I need a small axe....
 

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[Closed] I need a small axe....

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Hiya, I'm looking for something for splitting small logs and the like for kindling for a new wood burner (in a rental property).

What should I look for and where's good to buy? I saw that one of the woodburner supplier co's sells various stuff that look good....


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 10:39 am
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The best axes are " Estwing " , they're american , made in one piece with a leather bound handle , very light and well balanced, usually quite expensive but can be picked up on E bay cheapish


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 10:41 am
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Posted : 24/01/2012 10:43 am
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Do what Bob do:

[b]


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 10:45 am
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!! thanks guys....


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 10:46 am
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Happy to help. 😉


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 10:46 am
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The problem with the Estwing version is when the leather rings get wet the bonding agent gives up its grip for some reason, particularly when sweat is involved. I replaced mine with a rubberised handle axe with full tang from CPC if my memory serves and that's lasted for about 9 years so far. Gets almost daily use for around four to five months of the year. The Estwing died after two years.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 10:52 am
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CPC don't appear to have the axe in stock anymore. The closest I could find is available at Screwfix...

[url= http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-one-piece-hand-axe-20oz/74918 ]AXE[/url]

The handle should last quite some time.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 10:59 am
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Don't bother with a brand! Christ..so long as it's well made, sharp and you have a good technique. Longer handle for bigger logs.

Source: Years of chopping tons of logs.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:01 am
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Don't bother with a brand! Christ..so long as it's well made, sharp and you have a good technique. Longer handle for bigger logs.

This ^^

But if you like bling, have a look here - http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:03 am
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Need a small axe?


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:05 am
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aha ignore previous post, Geoff, I want it. 8)


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:05 am
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Don't bother with a brand! Christ..so long as it's well made, sharp and you have a good technique. Longer handle for bigger logs.

Strangely, I have several mauls at home, and the best - by a [i]very [/i] long way - is a Fiskars X27.

Lightweight fibreglass shaft, shaped head ..... it just works. At £60 it wasn't stupid money, and it hurts my shoulders less than the B&Q £25 one I was using before. Less work, more wood chopped. Works for me.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:06 am
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I've got a cheepy one similar to the one teasel links..... also got one of these recently http://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-kindling-splitter/73836 which is like a mini-maul and is brilliant for splitting kindling of free-splitting hardwood or most softwood. Between the two of them they cope with all but the most knotty rubbish!


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:06 am
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For kindling something light, so you can tap away quicky all day long with.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:17 am
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So do you want it for chopping small logs or kindling or both?


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:19 am
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I was recombined one if these by an acquaintance on Twitter...

"Check out the granfors hunter. Perfect all round small work axe. Bout 80 quid."

Havnt got one yet but they look nice.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:28 am
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I guess both, but realise this may mean compromise or two different tools....


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:28 am
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...I am intruigued by idea of the granfors "wildlife axe"...


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:32 am
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I guess both, but realise this may mean compromise or two different tools....

Yeah it would mean a big compromise I would have thought - splitting logs would need a long handled axe/maul or a splitter (my father in law has just got one mmmmmmmm) and kindling just a short handled axe or maul - and this can even be done inside (well perhaps you shouldn't but I do).


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:37 am
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Frankly, for kndling you're better of buying a sack of pre-cut stuff for £2.
And if you use the upside down method of lighting the stove you hardly need any.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:45 am
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Got 2 Gransfors axes here - small hatchet for kindling and the large splitting axe for dealing with the discs the tree surgeons drop off to me.

Having spent too much of my life wrestling a crappy fibreglass handled maul through pine, I reckon the cost of the big Gransfors is money well spent for a tool that sails through whatever wood is on the block.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:52 am
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for kndling you're better of buying a sack of pre-cut stuff for £2.

But then you miss out on the satisfaction of prepping the fire from scratch. it's this kind of attitude that leads to people eating Vesta packet meals 😆


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:54 am
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I think mine cost about £10 from the local monger of irons.

happy hatcheting


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:55 am
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But then you miss out on [s]the satisfaction of prepping the fire from scratch[/s] looking for suitable wood, looking for the axe, squatting on the floor chopping little bits of wood then getting bored after 5 mins, chopping a long piece of wood in the middle only for half of it to bounce up and stab you in the eye

Yes, I miss that 😉
If you really feel the need, what therealhoops said.
[looks at clock to see how long until pot noodle time]


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:58 am
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how about this Fiskars one?

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FISKARS-X10-AXE-/300653507118?pt=UK_Collectable_ToolsHasdware_RL&hash=item460058722e ]null[/url]


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 11:59 am
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+1 for the Gransfors Bruks axes. I've got the wildlife Hatchet which is excellent for camping, but not big enough for tackling logs.

Have a look at what Ray Mears has to say http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/68-Gransfors-Wildlife-Hatchet-Axe/

I also have a Fiskars axe - good quality and light. However, I just love the feel of the Gransfors.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 12:01 pm
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I bought my wife the Gransfors wildlife hatchet for a Christmas present the other year - we all had an awkward pause then a laugh when I went into the shop and said I needed an axe for my wife.

They did say they had a woman in a few weeks previously, dressed like she'd never actually been away in the outdoors, and asking about axes and what they would cut through, would it go through meat, etc. They declined the sale.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 12:36 pm
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I've been hankering after a Husqvarna hatchet for a while now.
£20 seems like a bargain for the quality - they get excellent reviews.

Like this one:
[url= http://www.gardenmachinesltd.co.uk/husqvarna-576-92-64-01-hatchet-2170-p.asp ]http://www.gardenmachinesltd.co.uk/husqvarna-576-92-64-01-hatchet-2170-p.asp[/url]

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 12:47 pm
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Mountain Bikers and Axes...who would've thought?


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 12:54 pm
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has anyone started a "What Grinding Stone" thread yet?


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 1:26 pm
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Mountain Bikers and Axes...who would've thought?

and to think how stressed TJ (and others) was getting about us owning pocket knives...


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 1:45 pm
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love stw, you can always find something niche and cool to lust after that you did'nt know you wanted.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 2:02 pm
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I have two the Gransfors for showing off and use when a sharp edge is required and one out of my dad's cellar which i use for splitting logs it's blade is slightly thicker and it is a fraction heavier so it splits the wood more easily.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 2:31 pm
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I don't have any wood to chop, but I want an axe.
What can I use one for?


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 3:37 pm
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Mountain Bikers and Axes...who would've thought?

Plenty of axes to grind on here.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 3:56 pm
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Got mine from Trago Mills for the princely sum of £3.45, not sure on brand but it's yellow and does the job perfectly.

If you sharpen with an angle grinder keep a bucket of water handy to cool the head regularly or you'll ruin it.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 4:08 pm
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Thanks Dangerboy that's today's unnecessary purchase sorted 😀


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 4:11 pm
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For my money you need a splitting maul for the big stuff, and a hatchet for the kindling.
Neither need to be good quality, Id rather have something I can leave out in the rain, so for me its a fibreglass shaft for the maul, and a cheap steel shafted hatchet for the kindling, and dont keep it sharp, it'll be more prone to sticking when splitting kindling, and more likely to do damage if you catch your fingers.
You can abuse them for years, and get a Gransfors small forest axe if you want a nice one for other jobs.


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 4:12 pm
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and dont keep it sharp, it'll be more prone to sticking when splitting kindling, and more likely to do damage if you catch your fingers.

I was just about to add this. Good advice...


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 4:15 pm
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sweepy - Member

For my money you need a splitting maul for the big stuff, and a hatchet for the kindling.
Neither need to be good quality, Id rather have something I can leave out in the rain, so for me its a fibreglass shaft for the maul, and a cheap steel shafted hatchet for the kindling, and dont keep it sharp, it'll be more prone to sticking when splitting kindling, and more likely to do damage if you catch your fingers.
You can abuse them for years, and get a Gransfors small forest axe if you want a nice one for other jobs.

+1


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 4:16 pm
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Massey 35 with a log splitter best for all!!!!!


 
Posted : 24/01/2012 5:08 pm