Help me get some perspective (axe choice)

[styx]

As some of you know I'm in the market for an axe or a hatchet. Brands aside for the moment, I am having some trouble putting things into perspective when it comes to what to even look for in regards to a 13 to 15" hatchet vs a 19" axe.

When I was younger most of the things I did with an axe was with a 19" one. Actually first one I used. However in most uses that axe and a hatchet are quite similar, although efficiency at certain tasks changes, at least for me.
Now please keep in mind a few things:
- I live in an apartment, hence the one axe limitation
- the axe/hatchet will be mostly used for camping, bushcrafty tasks, barbecue (think of it as a one day road trip), so not as much volume of wood processing as a homesteader would have
- I'm 187cm tall (6'1 and change for the non metric folks) so I'll have to be mindful of safety no matter what, but handle length could determine what is awkward to use

[Poncho65]

I would recommend the Husqvarna Carpenters Axe, Styx

Here is a thread I started with it and I also have the hatchet and boys axe from them but my fav is still the carpenters axe of those

My Axe Thread

[Grathr]

Are you thinking of any partikular style or pricerange?

[styx]

I would recommend the Husqvarna Carpenters Axe, Styx

Here is a thread I started with it and I also have the hatchet and boys axe from them but my fav is still the carpenters axe of those

My Axe Thread

been a fan of that thread

Are you thinking of any partikular style or pricerange?

as far as style goes haven't given it any thought. price range is a different matter. since it won't be an every week tool, I can't justify to myself the higher price range of Gransfors or even Wetterlings. So if I can I'll give my best effort to stay under 60 Euros

[Grathr]

I would recommend the Husqvarna Carpenters Axe, Styx

Here is a thread I started with it and I also have the hatchet and boys axe from them but my fav is still the carpenters axe of those

My Axe Thread

been a fan of that thread

Are you thinking of any partikular style or pricerange?

as far as style goes haven't given it any thought. price range is a different matter. since it won't be an every week tool, I can't justify to myself the higher price range of Gransfors or even Wetterlings. So if I can I'll give my best effort to stay under 60 Euros

Fiskars do make some very good axes, and are very affordable (at least here).
They do look a bit strange, but they perform very well.
Maybe a X10 or X7?   

If you dont like the look of Fiskars, maybe a Hultafors? I dont know how much they go for where you live?

[lister]

I don't know how it is in Croatia, but here you can get pretty decent axes in hardware stores. I would presume that the same must be true for your country? The good thing is that you can actually handle the tool so you know how it feels. Just don't swing it around to much as other customers might not like it... 

[Poncho65]

I don't know how it is in Croatia, but here you can get pretty decent axes in hardware stores. I would presume that the same must be true for your country? The good thing is that you can actually handle the tool so you know how it feels. Just don't swing it around to much as other customers might not like it... 

This smiley will have to do but I am amused at the thought of someone going all  Conan the Barbarian with an axe in a hardware store Would defintely be on the news that evening

Local man had to be tasered this evening due to trying out an axe in the store

[lister]

Local man had to be tasered this evening due to trying out an axe in the store

The real mayhem ensued as the unsuspecting axe connoisseur (such a simple word and yet almost impossible to spell  ) being tasered lost all control of his body. As the axe stayed in his firm grip he proceeded to reduce a large part of the hardware store to splinters and shortened the law officers standing height by a foot or so. TASER international announced, that for the best and safest effect their products should never be used on Vikings or any other entities likely to be in possession of an axe or similar sharp implement. 

[styx]

I would recommend the Husqvarna Carpenters Axe, Styx

Here is a thread I started with it and I also have the hatchet and boys axe from them but my fav is still the carpenters axe of those

My Axe Thread

been a fan of that thread

Are you thinking of any partikular style or pricerange?

as far as style goes haven't given it any thought. price range is a different matter. since it won't be an every week tool, I can't justify to myself the higher price range of Gransfors or even Wetterlings. So if I can I'll give my best effort to stay under 60 Euros

Fiskars do make some very good axes, and are very affordable (at least here).
They do look a bit strange, but they perform very well.
Maybe a X10 or X7?   

If you dont like the look of Fiskars, maybe a Hultafors? I dont know how much they go for where you live?

Both brands are already on my inexpensive but good list

I don't know how it is in Croatia, but here you can get pretty decent axes in hardware stores. I would presume that the same must be true for your country? The good thing is that you can actually handle the tool so you know how it feels. Just don't swing it around to much as other customers might not like it... 

Not sure about all stores but the ones in Pevec and Bauhaus are dreadful. Actually their cheap axes are priced about the same as a Fiskars and Husqvarna locally. Hultafors has a web reseller that also has decent prices (hatchets go for about €30)

Local man had to be tasered this evening due to trying out an axe in the store

The real mayhem ensued as the unsuspecting axe connoisseur (such a simple word and yet almost impossible to spell  ) being tasered lost all control of his body. As the axe stayed in his firm grip he proceeded to reduce a large part of the hardware store to splinters and shortened the law officers standing height by a foot or so. TASER international announced, that for the best and safest effect their products should never be used on Vikings or any other entities likely to be in possession of an axe or similar sharp implement. 

That happened only once and it was a sycthe, not an axe. I really wish that journalists would check their facts

[lister]

Well, in my local hardware store they have axes from this company:

http://www.kovastvo-krmelj.si/spletna-trgovina

I think they felt quite good. Also, my father has an hatchet/tomahawk, that my grandfather bought for him when he graduated, which if memory serves correctly was also made by them and it is a nice little thing. 

[styx]

Gotta admit I haven't seen 'em here

[Sparky415]

Re reading this,

Will you be doing much 'bushcraft' with the axe, using it for carving etc?
If so I think you should go for a lighter head with a shorter handle
You can always batten a small axe

[styx]

Re reading this,

Will you be doing much 'bushcraft' with the axe, using it for carving etc?
If so I think you should go for a lighter head with a shorter handle
You can always batten a small axe

That was an idea and it will be used for those things

[lister]

Gotta admit I haven't seen 'em here

Well, they are not a big company, but I am surprised that something similar does not exist near you. Or maybe it does, it's just that your hardware stores don't stock axes from such a company? Do some interwebs searching, maybe you can find something.

I have a feeling that axe manufacturers used to be all over the place. In USA bigger companies probably "ate" the smaller ones and then moved to china, so this is why they have hard time finding good axes. But our part of the world blacksmiths never really went out of fashion entirely. So I would not be so surprised if you can find some company locally that makes this kind of stuff.

All this is of course just a conjecture based on my gut feelings so take it with a grain of salt.

[styx]

There are blacksmiths in the country but they mostly specialize on horseshoes or are in smaller villages where they tend to fix things 

[Poncho65]

There are blacksmiths in the country but they mostly specialize on horseshoes or are in smaller villages where they tend to fix things

Wonder what a good fixed blade and axe head would cost from a blacksmith Be very cool to have a matching set from a smithy

[styx]

Probably a kidney or two. If you need funds, I've got a couple of cousins I'm not very attached to

[Poncho65]

Probably a kidney or two. If you need funds, I've got a couple of cousins I'm not very attached to

 

I am good but was more curious than any thing

[styx]

well if you ever need something, the offer stands

[Smashie]

Hey Styx, I'm the same height as you and my most used axe/hatchet has a 15" handle, although I'm learning to love the Roselli with the 18" handle (just a bigger learning curve because of the shape of the head).

Short handle, kneel down, safe and simple 

Oh the 15" is a Hultafors Classic (or Hults Bruk forged) 500g head

[styx]

Thanks for the info. Although one should be careful with kneeling down. Last time it was taken the really wrong way

[Gareth]

I suspect you'll get the most out of a hatchet.  Hultafors/Hults Bruks certainly make a good axe.  Also look at Husqvarna as IIRC they are made by Hults.  I've not tried one of their axes myself but it might be worth looking at Condor as well.

[styx]

Well Tony (Sparky) has very generously decided to send me a Kent pattern hatchet just because he is such a swell guy. I'm still baffled by the generosity

[Syncop8r]

 
What a guy! I was going to suggest you buy some rust an axe off him...

[Sparky415]

I'm baffled generally 

 

[Gareth]

Nice one Tony.

[Poncho65]

Very cool Sparkster Can't wait to see the axe you get styx and your thoughts on it after some use

[styx]

First thing - shaving

[Poncho65]

First thing - shaving

 



 

[styx]

there was a saying that to this day I admire - To be old and wise, first you must be young and dumb