best/quickest cutting felling axe for the $

T

tommytman

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Aug 12, 2019
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I've looked at a pile of videos. Other than a few that recommend models that are out of production I can't tell what the best axe for the $ is.

I have seen that the rinaldi axes get great reviews and the Basque type do as well. I can't find any basque axes to buy anywhere. I can find the rinaldi axes though.

What are some other options out there? the hults arvika seems nice but it apparently does not come sharpened...
 
tommytman said:
I've looked at a pile of videos. Other than a few that recommend models that are out of production I can't tell what the best axe for the $ is.

I have seen that the rinaldi axes get great reviews and the Basque type do as well. I can't find any basque axes to buy anywhere. I can find the rinaldi axes though.

What are some other options out there? the hults arvika seems nice but it apparently does not come sharpened...
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When it comes to value for your money nothing even closely compares to vintage axes. When it comes to users the safe bet are high centerline (very important) True Temper Flint Edge, METco's True American, Plumb, Sager, Collins, and Kelly Perfect. As long the axe has not been abused and toe is not worn you should be OK.
 
No experience with any of those 3 myself but if it's for felling work it seems to me that Arvika might not be a bad option. I wouldn't let the unsharpened thing disway me if I were you. It's likely sold that way for the user to profile it according to the intended work and wood being cut. For the money, dunno about that part.
 
From your original post, it sounds like you may be looking for a "competition" axe? The "best axe for the $" could vary greatly, depending type of work or event, the wood, the skill and physical condition of the user, and the desired result. For me, a #4 Jersey or Connie is about the most I can handle!
A $700 Tuatahi Racing Axe would be fun to play with however!
A little more info about your desired use would make it easier to provide useful suggestions.
 
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tommytman said:
I’m simply looking for an axe that I can use as a bushcraft axe that cuts quickly.
I’m having trouble finding one with a hardened poll and sidewall....
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I think, in order to help you, you need to share what kind of activities you have in mind(are you gonna hike for miles with this axe or just car camping etc). For me felling axe (heavy axe) does not equal bushcraft (light axe). What is purpose for the hardened poll (hammering tent stakes, trail maintenance, or banging wedges when falling a tree)? What do you mean by "sidewall"?
 
I'm looking for something I can use for both (car camp and bushcraft). I can swing a heavy axe and carry a heavy pack. I'm looking for a do it all axe that will come good to go with no issues from the manufacturer. There are not a lot of places where I am that stock axes. The only ones I have found around here are the collins axes (mexico) and a counsil Dayton 3.5 lbs 36 inch.

The counsil Dayton is OK but a tad long for hiking and camping.
 
tommytman, the 'do it all axe' question is a fair one, but really hard for axe-ish people to wrap their head around. When friends ask me this question I offer two answers; 1) if you had to choose one screw driver, which would you choose? (and then squash the snarky responses of exchangeable tips), and then 2) I grab 6-8 axes and bring them out to the wood pile and show them the pro/cons of cutter v splitter profiles, handle lengths, buck a log v swing at a standing tree (weight challenges). In the end, if you look for the average best performance for a series of tasks, you're going to get a tool that does ok with some and excels at none.

So, the answer to your question might be a Snow and Nealley 3.5 Michigan pattern on a 30" haft. I'm a northern New England guy, so that's my bias. It will do a lot of the mid-range stuff good, well. You are going to have to get over the 'out of the box sharp' thinking though, that will only lead you to bad decisions.

Let us know what you decide! Through all of the stress of the decision, it's a really exciting process!!
 
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What I have now are Fiskars plastic axes: one 24 and one 28 inch. I wanted something more traditional.
 
I have the Snow & Nealley Penobscot bay kindling axe, 17" handle, 1.75 lbs head (US made, post 2012). I was led to believe it could do more than it can, well. It can chop, cuts like a knife...but only as deep as a knife. It will split, but I live in hardwood territory (Vermont), and it only gets stuck when trying to split kindling. I love it for sure, but for me, it's only best at making wedges (both for driving when I have to make one on the fly, and carving wedges to hang proper axes). If I need to do anything remotely close to light duty work, full sized axe, 3.1-3.3 lbs on a 30"-32" handle is the minimum.

I'll say that I don't travel far from my home, which is an important consideration. And many many many people will advocate for a boys axe in this class. Listen to them, seriously, listen to them. For me, a full size vintage 3 1/4 axe on a 28-30 thin stick is the most perfect axe ever made.
 
tommytman said:
What I have now are Fiskars plastic axes: one 24 and one 28 inch. I wanted something more traditional.
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If these axes were working for you, the "boys axe" is the "traditional" axe they were designed to replace. I have several, love using them for light duty tasks, and have recommended them to a lot of people! I also have a several 3 to 4 lb. heads on curved 28" and 32" handles that are great for bigger jobs, but still carry well. If I'm packing a hunting or fishing camp into the backcountry using horses or mules, you will find a #4 single bit rafting axe tied to a pack. Chopping a 3 foot diameter tree off the trail, or splitting a cord of wood for camp can be routine, and much easier with the right tools.
Don't limit yourself to just one axe!
 
tommytman said:
I'm looking for something I can use for both (car camp and bushcraft). I can swing a heavy axe and carry a heavy pack. I'm looking for a do it all axe that will come good to go with no issues from the manufacturer. There are not a lot of places where I am that stock axes. The only ones I have found around here are the collins axes (mexico) and a counsil Dayton 3.5 lbs 36 inch.

The counsil Dayton is OK but a tad long for hiking and camping.
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The "I can swing a heavy axe" part reminded me of that "Alone" show. I didn't watch much of it so I might be drawing unfounded conclusions but I did watch the first season. In that season everyone showed up with their cute little bushcraft axes but the winner ended up staying in the woods for 20 some odd days I think it was. I noticed in later seasons that people showed up with larger saws and full size axes. 20 some odd days isn't really camping so much as living and the larger tools started making a lot more sense I expect. Anyway, the boys axe has been suggested and I would agree. Buy the Velvicut if you just want to take it out of the box and go - I think they spend more time sharpening and grinding those (maybe offer better handles?), plus they are 5160 steel. I think if you order from Baryonyx Knife Company he'll do some extra work to the products he sells for a small fee. But he is one of the guys who posts here or used to post here pretty regular and they sell Council stuff.

Council also makes the Flying Fox that has a hardened poll. I'd just hang it on a longer handle. It's on the smaller end though.
 
I ended up getting a council hudson bay style (28 inch 2lbs) and also a counsil dayton (3.5 lbs 36 inch). The counsil dayton was the only local axe I could find that was not a collins in that larger size.

I would have gone velvi cut but I'd have to order that and it's a lot for a unit that I may not end up liking.

hopefully I will like these above units. The Dayton needs a better edge put on it. I’ll figure that out
 
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tommytman said:
I ended up getting a council hudson bay style (28 inch 2lbs) and also a counsil dayton (3.5 lbs 36 inch). The counsil dayton was the only local axe I could find that was not a collins in that larger size.

I would have gone velvi cut but I'd have to order that and it's a lot for a unit that I may not end up liking.

hopefully I will like these above units. The Dayton needs a better edge put on it. I’ll figure that out
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The CTs I have I considered to be projects when I ordered them. Whatever steel they use in their normal line is affordable by today's standards and works fine in my experience. I think you'll be happy after a little work and I would just put whatever handle you like on the bigger one.
 
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