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View Full Version : 20'' or 25'' Axe?



Pikey
12-05-10, 11:20
I am getting ready to buy an Wetterlings axe. The axe will be used for camping and some canoeing. Mostly for cutting and splitting fire wood. Not much chopping of live trees. It will be carried in my pickup truck. A basic general purpose camp axe.

Will 20'' be enough? Or should I go with the 25"?

Careby
12-06-10, 10:40
Unless you are very short, the 25" will be safer and easier on your back. If you have room for it, that's what I'd get.

I have an addiction to Gransfors-Bruks axes. It's almost as bad as black rifle disease. I do have one Wetterlings axe and have nothing bad to say about it.

Dave L.
12-06-10, 10:56
I am no Axe expert by any means, but I use an Estwing as my behind-the-seat axe.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=E45A

As far a size, I would definitely go with the 25" for a general purpose axe.

huklbrry
12-06-10, 15:16
I have the 20" Wetterlings. Its great because it can be used for smaller tasks as well as larger and its cheaper than G.B.
BTW, Gransfors-Bruks bought S.A.Wetterlings quite a while ago, so they are virtually the same axe.

Pikey
12-06-10, 18:29
I have the 20" Wetterlings. Its great because it can be used for smaller tasks as well as larger and its cheaper than G.B.
BTW, Gransfors-Bruks bought S.A.Wetterlings quite a while ago, so they are virtually the same axe.

I understand GB bought Wetterling but they are both two separate operations. I think I will go with the 25".

Thanks for all the input.

Tortuga
02-18-11, 12:56
Short axes scare the crap out of me. I've seen too many seasoned and expereinced users short stroke...the result being a close call or a crash course in sutures.

kartoffel
02-18-11, 13:17
If it's for backpacking I'd go with a tomahawk instead of an axe. Much less hassle to carry around and just as capable for camp tasks.

If it's something to go in the back of your truck or to keep out at the cabin, then I'd consider a chainsaw first, supplemented with the 25 inch axe of course :)

ApacheTactical
07-24-11, 15:30
Go with the 25 it with save you in the long run

Dura Mater
08-04-11, 13:08
I have the 20" Wetterlings and it has served me well. I also own a larger felling axe but I prefer the 20 for most tasks. I personally won't go under the 20", anything less than that I don't feel as comfortable with. It all depends on your intended use, if you want to pack it in then weight/bulk may be an issue.

misanthropist
08-04-11, 17:28
A 20" Wetterlings that I have done a fair bit of tuning to is my favourite axe.

However, I like it because I often pack it long distances.

For a truck axe the 25" is a better choice.

Incidentally I spent an 8 hour day doing nothing but chopping with that little Wetterlings a few years ago. By the end of the day my back was so tired that I got lazy and didn't stay bent at the waist while felling the last tree (a 60' redcedar).

Buried the bit in my kneecap with the first notch only about 15% done. How embarrassing! And then to have to spend a few hours getting to a town with somebody to make sure it would heal correctly...very annoying.

Pikey
08-05-11, 22:45
I ended up finding a good deal on a Fiskar and could not be happier. All the advantages of a axe with the weight of a hatchet. I have cut down several trees and it works well.