Hiking/Camp Axe?

[HA556]

A whole bunch of axes come from the factory fairly blunt and or needing the edge profiled with a file and then followed up with a puck and then with use, you'll need to maintain it.
What I'm saying is, don't be scared to lay steel and stone to your edges as the circumstances warrant.

Yes sir, got that department covered! While no card carrying expert, I am proficient enough to keep a keen edge on my tools. Ole man taught me this when I was knee high to a short frog!

 

[HA556]

View attachment 900465I had to go way back in my shopping
history to try and figure out who made the axe I usually bring with me camping.

Cold Steel Trail Boss. It's 2# and has a hickory handle about 2' long. Good forged steel head. Think I paid something like $20 for it back when I bought it.

I like the wide cutting edge on that head.

 

[Longwalkhome]

Not meaning to derail your thread but if Oregon can require gun locks then next step is a first aid box for knives and hatchet. Buy a knife and you are required to buy bandaids.

You got me looking through my hatchets and it got me to remembering one was stolen out of my truck some years back. Its why I now have more than one.

 

[thorborg]

My thoughts are a 20 to 24 Inch handle serves one best
Albeit a folding saw will yield way more wood, in hours less time, with a ton of less energy spent. Still, when out for several weeks a sharp axe with leverage is a handy tool for sure.

 

[HA556]

The only 'downside' to the HB, is replacing the handle. BUT, it can and has been done!

Yeah, I went to their website and looked at replacement handles and they didn't have one for the Hudson Bay. I messaged them expressing my disappointment (I like to have a spare handle) and am waiting on their response to see if they have a recommendation.

 

[ORhutner]

House Handle should have hickory replacements. They have been my go to for hickory handles and I am generally pleased with what I receive. I usually pay the extra fee for hand selected. Been a while but I want to say it was $1 or $1.50 per handle for hand selected. They will also send without lacquer and Octagon the handle for a small feed, believe that it is $1.50.

 

[HA556]

Excellent info and greatly appreciate that!

Also, want to thank all of you who have replied with tips and suggestions to this thread! Pretty much why NWFA is my only go to site anymore!

P.S. - Can't figure out why our resident Mountain Man @Andy54Hawken didn't show up with his belt axe and photos?! (Ribbing you Andy!)

 

[Defense Minister]

I use the Estwing 26" Camper's Axe, and my 17.5" Gerber has been in the camp box serving light camp duty for 25 years.

 

[Ura-Ki]

Late to the party, but the Plum Brand of Axes are really awesome tools, just the right combo of hardness for good edge retention, while still being pretty easy to maintain! They also sell handles and wedge kits for those who need to replace a handle!
I always keep a Fellers Double Bit Ax and a bucking ( Limbing) Ax handy, never know when your gonna need the extra power, and the small kindling/camp hatchet is really nice to have near the stove! For a good all around camp/hiking/survival tool, Keckler makes an awesome tool head and handle kit, or Iron Forge Tomahawks Piker is a really awesome tool that will last forever if you take care of it!

 

[madmax]

For all your axe needs

Beaver Tooth Handle Co. Replacement Axe & Tool Handles Sheaths Wedges

Beaver-Tooth Handle Co. Premium Quality Hickory Replacement Handles for Axes, Hatchets, Broad Axes, Adze, Hammers & Leather Axe Sheaths, Steel & Wood Wedges.

beaver-tooth.com

 

[HA556]

For all your axe needs

Beaver Tooth Handle Co. Replacement Axe & Tool Handles Sheaths Wedges

Beaver-Tooth Handle Co. Premium Quality Hickory Replacement Handles for Axes, Hatchets, Broad Axes, Adze, Hammers & Leather Axe Sheaths, Steel & Wood Wedges.

beaver-tooth.com

Thank you sir! I've saved that site and already ordered a sheath for my axe from them.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Late to the party, but the Plum Brand of Axes are really awesome tools, just the right combo of hardness for good edge retention, while still being pretty easy to maintain! They also sell handles and wedge kits for those who need to replace a handle!
I always keep a Fellers Double Bit Ax and a bucking ( Limbing) Ax handy, never know when your gonna need the extra power, and the small kindling/camp hatchet is really nice to have near the stove! For a good all around camp/hiking/survival tool, Keckler makes an awesome tool head and handle kit, or Iron Forge Tomahawks Piker is a really awesome tool that will last forever if you take care of it!

I've got an old Plumb hatchet I need to get a sheath for. Love that little thing.
Edit, two Plumbs. I need sheaths for both. The "big" one is two foot..

 

[Andy54Hawken]

P.S. - Can't figure out why our resident Mountain Man @Andy54Hawken didn't show up with his belt axe and photos?! (Ribbing you Andy!)

Howdy HA556....
I wuz with Jim Bridger at one of our local rendezvous.
We had some shining times for sure , lots of good shootin' and talkin' guns and history.

I'll post my belt axe and some thoughts up in a bit....
Andy

 

[madmax]

Thank you sir! I've saved that site and already ordered a sheath for my axe from them.

They got some real quality stuff, ive been really happy with it

Here is a youtube thats a must. Amazing energy and heart for the Axe community

https://youtube.com/c/BuckinBillyRaySmith

 

[2Wheels4Ever]

My grandmother gave me her father's axe. Old great grandpa Scarpelli used to have a nice little farm in Walla Walla. I think there is still a Scarpelli Dr. When I received it, the poor thing was just a rusty axe head. I've cleaned it up a bit and gave it a new handle. This one is a US made Collins.

It's not a full sized axe, and it always comes along on the camping trips. Not small enough to hike with, but it packs nicely in the SUV.

 

[Certaindeaf]

They got some real quality stuff, ive been really happy with it

Here is a youtube thats a must. Amazing energy and heart for the Axe community

https://youtube.com/c/BuckinBillyRaySmith

SkillCult has some good axe tips also..

 

[madmax]

He is on point, hence why i posted, HF and council tool are worth buying.

Im all about re hanging a head. Im all about making it fit my needs

 

[HA556]

Ok, the Council Tool Hudson Bay showed up today! Very happy with the size and feel! This will probably out last me and go to my son someday!

 

[Knobgoblin]

I saw a couple vintage hatchets last week with the same blade style. Seems like $30-50 was the asking price.
I might grab them and get some pics up soon. Not sure if this is deals , or high priced. No experience with collecting such things.

 

[ORhutner]

@Knobgoblin it really comes down to who the manufacturer is and what period they were made. Some Hudson bay pattern axes were bringing $150 - $200 or more back when I was more active and up on the axe market three or four years ago. When axes went mainstream and got much harder to find for a couple dollars a head, I moved on from the vintage axes unless I stumble upon a good deal. When folks want as much or more than a new Gransfors Bruk, I will just buy the new axe. Not sure if it is still the case but cruiser double bits got through the roof expensive.