Choosing an axe when choices are limited

[Gerhard Gerber]

Hi Everybody

I very rarely need an axe, I'm covered as far as hatchets are concerned, but I've been wanting a big axe for a while now.
Unfortunately there's not much choice locally, and I can't honestly justify the expense and effort of importing one of the better brands.
As far as brands are concerned, the choice is between Fragram, Lasher and several NoNames....

The way I see it my choice is mostly wood or plastic for the handle....

What's the verdict on wood vs plastic, and what else should I maybe be looking for?

[AimlessWanderer]

What jobs do you foresee using it for?

[Grathr]

What jobs do you foresee using it for?

+1


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[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That's a can of worms and no mistake

Like the guys say, it depends on what your using it for

I used to use axes about twice a week for about a year and I never once felt that the handle on my Gransfors Bruks SFA was going to break. Wether that was down to me soaking it in linseed oil or my feeble limbs not generating enough power I don't know

I've not owned a large plastic hafted axe, but the online reports have been mixed. Sweet Costa Rica over on YouTube rates them and I would trust his judgement on tools

If you do decide to get one, buy the best you can afford as there bloody dangerous enough without them falling to pieces the first time you use one

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[b00mhower]

All I can give you is my opinion on plastic or fiberglass handled tools. I can't stand them, broken too many, harder to replace. Like I said just my opinion

[SAK Guy]

I've got a Gerber/Fiskars cruiser size ax and have used it to limb out fallen trees...it worked well. I worried about breaking the handle too but read somewhere that if you didn't put a lot of lateral/twisting torque on the head, (like prying with it)...it would be fine.

I prefer a Estwing all metal for a lot of things like survival/remote camping. Otherwise, I like wood.

[Gerhard Gerber]

I figured if you look at what tools native people gravitated to that's a safe bet, over here that would be a panga (machete) and a big axe......often as not with a piece of metal fence pipe welded to the head for a handle and not that much edge.
Uses would be on wood, in my case rarely, but the local big enough to demand an axe is extremely hard.

I prefer a Estwing all metal for a lot of things like survival/remote camping. Otherwise, I like wood.

I can actually get a small Estwing locally, might still do...

All I can give you is my opinion on plastic or fiberglass handled tools. I can't stand them, broken too many, harder to replace.

I dislike the fiberglass mostly due to negative experiences with hammers. The black plastic replacement axe/pick handles for sale locally looked tough, and appealing purely because you can't get splinters from them  Not a fan of plastic in general...

How does this look? http://www.lasher.co.za/show_products_full.php?id=6&product_category=Agricultural Figured if I strip the head, sand and oil the handle...........

[AimlessWanderer]

My axes are predominantly wooden handle, though my splitting maul is fibreglass (?), and crate opener/roofing tool is full tang.

Nothing wrong with picking up a cheaper wooden handled axe so long as you hand pick it. Ensure you go for the straightest possible grain, and sight down the axe from the head end to ensure the edge is in line with the handle and is central. I got a Vaughan Mini which was way off, and sent it back with instructions and diagrams, and got them to pick me another 

[Grathr]

I prefer wooden handeled axes, but I havent had any bad experiences using a fiberglass Fiskars either.


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[Sparky415]

How does this look? http://www.lasher.co.za/show_products_full.php?id=6&product_category=Agricultural Figured if I strip the head, sand and oil the handle...........

Looks good to me, might need a bit of a sharpen when you  get it 

[Gerhard Gerber]

Looks good to me, might need a bit of a sharpen when you  get it 

Thanks to somebody on YT I know there more I need to know about sharpening axes.......that would be a follow-up question 

[Sparky415]

This one is worth a watch

[David]

I prefer wood handles on my axes.