Axes for Wedging

[michaelmj11]

I do not know how many folks have make it over here from AS, but I wanted to continue the conversation that had started up about which axe(s) you folks think best for driving wedges, and also being able to get yourself out of a pinch.

 

[mdavlee]

5 lb council

 

[michaelmj11]

Here is my Frankensteined creation (it started with a Hudson Bay Council Tool axe, and a piece of bar stock steel):





So it is now a 5 lbs council tool, that is just about perfectly balanced (that picture took FOREVER to get right)

I've only tested it out once but really liked the result.

 

[Gunn]

I picked up a 5lb council a few years ago and it's worked well for me. The pole is pretty large and wide on the 5lb'er which is nice for pounding wedges.

 

[Gunn]

I just noticed the picture with the scale, it looks like the head is loosening up on you? Or was that before you finished hanging it?

 

[P.M.P.]

I voted 5 lb because its all I ever used.

 

[michaelmj11]

I just noticed the picture with the scale, it looks like the head is loosening up on you? Or was that before you finished hanging it?

It loosened when I first got the axe and tested it out, so I got it to come all the way off for the welding. And when I put the handle back on, when driving the metal and wood wedge home it kept creeping up like that, so I drove an extra metal wedge and them threw in some JB weld for good measure.......

I'm not overly fond of wooden handles (one reason I had the bar stock overlap the the handle ). I have never had much luck with the wooden handles. I've already started looking for a fiberglass replacement handle.

 

[mdavlee]

I would like to have a 6 lb Collins if I could find one. Then a nice 3.5 lb felling axe.

 

[WOODS]

Don't think you can beat an old school raft pattern axe. 4 pounders seem rarer than 5 pounders. Plumbs seem to have fared better over the years than Collins and other brands based on eBay listings.

Ron

 

[WOODS]

Here's a pretty one. I don't know the make but it looks like a Plumb. http://m.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-5-lb-...d-Timber-Faller-Tool-/262282288229?nav=SEARCH Ron

 

[WOODS]

Newer Collins: http://m.ebay.com/itm/Axe-Nice-COLL...-oz-Total-Weight-USA-/281914212927?nav=SEARCH

Ron

 

[WOODS]

Newer Collins: Duplicate post deleted.

Ron

 

[mdavlee]

Those look nice Ron.

 

[WOODS]

I like them because the poll is designed for driving. Unfortunately it looks like others are taking a liking to them as well as the prices seem to be getting higher. Ron

 

[Gunn]

You can thank bushcraftusa and axejunkies for that

 

[michaelmj11]

I would love to get just the handle off of this axe to use with my modified one, but unfortunately I think the Garant one is a solid axe-head-and-neck.
http://www.garant.com/html/en/produits/produit.php?idProduit=1003355&typeProduit=recherche


And failing that find/get this handle BUT in a 28" (except they sell this sort of handle Only already attached to an axe head.... unless you want the 34" replacement handle.....) so I need to see if I can contact the manufacturer for more information.

http://www.garant.com/html/en/produits/produit.php?idProduit=1000661&typeProduit=famille

 

[madhatte]

I have a couple of 4 pounders and a 5 pounder; I use the 4 pounders more because I'm more willing to carry them. That said, the 5 pounder definitely hits harder and lifts more per whack.