Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
18221 Online
bravocompany bravocompany bravocompany
brownells brownells
tnvc tnvc tnvc
AR15.COM
bravocompany
Login / Register
bravocompany bravocompany bravocompany
brownells brownells
tnvc tnvc tnvc
fightlite
Guns
JRH
geissele
Holosun
colt
palmetto
midwest
aim
brownells
vortex
OSIGHT
springfield
bravocompany
silencerShop
cz
skd
GS
magpul
RS
primaryArms
18221 Online
cz
GS
midwest
brownells
OSIGHT
Holosun
palmetto
JRH
magpul
aim
silencerShop
Guns
geissele
springfield
colt
vortex
RS
bravocompany
primaryArms
skd
fightlite
Sponsor News TNVC's Labor Day Sale still ongoing - Site Wide Savings - Don't miss out!
11/20/2024 11:46:46 AM EDT
I'm thinking about scooping up a nice pack axe like a Council Tools Wood Craft 24" for my use and also to hand down to one of my sons. What's your favorite out of the "premiums" in terms of performance, weight, etc?
11/20/2024 1:11:40 PM EDT
[#1]
I have a 26-in Estwing; it's one-piece, strong, and light enough.  When I was backpacking where campfires were more of a thing, I usually just went with an even lighter bowsaw.  For backpacking these days, nothing but a Jetboil and I'm done.
It's all part of life's rich pageant.
11/20/2024 2:09:23 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Urimaginaryfrnd][Edited] [#2]
I have several models of Gransfors Bruks. I most often take the small splitting axe but  the small forest axe is ideal for a pack . I’ve had many axes and tomahawks.  Some of the old axes you can find in antique or resale shops are worth a new handle and some TLC.
Ray Mears - Choosing and using an axe, Bushcraft Survival






Small Splitting Axe
Most often used.


Favorite
11/20/2024 3:18:08 PM EDT
[#3]
Fiskars. I have several, they're awesome.

I have an Estwing as well, but as much as I adore my Estwing hammers (they really are the best), the Fiskars axes outperform the Estwing axe easily.
Smaug:"I laid low the warriors of old and their like is not in the world today". 1 dedicated marksman who held his ground and kept shooting:"Haha bow go twang!"
11/20/2024 4:28:10 PM EDT
[#4]
I have the 24" Council Tool woodcraft.  I mainly got it for the hardened poll.  I'm not crazy about the beveled edge instead of
a convex edge like most axes.  It's a good axe.
Did I just kill another thread?
We are in the middle of a Communist Revolution in the USA.
There is no voting our way out of this.
11/20/2024 7:04:39 PM EDT
[#5]
Tomahawk I got at Cabela's a decade or more ago. Probably made in India, but I put a nice edge on it and it holds up to softwoods well. I mostly use it for limbing and getting resin off so I can collect that, but it chops quite well.
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988

"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
11/20/2024 7:23:46 PM EDT
[#6]
https://www.ebay.com/itm/365217194764?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=oqvvfyojs8m&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=32GqshQTTU6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
If you put a handle on this it would be a nice axe.
11/23/2024 7:13:54 PM EDT
[#7]
For serious wood process in pack form, I like the 19-20" handled versions (couple of GB SFA's and older Wetterling):

type Status report

message

description Access to the specified resource has been forbidden.

Apache Tomcat/7.0.68 (Ubuntu)

" target="_blank">

ROCK6
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
11/23/2024 7:14:22 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ROCK6][Edited] [#8]
Double bit axe post!
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
11/25/2024 9:41:37 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ROCK6:
For serious wood process in pack form, I like the 19-20" handled versions (couple of GB SFA's and older Wetterling):

https://hosting.photobucket.com/3a5ba44e-72a5-4ded-b00a-39a4440c67c0/280f77af-79b6-491a-99b4-8d464afe54d3.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds" target="_blank">https://hosting.photobucket.com/3a5ba44e-72a5-4ded-b00a-39a4440c67c0/280f77af-79b6-491a-99b4-8d464afe54d3.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds

ROCK6
View Quote


What do you think of the Woox? That's 5160 steel right? I looked at one or two of their products awhile back.
11/28/2024 11:11:41 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Shoresy:
What do you think of the Woox? That's 5160 steel right? I looked at one or two of their products awhile back.
View Quote

It's more of a smaller splitter. I like it, but it's, a heavy had for a pack axe. Fit and finish is excellent.

ROCK6
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
11/28/2024 11:54:13 AM EDT
[#11]
Dammit , now I gotta get a Pack ax .

Bye bye Ontario Machete
11/28/2024 12:48:09 PM EDT
[#12]
I went the other way. I carry a 12" Ontario machete. I generally don't split a lot of wood.
I know I'll never go home.
So set fire to your ships, and past regrets, and be free.
11/28/2024 9:00:42 PM EDT
[Last Edit: trails-end][Edited] [#13]
I have a rack of axes, but for backpacking I prefer a saw and a large knife for splitting wood.
Did I just kill another thread?
We are in the middle of a Communist Revolution in the USA.
There is no voting our way out of this.
11/28/2024 9:31:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: sywagon][Edited] [#14]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ROCK6:
Double bit axe post!
View Quote
24" cruiser fits the bill.
11/29/2024 10:40:40 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Originally Posted By trails-end:
I have a rack of axes, but for backpacking I prefer a saw and a large knife for splitting wood.
View Quote

Yeah, for 90% of my foot-trekking needs a saw and knife are usually all I need. The only time an axe comes in handy for me is if it's colder weather and I'm using an open fire for both cooking and heat. An ace just makes collecting and processing a greater amount of firewood.

I've been using some smaller "hand axes" and tomahawk for small stove wood processing. A saw is still mandatory for me.

ROCK6
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
11/29/2024 10:59:51 AM EDT
[#16]
A wood handled axe is alot more romantic than a folding saw.
Did I just kill another thread?
We are in the middle of a Communist Revolution in the USA.
There is no voting our way out of this.
11/29/2024 5:21:26 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Originally Posted By trails-end:
A wood handled axe is alot more romantic than a folding saw.
View Quote



I agree. I've got a couple of folding saws, some fiskars axes and hatchets, machetes etc, but for some reason I want a good wood-handled pack axe. I just like the old-school thing.
11/29/2024 7:28:00 PM EDT
[Last Edit: sywagon][Edited] [#18]
If you want to go the Swedish route, there are some alternatives that are a little more affordable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8TXGXX9?tag=arfcom00-20

(the pic that comes up is the smaller carpenter's axe - look at the second pic)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WJGXAQ?language=en_US
11/29/2024 7:36:34 PM EDT
[Last Edit: sywagon][Edited] [#19]
For really old school, you can't beat vintage US made axes. Look for a good boy's axe head on ebay, tune it up yourself, and fit a handle. It's a fun hobby.

Top one is a Kelly boy's axe from maybe 1930. Bottom one is a BSA stamped Anchor Plumb hatchet from ~1900.
11/29/2024 7:53:54 PM EDT
[Last Edit: freerider04][Edited] [#20]
I need to clean up and hang this one.  Old Plumb 2 1/4lb cruiserAttached File
11/29/2024 8:00:36 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote History
Originally Posted By freerider04:
I need to clean up and hang this one.  Old Plumb 2 1/4lb cruiserhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/70053/axe_jpg-3393495.JPG
View Quote
Nice - mine posted above is a Plumb cruiser too.
11/29/2024 8:08:46 PM EDT
[#22]
Still has its blued finish after all these years.
11/30/2024 1:35:10 PM EDT
[#23]
Husqvarna carpenters axe. I re profiled the edge and you could do eye surgery with it. By far my favorite axe and under $100.
Revelation 12:10-11
“Chaos liberates not only the evil, but the good.” —Billy Spears
11/30/2024 9:53:57 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Urimaginaryfrnd:
I have several models of Gransfors Bruks. I most often take the small splitting axe but  the small forest axe is ideal for a pack . I’ve had many axes and tomahawks.  Some of the old axes you can find in antique or resale shops are worth a new handle and some TLC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5W6r5U7yBE





Small Splitting Axe
Most often used.


Favorite
View Quote


I gave my 13 yo son the forest axe a few months ago and he absolutely loves it both at the house and backcountry camping.
12/8/2024 9:39:33 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote History
Originally Posted By DesignatedMarksman:
Husqvarna carpenters axe. I re profiled the edge and you could do eye surgery with it. By far my favorite axe and under $100.
View Quote



  I bought a couple of these and did re grinds to match a scandivan axe profile.   Took some work but like you said I could do surgery with them.  
 Pretty sure the ones I have were just rebranded hults bruk.
"Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience."
12/9/2024 2:59:44 PM EDT
[#26]
I'm just a city slicking hack, but 12 years ago, I bought a new Estwing 16" campers' axe for $50 delivered.

I've never even cut a twig with it, but it's mine!!!

I even got the leather cover for it!

Chris
12/9/2024 8:33:18 PM EDT
[#27]

12/9/2024 11:15:22 PM EDT
[#28]
I have the council tool 24" and I love it. It's a very nice axe, although a little heavy.

I took a chance and ordered this axe  from the UK and I really like it as a pack axe.  Probably more than the council tool. It's a bit lighter and the head is smaller making it IMHO a little more versatile as a pack axe. I don't need the axe for cutting down trees. I typically use a folding buck saw for something like that.
12/13/2024 12:11:30 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote History
Originally Posted By BADZ06:
I have the council tool 24" and I love it. It's a very nice axe, although a little heavy.

I took a chance and ordered this axe  from the UK and I really like it as a pack axe.  Probably more than the council tool. It's a bit lighter and the head is smaller making it IMHO a little more versatile as a pack axe. I don't need the axe for cutting down trees. I typically use a folding buck saw for something like that.
View Quote



Some excellent suggestion in this thread. I like that one too.
12/13/2024 12:19:42 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Shoresy][Edited] [#30]
Dang, double tap. If it's worth shooting once, it's worth shooting twice.
12/15/2024 3:18:34 PM EDT
[Last Edit: sunburn][Edited] [#31]
Husqvarnas line of wood handled axes used to be good steel. They ŵere rebranded hults bruk axes but I’m not sure if that is still the case. They came a little rough and with a little work make decent axes

Sign up to continue the discussion

Create a free account to share your thoughts, follow topics, and connect with the AR15.COM community.

Register to Reply

Already a member? Sign In

geissele
ar15com
primaryArms
fightlite
THBRD
LAPG
bravocompany
colt
ar15com
gray
blackhills
palmetto
brownells
SAS
cmmg
Faxxon
RS
Pro2A
silencerShop
LAPG
ar15com
springfield