need advice on an axe for felling trees

R

rob342

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May 9, 2010
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i bought an axe from the local hardware store to play with around the campfire, which it's fine for, but i need something better.

i need something for chopping 8"-10" trees into shorter pieces. i have my little 32" axe sharp enough to shave the hair off the back of my hand, but cutting stuff up takes too damn long. i think it's too light, or too short, or both.

anyone recommend an axe, or a brand, or even a book? i'd prefer to buy the head and handle separately, as i would like to put a little pride in it and hang the ax myself.

thanks,

rob
 
My True Temper axe with a hickory handle works just fine for felling rather large trees the last one I did was a tall stump from 2ish foot round cherry tree, but it took me a while to take it out plus a little longer to cut the log up. The fiberglass handles are heavier, but they tend to be uncomfortable in cold weather, it'll feel like you're dislocating your fingers every time you swing. If your axe is really sharp, it could be how you're swinging, hitting the log at a good angle (maybe 45 degrees) is important. In addition, you may hit a point when cutting in a "v" that you will not be making any progress, at this point you'll need to widen the hole a bit, then continue as before. However, I chop for exercise, not because I really need to, if you absolutely, need it done fast, you may want to consider a chainsaw.
 
Or you could maybe try a double bit, they're heavier, but your angle is still going to be one of the most important factors in chopping.
 
32'' handle is a preferred length for many, myself included. A 30-32'' handle is just about right, IMO and I'm 6' 3''. I can swing a longer axe, but prefer around a 32'' handle. Accuracy is more difficult with a longer handle and I do not need the added leverage.

What weight is your axe? 3 to 3 1/2 lbs should be heavy enough for the type of felling you described. In fact, the Gransfors Bruks American felling axe is 3.3. lbs and the Wetterlings felling axe is about the same. If the weight is in that range and sharp as you say, then it could be the hardness of the wood or the profile of the axe. Many hardware store axes have poor profiles, which are too thick at the bit.

As for recommendations, check out ebay for an old Kelly, Collins, Plumb, Gransfors, or Mann axe. Many of the other axes were hand forged and very good for edge retention and toughness. Look around around a 3 1/2 pound head then pick a handle. Few modern manufacturers sell the heads separately.
 
jurisprudence said:
Many hardware store axes have poor profiles, which are too thick at the bit.
Click to expand...

That's if they have an edge. The True Tempers I bought didn't have one at all, but it did give me an opportunity to use my new 8" bench grinder, shortly before it caught on fire :grumpy:.
 
bucksaw or bowsaw for cutting the sections and axe for splitting?
if that's out of the question, check Bailey's online -- they're a tree harvesting supply company and sell a professional grade axe that's not cheap, but will section a tree up pretty well. (they also sell books on how to use an axe from a logging perspective rather than from a brushcraft viewpoint) They also sell 2 versions of a very nice 3/4 size hudson bay axe (Council or Snow & Neally - choose your price point)
 
+1 for the Gransfors Bruks American felling axe...One of the best in the world for less than $200.00. Not many things you can say that about these days.
 
1066vik said:
bucksaw or bowsaw for cutting the sections and axe for splitting?
if that's out of the question, check Bailey's online -- they're a tree harvesting supply company and sell a professional grade axe that's not cheap, but will section a tree up pretty well. (they also sell books on how to use an axe from a logging perspective rather than from a brushcraft viewpoint) They also sell 2 versions of a very nice 3/4 size hudson bay axe (Council or Snow & Neally - choose your price point)
Click to expand...

+1 on axe and saw combo.

chop the tree down, saw the tree up, or buck your logs.
 
akriva makes a 4.5 pound entry level single bit comp axe. the one i have been looking at has a rough finished handle so you can tune it to your hands.decent price from what i remember.
 
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