Thread: A word to the wise. Quality axes

Thanks @Akaroa , Great lead and solid scandi brand too - good intel on the prep. forum wisdom is great.

Bike inner tube helps....

I have done paracord wraps on my axes the one that lives in the jimny and on my little camping trailer easy to do

I bought the foresters / limbing axe after reading this thread. There were only two in the store to choose from and I grabbed the one with the better handle.
What I did notice was that the cutting edge was slightly out of line with the line of the handle - just the way that the head was ground, not the casting. Anyway it took quite a bit of work to true it up, probably an hour on top of the shaping work. I am very happy with the end result - even mixed a little stain into the linseed oil and rubbed some blueing paste over the draw-filing.
If I was buying another I would take a couple of lengths of 4x2 timber and a G clamp with me and sit each short-listed axe's cutting edge in the crack between the two boards to check that it is true to the line of the handle before making the final choice.

Here's a video worth watching if you are into tuning your Husqvarna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUgfwueqJUE

Originally Posted by rotto

Have any of you fulla's got the large splitting axe? Had a look at one this morning and wasn't entirely convinced. Nice looking axe but didn't have much weight to it and had a rather slim blade. Quite the opposite to an american(?) maul. Looks like it would get jammed quite easily in some of the knottier stuff. Thought I'd ask on here before I forked out for one.

@rotto For a splitting maul, I would recommend a HELKO, available at Blade Master in Auckland.
Pick your weight 1.7kg head or 2.8kg.
Wood handle is better than glass as it absorbs more vibration. Steel handle protector means you shouldn't break the handle if you over strike.
I have the heavier one and its a great piece of kit.

https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...Axe/13576.html
https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...Axe/13578.html

This is worth a look as Ray knows his onions (and axes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5W6r5U7yBE

Originally Posted by hotbarrels

@rotto For a splitting maul, I would recommend a HELKO, available at Blade Master in Auckland.
Pick your weight 1.7kg head or 2.8kg.
Wood handle is better than glass as it absorbs more vibration. Steel handle protector means you shouldn't break the handle if you over strike.
I have the heavier one and its a great piece of kit.

https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...Axe/13576.html
https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...Axe/13578.html

I like the Sandvik splitters. I have a Bahco which is very similar now. I use two at a time. Sink on, then sink the other opposite and you can split some very tough timber quickly.

Bought them at Mitre 10 so I'm ready to be corrected.

Originally Posted by Tussock

I like the Sandvik splitters. I have a Bahco which is very similar now. I use two at a time. Sink on, then sink the other opposite and you can split some very tough timber quickly.

Bought them at Mitre 10 so I'm ready to be corrected.

Sandvik or Fiskars?

Originally Posted by MSL

Sandvik or Fiskars?

Sandvik and it was not recently.

Originally Posted by hotbarrels

@rotto For a splitting maul, I would recommend a HELKO, available at Blade Master in Auckland.
Pick your weight 1.7kg head or 2.8kg.
Wood handle is better than glass as it absorbs more vibration. Steel handle protector means you shouldn't break the handle if you over strike.
I have the heavier one and its a great piece of kit.

https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...Axe/13576.html
https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...Axe/13578.html

Thanks mate, they are a serious looking splitter alright. No need for the gym after a day swinging that hua. Looks ideal.

Years ago I was advised by a old guy , if you want a good axe get a Kelly and I found one and it`s the beat and only one I`ve had.

Originally Posted by homebrew.357

Years ago I was advised by a old guy , if you want a good axe get a Kelly and I found one and it`s the beat and only one I`ve had.

Originally Posted by MSL

I see your three Kelly's, and raise you a double Kelly...………

Oooow, that's the big one`s, mine`s just a nice size and yer I know it needs a new handle.

, dam good axe.