Your Axe is one of the most important pieces of Gear. So, when it comes to choosing your Axe there are many things to consider. The Axe head and the handle’s material, length and shape. We will try to provide you with the ultimate Axe buying guide, with all the details on how to choose your axe.
Camping Must haves for beginners.
10 Christmas Gift ideas for Camping lovers.
Axe head
The Axe head is the most important part. It basically does everything. The heads come in two forms: Single Bit or Double Bit. The choice here depends on your activity. If you need it for basic camp chores, go for the Single Bit. It is made for fast cutting and light chopping. On the other hand, due to the Double Bit’s weight, it is more accurate and efficient when cutting dense wood and doing heavy chopping.
Handle Length
The handle length is an important factor. Although most people would prefer a long handle, as they tend to think the longer the handle the harder the strike, experts actually recommend going for a shorter handle as they offer better control and more efficient chopping.
Handle Material
Nowadays, most Axes found in hardwood stores are actually made of Plastic and other non-wood material. Ideally, you should go for a handle that is made from wood. Many types of wood can make a good handle. For example: Hickory, Oak, Ash and Sugar Maple. We also recommend examining the grain. You can spot some details that can help you. The wood grain should run vertically and the growth rings should be numerous with little spacing in between them.
Check Images below:
Handle Shape
Axe handles come in two forms: Curved or Straight. The choice here totally depends on the type of the Axe is it Single bit or Double Bit?
If You went for the first one, then the curved handle is the best choice. And if you have decided to go for a Double Bit Axe, then your Axe handle should be straight as it provides balance to switch from one Bit to the other with more ease and comfort.
( If only I had a dollar for every time I said Axe on this article! )
About The Author
