TTT -- The Tool Thread (9 Viewers)

[JohnJB]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a felling/general-purpose axe. Anybody have a particular brand or model they love?

It's on the old man's Christmas list, and the dude deserves a nice one. I see the Fiskar line seems to be positively reviewed but he's old school, it needs a hickory handle. My research currently puts a Helko Werk Forester near the top of the list.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Agree. Dimensions are fairly forgiving. Ideally this would all happen with axle on the rig and (better yet) not even removing hub from spindle. It needs to be fairly narrow to clear brake rotors but can extend fore and aft as far as you like.

The milling idea is appealing because it would yield a beautiful product. One non-pretty idea is cutting some truck leaf springs and setting them on their sides with the rods sliding down between them.

Not sure how spring steel does with tapping. Would be a cheap source of thick material though.

If you give me some rough dimensions I can design something. 1018 is relatively cheap to get online. If the design looks good, I can whip up something for you to try out in the field.

I'm looking for a recommendation for a felling/general-purpose axe. Anybody have a particular brand or model they love?

It's on the old man's Christmas list, and the dude deserves a nice one. I see the Fiskar line seems to be positively reviewed but he's old school, it needs a hickory handle. My research currently puts a Helko Werk Forester near the top of the list.

Was gonna suggest fiskar. Don't have a suggestion for a hickory handle one, sorry!

 

[Pick]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a felling/general-purpose axe. Anybody have a particular brand or model they love?

It's on the old man's Christmas list, and the dude deserves a nice one. I see the Fiskar line seems to be positively reviewed but he's old school, it needs a hickory handle. My research currently puts a Helko Werk Forester near the top of the list.

My trusty 025 died a couple weeks ago and I had to get a new one. While there, I was very impressed with the line of axes that Stihl had. I didn't look very long but they had a really good selection at my local dealer (Triad Equipment in Wake Forest).

Pro Universal Forestry Axe

The STIHL Pro Universal Forestry Axe features a patented 5-piece head attachment system that’s up to 2.5 times stronger than a traditional axe head connection.

www.stihlusa.com

 

[S4Cruiser]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a felling/general-purpose axe. Anybody have a particular brand or model they love?

It's on the old man's Christmas list, and the dude deserves a nice one. I see the Fiskar line seems to be positively reviewed but he's old school, it needs a hickory handle. My research currently puts a Helko Werk Forester near the top of the list.

Can’t go wrong with a Gransfor. Not cheap though.

Gränsfors Bruk Sweden | Handmade axes since 1902

Gränsfors Bruk, Axe production in Sweden, CSR, Agenda 2030…

www.gransforsbruk.com

 

[Rice]

The IR 2135QXOA 1/2" impact with 780 lb ft of torque. $260 marked down to $130 on an Amazon lightning deal? Couldn't say no.

Sorry ... can't explain it.

 

[stevezero]

you can never have to many guns, errr , I meant impact guns..

 

[JohnVee]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a felling/general-purpose axe. Anybody have a particular brand or model they love?

It's on the old man's Christmas list, and the dude deserves a nice one. I see the Fiskar line seems to be positively reviewed but he's old school, it needs a hickory handle. My research currently puts a Helko Werk Forester near the top of the list.

I remember hearing a lot of talk that the Husqvarna axes are great Swedish steel and very affordable. I went with Fiskars when I bought mine simply to try the new tech, though.

 

[forrest5000]

I remember hearing a lot of talk that the Husqvarna axes are great Swedish steel and very affordable. I went with Fiskars when I bought mine simply to try the new tech, though.

I have the husqvarna, i can recommend them.

 

[JohnJB]

Thanks everyone! Glad to see some folks vouch for the Fiskars. My spouse graciously reminded me that her company has a contract with one of their competitors in other lawn and garden equipment so I was further asked to not purchase them. Ha.

I’ve seen good things about the Stihl options, just that you should get the Pro version with the hickory handle as the ash version tends to break. Also given the handle design, you cannot use generic replacements.

I need to check out what Husqvarna offers.

 

[SeanLX]

Don’t forget to look at Council Tool. Not only made in USA but made in NC.
Good axes from a very reasonably priced (~$40) one that I picked up at Agri-Supply to some really nice collector versions.

Amazon product ASIN B000KL2ULQ

http://counciltool.com/shop/velvicut/velvicut-4-premium-american-felling-axe-with-sheath/

 

[lumbee1]

I have a 19" Husky carpenter axe and Fiskars camp axe. The Fiskars axe feels like a toy and the swell on the handle is uncomfortable to me. The Husky on the other hand is a beast. It's a bit head heavy but feels stout. The blade angle is perfect and takes an edge nicely. The "carpenters" part of the axe is the flat edge profile from top to bottom for straight cut, planing, and carving. I paid $55 for my Husky axe but I see they are going for much more. The 26" Husky axe is notorious for breaking the hardened edge off while splitting wood.

If you are looking for a workhorse, the Council axes are another very good affordable option. Gransfor Bruks are the gold standard and worthy of an heirloom while being tough as nails and a price to match.

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

Snow and Nealley “Our Best” 3-1/2 lb. Single Bit Axe

This axe is a classic, the woodsman's favorite. The Snow & Nealley 3-1/2 lb. Single Bit Axe is perfect for big jobs. Our largest axe, it is fitted with a 30" select American hickory handle for greater leverage. The head is forged from a "fine" grain steel, hardened in Snow & Nealley's furnace...

theworkingaxes.com

Snow & Nealley- classic stuff. There have been some ups and downs with the company this decade, but it was bought out by some Amish in Maine and all production was brought back stateside.

 

[lumbee1]

Snow and Nealley “Our Best” 3-1/2 lb. Single Bit Axe

This axe is a classic, the woodsman's favorite. The Snow & Nealley 3-1/2 lb. Single Bit Axe is perfect for big jobs. Our largest axe, it is fitted with a 30" select American hickory handle for greater leverage. The head is forged from a "fine" grain steel, hardened in Snow & Nealley's furnace...

theworkingaxes.com

Snow & Nealley- classic stuff. There have been some ups and downs with the company this decade, but it was bought out by some Amish in Maine and all production was brought back stateside.

These look really nice!

 

[pkniland]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a felling/general-purpose axe. Anybody have a particular brand or model they love?

It's on the old man's Christmas list, and the dude deserves a nice one. I see the Fiskar line seems to be positively reviewed but he's old school, it needs a hickory handle. My research currently puts a Helko Werk Forester near the top of the list.

I have the Helko hatchet and it is a great piece of kit. I had the axe on my wish list but ended getting a chainsaw....... if I was going to buy one quality axe it would be a Helko or a Gransfor

 

[Comet]

Back at the Gravely again. Angle grinder, grind wheels, drill press, and the trusty Hobart Handler yet again. The welder is going to pay for itself eventually. The snow blade has a handle to set the blade angle, it is worn out. Thicker plate steel to the rescue. Cut the worn out pieces off the solid handle, cut two new pieces from plate steel, welded them together, ground them down close to the original. Welded the original on as a template, drilled the holes, ground everything pretty, welded the first side on using the magnet.

 

[Comet]

Finished up the welds and primed it. Stoked I didn't screw anything major up.

 

[fourtrax]

Picked up a new tool today.

 

[NCFJ]

Gotta love tools that require a trailer to bring home

I predict this will be an uplifting experience for you

 

[dbenke]

You will never regret getting a lift.
I had a guy ask me tonight if I had a creeper.
I answered, yes, but I don't use it much...had to explain

 

[Pick]

Merry Christmas