Axe Testing in the Aussie Bush - Keech, Tuatahi, Lamaca and more!

A few hours out bush swinging some favourite axes.
Keech/Keesteel Timberman KC23, Engineered for Axemen handle
Tuatahi Camp Axe, Engineered For Axemen handle
Lamaca Work Axe
Hults Bruk Agdor Tasmanian vintage 1.75kg/4lb, Hultafors hickory
Hytest 4.75lb Tasmanian vintage, Hultafors hickory
Hults Bruk 1.2kg/2.75lb Dayton vintage, custom spotted gum handle
Husqvarna Limbing/Forest axe
Thanks for watching!

[@urbanlumberjack]

This is a proper axe collection! You are almost surgically precise with those axes. Great video!

[@kurts64]

Thanks a lot mate, this little Keech series was some fun times! 🪓 🌳 🦟 🔥

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I love that you feel more comfortable talking now. It just feels more personal, and you have a lot of knowledge to share, so thanks for doing that for us.

[@kurts64]

Cheers mate, that means alot man!

[@timbarry5080]

That's an awesome collection

[@kurts64]

Thanks a lot mate, cheers for checkin out the vid👍👍🪓

[@Southernlandbushcraft]

Bloody great video mate. Great collection of axes you had there. Its great to see Australian content with axes, being used on our timber here. The smell of the smoke and the sound of axe work, perfect.

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, much appreciated , cheers for checkin out the vid👍👍

[@simjai1000]

Awesome collection mate 🤙 Thanks for making this video!

[@kurts64]

Cheers, no worries mate thanks for watching!👍👍🪓

[@MountainMenMilitia]

Just by pure looks the Keech is top notch. Not by a ton but a slim margin.

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate, the Keech is a good looker ! Cheers for watchin👍👍🪓

[@Hank_Scorpio__Globex_CEO]

One thing I've noticed in Australian axe work videos is the hardness of the wood down under. That noise it produces when the axe hits...almost like stabilized wood or something like that...impressive! Amazing axe collection and great video. Greetings from Austria!

[@kurts64]

Gday cheers for watching mate, I appreciate it👍 BTW, love the name. One of the best characters ever. "You can't argue with the little things Homer, it's the little things that make up life"...cheers Hank!

[@Hank_Scorpio__Globex_CEO]

@@kurts64 Thanks Kurt, yes the Simpsons in the 90's were something else, and Hank was the greatest one-off character ever...

[@mamachingchannel8848]

Excellent video

[@breadbaconcheese]

nice! enjoyed that commentary explaining your thought process. love the chopping!

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate! Was a good day out bush, except the mozzies!👍👍

[@antoniosimone582]

Thanks for sharing and more content like this, please!

[@kurts64]

No worries mate, cheers for watching!👍👍

[@elemental4rce]

We love a keech 👌👌👌

[@kurts64]

Haha cheers mate! 👍👍

[@MattKeevil]

Rewatching this and I just gotta say the editing is perfect.

[@kurts64]

That means a lot Matt, thanks man!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

@ 22:30 with ear buds in it felt like that mosie went right in my left ear. Almost involuntarily smacked my face 🤣 Sorry to blow the comments up. I enjoy commenting as I watch.

[@kurts64]

🤣🤣 they were ferocious! Need a bigger fire for these buggers

[@LabiaLicker]

Very nice. I like!

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate👍👍🪓

[@thefellingfella9886]

Amazing video and beautiful axes sir!

[@kurts64]

Thanks alot mate, cheers for watching!

[@KillingerUSA]

awesome chopping Kurt! Those axes are all fantastic!

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate! 👍👍

[@Codi_Clapper]

Sweet video mate! Was a really cool test to showcase your best axes. I think I’d have to go for the keech. Fits your look, and not many people can say they have one. All cool axes! Man you really have a knack for this stuff. Between the cinematography and those precisely-executed notches, I’d say you’ve got us beat! Was a great watch👍

[@kurts64]

Glad you liked the vid mate, cheers for the kind words! Lookin forward to your next one too that camp setup was awesome 👍👍

[@MatthewAmsbaugh]

Finally got around to watching the whole vid. This was excellent sir. Like the chop and chat format! Like hearing your thoughts while using each axe! 25:53 I swear you threw a spark hitting that knot 😂

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate, oh that knot was a pain, she was just bouncin off it. Go the little husky!

[@Brian2bears]

A wonderful mid-week treat Mr. Kurt. The Keech is a monster...nice camera work....

[@kurts64]

Cheers Brian, thanks for watching mate!👍

[@940joey2]

Absolutely awesome video Kurt !!! I have to agree with Kevin, I really enjoy hearing you talk more lately in your videos. You’re extremely knowledgeable and I look forward to your point of view !! With that said man those are some sick axes !! I really love that keech !! I mean I loved all of them of course but man that keech is something to ring home about 👍 great job man !!

[@kurts64]

That means alot Joey, thanks mate!👍

[@mattoster0994]

The silent one speaks 🤙great vid mate those axes are awesome keech all the way

[@kurts64]

😆😆 haha cheers mate, go the keech!

[@letfrydomring3946]

Great axes man!That keech is beautiful

[@kurts64]

Cheers mate, thanks for watching!👍

[@musicnature007]

โอ้ว มันเป็นขวานที่ยอดเยี่ยม สุดยอดมาก สนับสนุน "สมัครสมาชิกใหม่ ที่นี่!"

[@guyvanderveken5595]

Great vid Bruvva, let em rip. "little husqvaerna thing" lol, Husky fans the world over in tears

[@kurts64]

🤣🤣 cheers mate!

[@BushRats]

nice collection of axes mate! great video too!

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, cheers, and thanks for checkin out the vid! Much appreciated 🇦🇺👍

[@KevinsDisobedience]

That is definitely a proper axe test!

[@benscottwoodchopper]

great video and impressive axe collection there

[@kurts64]

Gday Ben, thanks for watching mate!👍

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I reckon that 4Lb HB might have been the best one of that lot in the wood. Also so many great shots in this. Especially love the cutaways while chopping. Glad someone else loves b-roll as much as me. I’m a sucker for those.

[@kurts64]

There's something about that 4lber. It's probably 8 or 9 years old to me now, 3rd handle, just does any job no fuss. Cheers, Haha yep I love b-roll! Gotta stop myself from over doin it sometimes

[@zenisuryana1993]

Love it in forest bro 👍👍

[@kurts64]

Cheers mate!👍

[@brettbrown9814]

A real treat of a video Kurt!

[@kurts64]

Cheers Brett, thanks for watching man! Did you end up grabbing the Agdor?

[@brettbrown9814]

@@kurts64 I did! Haven't done anything to it yet but glad I grabbed one. They got in another batch and put price up to $179. What do you think of yours? Is there a vintage vs new HB Tassie test coming in the future?

[@kurts64]

@@brettbrown9814 haha I was just thinking about that vid today! Got a bit of a rough plan in mind. That's cool that you grabbed one, I noticed he put the price up a bit. Still a good deal though I reckon. Awesome!

[@brettbrown9814]

@@kurts64 I agree! Awesome axe and a good supplier. Looking forward to seeing how you decide to tune yours. Cheers Mate!

[@peterfletcher8411]

Impressive stuff mate.

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate, cheers for watching! 👍

[@aussieaxedude154]

Mate all the axes are great but I have to say the Keech is my favourite perhaps a bit of Aussie bias on my behalf but that thing looks wicked!!! liked the talk chop keep them coming dude.

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, haha I got a bit of Aussie bias too! Cheers for watching man! 🇦🇺 🪓 👍👍

[@henryhenry7170]

Really cool! BTW I have an Engineered for Axemen 2kg work axe over here in the USA that I ordered after you mentioned that model a while back.

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate! That's awesome that you grabbed a work axe, it's on my list for sure! What are your thoughts on it so far?

[@henryhenry7170]

​@@kurts64 Love it. Unreal quality. As you know it is basically a race axe that works closer to the ground and lends you a little more endurance. +The head could be damaged and fixed a few times and still be great which gives some comfort.

[@michaelmullins6868]

You're a stud!

[@kurts64]

🤣🤣 cheers!

[@peterfletcher8411]

Edit....I think the English guy was talking bout Gransfor Bruks...not HB....as I said, I know FA....sorry bout that...

[@peterfletcher8411]

First vid of yours I've seen. Subbed already. I dont know too much bout axes but Ive been watching an English bloke..Ben Scott....he seems to spend a fair bit of time slagging HB, whereas you seem to really like them. Plus our timber is so much harder than Northern hem.I would say that you look the goods from watching you work. Just interesting that two experts have totally opposing opinions on an axe. As I said I know FA about axes but love watching this stuff...cheers.

[@kurts64]

Thanks alot mate, appreciate that! Just saw your other comment about HB/GB too. All good! Ben's vids are great and a very valuable resource. I think his main gripe with the GB ( Granfors) axes is that the value for money doesn't quite match the reputation. My opinion..I've never owned or used one, primarily because they don't have a model that well suited to the kind of work I do, or the wood I chop. If I was after a bushcraft type axe for smaller tasks or more knife-like use I would consider them. Their edge geometry and handle thickness can both be modded to suit ones preferences, but their (supposedly) over-hard steel would make field repairs with a file and stone a bit of an effort. I will try one one day though. I do think that Ben and I share the opinion that the HB (Hults Bruk/Hultafors) standard/agdor axes have a better suited heat treat and value. Cheers again mate!

[@dakillah6018]

bro you are good

[@kurts64]

Cheers for watching mate👍👍🪓

[@ethicalaxe]

The keech, bigger HB and the Tuatahi look best in this video to me. Great axes and high quality video. Do you think anything can be done to the edges of those 3 to improve them? Now that I sharpen and use axes I think the balance of edge keenness and strength is important so I don't really go below 20 anymore.

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, I usually stick to 20 as well. Occasionally I'll take the heel down a touch more. I'm pretty happy with the edges on the keech and hb, the HB's run the same edge for 2 years now with no need to adjust it. The tui is standard, I figure if tui puts it out that way then I best leave it! Thanks man👍👍

[@PencilProper]

Nice video as usual! Great chopping and impressive balancing act😅 That Keech is a monster. I finally got around to trying out the Tui Work axe and I love it! The craftmanship and fit was second to none however I found the handle was probably only 90% finished, a bit of sanding and an extra coat of BLO did the trick. First thing I hit was a well seasoned section of Marri between 6 and 8 inches round and it made fairly light work of bucking it. Splitting the logs was a bit more challenging as the grain was wavy and didn't want to budge and was the only time the axe stuck. I also tried it on some green peppermint trunks and it blew chips everywhere, the edge held up extremely well given the grittiness of that timber. Finally I chopped a really strange tree that I have no idea what it was but the sap turned the head of the axe a bluish purple almost instantly. That wood was so soft I was easily cleaving through 4-5 inch branches in one swing. I also tried on some old treated fence posts to practice standing chop and blew through those in 8-10 strikes. Over all I am really happy with the purchase and I think it is a good addition to my Stihl 1926 forest axe that I've had about 4 years now. I have an old Elwell 4.5lb head which is nothing special but that needs a handle but that will be a future project. Keep up the good work, I am enjoying the videos and learning heaps about technique from them.

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, glad your enjoying the vids! Cheers for the update on the work axe, in most woods if found the camp pretty much unstoppable, so the work would be a beast! Ive never cut marri but I know that wavy grain thing, there's a fair few here that do it, occasionally on the smoother bark gums like spotted and lemon-scented they get this thing I call pockmarks, like little dimples in the timber, when combined with waves it makes it bloody hard work! What are your thoughts on the 1926, it's always caught my eye but I've never pulled the trigger on it

[@PencilProper]

@@kurts64 I guess it's just the luck of the draw. If I have to cut any more Marri it will be with a chainsaw that's for sure 😂 The 1926 is a nice axe. Handle is pretty fat but that's easy enough to remedy. The steel in the head is really nice and holds an edge exceptionally well, it is overall quite thin from the bit to the cheeks and cuts very deeply for such a light axe. After using the Tui it feels like a toy it's that light. I use it mostly for limbing small branches and bucking logs upto 6-7 inch. I believe it is made by Muller. Forget about trying to split anything with it though as it can be quite sticky.

[@kurts64]

@@PencilProper cheers for the opinion on the stihl, been curious about it as a dedicated limbing axe for a while now, might see if I can smuggle one into the shed👍

[@PencilProper]

@@kurts64 Nothing to lose. It is a great axe for that task.

[@chimmy4244]

Now that's an all star lineup!! Cool video. How did the the keech and tuatahi compare? I ordered a camp axe and looking forward to trying it out on some Indiana hardwoods.

[@kurts64]

Thanks Chimmy! The keech and tui are both on the same handle, so was good head to head. I think it goes to the Keech, but only just! Theres a weight penalty but it's slightly thinner (still crazy thick though)and longer, so cut a bit deeper, and doesn't have the tui's high toe. On this day the high toe didn't matter cause the log was elevated, but can occasionally be annoying. The tui's just plain fun to swing though. The weight is perfect, no sticking, and it throws awesome chips. I reckon your gunna love it! I probably should have said in the vid but after I lit the fire I kinda zoned out😁

[@bundufundi]

Really interesting video mate, lovely collection of axes too! Is that a knife that you made, looks good?

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate! Yep, home made, my main bush knife model. Have made fancier versions of it but this one's the ol' reliable👍👍

[@bundufundi]

@@kurts64 Hi Mate, can you drop me an email, something I want to ask you.

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, all good, my email is [e-mail], or bushie Kurt on FB👍👍

[@polderfischer8565]

One can clearly see that you are definitely not new to the job! Good work mister and greetings from germany.

[@kurts64]

Thanks a lot for watching mate, gday from Aus!👍👍

[@jonholliday5166]

G’day Kurt, long time subscriber first question, want to get into what you’re doing, with mixed gums in my area, any modern Hults Bruk or Agdor product around the 1.2kg mark with a long handle you’d suggest for me please ? Or just grab a Agdor Tassie? Thank you

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, cheers for watchin and leaving a comment! Awesome to hear your getting into it. I think the axe mostly comes down to the size of timber your chasing. The HB 1.2 Yankee on the 700mm handle is an awesome allrounder for both green and dead wood with the right grind. If you think your gunna tackle larger timber consistently, say 10inch plus, I'd go with the HB 1.5 or 1.75 Yankees, or yep the Agdor tassie. These all come on a 800mm. I've got a current model Agdor tassie but haven't set it up and used it yet so can't really speak on it, I do love the vintage HB's though. Keep us updated if you do grab anything mate, cheers again for subscribing, and good luck!👍👍

[@ianmoone2359]

Tui all day every day. 😉 What species were you chopping there?

[@kurts64]

Aha, a Tui fan! Cheers mate. This was a turpentine 👍👍🪓

[@ianmoone2359]

@@kurts64 Yes mate - Tui for the win on WA Jarrah. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rl6vkqCuds1mfLssi=xhFIB1-iG3h6vuue 😉👍

[@imyahuckl3b3rry26]

G’day mate finally got a good recommendation from YT great vid love your axes! Oi you know anything about the Snedden Knockabouts? I’m an Aussie but live in the states right now, tryn to squash a bit of the ol homesickness with some retail therapy lol Awesome seeing the bush in all her glory, looking forward to ya next vid 🤙

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, thanks for checkin it out! The snedden axes are made a few hours south of my place. I've not used one, a mates got a couple I might try to "borrow" one for a test one day😉😁 they seem like good quality gear. Check out the channel "Aussie Axe Dude" on YT, he's got a vid testing one and it seems to do well. Watchya doin over in the states?

[@kurts64]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHu5f2Wlmq57edE

[@imyahuckl3b3rry26]

@@kurts64 what am I doing in the states… going bald n grey wishing I was back home 😜 nah me n me brother n old man are chippies, been doing it for a minute over here. Different sorta bush and wildlife across the pond but doesn’t compare to home. Especially 3months into a hard winter 🥶 Yeah I’ll check old mates vid out see what’s doing, just thought for the price seems like it’d be a goodn. Bit cheaper than the Lamacas or Tui’s yunno. You ever consider flogging off any of your axes?

[@kurts64]

@@imyahuckl3b3rry26 pretty cool to be workin overseas though. That cold country up there definitely be a bit different to here, would love to see it one day, maybe somewhere like Idaho/Montana or the north east. Nah dont really sell axes, pretty fussy with what I buy generally only buy stuff if I think there's a performance gain from it, not really a collector. My missus would love it if I did though haha

[@imyahuckl3b3rry26]

@@kurts64 yeah nah I hear ya, I had to sell most of mine before we made the trip over 🤬 but yeah I live in the north east, awesome scenery especially in autumn all the trees on the rolling hills change colours looks like an ocean of fire pretty amazing. But the bloody snow mate struth I still can’t adapt to it been here over a decade now, kicks me arse every year lol. It was good hearing that crack coming off the blackbutt traffic hazard vid you put up, must’ve sounded like gun shots ay! What a tree! If you ever do scab ya mates Sneddy def make a vid would love to get ya thoughts on her before o pull the trigger. And if ya ever need to get back in the ol girls good graces hit me up I’ll make it worth ya while🤑🤙

[@Joey-L]

I love me some axe testing ! So...was there a clear winner ?

[@kurts64]

Was hoping you like this one mate, cheers for watching! Um..I dunno! The lamaca was a tiny bit outgunned by the big fellas in bucking but is by far the best limber, I reckon the rest were neck and neck. For all day, every job versatility I'd say the 4lb HB...maybe...I like em all😁

[@timwatsonphotography]

Awesome video Kurt. Really enjoyed watching it. What’s the HB pattern?

[@kurts64]

Gday Tim, cheers mate! The 4lb is a vintage Agdor tassie, by the stamps on both sides I'd say an 80's model. It's a bit different to the current 4.5lb model, a bit shorter and thicker in the cheeks.👍👍

[@timwatsonphotography]

Very good. Seems a great performer. Cheers mate.

[@pauljarine]

What species of tree is that? Thank you.

[@kurts64]

This is a Turpentine, Syncarpia glomulifera, an Aussie hardwood. Cheers for watchin mate👍🪓

[@user-er7rg7hy8s]

Why are you still jumping on the trunk? But you can’t chop from the ground with such an ax?

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, I like the challenge and fun of balancing on logs, branches and weird angles. Plus, chopping in the underhand position is often the most efficient once your used to the motion. Cheers for watching mate! 👍👍🪓

[@brettbrown9814]

3rd or 4th!

[@kurts64]

Cheers mate!

[@mattoster0994]

Hey mate just wondering were you get the spotted gum handles from?

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, the one on the 1.2kg HB is a home made, but there's a brand called Cattle Dog handles you can usually find in produce and hardware stores, they make a 32inch that works well for heavier heads with a bit of shaping work. Kruger also makes a couple of spottie and hickory handles in different sizes. Another mob called either Emu or Ayreford might do a couple too, but it's been a few years since I've found them.👍👍

[@mattoster0994]

Cheers mate I'll have a look gotta build on the go 🤙

[@kurts64]

@@mattoster0994 sweet let us know how you go👍

[@KillingerUSA]

second!

[@kurts64]

Tied with Mat!

[@MatthewAmsbaugh]

2nd?

[@kurts64]

Tied with Killer!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

First

[@kurts64]

Nice!

[@caseywilliams5406]

I got to know... Is the kiwi/Aussie hatred/prejudice as acute as depicted?

[@kurts64]

Nah I wouldn't call it a hatred, there's a lot of good history between Aus and EnZed, we just like to give each other alot of crap sometimes😁 We like their mountains, they like our sunshine. Our sheep are better 🤣🤣