Rinaldi Sicialian Axe - Tiny Belt Axe For Outdoors

Tiny rinaldi sicialian axe with a 350 gram head and 500 grams overall. Very promising potential as a light axe for camping and hiking

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

The more I see the more I am liking the Rinaldi axes.

[@dennisobrien3618]

Congratulations on your selection to Stihl Timbersports. Your insights and ideas on cutting tools always seem well thought out.

[@elemental4rce]

I want an indoor axe

[@paleasaghost-5799]

Great Review. Considered Rinaldi for a long time. Buying one of their axes soon.

[@hildolfrdraugadrottin7279]

That's a really cool Rinaldi. I just finished customizing a 400 gram Stubai hatchet. It took forever, the metal on one cheek by the eye was thicker than the other and the poll was lopsided. It took a lot of file work making it right and she ended up losing some weight. I injured my hand awhile back trying to split a gnarly piece of wood with a hatchet when I should've been using a full sized axe. So I got the tiny Stubai to use as a carving axe until my hand heals. She probably doesn't weigh a pound after losing all that metal and getting the handle thinned down. It would be a nice pack axe like your Rinaldi. It'll chop better than most would imagine for such a tiny axe. I'm still going to try and get a Rinaldi. I really want the trenton pattern one most but they have a few others I like as well. You seem to like them a lot which says a lot since you actually use axes unlike the majority of people on KZbin with axe videos.

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Rinaldi are just really good tools, they perform and are very reasonably priced. This idea that you need to spend 100s to get quality spread by some big youtubers annoys me greatly

[@hildolfrdraugadrottin7279]

@@benscottwoodchopper They are mostly bought by gear snobs that really don't use axes for anymore than bragging and cutting a few sticks so they can make KZbin videos. All that bragging about those axes caused the axes to be overpriced imo. Plus it is probably discouraging to a lot of people who would like to try cutting some wood but end up not even trying because they can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on a axe and think the cheaper ones are basically junk. Some of my favorite axes are ones I didn't pay much for but actually out cut the more expensive ones. I've spent some pretty crazy money in the past on old broad axes but only because they aren't made like that anymore and have a lot of history behind them. You can still buy new broad axes but they are overpriced imo and don't have the historical significance. I lost a lot of my axes in a house fire and after that I replaced many of them the best I could only to have them stolen when my house was broken into. Now because of all the collector's any old axe in decent shape is really expensive. At least quadruple from when I started. I liked it back when there weren't many of us that had any interest in old tools. There's still a few axes I want to try. Some of the Rinaldi axes look promising, a Basque axe would be nice as would a Tuatahi camp axe. Those Tuatahi camp axes look like a much better deal than most of the expensive Swedish axes to me. When I was younger I always wanted one of their racing axes just to play around with but their camp axe would actually be a practical tool I would use. I'm too old and have too many injuries to ever be a competitive axe racer. I would have got into it when I was younger but that was way before the internet so there wasn't really any info on it other than the lumberjack competitions that appeared on tv every now and then. There's not been any real axe wielding lumberjacks around here since the railroad tie cutting days. That wouldn't have been a very pleasant job. I guess a lot of them ended up missing parts of their feet doing it and packing around railroad ties all day on your shoulder would really suck. I like watching the old films of them. They packed them uphill like they were nothing. That took some incredible strength and endurance with very little pay from what I've seen.

[@adrianjagmag]

I think exceptions would be stuff like billhooks where the hook bites in and uses a shearing action, and khukuri where the belly is primarily the contact area if one is accurate. I would take a good billhook or khukuri (and have) over any of those fancy sharpened prybar survival knives, both the times I had to 'survive', once due to flash flooding (had to climb a tree to not get washed off, lost most of my gear) and another time due to horrible fog and rain that sent me miles off course (in the mountains, very little visability coupled with terrible brambles) it was my khukuri in one case and billhook in the other that saw me through. Whilst I like these light axes I feel they're less versatile overall.

[@GiantPinhead]

Great demonstration. I like small axes - we call them a "camp" axe here - my concern with these is trying to compensate for smaller mass with greater speed, and tiring myself quicker. Everything's a tradeoff I suppose. Look forward to the rest of the series.

[@vinniesdayoff3968]

Well done with the Timbersports Ben. I have been on holidays and we had no wifi and I used all my data so no KZbin ☹️. I have mislaid my Laura Ingalls books but her father carried a small hatchet in his belt and a folding knife. He was a real pioneer, farming, trapping fur and hunting to put meat on the table.

[@ryanE95]

Congrats on being selected by Stihl after attending the "taster day". I have a few videos with some top axemen here on the east coast of the US that might be helpful for honing your techniques.

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Yeah I already watched them! I try to watch as much timbersports as possible and really analyse what they are doing because there isnt any clubs in scotland. Got some training camps to go to so am sure to improve a lot, already trying to undo some bad habits with my swing. Anyway its really exciting and a great opportunity to learn from some of the best

[@Dydeeo]

It looks like the only one of the Scilia available now is 250 grams and 2 3/8 inch cutting edge. That seems really small for an edge. The one you used and said was about half edge width of the boys axe would have put it about the same, yet in use it looked larger.

[@chrisolenick953]

ben sorry if i missed it overallweight 500g or just the head? i was looking at the 250-350g head and this in your video looks perfect. which size was the head in the video?

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Mine is the 350g head, the 500 is probably a bit better

[@T37912]

Hi Ben, First of all congratulations on being selected. Second, thank you for confirming my "camping carry". I never cary a fixed blade (I like them, but I have no need for them). Only my tomahawk and 2 Victorinox knives (1 large Rangergrip with a saw and my Swiss Champ). I am curious about your thoughts on the shovle and the folding saw. I bought the Cold Steel shovle for 1 of my boys to use when we're camping and the eldi folding saw for another 1 of my boys. They both also carry their Victorinox (1 boy a Hunter XT and a Handyman and the other a Soldier and a Handyman). So far there is very little we can not build when we're out together 😁. Thank you for the (very) infomative (and often over my head) video's. Kind regards Alain PS forgot to mention my Herbertz camping knife for cooking (my boys use Opinel and Laguiolle for cooking).

[@benscottwoodchopper]

I think the optimal tool set is some kind of light axe and a swiss army knife, no reason not to carry one of those as they are so light and small. I think saws are very good for their specific task but not very versatile. A shovel can obviously dig the best but can do some very light chopping, but has been somewhat over hyped as a super tool with 100s of uses such as a frying pan, knife and axe all in one but in actuality some uses damage the tool and make it unusable for other uses, but ill cover that more in the video. Sounds like you go camping as a group, which really is a game changer because each person can carry a tool, whilst a individual has to choose more carefully so not to get burdened with too many tools. Not an expert on this sort of thing but I work a lot with my tools and my 2 cents might be a useful fresh opinion. Cheers!

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

HUZZAH on the selection!

[@bombsawaylemay770]

You still alive dude?

[@LexLuthor1234]

Hey Ben, and thank you for these videos! I have seen you recomend some different rinaldi axes by now, but if chosing between the Calabrian, American and Sicilian (and other rinaldi) head shapes, which head Would you prefer for what use, given a free choice of head weights? Would you for example prefer the american over the calabrian for a "boys axe" size and why? I am just trying to understand their differences in terms of best use. Cheers and thanks again :) Ps. I'm based in Italy at the moment, and though i can Order the axes to my home, i might Just drive to the factory to buy them there. Do you want me to ask Them something?

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Bigger axes need thicker profile to help bust out the chip hence heavy calabria, thin light axes better for branches and small wood hence other patterns

[@LexLuthor1234]

Thanks Ben, well in my particular case i need a belt axe that can do a bit of everything in terms of very light jobs when walking the woods, (maybe the 350 g calabria or sicilia) and a 700-1000 gram forrest axe like solution. So a bit of a Jack of all trades kind of axe. Watching your geometry video just now, a modern 2 pounder wedge design might be the ideal , but it seems the basque axes are having QC trouble, so i might just talk to the rinaldi guys and see what they have in stock and recommend for this sort of purpose. I wont be doing proper big tree chopping or competition work, instead i just need a not too heavy axe i can carry into the forrest and do lighter maintenance work with, or even take camping, if needed. So i'll be using on both green and dead wood. Thanks again for sharing your passion and knowledge, and good luck competing! Claus

[@benscottwoodchopper]

@@LexLuthor1234 an option could be to get the 700g calabria and use it on the longer handle as your bigger axe and on a short hatchet length one for light work and as a belt axe. Worth considering

[@LexLuthor1234]

@@benscottwoodchopper Hey again Ben, yeah, that might be an idea indeed :)

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Congrats, Ben!

[@gervasospadoni1869]

I have a Rinaldi Picozzino n. 0 and it's perfect to use for bushcraft and outdoor activity

[@MrDyslexicCrayon]

Great video, if you only had that axe and a folding saw you would be set for spending quite a lot of time in the woods. Imo

[@benscottwoodchopper]

I was thinking maybe the best idea would take a big bowsaw blade (50 grams) too, you can use the axe to make the frame and then cut some serious firewood

[@kanhdahar2]

Hi, where did you get your rinaldi axe from, im uk based. thank you for your videos.

[@benscottwoodchopper]

unfortunately they have become really ahrd to get these days

[@kanhdahar2]

@@benscottwoodchopper ps ebay have them 'Ax type Calabria' copy paste that term in the ebay search engine. 350g 400g & 500g £45. Im going to go with the 400g I want a tomahawk style axe.

[@kanhdahar2]

they ship to uk

[@GottoLoveNature]

Hey Ben. What are your thoughts on English axes like elwell and spearwell? I've got a 3 pound spearwell and love the geometry and phantom bevels, it never sticks even with a 25° chisel grind, but the steel rools and chips alot. So I hate to use since it requires alot of maintenance for it to keep it's performance. I know a perfect edge is not needed at all but it does improve the performance and after 30minutes of work with the axe it needs a 5 minute tune up

[@benscottwoodchopper]

I tried a few elwells but never really did like them all that much. I prefer the brades axes made by eagle edge tool, steel seems a lot better. Hard to describe though

[@jadedsamuria]

It looks like I bought the American 1100g instead of the 700g like you recommended. What do you think of that weight? I like it but I don't have anything to compare it too.

[@benscottwoodchopper]

1100 is a great size

[@chewfacity]

How do you think this would hold up regularly hammering tent spikes?

[@benscottwoodchopper]

fine, hammering tent stakes is not going to damage any axe

[@ShelleyRaskin]

Does the head pop off easily like the trail hawk, so you can use it like a knife?

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Yes, all rinaldi axes can

[@kg1764]

What do you make of the shape handle on this? Is it uncomfortable in the hand? Is there enough wood there to be able to re-shape it in any way? I only ask because I'm ordering a few Rinaldi's, The Sicilian, the 700g American and a 700g Calabria (just to see which 700g is better as an all round "camping" axe) but the profile of the handle is putting me off the Calabria, I know the American has a decent handle profile. Cheers Ben.

[@benscottwoodchopper]

I am sure it is fine, really what will determine which one is better is how important you consider splitting, I think the american buys axe cuts dead wood better which is more important

[@kg1764]

@@benscottwoodchopper Thanks man. Yeah I suppose if I think about it..... I'll fell, limb, buck and split relatively small dead dry stuff for instant burning...... So if the American is better at the first 3 parts of the equation and I know it to have a decent handle profile..... Why am I considering the Calabria? Ha. Sometimes it takes someone else's perspective to see sense🤷‍♂️ Thanks Ben.

[@MadNumForce]

By now you should have received them. But I've had a chance to handle a 900g Calabria, and this is just the best axe I have ever held. The finish is very rough, but the bit geometry makes it a joy to chop with. I find the handle shape more troubling on my 500g Calabria, and I ended up making it narrower with a rasp so that it wouldn't be so thin at the front. But since then it's quite a good axe. What's good with these slip-through head is that the handle is easy to replace should you want to try something else.

[@connorwaters8701]

Can't seem to find anywhere in the UK stocking Rinaldi axes - any ideas?

[@ErikOden]

I was actually considering buying this hatchet, it seems nice ! I am still not sure if I will pick up the 350g or 500g head version

[@benscottwoodchopper]

500 is probably more useful

[@ErikOden]

@@benscottwoodchopper Yes 500g seems good. Where did you get it from ? I couldn't find any dealer in France and the ones in Italy don't ship abroad

[@EdmundoAyarzagoitia]

@@ErikOden did you got the axe??

[@ErikOden]

@@EdmundoAyarzagoitia No didn't find any dealer to buy it from

[@LexLuthor1234]

Hey Erik, maybe give these guys try, hopefully they can help you out! www.lamnia.com/en

[@ajaxtelamonian5134]

Sick dude well done I didnt quite make the cut excuse the pun but good luck. Fortunately in the south of england there is a lot of Ash which actually burns quite well green but I see your point and the rinaldi does a lot better than others in seasoned wood very similar to the little basque I own that one.

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Cheers, its a shame you didnt get picked though now you know what to expect for next time

[@richardsullivan1776]

What kind of saws will you be training with? The newer 462s? They use the 6lb competition single bits or I call them Ox Heads. I don't know what they use at the Husqvarna competitions? I would image a Hults Bruks Arvika axe if they have competitions similar to Sthil Timbersports. The rival to the MS 462 is the 572XP, the newer version of the 372XP. There's nothing like the originals though. Great job, Keep practicing with your MS 261 for the heck of it bossman. .

[@johnmutton799]

How big is that handle! And i mean width and thickness? How is it to use? The one on amazon give a picture of the 2lb axe as this.

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Those 2 little choppers are more in category of 18th century Tomahawks. I have a Early 1800s Hawk Head just like that little one that I hafted. Long haft like yours-I call it my Battle Axe/Hawk🇺🇸

[@1südtiroltechnik]

I want to see Nutnfancy cut this dead wood of yours with his survival kni(v)(f)es!

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Yup i have to laugh at guys hacking away for 15 minutes on a arm sized branch with rambo knives, then facing the camera and saying how impressive it is. What a load of shite!

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

35? That's just getting to base camp! ;)

[@elemental4rce]

You need a silky katana boy. You'll survive more

[@benscottwoodchopper]

i know that is a good option but it doesn't also work as a knife and cant split or carve wood. What you need to do is gather some small wood and perhaps fell a dead tree, buck it into moveable 8 foot sections so maybe 3 or 4 cuts total. The silky saw would do that one task much faster but after that become redundant

[@elemental4rce]

@@benscottwoodchopper it's ok though because. SURVIVAL SHOVEL

[@benscottwoodchopper]

@@elemental4rce I think you already know what i am going to say about that

[@johnmutton799]

Tidy little axe. Any axe chops better than a knife. Andbztoning with a knife is dumb. No matter what the make. To many people on KZbin pretending to be in a survival situation (next to a main road, or in their gardens) if youarein the crap, gather firewood, break it with your foot. Not chopping 6" logs!

[@benscottwoodchopper]

I agree, if you are going to bother using a tool at least make sure it is effective. guys trying to chop stuff with knives makes me cringe