Was once blocked by a fallen tree, I think theyre indispensable and better than panabas or machetes if cutting power is all you need.
The new one is not leaving my trunk.
How's the grind on the Birler? In 2015 or was it 2016 I acquired some axe heads from ebay. All of which I made handles for in mahogany (I believe the proper term is, to 'hang' the axe). One true temper Vulcan double bit, true temper 1-1/2lb hatchet size, and one 2lb that's only marked "Made in Sweden". Perhaps from the Hults Bruk forge from what I gather. Anyway, all are quite nice and I agree they're best for chopping, but relatively uncommon since machetes, parangs, and bolos are much preferred in SE Asia.
Medyo conflict for me because the axe was considered the right tool for chopping in boy scout training. Then in JEST they say in tropical climates when you need to clear thick overgrowth in trails, the jungle bolo is the practical multi tool to carry. You know, for cooking rice in bamboo and all that good stuff.
Love axes still, because they're cool. My first one was a crappy hand me down from my Dad, a 13" long hammer/axe/ with a pry bar nail puller at the top of the head. Full tang! Alog talaga buong braso mo if you use it to trim yard branches of santol and duhat.
