Argos axe

**rik_uk3** · 02-03-2009, 13:21

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...&Submit=GO+%3E

**Andy2112** · 02-03-2009, 13:24

Rik,

that looks great for under a tenner, bushcrafting on a budget, i love it.

Andy

**nige7whit** · 02-03-2009, 13:32

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/84613/...xe-20oz-0-57kg

Screwfix 20 Oz head, fibreglass shafted axe.

Bought one myself the other week, completely adequate for my purposes, and I didn't want to spend much on a small axe for splitting kindling for my Bushcooker (got tired of using my Clipper and bashing down with the edge of my hand).

**durulz** · 02-03-2009, 13:50

I do like the look of that Argos axe. I like the shape of the head.
If I didn't have an axe already (and mine was also a cheapy - at £13), I would buy one of those!

**scrogger** · 02-03-2009, 14:00

are axes easy to keep sharp?? is it much the same as sharpening a knife or is there more to it, and will cheaper axes sharpen up ok?

**Draven** · 02-03-2009, 14:40

Originally Posted by scrogger

are axes easy to keep sharp?? is it much the same as sharpening a knife or is there more to it, and will cheaper axes sharpen up ok?

The edge retention question is subjective really - a good axe will keep an edge, a rubbish one won't! Keep in mind that you're smacking it off wood, a good axe won't keep a razor sharp edge as long as a good knife. The sharpening question is also subjective - some axes are overhardened and a pain to sharpen - some are too soft and easy to sharpen. British Red did a great tutorial on axe sharpening in the Edged Tools section, though, might wanna check it out.

Looks reasonable for the price, but you can find Bahco axes with the same head profile and a wood handle for around a tenner online...

Pete

**rik_uk3** · 02-03-2009, 14:53

A friend of my lad is working at Argos and told him about the axe, plus rumour has it that they intend to increase the range of camping gear this year so its worth checking the site from time to time.

**Osric** · 02-03-2009, 15:25

Originally Posted by rik_uk3

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...&Submit=GO+%3E

I bought an axe from a market in York which was exactly the same shape and size as this one and it was rubbish. This one may be made from decent steel but the one I had was pants.

I struggled to get an edge on it, other than polishing it my angle grinder never touched it and had to use my Dads heavy duty grinder at his garage.

The head is also cast which ended up breaking into three pieces so ended up in the bin.
I think I kept the handle though.

Hope this helps

1st post by the way!

Osric

**Melonfish** · 02-03-2009, 15:27

good find that! i feel an axe buy on the way.
pete

**nige7whit** · 02-03-2009, 15:27

I was in a branch of Argos the other day, and the latest catalogue has quite a lot of camping and outdoors related items. Genuine Trangias, Sigg bottles, lots of tents, etc.

Looks like a nice attempt at providing for a newly popular market.

Originally Posted by rik_uk3

A friend of my lad is working at Argos and told him about the axe, plus rumour has it that they intend to increase the range of camping gear this year so its worth checking the site from time to time.

**scrogger** · 02-03-2009, 16:02

Thanks for the info guys draven in your experience would you think the argos or bahco axes to be an ok buy for a nooby, not really got much experience of using them other that when we have stayed at the odd cottage with a wood fire and I have had to split a few logsI

**Peter_t** · 02-03-2009, 16:13

looks to me like a cheap knock off one of bahco's axes, probably made in china. it says its made of carbon steel but that doesnt meen its good quality. also it could be badly tempered, too hard or soft. for a few more quid or the same price if you shop around you can get one made by bahco which is a name you can trust.

pete

**robin wood** · 02-03-2009, 16:26

I like the look of it. As folk say you never know until you play with it how good the temper and grind is but its not expensive or difficult to harden and temper a bit of carbon steel and can be done as well in China as anywhere. Do we know where the bahco axes are made?

I will pick one up and have a play next time I am in Buxton and report back.

From the dimensions and weight it is slightly lighter than a Swedish carving axe and heavier than wildlife hatchet but with a one hand handle not a long handle like the SFA. Could be good for carving, firewood and general camp axe.

I would like to find a £10 axe that works well, just like the Frosts clipper this sort of thing makes the hobby all the more accessible.

**Draven** · 02-03-2009, 17:35

Originally Posted by scrogger

Thanks for the info guys draven in your experience would you think the argos or bahco axes to be an ok buy for a nooby, not really got much experience of using them other that when we have stayed at the odd cottage with a wood fire and I have had to split a few logsI

I reallly don't have enough experience to say tbh - the bahco axes are very highly regarded, though I've never used one - I do intend to buy one soon though. I use an A. Finlay axe which might be a bit steeply priced for someone without much experience and therefore unsure of what they're looking for. I also have a Rolson hatchet I bought at a fleamarket for £3.99 new, which was decent once I fixed the grind.

Osric - I wouldn't judge it by that, it's a pretty common head profile, I bought a fibreglass handled one with the same head profile that was utter rubbish a few years back, but as said, the Bahco axes are the same shape and are very well thought of. It seems the issue with mine was the same as yours - way too hard, sharpening was near impossible. I personally don't have a problem with a cast axe head as long as it's done right though.

Pete

**Osric** · 02-03-2009, 18:49

Originally Posted by Draven

I reallly don't have enough experience to say tbh - the bahco axes are very highly regarded, though I've never used one - I do intend to buy one soon though. I use an A. Finlay axe which might be a bit steeply priced for someone without much experience and therefore unsure of what they're looking for. I also have a Rolson hatchet I bought at a fleamarket for £3.99 new, which was decent once I fixed the grind.

Osric - I wouldn't judge it by that, it's a pretty common head profile, I bought a fibreglass handled one with the same head profile that was utter rubbish a few years back, but as said, the Bahco axes are the same shape and are very well thought of. It seems the issue with mine was the same as yours - way too hard, sharpening was near impossible. I personally don't have a problem with a cast axe head as long as it's done right though.

Pete

I was just annoyed that it broke half way through getting my firewood ready for the night. I wasn't too devastated because just thinking about it over the last few minutes, I'm sure I only paid £2.50 for it. :-)

Osric

**hog** · 02-03-2009, 19:13

They sell axes, do they sell knives?

**Melonfish** · 02-03-2009, 20:38

most knives, i know they do victorinox
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...xt%3EKNIFE.htm
also electric, carving and most kitchen styles.

dare you to show up at a meet with an electric knife

hardcore man

**rik_uk3** · 02-03-2009, 20:44

Originally Posted by Osric

I bought an axe from a market in York which was exactly the same shape and size as this one and it was rubbish. This one may be made from decent steel but the one I had was pants.

I struggled to get an edge on it, other than polishing it my angle grinder never touched it and had to use my Dads heavy duty grinder at his garage.

The head is also cast which ended up breaking into three pieces so ended up in the bin.
I think I kept the handle though.

Hope this helps

1st post by the way!

Osric

It would be a help Osric, if you had done a real comparison between the Argos axe and your axe which 'looks similar' instead of speculating? Its like saying a crap £40 tipi looks like a Hex 3 so the Hex is crap. The Argos axe may well be rubbish, but we won't know until someone buys and uses one for real.

Welcome to the forum mate

**HillBill** · 02-03-2009, 20:52

I am going to buy one tommorow. I need a cheap axe for splitting wood at home having chipped my SFA twice in 3 days. Argos says they have them in stock.

I'll put up a few pics. Any particular pics you want, grind, profile, grain, head attachment and allignment, top view?

**rik_uk3** · 02-03-2009, 20:56

Originally Posted by HillBill

I am going to buy one tommorow. I need a cheap axe for splitting wood at home having chipped my SFA twice in 3 days. Argos says they have them in stock.

I'll put up a few pics. Any particular pics you want, grind, profile, grain, head attachment and allignment, top view?

A quick review would be great Bill, good or bad,

Richard

**HillBill** · 02-03-2009, 21:12

Originally Posted by rik_uk3

A quick review would be great Bill, good or bad,

Richard

Will do then tommorow evening.They say they are in stock. Fingers crossed,

**British Red** · 02-03-2009, 21:13

Love to see a "top down" view of the eye - I woudl like to know if the helve is wedged or held in with epoxy if that's possible Bill

Red

**HillBill** · 02-03-2009, 22:05

Originally Posted by British Red

Love to see a "top down" view of the eye - I woudl like to know if the helve is wedged or held in with epoxy if that's possible Bill

Red

Will do Red, If you enlarge the argos image it looks to have some glue or something where the handle meets the head.

**woof** · 03-03-2009, 09:11

My dad picked up something similar for me from lidl, about 3 years ago. It is wedged, but is not straight, being as much as 5mm off centre, making accurate chopping impossible.

I have used it despite this a fair bit, but only for going through tree roots and the like, when i don't want to damage anything decent, but then it was only £1.99 !.

I also got one of the workzone fibreglass handled ones from aldi, and that is the best kindling splitter i have ever had.

**HillBill** · 03-03-2009, 14:46

I have posted a review here

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38912

Mark

**Dynamite_1303** · 04-03-2009, 13:00

Hi all - very new to the forum, so still getting used to this ...

Tool-wise I've picked up most of my gear to date from car-boots over the years. My smallest axe was about 50p, and although in need of a new haft now is top notch. Probably old sheffield steel with a central wedge of crucible steel, which to this day beats any type of modern steel out there for sharpness.

Downsides of rusting (needs looking after like any quality tool) and needing a grinder to give it a real edge, but from there repeated attention with smaller hand sharpeners will keep the edge for some time.

Ahote

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