View Full Version : I need an axe.
So I want to pick up an axe to chop some firewood, but I don't really know anything about axes.
This is fine right? The 26" one.
https://secure.armysurplusforless.com/productView.php?id=730
yup, had one like that for years. works fine
theGinsue
09-15-2009, 11:47
I'm sure that the one you've listed will work great and hold up just fine (used one similar to it for many years).
I'm sort of partial to the Gerber line of axes these days.
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/01/36/58/45/0001365845905_215X215.jpg
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8153992&sourceid=1500000000000003260410&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=8153992
Thank you, but isn't a camp axe a little small for splitting firewood?
They do make a bigger one... I've had the camp axe for years also,, works great for what I use it for.. Holds an edge great and the handle is comfortable..
don't axe me,,, I use an maul,, and a grenade...
Rampart Runner
09-15-2009, 12:55
Estwing makes fine tools. I have a roofing axe/hammer that has seen untold use and is still ready for more.
If you are going to do more than hack branches off of trunks/logs then you will need the longer length.
If you are really going to split firewood you need a maul for anything of a larger diameter.
axe is for felling.
maul is for splitting.
search for Wetterlings for a real high carbon steel axe. or american made Councils
RR
I'm going to look up what a maul is right now. Thanks for the tip.
I have this grand idea of collecting free firewood off of craig's list, and storing and splitting it at my office. Then, just taking a trunk load home every other day. The only problems are:
1) No truck
2) No axe
3) Most "free firewood" ads are crap like old fences and dressers and other crap.
I have some firewood that needs to be split and if the guy next door doesn't take it you can come get it....it's maybe a 1/4 cord or so. I will let you know tonight. BTW I'm in Arvada.
jackmode9316
09-15-2009, 13:52
So you would actually be able to split firewood inside your office?
I have some firewood that needs to be split and if the guy next door doesn't take it you can come get it....it's maybe a 1/4 cord or so. I will let you know tonight. BTW I'm in Arvada.
Thank you! Please let me know! My office is in Wheat Ridge, and I'm sure I can borrow various vehicles to fit 1/4 cord. Would a few trips in an SUV cut it you think?
So you would actually be able to split firewood inside your office?
Haha, no, we own the building and have a yard and everything. I could potentially even keep the firewood inside the shed or one of the basements instead of just covering it, now that I think about it.
Daniel_187
09-15-2009, 14:42
Fiskers, I think they also make the Gerber axe too. and there are made in Finland how cool is that.
Great-Kazoo
09-15-2009, 16:14
I'm going to look up what a maul is right now. Thanks for the tip.
I have this grand idea of collecting free firewood off of craig's list, and storing and splitting it at my office. Then, just taking a trunk load home every other day. The only problems are:
1) No truck
2) No axe
3) Most "free firewood" ads are crap like old fences and dressers and other crap.
regarding the free firewood ad's. if you're not the 1st to respond, it's gone. i've been answering free ad's for a while most wood goes in 10-20min. don't these people work??
i carry an 18" sthil wood boss and 18" husky in the trucks. you'd be surprised where broken limbs pop up.
Yeah, I responded to one that was the next street over from my office and it was gone. The guy offered to email me directly the next time they cut wood, but I declined because since I don't have my own truck, I can be potentially flaky.
They sell axes, and mauls at just about any hardware store. Estwing is good, but the handle is a little short for me. As long as you take care of it a good wood handled one is fine and will last for years.
I picked up this one just now. It's not exactly what I wanted, but at $40 less than I was planning to spend, I couldn't pass it up. It cost me $4.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/axe.jpg
Rampart Runner
09-16-2009, 15:38
good deal, that looks fine! now you need to sharpen it. Also check to see that key at the end of the axe handle is nice and tight so that the head doesn't fly off. Keep it oiled once you sharpen it.
That's why I wanted a one-piece all steel one. The key looks like it has some kind of sealant and doesn't move at all. I'm going to take it to a grinder tonight on the way home.
Rampart Runner
09-16-2009, 16:09
Don't mess with the key unless it looks loose. It is probably expoxied to keep it in place...that is good.
RR
Right. I meant that I was going to have the edge honed with a grinder.
best way to split wood
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hire a High School student that needs tha $$$$
Yeah, but can you splite a black oak, I never could.[ROFL1]
To OP - google this - Fiskars 78535984 23 in SPLITING Axe BK/OR 4
the price seems right.
ETA: HERE (http://www.google.com/products?q=Fiskars+axe&aq=f)
gnihcraes
09-16-2009, 20:04
Council Tool - saw a tv show on them, american made, firefighters and such use their axes, supposed to be good stuff.
http://www.counciltool.com/index.asp
got a neighbor who got tired of chopping wood and purchased a small electric wood spliter, portable, light weight works really really well. Don't know the brand, but they are available from many places...
kc.
.
Hire a High School student that needs tha $$$$
If I had even a few cents of extra money, I'd just spend the $80 on a cord of wood at the place down the street from me.
Oh yeah, and after about 5 minutes worth of swinging, the stupid head is about to fall off, just like I suspected. This is exactly the reason I didn't want one with a wooden handle.
I'm going to take it over to my grand father's house tomorrow to sharpen it, maybe I'll be able to drill a hole through the head and weld in a steel pin or something.
EDIT: Thanks for the links fellas!
B2crawler
09-20-2009, 21:04
Just split 2 cords of wood last week. Bought a new fiberglass handle splitting maul that weighs 8 pounds. Wish it would have been even heavier. When you get tired nothing sucks worse than sticking deep into wood without splitting it. Then trying to get the maul out of the wood for the next swing. No way would I want to split wood with a regular axe. Actually just rent hydrolic wood splitter would be my suggestion after being two cords wiser now.
If you are going to split wood you will find out that bigger peice like logs need more than just an ax to cut it. You should get a big ax with a big blunt edge on it and then get another one just like it(or a sludge hammer) then when you try to slit a log and the ax gets stuck in the wood you just hit the blunt end with the other ax or hammer and it will split it no problem. This is just from my own experience and it works but your results may very. A friend to hold the ax or hit with the hammer helps a lot.
Here, I was able to do this today (thanks for the wood opie!)
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/axe-1.jpg
Most of it was dry and easy, one or two pieces were really wet though. One piece actually squirted me in the face when I hit it, like I was smashing watermelons with a sludge hammer.
Anyway, I know an electric splitter would be easier, but part of the reason I want to do it this way is because of any potential work out. Not to mention that I don't have money; so buying more tools is out of the question. I did notice that for the most part, splitting is super easy and I don't even break a sweat unless I get a real wet log that I have to wrestle with.
jackmode9316
09-21-2009, 08:22
I just smash my wood with a sledgehammer
I just smash my wood with a sledgehammer
Works? [Coffee]
Here, I was able to do this today (thanks for the wood opie!)
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/axe-1.jpg
Most of it was dry and easy, one or two pieces were really wet though. One piece actually squirted me in the face when I hit it, like I was smashing watermelons with a sludge hammer.
Anyway, I know an electric splitter would be easier, but part of the reason I want to do it this way is because of any potential work out. Not to mention that I don't have money; so buying more tools is out of the question. I did notice that for the most part, splitting is super easy and I don't even break a sweat unless I get a real wet log that I have to wrestle with.
Good job! [Beer]
Works? [Coffee]
Works for me if there is a wedge under it. But I don't know if I'm being made fun of here or if someone didn't read what I wrote correctly. Either way a sledgehammer is essential for cutting wood for me.
Works for me if there is a wedge under it. But I don't know if I'm being made fun of here or if someone didn't read what I wrote correctly. Either way a sledgehammer is essential for cutting wood for me.
I thought you guys are joking [Smart]
Its not a joke. I have tried to cut wood with just an ax and it will get stuck in the bigger stuff all the time. The littler stuff will splitter with a good enough hit. But some wood that looks like a tree stump needs a little help. So when I get the ax stuck in there I just smack the other end with a sledgehammer and it cleaves the rest of the way. I am not an expert on chopping my own wood but I can cut as much wood that is pictured above everyday while camping and burn thru it come night time.
Although a log splitter would be better. But you don't get the same work out.
jackmode9316
09-21-2009, 10:50
I use nothing but the sledgehammer. I just hit the top of the log with such force that it immediatly splinters into pieces slighly smaller than the ones pictured above. Of course im just being a smart ass, I dont even have a fireplace. Although ive considered getting one of those outdoor ceramic looking ones for the backyard. :)
It's called a chiminea jackmode. I've got a little one, but it is too small to keep you warm. Only the ones that are big enough to fit a whole log (like those pictured) will be big enough to keep you warm. The one I have is really just good for ambiance.
Here, I was able to do this today (thanks for the wood opie!)
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/axe-1.jpg
Most of it was dry and easy, one or two pieces were really wet though. One piece actually squirted me in the face when I hit it, like I was smashing watermelons with a sludge hammer.
Sorry about the one or two pieces that were wet...My tarp wasnt big enough to cover all the wood I had. Anyway, glad you got it all split and hope it keeps you warm for a little while[Beer]
theGinsue
09-21-2009, 16:13
Opie - thanks for taking care of another member of this site.
This is the type of thing I love to see; when we come together to help one another out.
Great job with the wood splitting Sturtle ~ feeling a little sore yet?
There's just something about splitting wood that makes me feel manly and gives me a sense of accomplishment. Of course, this conversation reminds me of the Monty Python song/skit "I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay..."
Opie, no need to apologize for wet wood. It's not like you sprayed it with your hose or something. haha. The wet ones are the tough ones and are what make things interesting.
Ginsue, I was sore when I was using the other axe I posted a picture of to chop wood in half, going cross grain. Even with the two wet logs, I didn't have to use too much effort. I would turn the log on its side, and do a chop at the bottom, then center, then top. Then I would do a few more in the middle and the whole log would split apart and things were more manageable from there. The most interesting parts were the knots. I'd swing and the axe would stop dead and fly out of my hands. Knots are crazy.
buy a stihl chainsaw. screw chopping with an axe unless you absolutely have to. buy it as a backup in case you run out of gas for your chainsaw.[Beer]
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.