I was looking for an inexpensive, no-frills axe to get some work done on a friend's property (teaching him how to swing an axe by felling some sick trees). I want a Gransfors Bruks just as much as any axe enthusiast or woodsman, amateur or veteran, but my budget at this time just does not allow for it, so I was looking for a budget-minded axe that was already complete, since I do not have confidence in restoring an antique axe head and hanging it on a hand-made handle. I've had a hit-or-miss experience with Cold Steel in the pass, albeit more hit than miss, but I guess I've just been lucky. I must have hit the gold-mine of luck with this one. I waited to see if the price would drop under $30, and I was lucky to snag one for $28. I know what to expect for anything less than a Gransfors in terms of axes, namely sub-par sharpening and a lacquered handle, so I was not disappointed when that's all I found wrong with this axe.
PROS:
-PERFECT weight, length, and shape for a good all-around, jack of all trades axe. light enough to get good speed to cut into tree trunks deeply and sends chips flying, but still has just enough thickness and heft to split firewood without too much hassle.
-Though the axe did not come sharp enough for my standards, the edge grind was actually very decent for the price.
-The head is hung VERY well for the price range. could not slip my thinnest feeler gauge in between the head and the handle on either end, and it is made doubly and triply secure with a wooden wedge and TWO round stepped wedges (I mean who does that at this price range?)
-the ergonomics of the handle are very nice. I'm partial to straighter handles, and while this has a curved end, the body really isn't far off from straight. the hook and palm swell also give you quite a bit of purchase when swinging.
-the head, upon removing the paint from and forcing a patina onto it, reveals a very clear temper line, which is good news for hardness, sharpness, and edge retention.
CONS:
-the head came with a matte black paint job, and both the head and handle came with a varnish/polyurethane coat on them, both of which I do not like. Although I did enjoy doing a patina on the head, and staining and oiling the handle, the extra steps taken to remove the coats already on there is a pain, and just an unnecessary step in the manufacturing process that Cold Steel could save money on by skipping, in order to give us a sheath with this axe, maybe?
-the head rusts surprisingly easy. This is not a problem if you leave the varnish on, but it will wear off eventually and then it will become a problem. Luckily, my patina job has taken care of any rust problems for the foreseeable future.
-the axe head is slightly offset from the handle. it is nowhere near severe enough to hider performance or durability, but it is noticeable cosmetically (although, again, it can be forgiven at $28)
-the grain orientation on the handle was 45 degrees off parallel to the axe edge. not a huge deal, just a personal nitpick of mine, as I just prefer it to be as close to parallel as possible. I'm glad I did not get one with a perpendicular grain orientation.
All in all, if you have a bit of know-how, you can fix up this budget axe into a nice little project and get the thing ready to fell all but the largest of trees (I'd prefer a dedicated Connecticut or otherwise dedicated heavy feller's axe for those jobs anyway). I say it's absolutely worth the investment for amateur homesteaders, lumberjacks, or campers alike.
| Brand | Cold Steel |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 27"L x 4"W |
| Handle Material | Hickory,Steel |
| Color | Multi |
| Head Type | Hatchet |
| Item Weight | 2.59 Pounds |
| Style | axe |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Included Components | Axe |
| Blade Length | 4 Inches |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 30.5 x 6.5 x 6 inches |
| Package Weight | 1.86 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 23 x 8 x 2 inches |
| Brand Name | Cold Steel |
| Warranty Description | Manufacturer Warranty |
| Model Name | 90TA |
| Material | Synthetic |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Cold Steel |
| Part Number | 90TA |
| Model Year | 2017 |
| Size | One Size |
| Sport Type | Hunting |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
