Thread: Seeking Axe Information

Keech castings make pretty handy axes.

P.S. I got one

If you are importing, make sure it is NOT invoiced as a throwing axe - you will need the Federal Attourney General's permission to get it off Customs - and that takes about 3 months Been there, had that happen.

Originally Posted by outback

Keech castings make pretty handy axes.

P.S. I got one

thanks mate, I have checked out their website and I'll be in contact with them. Appreciate the advice.

Originally Posted by bsrlee

If you are importing, make sure it is NOT invoiced as a throwing axe - you will need the Federal Attourney General's permission to get it off Customs - and that takes about 3 months Been there, had that happen.

thanks for the tip! There's a chance I will import so your message is appreciated.

MIK International www.mik.com.au supplies a range of adzes and axes. Check out the Grandsfors Brucks range from Sweden...pretty but pricey!

I always liked the Estwing range of axes and carpenter's hatchets too. Had one of the hatchets for years.

Im not familiar enough with those books to know the specific things you want to do. However when I lived in tree laden US the deal was to have a smallish hatchet and a larger felling axe to do different things.

Problem is to find decent axes to start with. Granfors is top notch stuff but will set you back ~$200 ish per piece. Roselli is similar (see eg http://www.knivesaustralia.com.au/knives.html). So you are tempted to try cheaper... Your average Bunnys type axe (~$20-75) is halfway between a proper felling axe and a splitting wedge and is too thick for any sort of finesse. Only solution here would be some serious grinding and avoid ruining the heat treatment such as it is. Another would be to go to leevalleytools.com and have a look at the iltis axes for about 70US + shipping.

My 0.02 worth: buy Bushcraft: Outdoor Skills & Wilderness Survival by Mors Kochanski (amazon) for a lovely discussion on how to choose an axe and then go prowling around to try and find something close enough.


HTH

Check out hardware and camping stores don't forget it will need to be sharpened
and honed before use, they only come with a "shop edge"

Have a lok around as there are bargains to be had in many places. i picked up a kelly here a couple of years back for $20. Got my other Kelly in an old antique shop in the Rock fot $15. Since then Iv'e had a few plumbs and hytests come in my way as well. Off to Jimboomba markets this morning to see what else is around.