Roselli's axes always live up to their promise and are considered by many to be the perfect companion and tool when you go out into the wilderness. But how do you actually know which axe to choose?
When choosing an axe, consider the size and weight of the axe, the type of handle, and the shape and size of the head. Also, always make sure to use the axe safely and correctly to avoid injury. In this blog post, we share practical information that can help you sort out which axe is best for you.
When hiking, it's handy to have a small outdoor axe with you for various needs, and here Roselli's axe with a short handle is a perfect choice. The flexible size together with the well-balanced construction means that you can use it for a long time without it becoming difficult. You can easily take down small trees, split some wood for the fire or sit and carve. This axe is easy to carry, which means that it can always accompany you when you go out into the forest. We recommend this outdoor axe for those who want to go out into the wilderness, who like to camp and who love to hike.
Roselli's axe with a short handle has a handle of birch that is coated with linseed oil to ensure a firm grip, even when wet. The axe edge is protected with a light naturally tanned Finnish leather sheath that makes it safe to store and transport. The sheath also has a practical strap that can be attached to a belt or a backpack. All in all, the axe has properties that make it work both as a hunting axe and a outdoor axe, while at the same time it can replace the need for a larger knife on the hike because of it’s very wide range of use.
A basic task for an axe is to split wood, and Roselli's long-handled axe does this amazingly well. The entire construction is optimized for this purpose. The head is specially designed to split the wood with ease. This is further facilitated by the slightly convex grinding of the edge. The head is made of our Finnish carbon steel of the highest quality.
The shaft is 360 mm long and well sized so that you get a lot of power when putting it to hard work. The shape is straight, which gives extra good control and feel when splitting wood. The shaft is made of birch or red elm that is coated with linseed oil to ensure a firm grip, even when wet. The total weight is 740 g, so it is a little heavier than its sibling the Roselli axe with a short handle. A stylish and functional sheath in vegetable Finnish leather is included, which makes it safe to store and transport, and the sheath has a practical cover that can be attached to a belt or to a backpack.
The structure and characteristics of the axe blade
There are two parts that make up the actual body of the axe and the axe head is one of the parts. In a way, it can probably be said to be the most important part. The material of the axe head, which is made of carbon steel, consists of these following parts:
Edge:
The edge of the axe is the sharp part at the far end that cuts and cleaves. There are several different types of grinds and thicknesses on the edge, which gives the axe different properties. A sharper and narrower edge cuts better, while a thicker edge cleaves better.
Blade:
The blade is the part that comes after the edge. The design of the blade is often adapted to the edge to provide the best function for what it is made for. A thick blade can be good for example, splitting because it "splits" the wood better. A narrower blade cuts better but can jam more easily when splitting wood.
Care for the blade:
The axe head is often treated with oil to prevent it from rusting. If you want to oil the axe head yourself, you can use our knife blade oil.
Roselli's axe handle is made of Finnish birch and red elm. These types of wood provide a nice cushioning to the axe handle and the possibility of being repaired and replaced if they break. They also give a more genuine feeling and can often be More aesthetically beautiful, we think!
Shaft knob
The shaft knob is the part that sits at the far end of the shaft. It is a slightly wider part that acts as a stop for the hands when we hold the axe.
There are a few practical and useful accessories for your axe, which we go through below. Essentially, they are designed to make it easier to carry and store your axe during various outdoor activities or hikes.
Carrying Holster
A carrying holster is like a sheath for your outdoor axe. It allows you to attach the axe to your backpack or outdoor pants while you’re on the go.
Axe sheath
An axe sheath shields the axe blade, primarily to prevent it from cutting through clothing or a backpack when stored. It also protects the blade during transport. Our edge protectors are made from Finnish vegetable-tanned leather.
Shaft Protector/Overstrike Guard
A shaft protector or overstrike guard is designed to protect the axe handle from shocks and blows when chopping wood. It sits just below the axe head and prevents the handle from getting damaged when striking.
Sharpening Stone
You should regularly sharpen your axe blade to maintain its sharpness. A dull axe will make chopping wood more difficult and can even be dangerous if it slips. The key when sharpening with a whetstone is to maintain the original shape of the edge. Use a wet whetstone and follow the blade’s contour until it regains its sharpness. Roselli’s round sharpening stone is an excellent tool that delivers outstanding sharpness.
In addition to keeping the blade sharp, you should also check the handle and ensure that the axe head doesn’t rust over time.
Caring for the Axe Handle
The wooden handle of your axe should be oiled occasionally. Most oils work well, such as our linseed oil, and you’ll notice it’s needed when the wood starts to feel dry. If there are small, shallow nicks, you can lightly sand them down. You can also wrap the handle with tape for a better grip.
Caring for the Axe Head
To prevent excessive rusting, oil the axe head with our blade oil. If there are nicks or scratches in the steel of the blade, you can file them down before honing the edge with a whetstone. You can also send your axe to us for a free sharpening service.
Is it worth having an axe with you on the hike?
It depends on how much you think it will be used. If you'll be passing a lot of fire pits, make fires often, and value that part highly, it could absolutely be worth it. If you do not need to split wood or if there is ready-made wood or access to an axe on the routes you are going to pass, it may be unnecessary to use an outdoor axe and a good knife will suffice.
Should i bring a knife or axe when going hiking?
Choosing a knife or axe on the hike is a matter of taste. An axe will usually split wood and cut better than a knife. If, on the other hand, you have to pack extremely light and don't need to make a fire and split wood, a good durable outdoor knife such as any of our full tang knives can be enough for the hike.
Can you chop wood with a knife?
Yes absolutely, you can cut wood (batoning) with an outdoor knife, but of course it is easier with an axe. What you do then is use a stick of wood to hit the back of the knife blade, which then splits the wood. We recommend any of our full tang knives for this. You can also read more about batoning in our blog post here and what you should think about so you don't damage your knife.
Can you sharpen your axe with a sharpening stone made for a knife?
Yes, an axe is sharpened in the same way as a knife. Start by sanding away any damage and then a coarser whetstone. Then gradually switch to a finer sharpener to sharpen the edge. See our tutorial here on how to sharpen your axe here.
Can you repair a damaged axe handle?
Yes, as long as the handle is made of wood, you can repair it or replace it. We offer you a service if you need any help: Roselli's Service & Maintenance.
