So next month, my oldest boy turns ten, and I'm looking for an axe for him. It's a symbolic gift, we'll be doing a trip together and doing a lot of talking about manly things, specifically about leaving childish ways behind and beginning the ways of manhood. The axe is symbolic of cutting off childish ways and leaving them behind, so it needs to be something special, not just some $30 thing from the hardware store. I've looked at granfors, and most of their stuff is out of stock, and wolf valley forge has a several month waiting time, so that won't work. I dont know of anything other than that, besides just googling and picking a random place.
Any good suggestions? Looking for a full size axe.

I personally want an axe so following for that reason.

In addition to that I applaud you for doing this for your son. I have no kids so this is just personal observation but kids in the U.S have no pathway to becoming an adult, there is no defining moments or moment. For some that seems to lead to perpetual childhood and for others major teenage rebellion as they feel the way to prove they are no longer a "kid" is to fail to heed advice and rebel against the morals they were taught as children. I wish more people would replicate what you are trying to do here, hats off to you.

I have a couple older Snow &Neally axes that are really nice. I know they had some quality issues for a while, not sure how they are now.

A full size axe is a bit big for a 10 year old, in my opinion. A 3/4 axe would suit most better.

What about getting a vintage head and putting on a new handle? Might be a good project to do together.

I got both my nephews Snow and Nealy Hudson Bay Axes when they turned 10 years old. They should last them a lifetime.

That's a nice sized axe for a young one, and easily handled by an adult for a lot of chopping chores. Mine is used a ton on the line.

Yep S&N. Order it from The Trapper's Post.

I bought my youngest a Fiskers 2.5 lb s year or two ago. He is now 9 but it has held up well and the Handel has not broke. I bought it for him when I moved him up from a hatchet. He was to small for an ax back then but I didn't want him to fill left out when cutting wood.

My 11 year old was using a synthetic Handel 3.5 lb kolbolt I was given but the Handel broke on it. He is due for a replacement.

My youngest can Handel a larger ax I believe now so I'm also in the market. I like the idea of the nice axes but, we heat with wood and I really don't like replacing handles.

I most likely will buy a couple Fiskers since they seem to hold up well if I see them in stock unless I see a better suggestion here.
Or maybe one of the east wings with metal handle.

I got this trappers ax from the trappers post, its a Snow and Nealy and I use it every year on the trap line perfect size and well made.


https://www.trapperspost.com/shop.html

[img]http://[/img]

Ask Jason

I added the leather handle saver

A neighbor just got one of these. Don’t know anything about them, his is a nice Puget pattern double bit Plumb. The two I’ve seen were well handled, old steel, quality axes. Maybe someone else here will know more about them.

https://buckinbillyray.com/custom-axes/



Owl

Snow and Nealley

I recommend the Hudson Bay or the 2 1/4 lb single bit axes. The 2 1/4 axe is commonly referred to as a "boy's axe" because it's lighter and usually has a shorter handle.
Many adults like them (myself included) as I just purchased one recently. You really can't go wrong either way, plus they're made in the U.S.A.

I like the leather wrap, certainly a good idea !

I like that also. I'll be adding that to my hudson's bay and the 3 1/2 pounder.

With a 22 inch handle. Out west here they are often referred to as a "timber cruisers axe". Great for blazing trail, light brush cutting, wood splitting and chopping.

Buckin Billy Ray axes are all sorts of heads , all vintage I think they would say

then he re-hangs them on good wood. this supplements his tree cutting buissness

he is an interesting guy , he was badly injured by a tree someone else fell into him while he was working as a feller in BC Canada , he also had alcoholism issues at some point in his life, he left production Felling trees for the lumber industry and did his own tree service.
he has a youtube channel where he covers tree work , vintage chainsaws , heating with wood , axes , personal recovery and being a good human and a responsible person.

if your going to go with a used head you can find some good ones , I think having the young man help clean , sharpen and hang the head and learn how to take care of it would be useful. a good project for you to do together.

something in a Boys axe 2 to 2 1/2 pounds

if your looking to buy this might be a good size https://www.amazon.com/Gransfors-Bruks-Small-Forest-Inch/dp/B000WIROX6/ref=sr_1_38?crid=1G80RGBLP1FAY&dchild=1&keywords=hudson+bay+axe&qid=1628874031&sprefix=hudson+bay+axe%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-38

what do you use on your line for a hatchet ?

another idea might be making a knife Hatches are good but do you carry a hatchet every day. if your teaching responsibility a knife he can learn to make and carry every day might be a better gift and tool and a hatchet he will want to use without necessarily the place to use it.


the classic green river https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/453/1/BLADE-RGR-05
the belt knife https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/453/2/BLADE-SHE-04
the camp knife https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/453/1/BLADE-CAM-05

I don't recall exactly what age I helped my son build his own Green River Camp Knife around 11 , it is a good education and a knife he can carry and use every day it is at home in field or kitchen

just tossing out ideas.

American made, and will out last his grandkids if cared for. Heavy for their size and solid as a rock. I have my Granddads wedge buster on the wall, still use it on occasion too.

https://counciltool.com/axes-hatchets-mauls-wedges/



Owl

Another vote for snow and nealley. The Wetterlings are top shelf axes too.