Axes and associated items

[davidwyby]

stuff is tough here, my x27 gets stuck, the 5lb seems to do better due to the weight I'd guess.

gas powered splitter the easiest way of all...

lately I prefer noodling and isocore to wrassling big heavy rounds

 

[pbillyi69]

if they are big heavy rounds i noodle them down too so i dont have to work myself to death. a picaroon is helpful too far less bending down

 

[davidwyby]

I think my fiskars is smaller, 4lb?

Anyone tried this one?

Fiskars Super Splitting Axe (5 lbs) with 36

Ideal for taller users or anyone who prefers a longer axe, this 36

www.baileysonline.com

 

[calcutta250]

I think my fiskars is smaller, 4lb?

Anyone tried this one?

Fiskars Super Splitting Axe (5 lbs) with 36

Ideal for taller users or anyone who prefers a longer axe, this 36

www.baileysonline.com

The 36” Fiskars Super Splitter is hard to beat. Lifetime warranty, easy sharpening, and priced pretty nice.
I also like the Council Tool 36” 5lb Splitting axe. Something about a nice wood handle is just well, nice.

I’ve recently been switching back and forth between those two, and a Council Tool 8lb Maul. It’s hard to pick just one. The most versatile is the Council splitting axe since the poll can drive wedges.

I’m curious about the Granfors Bruks Splitting Maul. It’s just a touch expensive.

 

[Moparmyway]

Dagnabbitt !!!

Reading this thread just cost me over $500.00 !!!!!!!

 

[calcutta250]

Dagnabbitt !!!

Reading this thread just cost me over $500.00 !!!!!!!

What? You bought a comp axe? Or just a bunch of awesome axes. Lol.

 

[Moparmyway]

What? You bought a comp axe? Or just a bunch of awesome axes. Lol.

3 of the ones recommended in this thread. Immahavta gather up all of my axes and figure out how to organize them together

 

[calcutta250]

I have that problem too. Axes are fun and can be very productive. There is an axe for every situation. Lol.

 

[davidwyby]

Big Brother to the feller showed up. I have something else coming for the handle finish.


Then I saw the 36” 6lb fire axe…doh! Sent to my wife as a hint for my bday or something.

 

[davidwyby]

My buddy who is probably not a lot over 5’ was playing with the faller yesterday splitting and really liked it.

 

[calcutta250]

It’s a nice axe. Just need to put a good edge on it. Depending on your purpose for the axe.

 

[davidwyby]

It’s a nice axe. Just need to put a good edge on it. Depending on your purpose for the axe.

For banging wedges and splitting I keep them dull. I had my hatchet on me for tapping wedges into small trees once and sliced my finger pretty good. Up at @Bob95065 ’s GTG actually.

 

[Ketchup]

Dad hung two of these 8lb sledges on old double bit handles. They really come in handy. When we timber framed his house we used them more than all the beadles and other persuaders.

Some of my users.

 

[davidwyby]

You’re more axy than I and than you let on when you were down ;-)

 

[davidwyby]

Old Collins 3lb. 5lb council wedge banger. '96 kelly? Fiskars x27.



For small chopping and splitting the Collins was the best, I think because it is initially “fatter” and then “hollow ground” like a BBR wood bullet. The council got stuck more, I think because it is a simple wedge. @chiselbit and I were discussing this and I bet @Woodslasher can educate us further.

The x27 get stuck in tough stuff but easy/medium it’s great.


Fiskars 8lb isocore get stuck in eucalyptus sometimes but is the best overall.

On the right the husky used to just bounce off everything and as a matter of fact my left wrist is injured from a nasty bounce. I’ve been grinding it down to be more like the isocore, but maybe not as sharp so it doesn’t get stuck.

 

[davidwyby]

I think this is a gransfors



Not sure on this one maybe wood bullet

 

[davidwyby]

Aleppo or Monterey pine. Extremely tough and stringy. The X27 got buried so I flipped Jt over and it took a couple whacks with the isocore…so we had a noodling party. Ported 2159s 20” 8 pin, weeee!

 

[chiselbit]

I like the looks of that gransfors, how much does it weigh?

 

[davidwyby]

I like the looks of that gransfors, how much does it weigh?

I dunno, but it would have to work really well for the $. Looks to me like it would get stuck in my stuff but I dunno.

 

[Woodslasher]

I think this is a gransfors
View attachment 366432


Not sure on this one maybe wood bullet
View attachment 366433

Easy one first, the Gransfors is 7lbs and has a 32" haft, roughly. Fyi, based on my experience the poll is hardened and will chip the 4th time you hit a steel wedge with it.

Old Collins 3lb. 5lb council faller. Fiskars x27.

View attachment 366431

For small chopping and splitting the Collins was the best, I think because it is initially “fatter” and then “hollow ground” like a BBR wood bullet. The council got stuck more, I think because it is a simple wedge. @chiselbit and I were discussing this and I bet @Woodslasher can educate us further.

The x27 get stuck in tough stuff but easy/medium it’s great.


Fiskars 8lb isocore get stuck in eucalyptus sometimes but is the best overall.

On the right the husky used to just bounce off everything and as a matter of fact my left wrist is injured from a nasty bounce. I’ve been grinding it down to be more like the isocore, but maybe not as sharp so it doesn’t get stuck.
View attachment 366429

More in-depth, yes, you both were correct. The flat, wedge pattern of the Council is why it got stuck easily. Having a proud centerline and phantom bevels means only the very center of the bit will pinch, allowing you to lever it free with much less effort. I took this pic about 5 years ago to illustrate the ideal axe profile. Far right is best, far left is worst. I went through a spell where I only felled and processed trees with an axe and my back is aching just thinking about it. @davidwyby For a complete ax education, watch an axe to grind on Youtube. It'll teach you everything you need to know. Link to vid:

Brief aside from a guy who deals with Council Tools:
'The newly redesigned Council 5lb faller's axe was drafted up with wedge-banging specifically in mind. The old 5lb Dayton they used to make was mostly sold to folks in the timber trades for just that purpose, so when the old dies wore out they decided "hey--why not actually design it to do that job even better, since that's the market?"'