Estwing Axes

[johnnytheboy]

Any good,

Looking for a small axe to use around the campfire, seen these in just about every diy mag, leather handle looks good?

Thanks in adance

John

[leon-1]

Next time I speak with Neil1 I'll see if he can get time to post about this. He has had one for years. I have a healthy respect for them having seen the amount of use that Neil1's has had. I also refurbished it for him a while back so I can honestly say it's a nice little tool.

These are a few piccies of Neil's Estwing. Before

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5239/estwing11nl.jpg

and after.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2623/estwing21ap.jpg

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/6720/estwing38zy.jpg

Estwings are very much horses for courses, some people love them to bits, others think they look nice and then others hate them.

[David.s]

Not much help with the axe part, but few guys in my garage have used the hammer version for years and they are good.( might be the same handle ??)

[Dougster]

My main reservation is, with the similar one I had, it's hard to carve with your hand so far back from the head. It's impossible to hold it up close because of the narrowness of the shaft.

I got wrist ache quite quickly.

[weaver]

I have one just as the one above, it has served me well for many years. I don't think it will ever wear out. It is not for fine carving work even though I have used it for such. It is more of a work horse in the camp. I am not afraid to drive stakes, cut kindling, baton it through a log, throw it at a predator or any other rough use.

Now, when I go to pioneer days and demonstrate primitive wood working I take my Wetterlings Wildlife Axe and leave the Estwing at home. The wood haft just looks so much nicer and handles well up close.

[spamel]

I don't think they balance too well, but the steel seems to be good and it holds an edge well. i use mine for taking the heads off rabbits when i skin and dress them. It seems to be quite good for that!

[Toddy]

I've got one like Neils1's and it's a really good. I find it lighter and kinder on my wrists and elbows when used than my sfa. I think it's the shape of the haft
My brother, the joiner one, gave me it a couple of months ago saying it's an ideal bit of kit; not fancy, not that expensive but a decent tradesmans tool that will take a lot of work and still keep a good edge.

cheers,
Toddy