Need a camp axe

[NutSAK]

I need to buy a camp axe.  I've been using a small saw and a hatchet, and the hatchet just isn't big enough much of the time.  I'm looking for something in the 18-25" range, like the Estwing E45A, or possibly the Gerber 45905.  The Gerber is smaller and lighter, but I'm not going to be backpacking with it, so I think the Estwing may be the best choice.

I am open to other suggestions also.  If you have any experience with the Estwing or Gerber, please relate those also.

Thanks!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I've only got a little gerber hatchet, and it's a fine little tool, but the grind on mine was all wrong and not even the same both sides , but if you don't mind sorting the bevels out first there a good cheap tool to have

I've never even seen an estwing's except on the net, but they do look good

Have you thought about Gransfor bruks there about the best non-custom axes and hatchets out there...

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

Or wettlings...

http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Categories?category=Axes%3AWetterlings

[665ae]

There was a guy on these forums a while back that really liked the Gerber axes... Buck makes a decent axe too... 

http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/162/232

[NutSAK]

I would LOVE to have a Gransfors, but I just can't afford to spent $80-90 on one.

I think I might try the Estwing.  I have an Estwing hatchet that is about 40 years old that is still in great shape. 

I would consider the Buck, but anything that short is what I consider a hatchet, not an axe.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I would LOVE to have a Gransfors, but I just can't afford to spent $80-90 on one.

I think I might try the Estwing.  I have an Estwing hatchet that is about 40 years old that is still in great shape. 

I would consider the Buck, but anything that short is what I consider a hatchet, not an axe.

They are a bit priccie aren't they , I'd go for one of the Gerber's then,

Have you got a link to the estwing's your considering

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm still looking for a decent deal on a Firestone Belt Axe myself.  There's just a certain fluidity to it that I love. 



They run from about $90- 120 most places, so they aren't cheap, but they have a nice elegance to them that's undeniable.

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It's a very nice design, but that handle looks a bit awkward though

[Grant Lamontagne]

It does, doesn't it?

It's not though... the curve pitches the head forward for more strength in the chop without adding any bulk.  It's one of those things you really have to fondle to appreciate.

And yes, I do mean "fondle."

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It does, doesn't it?

It's not though... the curve pitches the head forward for more strength in the chop without adding any bulk.  It's one of those things you really have to fondle to appreciate.

And yes, I do mean "fondle."

Def

First up congrates on the 8k

You trully are the MAN of the no life club

I think the curve is a bit to aggresive, It looks as though it forces your hand into just one grip position, I can see how it would add power to your stroke, I'm just not sure I like it

When you buy one, send it to me and I'll give you my opinion

[Grant Lamontagne]

Might be cheaper to bring you here to see it!

Def

[CQC-7]

As far as axes go, I prefer the cold steel frontier hawk or riflemans hawk.  Then again I am quite partial to tomahawks.

[NutSAK]

Have you got a link to the estwing's your considering

Sure.  Here's a pic:

http://tinyurl.com/3drkvb

Here's the Estwing website--it's the 26" camper's axe I'm interested in: http://www.estwing.com/

I like the Firestone, but I consider something that size a hatchet, not an axe.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That looks like a fine axe to me mate, why such a long shaft though?

It looks like it might be dificult to use for spliting smaller wood for kindling, or do you use something else for that

[NutSAK]

I'll continue to use my hatchet for the smaller stuff.  I would prefer the handle of the Estwing to be more like 19-23", but I think I can choke up on it some if I need to.

This is for car camping, so I wasn't really considering weight.  But, I have to say that the Fiskars/Gerber axes look like they might be a good combination of sturdiness/light weight: http://tinyurl.com/2d9rxm

EDIT:  After some consideration, I think I will buy a Fiskars splitting axe.  Now I have to decide if I want a 17" or a 23.5" model.  Below is the lineup.  Gerber rebrands these and charges more for them:

http://tinyurl.com/23hz2v

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well if your going to be using your hatchet anyway, I'd get the 23.5" model, that way you'll have all the bases covered 

[NutSAK]

Well if your going to be using your hatchet anyway, I'd get the 23.5" model, that way you'll have all the bases covered 

I think you're right.  I'm going to order the 23.5 splitting axe.  Amazon has them for a great price, but shipping is 4 to 5 weeks out right now.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well if your going to be using your hatchet anyway, I'd get the 23.5" model, that way you'll have all the bases covered 

I think you're right.  I'm going to order the 23.5 splitting axe.  Amazon has them for a great price, but shipping is 4 to 5 weeks out right now.

That's a long time to wait for a new toy