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Every single axe I have ever used that looks like picrel has the head start coming loose after only a few weeks. Every single time. It's retarded that I can't buy a wood handled axe that is made correctly out of the box. Even with premium brands like Gransfors, while the heads may not come loose, they are hung crooked half the time, and there's no store where you can pick out a straight one in person. I don't have time for these shop projects to fix these issues myself, an axe should just be fucking made right.
Showing all 11 replies.
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>>2867623
>and there's no store where you can pick out a straight one in person
So you have all your axes delivered?
Or is the axe store like a fast food joint where you place an order, they bag it all in the back and just hand you a bag full of shit?
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>>2867714
I only buy axes in person so I can pick out one that doesn't have crooked alignment between the head and handle. Most wood handled axes are crooked, even from the better manufacturers. I found a store in North Carolina once that had council tool axes and every single one was crooked.
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>>2867623
Gransfors bruks used to be considered cheap low tier axes. They do make axes out of good steel, but that’s it. You have to re-bevel the taper and often, like you mention, re handle it yourself. Husqvarna axes are literally gransfors axes at half the price.
There are good axes out there, but they fetch an absolute premium. Like 250 usd to start. Best bet is to buy something pre 1940 and handle it with a Hoffman handles handle. Probably need to re- bevel the edge first. I have dozens of old axes I restored. Some are absolute laser beams.
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>>2870940
Fb marketplace, yard sales, and old people estate auctions.
After ‘45 every inch of steel produced worldwide using the Bessemer process has a little bit of radiation and it’s virtually impossible to make steel as good as they had 80 years ago.
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>>2870940
eBay mostly. But going to estate sales and garage sales out in the country has yielded some of the best finds. Most people sell old rusty axe heads for 1 to 5 dollars USD. You need to know what you’re looking for though. Look for names like Kelly Works, Collins, Plumb, Warren, Mann, American Axe and Tool and the different models they produced. And know what you’re using the axe for, so you can choose an appropriate style. If you’re across the pond, best bet is to buy American if you can find them. If not, Hults Bruk, Wetterlings, Grandsfors Bruk (the old ones), Ochsenkopf, Helko and Sater are good brands pre-1940’s. German and Swedish steel was very good, but American axe design was superior.
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>>2871022
> why do you have dozens of axes?
I collect them and restore them.
And you can buy one if you’re in Northern California. Being in an area with a long history of logging helps if you’re looking to buy. If not, EBay is still the best bet.
I have an appreciation for quality hand tools. Even though I could afford whatever tools I want, the old ones are superior.
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>>2867623
I mainly only use axes for hewing, but bent handles don't seem to hinder me much. The main complaint is that handles have fat ass profiles that are shocking to the hand as bought, and some seriously uncomfortable "sticky" finish. One thing too is that the heads I have rehandled have eyes that seem to be simply punched out and not drifted or cleaned up in any way, so the hole is basically straight, rather than bellmouthed on either end as it should be. They also terminate in sharp corners, often with the burrs from punching intact. Installing handles without rectifying this problem results in the edge of the eye cutting into the wood rather than compressing it (and letting the wood expand on the other end with the wedge).
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>>2871235
So you’re using a broad axe for hewing? I wasn’t aware that anyone was still producing broad axes, or any axe that could be used for hewing. In that case, I’d put up the coin to buy a vintage axe that’s in good shape b fore ever trying to buy the junk that’s made today. The quality of steel alone, not to mention the fit and finish is way superior. The only axe company that makes true quality axes today is Hoffman.
https://hoffmanblacksmithing.com/
But you’re going to pay out the ass for them. Best bet is to buy an old axe head and put a Hoffman handle on it. They’re the best handles on the market as well. The premium grade is split along the grain and not sawn. So they’re is zero runnout. The only company to do so that I know of.