One axe to rule them all

My partner and I have been learning about axes lately. Felling, splitting, carpenter's..... Our splitting axe recently did a pretty good job of limbing a fallen tree, but we can't wait for our carpenter's axe to come for a more manageble sized tool.

If you had to choose one axe forever and ever, which would it be and why?

Hey Hannah. Wow, tough question! I love working with hand tools. I don’t like the noise of powered tools because I find it distracting. There are so many axes to choose from and I want to try them all! I have an old felling axe that I use whenever possible. I have an oldish splitting maul that I liked until I used my neighbor’s new one. Those with the funny head and the fiberglass handle are incredible! I’m sure there are some really fantastic, pricey
models of hatchets that I would love. For regular around the house stuff I really like my Fiskars hatchet. I’m hoping this thread gets more attention. I’d like to hear what others say about the subject.

Hannah,

I have used a bunch of axes and my personal favorite ones are the solid steel Estwing axes.  For my purposes, the mid-sized Estwing axe is the most widely useful.  It is big enough to use with two hands but still small enough to use one-handed.  Mine has seen a LOT of work.

Eric

Hi Hanna;
I use only Fiskars anymore.  Their splitting axe is unparalleled. The limbing axe  is the perfect lighter ax and my use everyday hatchet is also a Fiskars.
Yes they make some beautiful old world hand axes. You pay dearly for them and must take proper care.
My fiskars, go firewooding! Tossed in the back of the truck. Chopping wood on a gravel/ dirt road. They get severe use and I haven't had one break yet.

In my mind, asking which is the one ax you would want is a little like saying you can only have one size wrench :)  I would go with 1/2", but I wouldn't be happy about it.

At an absolute minimum, I would need a chopping tool and a splitting tool.  Neither can substitute for the other.  I have a Gransfors Bruks splitting maul that is outstanding.  I don't do a lot of chopping, but I like my Eastwing for that.

Hellow Hanna,    If you ever want an overdose of everything axe related, check out Skillcult.com

Scott Stiller wrote:Hey Hannah. Wow, tough question! I love working with hand tools. I don’t like the noise of powered tools because I find it distracting. There are so many axes to choose from and I want to try them all! I have an old felling axe that I use whenever possible. I have an oldish splitting maul that I liked until I used my neighbor’s new one. Those with the funny head and the fiberglass handle are incredible! I’m sure there are some really fantastic, pricey
models of hatchets that I would love. For regular around the house stuff I really like my Fiskars hatchet. I’m hoping this thread gets more attention. I’d like to hear what others say about the subject.

I find myself ignoring appliances in the kitchen for the same reason - a good chef's knife will do fine, why get out that loud food processor that I have to clean? The splitting axe we have is a Fiskar's with a fiberglass handle. Haven't had it long, but it feels really sturdy and has done well so far.

Gerry Parent wrote:Hellow Hanna,    If you ever want an overdose of everything axe related, check out Skillcult.com

Will do! Thanks for the lead :)

Edit: Just checked it out - I've previously watched several of this guy's videos about fruit trees. Small world!

Very difficult with so many varieties, but if there could be one, I feel a single-bit "boys axe" or "half-axe" would have to be it. It would have to have a well-rounded american style face, or phantom bevels, and be ground to an angle obtuse enough for splitting, but still sharp enough for cutting. Properly ground, sharpened, and hung (closed, preferrably) it will cut and split far out of it's weight class. It is light enough to be wielded by one hand on occasion, but powerful enough with two to fell even large trees. Having a poll, it can be used to drive wedges that it can make itself; if hardened it can be used for hammering a wide variety of things. But axes are relatively cheap and are awesome, so I will never have just one!

Eric Hanson wrote:Hannah,

I have used a bunch of axes and my personal favorite ones are the solid steel Estwing axes.  For my purposes, the mid-sized Estwing axe is the most widely useful.  It is big enough to use with two hands but still small enough to use one-handed.  Mine has seen a LOT of work.

Eric

A lot of love for Estwing in this thread. I'll have to dig into that!