it’s one more thing you have to fight against when you’re removing the axe from the cut. But as you said, it’s definitely not going to fly off due to the nature of the design. I just can’t stand it.

Yeah, you’re right. It won’t fly off or fall down due to the nature of the slip fit, which is why I continued to chop. However, that little wiggle drives me nuts.

Thanks, It’s a little late for me to try that. But if I ever buy another I’ll give it a shot. Lane from Bushcraft Sisyphus had the same issue. He permanently fixed his as well. Thanks for leaving a comment.

My handle seems to be glued on, any ideas how I could get it to slip? I've tried banging the handle off the ground while holding the head, I've pounded the handle with a hammer, it isn't budging. There is a hard brown substance in between the handle and head.

Just learned that this is also a thing for Japanese chisels. Interesting stuff.

The slip-fit, curvy bit, and short handle was what kept me from buying one for so long, that and they are always in short supply-for good reason. When I found out he made a straight bit at a weight I was comfortable with, I pulled the trigger when it became available. Honestly I’d rather have the 65cm handle on this head, but it turns out it doesn’t matter that much. I actually like it for limbing because I’m so close to the work. And the wide blade makes for quick work when bucking. The biggest surprise was how well it split. That said, I could never put up with the movement in the eye the slip-fit allows. I always thought that was a design flaw, and this sample validated my prejudice. I already love it. The thumbnail was a little click-baity, although I was super disappointed that yet again I had to basically rehang a new axe. I hope you’re well, Seth. Looking forward to more sharpening videos. Thanks for watching.

@@KevinsDisobedience funny I didn't see this video until now I am having the same troubles with my 1.75 and 2.25 Basque Axes. I just purchased conical wedges as well, and was going to attach the head permanently to the handle. They don't seem to slip off easily anyways. But before I do, how has this approach held up?

You’re not the only one. Pretty much everyone I’ve talked to has had a loose head or can’t get the head to come off at all. My head hasn’t budged since I fixed it.

Get the 1500 it’s the best all around basque axe

@@KevinsDisobedience Thank you ! I will go for it in the next days i hope :)

Yes, that’s the argument anyway. I’ve experienced the exact opposite with mattocks. Mine always fell down and hit me in the hands until I changed the handle, and just last month when my dad brought his to my place and said this thing is useless can you do something with it, referring to the handle. I’m just not a fan of the design. It has its place and purpose in history, sure, but not in my life. That aside, I like the axe. I do think the handles are a little too short.

Yeah, not sure if you watched to the end, but I ultimately say it’s probably a perfect pack axe. That said, if you but a brand new axe and it comes loose with a few swings, I’d call that an epic fail, especially when these are so highly regarded. It won’t come loose now though. I knew I’d take some shit for this, but I’ll continue to call them like I see them. Thanks for commenting.

@@KevinsDisobedience I did watch to the end, it's just in your title is why I was commenting. Again, not picking at anything. Tools are subjective. What's an epic fail is the total autocorrect bonanza of my previous comment, wholly cow... Hopefully you made sense of it. I think the Basque axes are in an upper league, but I do take issue with the handles, not so much in the slip fit as much as they unusual shortness and lack of palm swell. Definitely not giving you shit over this video. Better to be honest than some fanboy parroting platitudes.

Jauregi, AU, not "UA". Pronounced joraygi.

Hey thanks for the sub! Good to hear yours is tight. I’ve heard one or the other. A few people I know said theirs is so tight they can’t get the head off, but several people had the same issue as I’ve had. Slip-fitting needs to be done just right to stay tight. Mine wasn’t. This was the 1.25kg. I’ve just got ahold of a 1.5kg, which I think is going to be even better. They’re great axes!

@@KevinsDisobedience I guess I got lucky on mine! I'd love a 1.5 kg myself

Quality control seems to have went down on them as of late. So you probably should count yourself lucky, even to have one at all as they are increasingly difficult to come by.

There s 4 geometries for the jauregui. Well 4... the aizkolari axes, the chopping, the cutting, and a mix... And the handles, quite the same... the competition axe, for the aizkolari is different from che cutting or chopping axe... great review of the axe. A big hug from Euskadi. The land of this axe.

Yeah, my experience too. Only my 1.5 has not come loose, but I haven’t used it that much. I think they just send the handles out too green. But the geometry kicks ass! Pop that 2.25 on a basque racing handle. You’ll love it!

Couldn’t agree more. Any tool I’ve ever had the was slip fit came loose pretty quickly.

tomahawks are based on trade axes, mostly from France, which are still used and go up to 4kg heads, they are proper axes...

Sorry never got notified of your comment. You fixed yours too? Water will work. The problem is as soon as it dries out it’ll be loose again. Linseed oil is a little better.

Better in that they have a wider bit, heavier head, and more acute angle than most axes, but they aren’t better for real world work. Bits too wide, heads too heavy, and the edge would be destroyed in the woods I cut. Hope that answers your question. Thanks

I have some friends who haven’t had an issue with the hang either, but I’ve seen three other people online who had the same problem. I think it’s one of the best axes being made today, bar none.

@@KevinsDisobedience i think you diden't take it like that, but pf course i did not mean it in a way ro criticise you, just reporting my experience. I love my basque and it just makes chopping great. I pretty much only buck, no limbing, splitting or felling because i never get to do it really. It throws chips like a champ generally but i think it struggles with knots a bit as it can't get properly under it. It also tends to stick a lot in our german wood here, but that might be the straight bit and me chopping badly(unnecessarily hard, bad angle, 'wrong axe for the wrong wood'. I still love chopping with it, it is absolutely great and satisfying on my part. I also wanted to thank you for you safety videos, i think they did in fact contribute to me conciously taking steps to use my axe safely. I think people make to much fun about the "safety sally" thing without taking intl account the necessity of talking about essential safety and how to take care of oneself without getting nothing done.... well anyways; have a good day, be well.

No of course I didn’t take offense. Just reporting my experience as well. If you get a chance, I think you will find it excels at felling and limbing. And thanks for taking steps to stay safe. I haven’t always been the safest person with an axe, but as I get older I realize how easily and quickly things could go wrong.

@@tobilogie1612 Ignore the "safety Sally" types. They are the people who will "take care of it when I get to that bridge". In otherwords, the unprapared that no one truly likes to have in their camp. Big talkers, put down artists who know little of essentials and think their backward posturing attitude is a sign of how tough they are. You on the other hand, stay safe !

I haven’t used the 1.5kg as much, but I think it’s a better all arounder simply because the handles a little longer and a slightly heavier head. Yes, I prefer the straight bits more, but mostly for theoretical reasons. I can’t say I’ve really noticed a difference if I’m honest. You?

@@KevinsDisobedience Kevin, sorry for the late reply, I just saw yours. I've used both, in soft woods, the curve bit is fine and cuts deep not necessarily requiring additional cuts but for harder woods, the straight bit is better I think, it's easier to make a longer cut in two strokes. Where I am, it's often (not always) harder wood.

I’m starting to think it doesn’t matter much either way.

@@KevinsDisobedience And you're probably right, it may simply amount to personal preference although the Rinaldis are all straight, at least from what I've seen. Individual comfort zone often trumps conventional wisdom. My first axe a very long time ago was a very well made 18 inch handled 800 grams hatchet that I mostly used for throwing when I was 14 years old. It had a straight bit. My second axe, over 30 years ago was somewhat curved, was excellent and not knowing much I didn't appreciate it to its true value. I can't recount the number of overstrikes, the handle took them all and never budged. I am not quite sure but I believe it was a CCTool, 28 inch handle and about 2.25 to 2.5 lbs head (never weighed). I used it with a maul for splitting oak mostly. The lighter axe didn't have the super thin geometry of the current CCTools. The maul's handle didn't take my inexperienced abuse, it made great firewood...;)

Glad yours are holding an edge. My 1.5 is still good

I actually love this axe, even with the short handle now that I’ve fixed the head. I think it’s one of the best axes on the market today.

Let me know how you like it. I’ve only got the 1.2 and 1.5kg, and I love them both.

@@KevinsDisobedience The 600grs is looking very nice also

You’re right about it being the handle, but wrong about it not budging. I couldn’t keep it on. No matter what I did it wouldn’t stay tight. You’ll see if you you get a chance to watch the rest. I permanently fixed the handle to the head. It’s not moving now. Owen said he has the same problem.

@@KevinsDisobedience seth* 😂 It's weird how they vary like that.

Sorry, I was thinking of you when I went to type his name. But yeah, I’ve used my Husqvarna Boy’s axe more than any other axe I own, and it has never budged. A friend bought one on my recommendation and it came loose the first day. I’ve seen one of Council Tool’s Hudson Bay pack axes come so loose we were able to wiggle the head off after a three day camping trip. The one I just bought seems solid. It’s a crap shoot.

I just got a Basque axe and my handle won't budge as well. There is a hard brown epoxy type substance in between the handle and head at the bottom. I've tried banging on it with a couple different techniques and it won't move.

I actually tried on one of Liam Hoffman's handles on the 2.25. Pretty cool looking. Right up until it broke! Wasn't the handle's issue. I messed up the hang early on.

I’m convinced they’re the best production axe being made. I’m not a fan of slipfit, but I imagine if it were my handle and I took the time to fit it they would work just fine. The problem is they are never in stock. Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope to see you in the comments of other vids. Thanks.

Hmm, I wish that was the problem I had. Owen @ Elemental4rce said he has the same problem as you; whereas Seth said his won’t stay tight like mine. So I’d venture to guess, they were getting a lot of returns from people with loose handles and then start slipfitting and perhaps epoxy it them in place. So I’d say there are two batches out there, glued and not glued. If it were mine, I wouldn’t do anything with it until it comes loose, which it will do after some more use I’m sure. If banging the hell out of it with a heavy hammer with the head in a vise won’t do it, I don’t know what will; that is without damaging it. I’ll ask around.

@@KevinsDisobedience I asked Jon Ugalde and he said to hit the bottom of the handle like he demonstrates in his video, and he said it never takes more than around fifty hits. Maybe I wasn't hitting it hard enough, but I whacked it over a hundred times with a 3 pound metal hammer and then I hit it quite hard over a hundred times with a plastic mallet, and it didn't move a millimeter. He says he has never heard of any Basque axe maker using any kind of glue, but I don't think the stuff on my axe is wood, it seems quite hard. I thought the same, that he has had complaints about loose handles and decided to put a little something into the eye to solve that problem. My handle has a slight bend in it too, so I think I want to replace it. I was thinking of a vise, or something like that, and I'll give that a try when I get a chance. Thanks.

That’s the only way, brother. Don’t be afraid to giver... good luck!

@@KevinsDisobedience thanks

Of course, thanks for watching. I appreciate every sub, comment and like I get from you guys.

Yes, I’ve used both adze and pick axes that were slip axes, or at least I get them out of the trailer only to have them fall on my hands. If the handle doesn’t shrink, which they always do, I agree, there should be no issue. I just haven’t had any luck with them is all.

I wish I could say the same. I’ve had issue with all three of mine. And a friend of mine just snapped the entire heel off his 2.25. My racer completely folded. It’s a shame because they’re such good axe designs.

Lamina.com After fixing it to the handle, I really like this axe. Thanks for watching

Give it a go. That’s what I did and it’s still holding up just fine.

1.25kg Basque axe. You can find them at Lamnia or Bushcraft Spain. I have other videos on them too. Here’s the most recent: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mtiYpbuAsK3Qp40.html

@@KevinsDisobedience thanks. I've got a few axe heads otw to me now. One is a kelly woodslasher double and the other is a 2¾ master mechanic cruiser. Have you ever came across any master mechanic axes? I've got a small axe collection that I use and I've yet to come across any.

@@KevinsDisobedienceoh no i know all about the axe lol I meant the bag it was on. I just called it a pack for some reason haha. Thanks for replying man.

Best axe I’ve ever bought. I’m not a fan of slipfit though. I bought another one, 1.5kg, and it has the same problem. It could be fixed, but I feel like tha5 should be done before it’s let out of the shop, not left to the customer to sort out. But if you can get one, you should.

@@KevinsDisobedience Hey Kevin, i'm sorry that you havae the same problem with the 1.5 kg. I have 6 Jauregi and no one has had handle issues in one year. (I tried to change one of them and it has been impossible without cutting it....). I agree with you, those handles souldn been adjusted from home. If you have this problem here in Spain, for shure Jose Ramon is going to fix it...don' know about the Lamnia ones...

Thanks. I think he makes the best axe on the market today. I’ve got the 1.25kg and the 1.5kg. I’ve also heard others say the same as you that the handle is damn near impossible to get off. But I’ve also had several people message me and say they’ve had the same problem as me. Regardless, I’ll buy more of these axes in the future. No doubt about that!

@@KevinsDisobedience Well, hope you'll have good luck with the next one....😉. And, if it's possible, order a 2kg with a racing handle, the same that Lane has received. You'll have the comfort of the handle, the whedged haft and a regular head that won't break on gnarly wood....thrust me, it's almost an unbeatable chopping beast...

@@KevinsDisobedience Which weight do you prefer ?

It is. I wish the handle was longer. But after I fixed the head, it cuts great.

Thanks

Thanks for the correction. It a 1.25kg.

It’s not worthless. I don’t think I said that. It’s worthless if the head doesn’t stay on. So long as you can get the head tight, I think they’re are the best axes being made today.

Good question. I don’t know, but as soon as I finish my coffee and get ready for work I’ll measure it for you.

4.5 inches

Thanks for subscribing. I have a new Basque I need to tune up and it looks to have the same problem. I just think it’s a flawed design, but I absolutely love the axe!

@@KevinsDisobedience I think I'd love the axe as well. If the barrel wedge works then it's problem solved as I see it. Enjoy the axe. I wonder what I would pay for a similar axe? Do you have a URL?

I just cut a kerf in it and fixed it on the head with a wooden wedge and two barrel wedges. It worked just fine. Unfortunately, these axes are quite hard to come by. The only legitimate seller is Lamnia, although Bushcraft Spain will sell you one for more money that is actually B Grade heads, which is just a little less polished than what you get from Lamnia.com, but then they’re marking the price up quite a bit. But then again they actually have them in stock, so...good luck.

The racing axe is a fixed handle, no? This is a slipfit? Also, check out my recent Basque and Brades video. New one came loose on the first day, too.

Yes they are. A friend has the standard basque slip handle felling axe and had the same problem that you're having. We tried standard wedges and it didn't work. We ended up using a council tool handle did a little carving on it,fitted it,drilled 2 holes and made 2 dowel wedges. It's been 2 now with no problems.

My Spanish is really bad. Are you asking me how much this axe cost, friend? If so, about $130 American dollars. Not cheap.

No he is talking about the weight

1, 25 kilos

Yeah, I know. Thanks. It could have been fixed as a slipfit if it had more wood or if I added some thin wedges (on the sides in the eye), but the handle was shrunk too much to fix that way.

I love these axes. Ive just had some problems over the years is all.

@@KevinsDisobedience I’ve looked at mine and on all of them the handle fit is far better than yours, like someone else said I wonder whether quality has suffered now he is making a lot more

About 182cm. Hope that helps. I’d recommend getting the 65-70cm handles if possible.

Thanks, I tried that before I fixed it permanently. It worked for a little while. I Also tried adding a thin wedge along each side the eye to make up the gaps. Don’t think I should have to do any of that to a new axe. Lane from Bushcraft Sisyphus had the same problem. He fixed his too. I’ve had the same problem with pick axes that are slip fit. I don’t have time for that.

@@KevinsDisobedience that is interesting, a few years ago I got myself the 800 gram straight edge axe and instantly fell in love with it. Actually, the head was fit so tight I haven't been able to remove the haft on mine. It's a great little carver and is one of my favorite pack axes to date. Once anyone has the larger ones back in stock another is definitely on my short list.

Agreed. I actually think they are the best axes being made today. I’ve been trying to get another for awhile. Damn things are never in stock. I think I just got a bad fit, because I know both others have said they can’t even get there’s loose with a hammer. But I’ve had issues with slipfit handles on mattocks and pick axes at work. I’m not a fan in general, but they definitely can work.

@@KevinsDisobedience I hope the Spanish fellow that makes them is ok. The supply seemed to disappear at the start of the hysteria and there is only one gentleman casting them anymore (I could be wrong but I read they were a cast axe of about 1050 steel like the Australian Keech, although I don't know the steel on the Keech).

I hadn’t thought about that. I’m sure Juregi is just fine. They’re pretty much always out of stock. I blame Ben Scott for making them popular among axe enthusiasts. Lol

Thanks brother, glad to have you along for the ride. Yes, I intend to keep on posting videos. We’ll see if people follow. I’m not really sure how to go about it, but I’ll give it a try. Again, thanks for the support.

@@KevinsDisobedience followers is the hardest. Just keep making videos. Getting people to share on other platforms can really help as well. I really wish I could grow my channel better as well.