Multipurpose axes are they worth it?

[acidhammer]

Grants post on folding shovels got me thinking.  I have often thought the same about multipurpose axes but have found myself looking for one lately.  Like ETs they vary greatly in cost weight and function.  I have afew links below and thought I would see if anyone on the forum had used these or someone like chako who probably has them all.  Even if you do not have one everyones thoughts are appreciated.


https://www.innovationfactory.com/collections/products/products/lil-trucker-with-custom-leather-sheath

http://timahawk.com/product/timahawk/

http://www.firehooksunlimited.net/firemaxx.html

I know there are alot more out there.  Im not really after any particular feature more just curious about this category.

Looking forward to everyones thoughts

[Poncho65]

They all look neat and I am sure they would all be handy for throwing in an emergency kit for a vehicle but I am not to sure about any kind of regular use Couple of the prices got me though

Good idea for a thread though

[acidhammer]

Thanks I did forget one with the tacticool factor

https://www.outlandequipment.com/product/multi-mission-axe-1901/

[ColoSwiss]

I can't help thinking that an Estwing hatchet ($40) and pry bar ($20) would hand most of the same chores better and for less.

[ReamerPunch]

Thanks I did forget one with the tacticool factor

https://www.outlandequipment.com/product/multi-mission-axe-1901/

[glenfiddich1983]

I have a Böker t-hawk axe:



Although it looks really tacticool, as an axe it is completely useless.
It's more an emergency tool, or something to throw with.

[Aloha]

I have nothing to add really other than the Timahawk looked interesting. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have a Cold Steel Vietnam Tomahawk and it is useless for chopping wood or splitting kindling.  Cold Steel says it excels at opening ammo boxes, but I find the release at the top not only works better, but also allows the box to be reclosed afterwards.  I think if I was into fighting hawks though, the CS Vietnam hawk would be fast and very effective.

I also have an Ontario SPAX which is a multitool axe designed for airstrip firefighters.  When dealing with things like massive amounts of jetfuel and explosive bolts (ejection seats etc) you can imagine that airstrip firefighters have their work cut out for them.



Because it is fairly thin (about 1/4" thick) the head isn't that heavy and you have to put a lot more effort in for chopping things like wood, but for crashing through a door, an aircraft skin or car door I think it would be quite good.  Since 9-11 I haven't had many opportunities to cut through airplanes, and I doubt very much that firefighters feel the need to chop a lot of firewood.

I have a few cheapo hatchets lying around that I was using for camp chores, but since getting the new SOG Camp Axe the other day I think I might be leaving them behind.  I have to say, this is the sharpest axe out of the box that I have ever encountered, and it has a nice hammer on the back side of the head.  I really can't wait to get out to use it.  I am thinking of wrapping the handle with something though, as the textured nylon feels as if it might be a little slick if it's wet, sweaty or humid.  I'll try it as is first, but I'll keep some hockey tape handy just in case- since I'm Canadian, having hockey tape nearby isn't a huge problem. 

Def

[Gareth]

I think it depends on what you want to use the axe for.  If it's for processing wood in any way then I'd stay well clear of anything other than a dedicated axe, all the multi-purpose axes I can think of have a thin head with little weight and, more importantly perhaps, no wedge shape to help split wood.  If you are after a breaching tool for some reason then I suspect some of them would work well.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Plus the breaching tools are generally somewhat more expensive, at least in my experience.

Def

[ThePeacent]

I've got the SPA too and it is admittedly a bad wood chopper. All these in the pic chop better and are more adequate for woodsy environments.



Now, for stone, steel and concrete,  that back spike every day before any of the others,


and steel is really tough and easy to repair/resharpen

[glenfiddich1983]

I've got the SPA too and it is admittedly a bad wood chopper. All these in the pic chop better and are more adequate for woodsy environments.

(Image removed from quote.)

Now, for stone, steel and concrete,  that back spike every day before any of the others,

(Image removed from quote.)
and steel is really tough and easy to repair/resharpen

Nice assortment of sharp steel!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Indeed!  It looks like your SPAX has been used for a lot more stuff than mine has!

I really see it as more of a rescue tool than an axe, even if it does have a similar type shape.

Def

[chrono]

Thanks I did forget one with the tacticool factor

https://www.outlandequipment.com/product/multi-mission-axe-1901/

(Image removed from quote.)

Well, S7 is expensive. My workplace used to make wear pads for work holding fixtures out of S7, and have them hardened. PITA to work with, but once heat treated properly, damn things seem to last forever.

[acidhammer]

I definitely agreebthat the outland axe look to be very well made and versatile.  That said if I paud that nuch for an axe I would be sleeping on the couch for awhile.  I already carry a silky bigboy saw with me I am thinking of trying the timahawk.  I have a boker axe that I won on an online competition it is ok for light work. I put a firecord handle with a ferrocerium bead to hold the wrap.  I think it's time for an upgrade.

[zoidberg]

Where is Eth and his downrange tomahawk?   

[acidhammer]

I have used the gerber downrange before and didn't much care for it.  It is quite small and the thin head tends to get stuck at the hammer end when processing wood.  The pry bar does function  well but I was not impressed with the axe itself.

Zoidberg I am unfamiliar with the eth do you have a link or an image of this one?

[Etherealicer]

I have used the gerber downrange before and didn't much care for it.  It is quite small and the thin head tends to get stuck at the hammer end when processing wood.  The pry bar does function  well but I was not impressed with the axe itself.

Zoidberg I am unfamiliar with the eth do you have a link or an image of this one?

The Eth is here

I agree with all but the size. I like the small size, size is a matter of choice.
They should have have made the hammerhead a wedge not a T.

[zoidberg]

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

The Eth?

Is that like The Hoff?



 

Def

[ReamerPunch]

How about this

[Grant Lamontagne]

Glenn is a friend of mine, and I think that is a fantastic concept that I have been following since it was first on Kickstarter.  I like the idea of a super portable axe that can fit in a pocket but then be used hard when you need it, either as a long handled splitter or as a small hawk, depending on how long of a stick you want to attach it to.

I also like the additional functions, because they don't seem to detract from the axe function, which is very nice.

Def

[Old Boy]

I also like the additional functions, because they don't seem to detract from the axe function, which is very nice.

Def

Very little experience, unless you count Estwings and tomahawks as Multifunctional where the back end is a spike or a hammer. But I agree if done right I would be interested. Otherwise I'm a bit nervous on putting any torque or pointing the edged part towards ma pretties