Out of the Rinaldi Calabria heavy duty axe, Trento felling axe, Cadore axe, and the Italian racing axe, which do you think excels at felling a tree? Why? The racing axe with the 6lb, 3.0oz weight, seems like it would be a beast. I want something that makes the pieces fly, haha. Gotta birthday coming up, and the wife wants to know what I want.
But since you asked for an opinion, I'd go for the Calabria. Not my style. I only cut downed wood. Plenty of it up here for my needs. But here's the Rinaldi that I'm interested in. Not felling, for sure. But meets my needs.
For felling I'd go with the Trento or Cadore, as they're easier to control with horizontal swings. Once the tree is down, though, the racing axe practically explodes the tree. It's a real beast (though the Trento is, too!)
Those wide (longer cutting edge) for weight heads will be great on soft stuff. And not bad all around. I like the connecticut pattern for an American style reference. If you are chopping just hard wood a shorter cutting edge for weight. I like the Maine, New england, or yankee style axe for an American example. Edit, I dont like the thin style of these axes. I would choose the calabria if i had to choose one.
The Italian axes are, in general, WAY thinner in the bit than American axes, so those wide bits still bite super deep. Most of the wood in the region where I filmed all of the current videos (our old location) was beech, and I can tell you the broad bits still make deep notches with ease. For American axes I do love a good Maine pattern, but I've increasingly had the Italian axe patterns edge out my American and German axes. I've had something like three people inform me now that after getting a Rinaldi they felt compelled to sell off their Gransfors!
Yeah, I just dont like the thin blade pole style. The Connecticut pattern is my right hand. I like curve in my handle as well. I did notice you carry the snow and nealley Hudson Bay axe. I like that pattern. It makes a perfect camp axe.
The Trento has a curved handle, and curved handles can be self-fashioned for those heads. Connecticuts are nice, and it's a shame that someone like Council or Snow & Nealley isn't currently producing them.
Your telling me! Im looking for a Collins Legitimus Connecticut pattern to pick up right now. Vintage users are becoming harder to find.
I'm leaning toward the Trento. The Italian racing axe definitely piqued my interest. I'm a sizable guy, and would have no problem swinging it, but, limbing once it's down, at over 6 lbs, is a bit much me thinks. Will tell the wife I want the Trento, special grade. Thanks for the input.