I'm looking for a good ax...

[midnight armadillo]

It's time to start doing some damage to some small trees and brush in the yard. I don't see much need for a chainsaw for this work and in any case I need the exercise.

Can anyone recommend a good quality ax? I'd prefer a hickory handle and probably a 3.5 or 4 lb head.

[Brickbat]

1. These are awesome.

I love tools that are useable works of art -- you don't hesitate to use them, because they're so good.

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

[Brother Buzz]

2. Tag sale, garage sale, flea market....

If you are halfway handy, you can pick up a fine axe head and hang the handle yourself. During the process you can clean, file and hone the head to your satisfaction, plus you can sand that damn factory finish of the 'store bought' handle and apply a proper polymerizing oil finish.

Couple of brands to keep a keen eye open for:

Mann
Kelly
Plumb
American Axe and Tool company
Collins




Gränsfors axes, mention upthread, are specular, but very pricey. I would love to add one to my collection.

This crappy photo show their really cool multiple stage trip hammer. If I went to Sweden, I would visit the shop and plead with them to let me use it for a couple of hours to forge out a few blanks; diamonds in the rough, so to speak.

[midnight armadillo]

3. thanks!

I will do some yard sale hunting this spring. 'tis the season for them. Money spent on good tools is never money wasted, and even an expensive excellent ax is cheaper than a fair quality chainsaw.