Need an Ax, what to get?

[Caneman]

I need to get an ax for general splitting of fire wood... and don't know anything about axes and not sure what to get... what am i looking for, how do i sharpen it, is there one brand that is "the best", etc. where to buy, etc.... thanks TFF

[wv hillbilly]

if you want to just split wood i would suggest a 8# mall
a hardware store would be a good place to start, or such as gander mt. etc
sharpening an axe is easy. i would recomend a fine flat bastered file at least 10" WITH A HANDLE
clamp the axe in a vice, start at one point of the blade with the file and end the stroke at the other end.count the number of strokes and repeat on the other side of the axe

[Old Grump]

Originally Posted by Caneman

I need to get an ax for general splitting of fire wood... and don't know anything about axes and not sure what to get... what am i looking for, how do i sharpen it, is there one brand that is "the best", etc. where to buy, etc.... thanks TFF

Read this before you buy an axe so you will have a better idea on what to look for. In my case I just use a file for most of my sharpening, You don't need or want a razors edge but an edge that will hold and do what you need.

What ace you get depends on how much you are willing to spend, a serviceable axe can be had from Ace hardware but if you are going to be serious about your cutting look into Fiskars super splitting axe. Personally I think you will want two, a chopping ace and a maul, you will get into that in the article.

http://equipment.ludlowsurvivors.com/axesharp.html

[CampingJosh]

I've been happy with my Fiskars splitting ax. But I'll be honest that I am far more likely to use a sledgehammer and wedges when I'm splitting by hand.

Of course, the 205cc Briggs & Stratton is my favorite tool for splitting wood.

[ozo]

Different wood splits differently....[scholarly, eh?]
If you are only splitting red oak, let's say, then even
a small Fiskars camp axe will do fine.
Pinon pine would take a splitting maul and wedges often.
If you have both a maul and a splitting axe, you would be
covered all the way around...and a wedge or two.
Wedges are cheap at Harbor Freight. There are also
different wedges, some that won't get stuck...so they
say, and cost a bit more.
Home Depot and Lowes have mauls/axes/wedges.
I would suggest getting a non-breakable handle on them.

[Country101]

If you have bad coordination like me, I suggest a fiberglass handle. It will save you a few handles in the long run. If you want a wooden handle try to find something to protect it just below the bit.

Just found these. May have to look into them....

http://www.awesometools.com/handlesa...dle-savers.asp

[luv2weld]

As others have already said, you should get 2 axes. One for chopping and one for
splitting. Look closely at the Fiskars heads and you will see the difference.
I have 3 Fiskars axes, and I love them. I keep one in my truck behind the seat.
I keep a small axe in my bug out bag. The 3rd one is in the barn. I have several other axes, but I always reach for the Fiskars. And don't worry about that sharpening article.
If you want to shave with your axe, about 2 minutes with a diamond stone on the
Fiskar and you are there!

Ralph

[carver]

Originally Posted by ozo

Different wood splits differently....[scholarly, eh?]
If you are only splitting red oak, let's say, then even
a small Fiskars camp axe will do fine.
Pinon pine would take a splitting maul and wedges often.
If you have both a maul and a splitting axe, you would be
covered all the way around...and a wedge or two.
Wedges are cheap at Harbor Freight. There are also
different wedges, some that won't get stuck...so they
say, and cost a bit more.
Home Depot and Lowes have mauls/axes/wedges.
I would suggest getting a non-breakable handle on them.

I have both the axe, and a mall with the un-breakable handles, and like you, I highly recomend them. I split logs for making sticks, and I use home made wooden wedges. Like the others have suggested, a file is all you need to keep them sharp. I also have a double bit axe for light work, like triming branches from a log. And a hand axe for splitting kindling. The single bit axe can also be used in a batoning method with a large stick, or mallet.

[ozo]

I really like Fiskars.....axes, hatchets, scissors, knives.....
Fine products. I have only seen non-breakable handles
on them also.
I used to have a Bluegrass double-bit axe. It was super.
A double bit was designed for felling trees. One edge was
always used to slice downward and the other edge to
chop the slice out horizontally......turning it in your hands
as you draw back for another blow to the trunk. The edge
for the downward slice was always kept very sharp. Because
of that reason, people did lot let another use their axe.....
for fear it would be used wrong, and ruin the sharp edge.

[hstout1143]

Originally Posted by CampingJosh

But I'll be honest that I am far more likely to use a sledgehammer and wedges when I'm splitting by hand.

+1 As long as the wood is sufficiently dry it should split fairly easily.

[gun runner]

the way I sharpen my axes is with an angle grinder and sharpening only on 1 side and not too much. You can find plenty of axes at any hardware store such as home depot, lowes etc.

[carver]

Originally Posted by ozo

I really like Fiskars.....axes, hatchets, scissors, knives.....
Fine products. I have only seen non-breakable handles
on them also.
I used to have a Bluegrass double-bit axe. It was super.
A double bit was designed for felling trees. One edge was
always used to slice downward and the other edge to
chop the slice out horizontally......turning it in your hands
as you draw back for another blow to the trunk. The edge
for the downward slice was always kept very sharp. Because
of that reason, people did lot let another use their axe.....
for fear it would be used wrong, and ruin the sharp edge.

And please sink the entire edge of the ax into a piece of wood when you are finished with it. It won't rust there!

[ozo]

Originally Posted by carver

And please sink the entire edge of the ax into a piece of wood when you are finished with it. It won't rust there!

Axe etiquette....in Axe 101......gotta love it [if your old].
[although guess it should be spelled American- Ax]

[carver]

Old, that would be me!

[jjmitchell60]

Splitting mall with fibergalls handle if just for splitting.
IF wanting the best axe you ever owned or will own, buy a Gransfors Bruks BUT be prepared for the price! Over $100 and can be over $300 depending on which one. Here is a sample of their axes, I have a carpenters hatchet and LOVE it.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/g...ruks-axes.aspx

[Caneman]

wow, thanks TFF... i knew i could count on you guys to help me out!

next summer I plan to get a chain saw so i can get some firewood off the mountain... i guess i will ask next spring about that...

[gun runner]

Originally Posted by Caneman

wow, thanks TFF... i knew i could count on you guys to help me out!

next summer I plan to get a chain saw so i can get some firewood off the mountain... i guess i will ask next spring about that...

Go with a Stihl chainsaw. They have to be the best and most popular saw out there. They are made in Germany and they are very tough. My family has 2 of them. They are old and they still got the power like a new saw.

[wv hillbilly]

Originally Posted by gun runner

Go with a Stihl chainsaw. They have to be the best and most popular saw out there. They are made in Germany and they are very tough. My family has 2 of them. They are old and they still got the power like a new saw.

i dont know if the new models are in germany

[ozo]

Originally Posted by carver

Old, that would be me!

I yam widya Brother....

[stumpjumper]

+1 As long as the wood is sufficiently dry it should split fairly easily.

except poplar. that stuff way too stringy

Go with a Stihl chainsaw.

good saws. never had a problem with a craftsman either. easy to fix also

[polishshooter]

Their is no such thing as "One good Axe"

You will need THREE...(maybe FOUR)

Your FIRST axe should be a good "Single Bit." If anybody can get by with only ONE axe, it would be a "Single Bit."

YES it can "split" firewood. YES it can "Fell" trees. YES with the hammer end it can drive wedges to split HEAVY blocks of wood....

...and I never went anywhere in the woods with a chainsaw WITHOUT also a good single bit and a couple of wedges. (you have to clean the mud off the logs to keep from dulling the saw, trim off the logs the little limbs and twigs which will screw with the saw, and also be ready to "free" a "stuck"saw with the plastic or aluminum wedges...)


...but it will do NONE of them as good as a specialized "axe."


You need a "Go Devil" or "splitting sledge" to efficiently split logs for firewood. The traditional 6 lb "splitting sledge will do you well.

Many specialized "Mauls," with heavier "wedge" shapes and even metal handles will work a little better, but a good 6lb "Splitting Sledge" will do you fine. I have split many of cords of wood with one since I was a kid.

But it will NOT "Fell" a tree.

For "Felling," you need a good "Double Bit" axe. The Double Bit CAN split wood, but will not do as well as a Single, and nowhere NEAR as good as a Splitting Wedge or Maul, but is indespensable. Plus a double bit makes good kindling as well....



You just have to admire a good man with a double bit....if you haven't tried to drop a good sized tree with one you should try it....yeah it will be nowhere near as fast as with a chainsaw, but also nowhere NEAR as hard as you think it will be, plus no GAS...

It IS a "Poor Man's Chainsaw..." and a HELLUVA lot of the Farmland east of the Mississippi was created WITH one....


DROP the tree with the Double, cut it up with the Single, and split it with the "Go Devil" to burn it.....try it, it WORKS....


And yeah, with any good axe, you sharpen with a bastard file...

[Silencer]

I have this 'axe.'

[1LoneWolf75]

Originally Posted by gun runner

Go with a Stihl chainsaw. They have to be the best and most popular saw out there. They are made in Germany and they are very tough. My family has 2 of them. They are old and they still got the power like a new saw.

I personally don't like Stihl, the balance is off on the older ones and WAY off on the newer ones. The 029 farm boss was the last good one they made, but as with all good things....... I'm gonna try a husky next time, they feel right and husky makes good stuff still. DON'T get a poulan they are cheap junk!!! Have never had good luck with em. I like the old homelites but they are no longer in business. Also when you buy a saw get a good Oregon chain when you buy. They make the best chains out there.

[1LoneWolf75]

Originally Posted by Silencer

I have this 'axe.'

nice ax!!

[WHSmithIV]

Just get yourself a general all purpose axe to start with. Smaller pieces split easy along the grain if they don't have knots in them. I'd start with one that has a composite handle rather than one with a wood handle. When you miss with a wood handle you tend to start a destruction of the handle (and you do miss sometimes when you are getting used to splitting wood). Get a wedge for driving in with a small sledge hammer also. For wood that just doesn't want to split the wedge will split it. Other than that, get a fancy gas powered splitter