Okay, so I was thinking that a belt ax would be not only a handy thing to have for camping but would help my outfit and gear look the part, and I took to searching the internet to find one. Found one that looked nice and was reasonably priced at Smiling Fox forge, ordered it and got it today. Opened the box and found a childrens toy in exchange for my $30! ??? The head fits in the palm of my hand, the handle is about the thickness of two popsicle sticks (and about as sturdy) with unevely applied paint, plus the edge is so off center that if I were to use it the handle will twist out of my hand when it hits wood.
If you want to buy "made in China", shop Cabelas, they are cheaper and you get more for your money.
William send them an email requesting a return authorization. I hope they will at least give you credit on other merchandise.
I may be too disappointed in their first attempt to do that just yet. I appreciate the advice nonetheless.
Hate it when something is misrepresented. Have gotten burned a few times but not too often, but have contacted the swindlers fast as I could so they couldnt say I waited to long.
Voy
William,try donelson custom muzzelloaders,I got one in Feb. all hand made,excellent quality.
Donnelson does do beautiful work.
He is going to be up here in Ely to set up with us in Sept.
Voy
William, did you purchase the Fort Meigs ax? If you did, I can understand your disapointment if you didn't know the Ft M pattern. It is a very small belt ax. More for sliding down the back of your hunting pouch. I have one and I love it. Mine was handmade by a local blacksmith however to those same specs. I'm not sure of SFF quality, but try it out a few times. You might find that you like it. I use mine while deer hunting all the time. I would put a little longer handle on it though...
Quote from: Ranger on July 22, 2010
William, did you purchase the Fort Meigs ax? If you did, I can understand your disapointment if you didn't know the Ft M pattern. It is a very small belt ax. More for sliding down the back of your hunting pouch. I have one and I love it. Mine was handmade by a local blacksmith however to those same specs. I'm not sure of SFF quality, but try it out a few times. You might find that you like it. I use mine while deer hunting all the time. I would put a little longer handle on it though...
Yes, it is the Ft. Meigs style, but if the fit and finish were at least on par with the website description I wouldn't be so disappointed. I undertsand that it is cast and then the eye is opened up in their forge, but they didn't even bother to remove the cast marks, adding to the "cheap" look of it. The handle is poorly finished as well, heavily stained on one side with drip marks and is poorly shaped. In fact, they didn't bother to remove the curls of wood on the handle when shoving the head onto it. It just looks like a mass produced, foreign made trinket to me. At least with the Cabelas hawk you know that it's made in India plus youi get twice as much wood and metal than this bag ax from SFF.
Sounds like their quality is greatly lacking. I'd send it back too.
No replies to my e-mails, I'm just going to have to chalk it up to experience. Could have bought a lot of ice cream for $30.
Send them one more e-mail telling them that if they do not do right by you that you will post your opinion of them as well as photos of the product on a few forums as well as take it to all vous you plan to attend in the future so others can see what the quality of their products and customer service are. Then see if they reply.
Voy
I agree with Voy....just might be the way to handle this situation. As far as the style of axe, I agree with Ranger. I own two of these, one cast and one forged. Love em, and they are quite usefull, but a heavy duty axe they are not. Sounds like you may have got a cheeper version, at least very poorly presented. Nobody likes to pay that kind of money for something you have to doctor up just to be able to show it off without being ashamed of it. But the style has far more uses than one might think, if the steel isn't too soft to hold an edge. These are light weight and are handy to carry on your shooting bag.