "sophisticated" steels including such additional alloying components as silicon, manganese and vanadium. But I'm not eliminating Snow & Neally based on that. They're still in the running. High carbon steel, properly hardened, can hold a good edge and be quite serviceable.

MM

Axes are great tools and you may want to supliment your arsenal with a lighter tool. I use machetes for a lot of stuff and when proficient they are fomidable. Here are some you might consider...

WOODMAN'S PAL®.

machetes.

this one is from South America and is very effective ...

my favorite.

Also if you want to permanently remove small trees roots and all, these tools do every thing they advertise very well. I have the largest and the smallest and use them a lot.

Here is a link that might be useful: Weed Wrench

I use a Snow and Neally single bit that I've had for about 30 years since I was a strapping Forestry major in college. I've been through about 6 handles on it and it's the best axe I've ever had. It's easy to keep sharp using a millbastard file and 3.5" round axe whetstone. It keeps a keen edge too.

Another idea is to find a vintage Kelly True-Temper axe head on Ebay or some other tool auction site. This was a superior axe and came in both a single and double bit head. I believe Kelly True-Temper is now Ames True-Temper and is sold as such today. I am unfamiliar with Ames quality.

A good hickory handle is a must with the growth rings running parallel to the axe head when mounted. The tighter the rings the stronger the handle. Also scrape the varnish off the handle...it will help keep the blisters to a minimum.:)

I use an old USMC machete for this type of work. Don't know if they are still available in surplus stores but if they are, you won't find a handier tool.

If they are not available, I would look at the Woodsman Pal or another heavy machete.

Maineman, I don't know much about new metal tech, but I've had Snow & Neally's splitting maul and Hudson's Bay axe for 30 years. I had a few handles on the maul. As mentioned by Slowolf they both sharpen up nicely and are easy to care for. Good luck with your search and let us know what you decide. Steve

I have had excellent service from my Plumb double bit; their single bit should be of equal quality. I prefer the double bit because I sharpen with a flat b@stard file and it's much easier to sink one edge into a stump while shapening the other than to be forced to rely on a vise.

Hey I need an Axe to chop firewood, anyone ever hear of or use this Axe. Chopper 1 Axe http://www.chopperaxe.com

Here is a link that might be useful: chopper Axe

Hey MM check this out for your chainsaw.
http://www.chainsawbuddy.com

Here is a link that might be useful: chainsawbuddy.com

I've got an old chopper axe and it works well for me. I bought it cheap at a yard sale thinking it would at least be no worse than a regular axe, but now I think there is really something to it. I've got several mauls, but the chopper is the first tool I pick up when splitting by hand.

FWIW I've got the chain saw buddy too and it works fine too, but I never seem to bother to get it out. Maybe I would use it more often if I just left it on a saw all of the time though. It's not that it takes all that long to put it on, but I don't often need to make more than a handful of small cuts in one session and by the time I put it on the saw, I can be done without it.

Greg

To me, a good axe is 1 you can't sharpen with a file,I have an older stanley carpenter's hatchet,with a 17 inch handle,,and a file just slides on it,without cutting it.............same with a craftsman hatchet I have (Made by Vaughan,like all craftsman hammers and hatchets)a file just slides on it,so it has to be ground to be sharpened> To me; A good cutting tool has to have a hard edge in order to hold a sharp edge

I'm no axe expert but always thought Helko made a pretty good axe.

Here is a link:
http://www.helko.de/produktgr_e.htm

I like the Tomahawk line with the light weight poly handle.

For chopping flush you might consider a brush axe - I used if for clearing a lot of bamboo, and it was a lot more useful than a real axe. However, you have to be careful you don't leave sharp-angled wedges sticking up.

You can also get a clearing tool which has a sharp transverse edge, sort of like an adze, and will cut a sapling below the ground. (You could also take a sander to an old mattock if you want to try this on the cheap.)

And my .02 is that hatchets are useless compared to axes - maybe for shingling, sometimes for carpentry, but not for live wood.

An 8lb maul. Is that an axe? The bit must be old because I have been replacing handles on it for years. I did buy a double bit axe and some new wedges last year. The double bit comes in handy for limbing felled trees.
I still love that 8lb maul.

For cutting saplings and brush, the best axe isn't an axe, it's a brush hook.

A sharp one will go through 3" saplings in two swings, a dull one takes 3-4 swings. The tool is ancient, originated hundreds of years ago - was 'use modified' to deal with knights/cavalry - but has remained the same since then.

Seriously, the the metal head is J-shaped, can be easily sharpened(with a file) and is mounted on an axe handle(for reach). The weight isn't bad (4-5pounds), plus the handle. It works very well against most unwanted growth (even grapevines).

biglumber, my thirty year old maul used to be heavier than it is, but I didn't use it for brush clearing - only splitting firewood (6 cords a year - yup, its a bit lighter than it used to be).

maineman - get a brush hook and try it out! It doesn't use gas/gasoline, its low tech, but rewarding - it lets you vent steam at your headaches, but don't overdo it - pain can result (sore muscles,etc)
Don

Anyone ever use one of these Wikco Super Spears. I amy looking at these two or the Chopper Axe. I have a bad neck and am worried about using a wedge and maul. Any help would be great.

http://www.wikco.com/LSM78.html or this one. http://www.woodwiz.com/index.html

We have been using the Chopper 1 for years. It does everthing they say. Not only does it split the log, it throws both halves in either direction. In most cases it only takes one swing. We have heated our home with wood for a long time, and own two of the Chopper 1's first production run, back when they made them with fiberglass type handles, and they are still going strong. This tool is worth every penny, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one. Keep in mind this is a one use axe, it is only meant for log splitting, if you are interested in felling trees this is not the tool for you. If you want to split a whole lot of fire wood, then go for it! Make sure that there is no one standing on either side of the log you are splitting other wise they are likely to eat half of a log, I have sent split wood up to ten feet in either direction while using the chopper 1 so be warned, don't let the kids stand by and watch unless of course you don't mind a big dental bill ;)

Besides the usual Home Depot, Lowe's, or Sears, where else would you find a good axe? I bought a 3 pounder from Home Depot but it is sooo overpriced (18 bucks) and I find it doesn't do the job very well. I'm trying to cut 1"-1.5" thick branches btw.

Your axe is probably fine takadi, you may just need to sharpen it.

I'm surprised estwing has been only mentioned once...something gives me the feeling that it's overrated? Anyways, I bought the sportsman's hatchet, and it's almost too beautiful to use