Using a hand axe compared to a felling axe, does anyone have experience?

[mart]

About 4 years ago I bought a "Rough neck" hand axe to chop down some self seeded trees. Maximum trunk diameter was only
about 75mm. I managed the task ok.

I currently need to cut down some dead and some half dead trees. The trees are quite thick, but quite short. I am thinking of getting a felling axe (long handle) as it may be easier?? Does anyone use a felling axe, and what are your thoughts?

 

[zzr1200]

What diameter trunks???

Possibly the best answer is a chainsaw depending on location and area available to fell in.

You could always pm me with more details, I've just serviced my saws.....

 

[Pete.]

Last boot fair I went to a guy was selling a felling axe for £50. It was a beautiful thing to behold and I was quite surprised at how large the head on it was.

 

[cheb]

I've not used one in a while but I prefer a decent felling axe to a chainsaw, more peaceful and more controllable.

 

[tom2207]

bow saw. fast and quiet and safe.

 

[Eric the chicken]

Depends how many trees there are.Felling axe definitely better than hand axe, but for speed, chainsaw. Also depending on the height, weight and proximity to buildings etc dropping trees in the desired place is a skill. Once they're on their way down you can't stop them.

 

[Screwdriver]

Yes they are fantastic tools but only as god as the person operating it.

It is quite a skill to fell a tree with an axe and get it to fall in the intended direction. Skill and a lot of work, almost like carpentry but with a large axe. As has been said, chainsaw is way easier and more accurate especially in that moment just before it's about to go. Don't think you can wedge with an axe cut either. Could be wrong...

 

[AndersK]

Once they're on their way down you can't stop them.

So true. One of my neighbors got killed by a tree falling the wrong way this winter. He had been in the forestry business most of his life, just about to retire sadly.

 

[Spark plug]

The quality of the axe plays a big part, when camping at a friends farm I’ve felled 12” standing dead wood with my hand held Gränsfors Bruk axe. Was a lot of work and would have been easier with a felling axe but very satisfying

 

[8ob]

Have a look at the pocket chainsaws.

2400 × 1600

 

[Ali]

About 4 years ago I bought a "Rough neck" hand axe to chop down some self seeded trees. Maximum trunk diameter was only
about 75mm. I managed the task ok.

I currently need to cut down some dead and some half dead trees. The trees are quite thick, but quite short. I am thinking of getting a felling axe (long handle) as it may be easier?? Does anyone use a felling axe, and what are your thoughts?

What’s ‘quite thick’? Do they move if you lean on them?

 

[Migmac]

Get a Silky saw. Do the same cuts as a chainsaw- TIMBER

 

[premmington]

Get a Silky saw. Do the same cuts as a chainsaw- TIMBER

Plus one "for Silky saws" - for limbing trees at height - nothing can be bettered.

Super well designed tools. Well worth the money!

No climbing and to be honest they soon cut thru a 150>200mm branch.

 

[Agrismith]

If you read the old school forestry books most of them only ever put the gob cut in with the axe, they seemed to do most the back cuts with a saw To maximise timber

 

[Ubique]

Felling (forest) axe and a splitting wedge to help aim the fall. A hand axe is best on dry or dead wood, there is a lot more control with a felling axe and you can put the power in properly without injury to your muscles / spine.

Gränsfors Splitting Wedge | Gränsfors Bruk Sweden

The Gränsfors Splitting Wedge is twisted with a grooved poll, bevelled corners and a hardened tip. Splitting wedges are used to split really big, knotty or cross-grained logs.

www.gransforsbruk.com

Note there is a world of difference between a felling axe and a splitting axe.

 

[cheb]

Go double bitted for the full on lumberjack look.

 

[8ob]

Go double bitted for the full on lumberjack look.

Don`t forget the chequered shirt and beard

350 × 466

 

[sako243]

Have a look at the pocket chainsaws.

2400 × 1600

Used one of these a while back on a laning trip, everyone in the 5 vehicles owned at least one chainsaw. We all thought the others would chuck one in, cue the first time in quite a few trips there was a 18" diameter tree across the track.

Luckily someone had just bought one of these (still in it's packaging) and muggins here got to use it - was very impressed by the speed at which it cut through the trunk.

 

[Migmac]

If you read the old school forestry books most of them only ever put the gob cut in with the axe, they seemed to do most the back cuts with a saw To maximise timber

Felled my first trees this way. Getting the direction of the gob is fairly easy. Soon learned it’s way more fun and easier with a chainsaw

 

[Migmac]

Felling (forest) axe and a splitting wedge to help aim the fall. A hand axe is best on dry or dead wood, there is a lot more control with a felling axe and you can put the power in properly without injury to your muscles / spine.

Gränsfors Splitting Wedge | Gränsfors Bruk Sweden

The Gränsfors Splitting Wedge is twisted with a grooved poll, bevelled corners and a hardened tip. Splitting wedges are used to split really big, knotty or cross-grained logs.

www.gransforsbruk.com

Note there is a world of difference between a felling axe and a splitting axe.

Wedge is for tipping the tree over not aiming. The gob is the directional cut.