Seen their email in mailbox today.Great products,very well made & reliable. 171 year old German axe maker from Wuppertal,in the North Rhine -Westphalia region. Helko Product Lines Sales & Specials Plus every order regardless of size is just $5 shipping.Even if you buy a dozen large axes or mauls. I ordered this - looks like a real workhorse. Regular price $130,sale price $85 Should see it in about a week. TOP Line - Heavy Splitting Maul
Same here.I did manage to almost get it stuck in some extra large gnarly Silver Maple once,when not using them in pairs like usual. Otherwise its pretty much unstoppable.
Just saw they have a 25% sale on the classic line this weekend. I'm thinking about picking up the forester ax, any thoughts on it as a general purpose ax? I have a small ax now but figured it would be worth having a larger one as well.
you shouldn't mention something like that to an addict. with the discount it's sort of reasonable. i have a 3.5# head forester 31.5" handle on order. there's a real division of opinion with 3.5# head, and other weights as well, axes. some like swinging the normal 36" and some say the 32" swings much better. i left my council tool axe with the original 36" handle, perhaps a little too long for my body configuration when chopping trees and limbs, but adding some extra head speed when splitting wood with hands in a wide grip. i wouldn't be surprised if the 32" handle is better in every respect. i suspect the 36" will have its niche uses. the council tool line has surprising excellence at its lower price point. as to your question about the forester. i am 150# and 5'10", a normal fit man and strong enough. the 4.5# and 5# axe that you see at yard sales from back in the day makes a nice splitting axe. a bigger guy than me can swing such an axe horizontally all day. for my size, and many other guys, the 3.5# is heavy enough and what we can easily handle. no, we won't win any lumberjack competitions. i have a fascination with lighter axes as well. my gransfors bruks scandavian forest axe has a 25" handle and a 1.75# head. this axe is best used for splitting kindling for fire starting. for heavier uses you are better off with the 2.25# boy's axe or something a bit larger. my council tool broad axe is 2.75# and this weight is spot on for a lot of tasks. then you need something heavier and 3.5# is my limit before going from axes to your heavier splitting mauls.
Agreed! The twisted wedge is phenomenal. I have one of those and a smaller GB twisted wedge. They're a terrific team.
