Axe for the car?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm thinking of getting a new axe to keep in the Jeep.

Ideally it will be used for cleaning brush on the trail, but also be handy in case I should come across an accident or some other situation where something axe like would come in handy.

Any thoughts?

Def

[Fuzzbucket]

Get a Rinaldi... People are probably sick to death of me going on about them, but I think they're brilliant. I used mine just yesterday to clear some brush and it was a great laugh. 

[Picky to follow...]

[Fuzzbucket]

... Said following pic... Taken some time ago - it's not that clean lookin now... 

[Aloha]

Thats a great looking axe head shape.  Kinds reminds my of a Tomahawk minus the back end . 

[Fuzzbucket]

It's a traditional Italian pattern apparently, but I think it's not dissimilar to the French trade axes that tomahawks evolved from... 

[Fuzzbucket]

PS. It's a good chopper - it will easily cut through an inch and a quarter of ash in one go. 

[Aloha]

Its gorgeous.  I'd vote for that axe  .   

[Alan K.]

Two suggestions, get an Estwing 26 inch camper's axe.  Medium size between a felling axe and a hatchet and pretty much indestructible.   https://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-26-in-Camper-s-Nylon-Vinyl-Grip-Handle-Axe-E45A/100351735

Or  get  a Pulaski  axe /tool.   https://barebonesliving.com/products/pulaski-axe
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4-0-lb-Landscape-Axe-with-34-in-Fiberglass-Handle-HD-F500LS/206768935?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-206768935-_-N

 

[TazzieRob]

I do like those Rinaldis. 


Another option would be any of the ones with a fibre comp handle should do alright if permanently stored in a vehicle. No worries about changes in temperature/humidity

Fiskars/Gerber 23.5 Axe
Or more weight and reach
Husqvarna A2400
Stihl Universal Axe

[old Lefty]

For permanent storage in the car I would go for Fiskars camping axe or similar.
Can handle everything, will not suffer from bouncing in the back, moist, mud, snow etc. and will not break the bank if lost in during trails.
Had one in the back of Series III for years and years

Alternatively a simple tomahawk - Cold Steel maybe - or Rinaldi as shown might be a bit more stylish option

Lähetetty minun SM-T515 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

[Fuzzbucket]

Two suggestions, get an Estwing 26 inch camper's axe.  Medium size between a felling axe and a hatchet and pretty much indestructible.   https://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-26-in-Camper-s-Nylon-Vinyl-Grip-Handle-Axe-E45A/100351735

Or  get  a Pulaski  axe /tool.   https://barebonesliving.com/products/pulaski-axe
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4-0-lb-Landscape-Axe-with-34-in-Fiberglass-Handle-HD-F500LS/206768935?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-206768935-_-N

Good point about the size. 

Here's a couple of options...

https://youtu.be/u99Kg5gm5rs

[King_Gorilla]

I carry a True Temper Tommy hatchet in my truck.  I didn't have time to take a picture of mine but it is similar to this one.  I was mostly sold because I wanted the axe/hatchet ability with the hammer AND the nail pulling claw. 

At first I got the "Little Trucker" or Off the Grid multitool axe.  They made a really cool zombie short film to promote the axe and all the stuff it could do as a survival multitool.  But then I got it and was super disappointed.  The fold out saw was great but the axe head cant split wood to save your life and the first time I used the hammer, the super thin nail claws snapped right off.  It was heartbreaking.  A real good example of "designed for maximum widget count". 

So years later I wanted a real hatchet that would actually work.  So I got the Tommy. 

[enki_ck]

Hm, if cleaning brush is the main function, why an axe? Why not use something that was actually designed for cleaning brush, like a machete? I keep a Tramontina machete in my trunk for just that purpose. It easily cuts even through thicker branches.

https://www.tramontina.com.br/en/p/26600016-262-tramontina-16-machete-with-carbon-steel-blade-and-black-polypropylene-handle

[aicolainen]

Just ordered a Fiskars X11 for this purpose.
Never needed one for emergencies or to improve on a bad situation, but some tasks can be quite cumbersome if I forget an axe. Like felling and processing firewood or car camping.
Figured it would be nice to have backup that’s always in the car, and as a bonus I have both an axe and a makeshift hammer for those unplanned situations.
Not the biggest axe, but in a SUV with limited storage, it’s all I can fit in existing storage space.

I have a couple of Hultafors and Gransfors traditional axes in the same size category, but they’re just too nice to be stored and neglected in a car. Fiskars seems more fit for purpose.

[nate j]

I’ve got Estwing Camper’s Axes in vehicles myself.

[dobegrant]

In my cj7 I have Fiskars axe, and a buck axe in my truck

[Fireman]

Obviously I'm partial to something like this:

https://www.firefighteraxe.com/product/pickhead-axe/

We cut windshields with them using short strikes to the glass in order to chop a line along the bottom and top.  Pick head had multiple uses.  With all the use/abuse I never saw a handle or head break.

[Aloha]

That looks like a terrific axe.  I was thinking, what about a Tomahawk?  It might make a good car/truck companion being able to remove the head from shaft? 

[nate j]

Obviously I'm partial to something like this:

https://www.firefighteraxe.com/product/pickhead-axe/

We cut windshields with them using short strikes to the glass in order to chop a line along the bottom and top.  Pick head had multiple uses.  With all the use/abuse I never saw a handle or head break.

Those look nice, but the price…ouch.

[nate j]

That looks like a terrific axe.  I was thinking, what about a Tomahawk?  It might make a good car/truck companion being able to remove the head from shaft?

…

IME, tomahawks typically don’t have the head weight to chop wood efficiently.

Also, thinking about an accident/emergency, you would want a tool that is ready to go, not one you have to assemble before use.

[Aloha]

I hear ya.  I was thinking about space or ease of storage within a vehicle regarding removing the head from handle. 

What about a Silky saw?  Those things appear to eat wood.   You can get them in quite a few sizes too.   

[aicolainen]

I have no doubt a pick axe is a good firefighter tool, but for my car I want an axe with a flat backside so it can double as a hammer.  I consider repairs a much more likely scenario than me going around rescuing people stuck in their cars.

I was actually quite confident my 4WD was pretty well equipped at this point, until someone mentioned a silky saw. That’s actually a perfectly reasonable tool to keep in the car - and one that is yet to be added.
Thanks for reminding me!

[ThundahBeagle]

Two suggestions, get an Estwing 26 inch camper's axe.  Medium size between a felling axe and a hatchet and pretty much indestructible.   https://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-26-in-Camper-s-Nylon-Vinyl-Grip-Handle-Axe-E45A/100351735

Or  get  a Pulaski  axe /tool.   https://barebonesliving.com/products/pulaski-axe
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4-0-lb-Landscape-Axe-with-34-in-Fiberglass-Handle-HD-F500LS/206768935?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-206768935-_-N

Yes sir.  I have the Estwing.  Would like a Pulaski

[ThundahBeagle]

Hm, if cleaning brush is the main function, why an axe? Why not use something that was actually designed for cleaning brush, like a machete? I keep a Tramontina machete in my trunk for just that purpose. It easily cuts even through thicker branches.

https://www.tramontina.com.br/en/p/26600016-262-tramontina-16-machete-with-carbon-steel-blade-and-black-polypropylene-handle

Got one.  Might not be a Tramontina, but they do make quick work of standing brush, just keep clear

[ThundahBeagle]

I’ve got Estwing Camper’s Axes in vehicles myself.

+1