Recommendation? Boys/forest/limbing axe suggestions?

scdub

scdub

Basic Member
Joined
May 29, 2004
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2,945
Hi all,

Over the last several years I’ve been doing more chopping with tomahawks and axes.

I’m typically bucking small to medium sized trees that have fallen over a road or trail at various heights. Both green and dry pacific woods - some harder woods like madrone but nothing crazy.

I’ve got a light tomahawk, and a couple of full-sized, 36” axes, but after doing some research I’m thinking that something in the size range of a boys axe (Limbing axe? Forest axe? What’s the BF lingo??) might actually be the best tool for this job. I’ve noticed that the 36” handle is a bit long for bucking longs on the ground..

So far I’m interested in the Rinaldi Calabria (2lbs.7oz, 31” long) and the Bieber Muller Canada (2lbs.3oz, 28” long).

I really like the head geometry, particularly the angle of impact and flat spine, of the Rinaldi, but I’m concerned that the palm swell won’t be large enough since it’s a slip-fit head…

Anyway, I’m hoping to get some other contenders in this category that I should consider.

What do you like?

Thanks for your time!
 
I’d recommend the sport utility line of Council Tools boy’s axe. 28” haft oughta do ya just fine. 2 1/2 lbs is more than enough for most axe work. I have a 24” version which is fine, but an extra 4 inches would be nice.

For something a little different, the Woox Forte axe is something I’m particularly proud to own. FortyTwoBlades FortyTwoBlades designed it, and it’s got some swell features and IIRC, it’s 3 lbs on a 28” slip fit haft.


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scdub said:
Hi all,

Over the last several years I’ve been doing more chopping with tomahawks and axes.

I’m typically bucking small to medium sized trees that have fallen over a road or trail at various heights. Both green and dry pacific woods - some harder woods like madrone but nothing crazy.

I’ve got a light tomahawk, and a couple of full-sized, 36” axes, but after doing some research I’m thinking that something in the size range of a boys axe (Limbing axe? Forest axe? What’s the BF lingo??) might actually be the best tool for this job. I’ve noticed that the 36” handle is a bit long for bucking longs on the ground..

So far I’m interested in the Rinaldi Calabria (2lbs.7oz, 31” long) and the Bieber Muller Canada (2lbs.3oz, 28” long).

I really like the head geometry, particularly the angle of impact and flat spine, of the Rinaldi, but I’m concerned that the palm swell won’t be large enough since it’s a slip-fit head…

Anyway, I’m hoping to get some other contenders in this category that I should consider.

What do you like?

Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...

Just FYI on the Rinaldis, they can be a little hard to find. I think Batyonyx just had a few trickling in this year, I finally grabbed a billhook when he announces their availability.

I like my Council woodcraft, which is just a touch shorter than the boys axe. It's not inexpensive though. I found a very fair price used several years ago.

As an inexpensive option, the fiskars chopping axe, x15 I think is the number, is a decent axe. I don't think it will wow you, but it works. And the handles tend to be durable. I would give you my modified one (very poorly modded, mind you) for free if shipping didn't stink to send it. By the time shipping is taken into account, might as well get a new one.

Another thing about the rinaldis, the offset handle thing baryonyx made is great, albeit not inexpensive either. I have the trento felling axe and cut the stock handle down to 28" for limbing and packing and the offset for the heavy hitting tasks. It's really nice to be able to easily swap handles.
 
bikerector said:
Just FYI on the Rinaldis, they can be a little hard to find. I think Batyonyx just had a few trickling in this year, I finally grabbed a billhook when he announces their availability.

I like my Council woodcraft, which is just a touch shorter than the boys axe. It's not inexpensive though. I found a very fair price used several years ago.

As an inexpensive option, the fiskars chopping axe, x15 I think is the number, is a decent axe. I don't think it will wow you, but it works. And the handles tend to be durable. I would give you my modified one (very poorly modded, mind you) for free if shipping didn't stink to send it. By the time shipping is taken into account, might as well get a new one.

Another thing about the rinaldis, the offset handle thing baryonyx made is great, albeit not inexpensive either. I have the trento felling axe and cut the stock handle down to 28" for limbing and packing and the offset for the heavy hitting tasks. It's really nice to be able to easily swap handles.
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Thanks for the thought regarding your Fiskars but I’m into wooden handles anyway. :)

Yeah definitely hard to find. I’ve been checking Baryonyx off and on for awhile now. He’s got the Calabria hand axe in stock now (slightly shorter and lighter than the regular Calabria axe) FYI. I’ve found a couple other sources online but nobody’s got the regular Calabria in stock.

I really like the idea of being able to swap out different sized handles too. I’ve never owned a hatchet and was thinking the Calabria head is light enough to be a hatchet as well as a boys axe…

How do you like the handle size on the Trento? Were you able to carve a decent palm swell?
 
Hickory n steel said:
The sport utility boys axe from Council tool would be my choice, I have been meaning to get one but since I already have a vintage 60's woodslasher boys axe I just don't really need one and have been dragging my heels.
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I just looked at their website again and saw that they have a 28” handle too! (I’d only noticed their 24” handled one).

That one might be the ticket! :)
 
EngrSorenson said:
I’d recommend the sport utility line of Council Tools boy’s axe. 28” haft oughta do ya just fine. 2 1/2 lbs is more than enough for most axe work. I have a 24” version which is fine, but an extra 4 inches would be nice.
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Just found the one you’re talking about - thanks - that’s essentially what I’m looking for. 👍
 
scdub said:
Thanks for the thought regarding your Fiskars but I’m into wooden handles anyway. :)

Yeah definitely hard to find. I’ve been checking Baryonyx off and on for awhile now. He’s got the Calabria hand axe in stock now (slightly shorter and lighter than the regular Calabria axe) FYI. I’ve found a couple other sources online but nobody’s got the regular Calabria in stock.

I really like the idea of being able to swap out different sized handles too. I’ve never owned a hatchet and was thinking the Calabria head is light enough to be a hatchet as well as a boys axe…

How do you like the handle size on the Trento? Were you able to carve a decent palm swell?
Click to expand...

I was, there's a lot of material in the handles. Far more than tomahawk handles.
 
Square_peg said:
If you want new then a boys axe from Council is your best bet. If money isn’t a big concern I’d get the Velvi-cut. The price good used boys axes is such that you might as well buy new.
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Wow - lots of love for Council!!

I see the Velvi-cut is 5160 - my favorite steel. I’m guessing they might temper it harder than the sport-utility line but they don’t say so… Edit - sorry, yes they do - and yes it’s tempered slightly harder - think I’m sold…

I’ve been trying to find yard sales with tools but nothing has popped up recently. For now I think new is the way.
 
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scdub said:
Wow - lots of love for Council!!

I see the Velvi-cut is 5160 - my favorite steel. I’m guessing they might temper it harder than the sport-utility line but they don’t say so… Edit - sorry, yes they do - and yes it’s tempered slightly harder - think I’m sold…

I’ve been trying to find yard sales with tools but nothing has popped up recently. For now I think new is the way.
Click to expand...
I don't see why they would use a better steel for this line and not run it a bit harder.
 
I'll go along with the Council Sport Utility Boy's Axe recommendation.
I recently purchased the Velvicut version; and, frankly, I was disappointed. The finish left quite a bit to be desired (compared to Velvicuts I purchased shortly after the line was reintroduced) and there was a slight distal aberrancy (I'm tempted to call it a twist - let's just say that the distal end was not quite in line with the rest of the shaft.

The dealer was a bit slow in responding; so, by the time they authorized the return, I had already given it away to a coworker's son. He thinks it is awesome, and it should serve him well.
 
I would probably roll with a cruiser, capable of doing a little more work and two bits are handy.
Boys axe or cruiser I would go vintage, always.
 
garry3 said:
I would probably roll with a cruiser, capable of doing a little more work and two bits are handy.
Boys axe or cruiser I would go vintage, always.
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Where do you shop?

Ebay seems like the only real venue for these but I’m not sure that I’ll be able to tell how much a head has been sharpened (eg how much hardened steel is left in the bit) via just pics…
 
scdub said:
Where do you shop?

Ebay seems like the only real venue for these but I’m not sure that I’ll be able to tell how much a head has been sharpened (eg how much hardened steel is left in the bit) via just pics…
Click to expand...
Depending where you live, flea markets and antique stores are solid bets. Makes evaluating them a little easier
 
scdub said:
Wow - lots of love for Council!!

I see the Velvi-cut is 5160 - my favorite steel. I’m guessing they might temper it harder than the sport-utility line but they don’t say so… Edit - sorry, yes they do - and yes it’s tempered slightly harder - think I’m sold…

I’ve been trying to find yard sales with tools but nothing has popped up recently. For now I think new is the way.
Click to expand...
Well if you want the best I'd suggest you find a fresh TT Flint Edge boys axe. But those are hard to find these days.
 
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