Axes?

[dmccarty]

I don't split firewood by hand anymore but use a hydraulic splitter run of the tractor. When I did split by hand I would put a round on a bigger round. I usually had a few around.

I broke my longer handled splitter and had to buy a new one. The new one is too short. I don't know why they make them so short. Not real safe if you are tall.

I just saw the Eastwing on a forestry supply site. I have not seen them locally though.

We call the Sling Blade aka Kaiser a brush axe.

Later,
Dan

 

[N80]

archerm3, we call that thing a bush ax or brush ax around here. It works okay on brush and vines. It feels more like a weapon than a tool....but when you're at war with the blackberries and gums a weapon is a good thing. But, one day when I was absolutely worn out I took a wild swing at a little (maybe not so little) gum tree, hit the trunk with the handle and cracked it. Since then I've found that a good machete works as well for me.

Charles, the Fiskars come in several models. I prefer the ones with longer handles (28") and with the 'chopping' head. The other head is a splitting head and is wedge shaped. As you can tell you I'm really a big fan. I've kept my roads clear with one of these things for years (overhanging branches, pines and gums too big for the bush hog, ect). I make a game of seeing how few chops it takes to fell the small pines (6-10" diameter). It makes me smile when I can drop one in 3. You'll be amazed. The Gerbers are identical and are made by Fiskars I'm told, so go with whichever one is cheaper.

 

[Charlesaf3]

chopping roadside pines? That did it for me. One
Fiskars 7858 Pro Chopping Axe

ordered. $35.07 off amazon

 

[N80]

chopping roadside pines? That did it for me. One
Fiskars 7858 Pro Chopping Axe

ordered. $35.07 off amazon

Let me know what you think about it.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Will do. I have a specific pine tree in mind. Its been on the kill list for 6 months now. Will keep axe in truck, and next time instead of "I really should cut down that tree" I will do so.

 

[jimmyj]

Charles, if you can, get the fiskers sharpening tool (it is just a small plastic thing with 2 sharpening stones inside and it's pretty cheap). It works great.

You will love that axe I bet.

 

[atgreene]

Welcome to Peavey Manufacturing Company

Peavy Manufacturing has great tools. Axes, Peavy's, cant dogs, pole saws, mauls, bolt hooks, crow bars etc... etc....

I've ordered lots of stuff through them, been very happy. Their mini splitting maul is real slick for splitting small stuff.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Jimmy - I've got the fiskars sharpener for my knives. Bought it because of the Fiskars name, but gotta say I don't love it much in truth. Went and looked at it just now, though, and its not the axe one - is that one better?

On an axe I usually use a file. Just filed the edge of the new Estwing. Its got the leather handle, not the blue grip btw. Seems like a really nice hatchet, and I'm hoping to find it a home out of the weather on the tractor - its got a mini-sledge end in back, so I'm thinking it can replace the 2lb sledge I usually carry to tap things that are stuck. Nice leather holster will keep me from slicing up me and my hydraulics in the process, at least that's the theory...

 

[jimmyj]

I also sharpen my axes with a proper axe file and then finish them with a diamond "file' thingee. I love doing it and really they probably should not be that sharp, but, as I said earlier I have an axe thing.

The fiskars axe sharpener does seem to work well on the fiskars axes but I have not ever thought to use it on any other axe. I assumed the angle was "pre set" in some way. For the price, it's quick and easy but I agree with you that a real proper sharpening would not likely be done with a quickee tool.

This is the thingee I have, is it the same as what you have?

FISKARS TOOLS 78616984 "AXE & KNIFE" SHARPENER

 

[Charlesaf3]

I also sharpen my axes with a proper axe file and then finish them with a diamond "file' thingee. I love doing it and really they probably should not be that sharp, but, as I said earlier I have an axe thing.

The fiskars axe sharpener does seem to work well on the fiskars axes but I have not ever thought to use it on any other axe. I assumed the angle was "pre set" in some way. For the price, it's quick and easy but I agree with you that a real proper sharpening would not likely be done with a quickee tool.

This is the thingee I have, is it the same as what you have?

FISKARS TOOLS 78616984 "AXE & KNIFE" SHARPENER

Love the diamond stones for getting things really sharp, but I worry that too sharp an edge on an axe might dull too soon? I use them on my knives and plane irons though, and get the edges past razor blade.

I've got that same sharpener from the looks of it. I don't like how the "wheels" are arranged - I've got an old wusthof sharpener that I like the design of better - seems to give a good edge with less work. Wusthoff has stopped making it for some reason though.

I figure the edge of the axe should have a 45 or so V, so it doesn't fold over too easy. But what I don't know about sharpening could fill books... Amazing what some people know.