Here is a good review on the husqvarna.

https://youtu.be/W4bfCrLvfzQ

Trapper Les and I have the forest axe model of the Husqvarna, they were made by Hults Bruks in Sweden. Very good axes at less than half the price of the overpriced Swedish axes.

I've considered buy the Snow and Nealy ax pictured in the Trappers Post, havent decided yet.

Its because that's a splitting axe, same general logic as a maul, just easier on the body to swing. Wranglerstar has a video titled something like "Maul vs Splitting Axe"
It explains the pros and cons in more depth.

Trapper Les,

I bought one of those snow and nealy axes from trappers post last summer at the NTA convention in New York . I had people trying to buy it off me as i walked around with it , had to go hide it in the truck , they sold out of them in no time at all. Noonan said he never dreamed they'd sell that many or even more if they'd had them so they started stocking them to sell in the magazine.

I like it enough , i'm probably going to buy another one this year from them in Michgan at the NTA. Grandson will need it .

Now that's a nice One there

I heard a lot of talk about wetterling axes and bought one a year or so ago. They are expensive, but are fantastic axes! This is the forester model. I used a wood burner to make a ruler on the side of the handle and painted it orange.



I picked up this old Bridgeport boy scout hatchet (circa 1950's) at the flea last summer. The handle is steel with wood scales. I keep this in my trap basket. I know some would collect these, but it was missing wood from the knob, so into service it went.



This last hatchet I know nothing about. It has an "old english" letter 'G' on one cheek. It sharpens easily and has a fantastic edge.

I know that this is going to be like showing up on a duck hunt with camouflage that still has the tags on the sleeve, but I have the fiskars splitting axe. I've used several splitting mauls, but I really, really like this one. I like that it's light, and it doesn't wear me down, and it lets a person get some speed when swinging it. I have been splitting pecan, water oak, and red oak with it, and splitting them has been a breeze.


That being said, I do like finer things, and some of you have some very nice axes and splitting mauls. If I used an axe more, I'd probably look into getting one of those nice ones. The only axe I have is a double Michigan.

Let me ask this....For axes, do you prefer a double head or a single blade with the flat back? Why?

I prefer a single bit with a poll (the flat spot) for many reasons. They are usually lighter than a double bit axe, unless you have a cruiser double bit, which I don't have. I also find them safer to carry without a sheath, which won't last long on the line. I like the flat poll to be used to hammer things as well. I know it's considered taboo and isn't what the poll is intended for, but I don't want to carry a hammer just to pound a couple nails. I also use it to pound in wooden stakes for rat, beaver, and mink sets as well. I also will drive fence staples with it. Just never pound a metal stake with an axe. Pieces of the poll, which is a soft steel, and chip off and become as dangerous as a broad head being shot from a bow to you or bystanders.

Alex

Got the credit card out for that one !! Gonna order it tomorrow....been thinking about it way too long

I bought a S&N from Bob in Bethel, Maine 8/15 got home cked it over, decide that needed 4 more for the Grandsons. Picked them out at NYSTA in Frankfort. A nice Trail, Camp axe. Sharp objects on hold, starting recovery from PE /DVT on blood thinner. Tut

Depends on what im doing, for trapping or camping ill take a single (preferably with a hardened poll). For firewood duty or situations where a hammer isnt required i might grab a double.

This is very sweet thread!!!! Thanks fellas for all your post!!

I picked this up a couple weeks ago for 5 bucks.

Since beaver have been worthless, I have been making sleds, skis and axe handles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Qr4VTCwEfko
Here's a great video of how an axe is made back in the good old days. One of my favorite vids of all time as far as axes go. OSHA would have had a field day at this forge.

Enjoyed that video blackoak. Thank you.

Here's a few I use...
Plumb,Camp axe, 19" handle...




Stanley axe, 33" handle...







True Temper axe. I put on new 36" handle and rubbed in boiled linseed oil.

Sad that so much of that knowledge and craftsmanship has been lost.

I like seeing the flux slough off under the hammer blows... And I got a kick out of that gentleman lighting his pipe with that hot axe head.

Mike

A little more modern....yet pretty much the same process..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thWBfiUpe48 .....