Fiskars/Gerber Brush Axe?

Anyone have one of these? If so, what do you think of it?



I picked one up today, on clearance, just to mess around with. I've owned and used a Gerber/Fiskars Back-Pax for years with good results. Therefore, I thought I would give this thing a chance. It's an interesting design to say the least.

I figure, if it can baton wood like my Back-Pax, clear brush like a Machete, and maybe do some light chopping (all without breaking).....I'll be happy.

Fiskars makes GREAT products.. and I have been using there pack axe since 1992 (wow has it been that long). Having this tool myself I have never regreted or been disapointed with it..

Honestly I feel you made a great purchase,, and on clearance?? what a stroke of luck

The only thing I don't like about it, so far, is the lack of a useful sheath. It comes with a plastic wall-hanger thing, but it isn't something I would want for field carry. If I end up carrying it I'm going to have to make, or find, a good sheath for it.

I've been using a Woodsman's Pal (standard disclaimers, no connection with the company) since I was in Scouts about 100 yrs ago. One of our leaders had a military issue one from WW2.

I recently picked one up and love the heck out of it. I comes with a sheath that you can hang on a pack moreso than your belt. Sharpens with either a file or stone and has a machete edge and a brush hoot.

I used a buddy's Fiskar's a few times and the two handle about the same, altho I think the Pal is heavier.

Both are really good tools.

Hey Paul,

As you were making this post I was also typing one involving a Fiskar Brush Axe, check it out here.

I have used this tool since the early 80's and think it is terrific. I bought a spare one (made by Wetterlings) just in case I ever lost my original.

A forum member called "Hacksaw" ran a post on it about a year ago with lots of good information, see here.

I have found a short, heavy machette-type blade to be an excellent tool in the northern bush.

It does not replace an axe, or a saw, but very handy and effective.

Mike

It's not really an axe, not even a machete, just a plain ole billhook. Which has been around for well over 2000 years. I've seen a few excavated ones from the Roman period that still wouldn't look out of place today. And yes, it is a terrific tool for clearing undergrowth and cutting branches or small trees.

I agree Paul.

I love my Gerber brushhook but it didn't come with a sheath as well.

I've noticed as of late that the ones on sale at Bass Pro come with a sheath, but the ones at Academy (where I got mine) don't.

There is a site online where you can buy the sheath separately for about 10 bucks or so. I'll have to poke around to see if I can find it again...

My Wetterlings came with a sheath, my Fiskars did not.

I cut a piece of forestry fire hose and cover the blade with that. I need to make a proper sheath for it.

Mike

I have the Fiskars pro splitting axe.. wow, I LOVE IT!!! I got a 2nd one. I am AMAZED how well it works.

Next up I plan to get two of their pro chopping axes!

I have granfors bruks axes too, and both make me equally but the granfors bruks look way nicer. No bright orange industiral ha.

Well, I've gotten quite a bit more use out of my brush axe and, so far, I love it. It had no problem splitting wood, clearing brush, making fuzz sticks, and other wise doing what would be expected of it. In fact, it is now one of my favorite outdoor tools. Combined with my sawvivor saw I had no problem getting plenty of wood cut and split to keep my campfires well fed.

Here is a picture of my buddy Ray trying it out splitting some wet wood on a camping trip in one of PA's state forests. He grew up in the jungle of Venezuela and he said he preferred it to the machetes he used to use as a kid.:



Ended up getting a nice morning fire going, even with wood that was thoroughly saturated.



On a side note, the view from the hike we went on that day was beautiful: