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Axe for off road

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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 05:07 PM
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From: Auburn, Washington
Axe for off road

My local Lowes has this Fiskar 28" model
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...131&lpage=none



Fiberglass handle is what I want since I will be drilling two holes in the handle to go on the roof rack from a mount I am fabbing up.

Not much of a selection out there for fiber handled axes.
Anyone own this model?

They have a nice True Temper wood handled axe, but I would think the fiberglass one would hold up better.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 05:35 PM
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True temper is made by ames, it is the toughest axe you can buy at any home center next to fiberlgass. I like wood over fiberglass, just feels better and it lasts just as long.

A fiberglass handle can break, I have done it and its pretty easy if you hit it with a log our trying to split or smack it good. That fiskars model can break, the handle is molded over the head-I had one that came apart up thier after about 2 years of use.

Either or wil really do you well, that fiskars axe is really nice, but nothing, I mean nothing will beat an estwing..

Last edited by CJM; Sep 23, 2006 at 05:37 PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 05:56 PM
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Thanks, I did not even take notice about the handle molded over the head.
I just may get the wood one then.

I am going to mount an axe up tomorrow using the same method I did for my shovel.



I wish Yakima made HUGE Snap Arounds for the fat round tubes on the FJs rack.
I have about 20 of the Snap Arounds that go around the Yakima crossbars, but the Yakima crossbars are a lot smaller diameter than the FJs round tubes.

If I could find something to work on them, I would mount the axe on the side of the rack instead of the top.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 06:02 PM
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Buy the best (or one of the best).

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/pr...flat_head_axe/

Lamm
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 08:28 PM
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I tried to think up a way to mount it atm, but I am stumped as well. Maybe fab up your own stuff..

As for the best axe, in no way is a firemans axe the best..this is the best: Gransfors Bruks, you dont have to buy it from them-but if you can break this axe you really beat the crap out of it. I have one made in 1970 somethign I bougyht at a yardsale..it is unkillable and easily the best axe I own b/c the head material is the best and forged!

http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com...oducts_id/1969
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 09:01 PM
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Get an axe with an easily replaceable handle - you'll break it eventually, no matter what it's made of. Get or make a good head cover for it and keep it inside. Leaving the axe exposed to the elements will only ensure that it will be nice and dull when you need it. Be sure you also carry a couple of files and a good pair of gloves.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 09:26 PM
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I never leave a Hi-Lift, axe, or shovel on the rig.
The only time they are on a rig is the day or the night before a run.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 09:33 PM
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Smart, I always have an extra axe handle floating around as well..can never be to carefull.

I can recall going on a camping trip and going many, many miles into the woods. The axe broke while chopping wood, it was october so we needed wood bad and good amounts of it. After gathering up what we could I used my camillus becker knife to chop a few more down and cut them up and then I chopped down a good sized tree.

I spent the rest of the night for funr whitteling a new handle and wouldnt ya know it worked great and I still have it on the axe. Just thought I would share..it took me many hours to carve it...but hey when your in the woods and its jsut for fun you got nothing else to do.

Oh and if you dont already have one of these knives-get one! Its like a mini hatchet! http://www.camillusknives.com/1mainframe.htm its under the BK&T section. Not to pricey and super tough stuff..
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by CJM
I spent the rest of the night for funr whitteling a new handle and wouldnt ya know it worked great and I still have it on the axe. Just thought I would share..it took me many hours to carve it...but hey when your in the woods and its jsut for fun you got nothing else to do.
Adapt and overcome! A good trick for making sure your homemade handle fits tightly is to expand the axe head by heating it (asuming you've been able to chop enough wood for a good fire). Don't let it get red-hot or you'll destroy the tempering! Tap in your new handle and let the head cool slowly. Don't dunk it in water, snow, etc. or you'll destroy the tempering.
Corey - forgot who I was typing to. I know you aren't one of those guys who has everything on his rig at all times, then complains because the stuff gets stolen and his gas milage sucks.
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 10:59 PM
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i would like to get this one i have used ther hammers for many years and if this is made like the hammer it is a good tool

http://www.estwing.com/axes2.htm
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 11:32 PM
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did anyone else read "axle for offroading"...... i though damn corey's already sas' his fj, no way...
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 02:02 AM
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From: Auburn, Washington
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I ended up with a Michigan True Temper 36" axe
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...852#post996852

I did not need something super expensive or fancy.
This is only for emergencies when out 4wheeling.

Nope, no solid axle swap in the FJ
Perfecly happy with IFS.
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 04:39 AM
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I was going to suggest this:

http://www.maxax.com/

But I see I am too late.
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 04:58 AM
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are you wheeling the fj already??? wow im surprised.
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 05:11 AM
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I agree with CJM...Gransfors Bruks axes are fantastic...great product
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 10:35 AM
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i have that fiskars and love it for the little i use it
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by lee
are you wheeling the fj already??? wow im surprised.
i think i saw him in the mall parking lot with it once!
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 11:03 AM
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i have a 36" Estwing, it hold's an edge good, but has a steel frame. i also have a fiskers, the blade chips, and dule's real easy. super soft steel, but you can get them super sharp. and they also have the best warranty going.
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 11:27 AM
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How often have any of you used an axe while wheeling? I know you guys up in the PNW have way different terrain than we have here, so I'm just curious.
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 11:30 AM
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question... why an axe? what do you do with it? if you're not on an expedition-type run, then is it needed? could it really be needed at all for anything other than splitting firewood at camp?
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