Axes for wedging

[Husky372bbported]

I was wondering what the best axe is? I've been in the woods for just over 6 yrs now and all the axes that I've bought from the stores have made the wedge flex therefore not driving straight due to the curved head. I was wondering if there is any straight head axe available or what all of veterans have to say. Open to all. Thank you.

 

[BoBDoG2o02]

Drive your wedge with a sledge. Not a pro but I've found it to be best.

 

[SliverPicker]

I use a 4lb machinists' hammer. No long handle to get caught in the brush. It tucks in my belt.

 

[Husky372bbported]

I've tried 8 and 10 pound sledge hammers before. Didn't like the weight. Used an engineers hammer before. Liked it till I got pinched then I had to wait for the skidder operator to get back. That's why I prefer axes. They are lighter easier and if you get pinched you can get yourself out.

 

[mdavlee]

5 lb council axe.

 

[Husky372bbported]

Ok I've been looking at the 2 1/2-4 lbs felling axes with a 28" handle. Also didn't know if a straight head would be better than a curved head

 

[Haywire]

Check this: https://www.baileysonline.com/Fores...-Axe-5-lbs-with-28-Hickory-Handle-WP-1028.axd

 

[Husky372bbported]

Check this: https://www.baileysonline.com/Fores...-Axe-5-lbs-with-28-Hickory-Handle-WP-1028.axd

How sharp does the edge stay? I like this one quiet a bit. Especially for the price.

 

[Haywire]

I use mine for pounding wedges, it has a nice flat poll. But with a bit of file/stone work, you can get a pretty decent edge on it.

 

[bitzer]

Curved head or handle? How does one hit the singles in a stack with a hammer? An axe has so many uses in tbe woods over a hammer. Chop chain when in trouble. Chop wire out of the way. Cut yourself out. Cut the end of yer recoil line clean when you've pulled it out and can't fish it thru. Make yer own wedge to reset the head when she comes loose. Stag yer pants when they're torn bad. On and on. The only time a sledge should be used is in something about 10ft dbh with steel wedges.

 

[Husky372bbported]

Ok

I use mine for pounding wedges, but with a bit of file/stone work, you can get a pretty decent edge on it.

ok thank you. Placed an order on it to see how I like it

 

[Husky372bbported]

Curved head or handle? How does one hit the singles in a stack with a hammer? An axe has so many uses in tbe woods over a hammer. Chop chain when in trouble. Chop wire out of the way. Cut yourself out. Cut the end of yer recoil line clean when you've pulled it out and can't fish

Curved head or handle? How does one hit the singles in a stack with a hammer? An axe has so many uses in tbe woods over a hammer. Chop chain when in trouble. Chop wire out of the way. Cut yourself out. Cut the end of yer recoil line clean when you've pulled it out and can't fish it thru. Make yer own wedge to reset the head when she comes loose. Stag yer pants when they're torn bad. On and on. The only time a sledge should be used is in something about 10ft dbh with steel wedges.

it thru. Make yer own wedge to reset the head when she comes loose. Stag yer pants when they're torn bad. On and on. The only time a sledge should be used is in something about 10ft dbh with steel wedges.

I meant curved head. I agree with what your saying. The axe has so many uses over a sledge or big hammer. Here in the northeast the largest I've cut was a red oak about 7 or so ft at the flares. I remember there was 310 board ft in the first 10'

 

[SliverPicker]

Curved head or handle? How does one hit the singles in a stack with a hammer? An axe has so many uses in tbe woods over a hammer. Chop chain when in trouble. Chop wire out of the way. Cut yourself out. Cut the end of yer recoil line clean when you've pulled it out and can't fish it thru. Make yer own wedge to reset the head when she comes loose. Stag yer pants when they're torn bad. On and on. The only time a sledge should be used is in something about 10ft dbh with steel wedges.

If I came across anything that was 10ft in diameter I would have to ask someone what it was that I was looking at. The timber here is glorified pecker poles 99% of the time.

I used to be a carpenter in a previous life. I can hit single wedges in a stack with my "Thor's Hammer" 100% of the time. I have a genuine phobia of needing to escape and getting caught in brush. No chaps. No axe handle. This hammer has given me a pretty annoying case of "tennis elbow" over the years, but I am too chicken of being hung up when I need to GTHO (get the Hell out).

I have a Pulaski, peavey, and utility knife in the crummy to help with other chores. Seldom needed, but needed just the same.

 

[bnmc98]

5 lb council axe.

I use their 5 lb rafting axe. Works well.
I used to use a 3.5 lb hammer but that only works on small stuff and I kept losing them.

 

[SliverPicker]

I've tried 8 and 10 pound sledge hammers before.

?

 

[Swamp Yankee]

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/hand-tools/axes/prosplithatch/

I, along with several other guys I work with, carry one of these. The head is heavy enough to effectively drive wedges but the overall size / length is short enough to be easy to carry with the rest of the kit.

Take Care

 

[treeslayer2003]

i use a heavy rafting axe another member was kind enough to send me. there just aren't any here, they seem to be a western thing. i did use a regular axe before that. cut the straight handle off about 26" and paint it blaze orange.
i like the axe cuz i will stick it in a trash tree nearby and can grab it easily. i used to use a short handled heavy sledge but it was always on the ground and i had to find it.

 

[treeslayer2003]

 

[rwoods]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/SINGLE-BIT-PL...RN-AXE-LOG-RAFT-TOOL-/272046116702?nav=SEARCH

Ron

 

[northmanlogging]

I have 2 that I go to a 3.5# antique craftsman, and 5# council, I'll drag the council if I know I'm going to need to smear some wedges... other wise the craftsman does general duty.

The Council brand has a couple different sizes and handle lengths, they have very good steel, and hold an edge very well (they are axes so don't expect a razor sharp edge to last more then a few days...) There are some other brands going that have the straight poll, but few and far between.

Also note that an axe is not meant to be a hammer, which is why most axes do not have a square poll on them, Council is one of the few that get that they are used to beat wedges, which should be soft plastic, (them hard head wedges are hard on axes, and probably meant for the folks that like to use hammers...)

And for those of you that like to drag hammers around, this happened yesterday, (first time in over a year... but still) 1/2 mile from the crummy at the end of a long day, figured it was less work to chop it free then to walk back and forth an extra trip.