Where do the guys in the Stihl TimberSports series on ESPN get their axes?

S

Sid Post

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Oct 14, 1998
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Do any of you watch the Stihl TimberSports series on ESPN like I ocasionally do? While I will never have the phyical stature they do or, anything close to their physical conditioning, I am interested in where they get their axes (guess it's sort of a Walter Mitty fantasy thing). In any case, I ocassionally need a good axe for felling trees or limbing really big branches and watching those guys work put the bug in my ear that I should at least check them out.

Where should I go to find these axes or similarly constructed models built for average men? Thanks!
 
Sid Post :

I am interested in where they get their axes
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New Zealand. The heads are cast, however they have to be polished and sharpened by the user. As well you need to hollow out the primary grind a little to suit the wood.

In any case, I ocassionally need a good axe for felling trees or limbing really big branches
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You would not want to use a racing axe for either of those. They are highly optomized tools and are not suitable for field use as they don't have near the level of durability required.

Gransfors Bruks sells a full size felling axe, I have not used it, but the quality of their smaller axes is high, and I have discussed their larger axes with several people who speak highly of them. Garret Wade also sells a line of Swedish axes that are of high quality, similar to the Bruks line from what I have heard. I intend to pick up one this fall.

By the way, limbing and felling generally are not done with the same axe, as an axe optomized for one task will not be for the other. Limbing is far harder on a axe and will break apart a dedicated felling axe unless you are really careful.

-Cliff
 
I've used the Gransfors two-edged felling axe quite a bit and it is outstanding. The Scandinavian Forest axe is what I often use for limbing. They also make a nice 6lb maul and a great wedge. About the only ones I don't have are the smaller models, and Cliff's comments have convinced me that I need at least one of those.
 
Gransfors Bruks has double-bit competition throwing axes that are top-shelf. Each axe is marked by it's maker's initials and all are hand forged. Bailey's carries competition double-bit throwing axes made by Tua-Tahi. (Bailey's is an excellent source for the tools used in the logging industry) I have both, they are expensive and well made. The Gransfors Bruks axe comes with a protective sheath that you need to protect yourself from the edge,their products all come with a fine edge that doesn't need to be touched. The axes from Bailey's come with a roll-pin installed through the head that is required if you intend to participate in the timbersports. The G-B axe does not have the roll-pin installed and you will need to do that if you intend on using it for competition. The axes from bailey's are available without handles installed, or they are available with two differant size handles and the sheath's are extra. You will also need to put an edge on the Bailey's axe. There are many distributors that carry the Gransfors Bruks axes, shop around for the best price. As far as I found, the Tua-Tahi competition axes were only available at Bailey's. Bear in mind that double-bit axes from your local hardware store are NOT the same as these competition throwing axes. Hope this helps. Mike
 
Bailey's also has a couple really cool 4 and 5 foot saws that I lust for! Not racers, but they look like they'd be great for wilderness areas where chainsaws aren't permitted.
 
Dances with Knives; Another source for Cross-cut saws : checkout www.crosscutsaws.com, no info on the website, but you can E-mail for a no-frills catalog. He provides good service and carries lots of old-time tools, including many differant "flavors" of old cross-cut saws and the tools and info needed to maintain them. I've ordered from him and he's reliable. Located in Seneca Falls, NY. If anything, it's worth it to obtain the catalog.
 
Hi,
Looking for such a Timbersport axe myself I found that the guys from Ochsenkopf produce such axes for the Timbersport battles.
Ochsenkopf is the most famous German company producing axes. Each one is numbered & registered and fit worldwide competition standards for Timbersports.
Ochsenkopf (Ox-Head) is the official supplier and a sponsor of the STIHL TIMBERSPORT SERIES.

http://www.gedore.de/habero/index.html

http://www2.westfalia.de/shops/werk...htm?vbSESSID=507883265b232c10a48df80ee8cf89d6

Greetings from Munich, Germany
Robert
 
I have had mine for a few years, and I was at one time active in the competition.
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Great Links! Those Oxhead axes are so beautiful! I wish I could buy one of each model. But I can't. :grumpy:
 
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