Great video. It looked like a lot of fun. I have a work, a camp and a china from Tuatahi. They are awesome beasts! Did your alu wedge loosen and wiggle out? Both wedges on the work and china did that for me. Pretty strange :)
I've been looking at the camp axe... seems like a good chopper. And I've not had any issues with the aluminum wedge loosening. But you could seat the head, then drive the wedge home and drill a hole for a roll pin that will also capture a portion of the wedge and ensure a good seat. I have wooden wedges for most of my race axes and work axes otherwise. But I've seen a lot of guys that really like the reusable nature of the aluminum wedges.
Those glances can be rough for both the axe and the user lol I've been pretty happy with the racing style handle from tuatahi. It's been taking everything I throw at it so far.
I know "EFA"makes pretty solid racing axes. I would assume it would track that they also make a solid work axe. But I've never used one of their work axes personally. I really like my Tuatahi work axe, it has handled frozen wood, knots, hard woods, and soft woods quite well at the factory 20 deg bevel. It is heavy at 6.6 lbs though, so for prolonged chopping ie: splitting/bucking/felling, I would probably look at those EFA 4-5 lbs range work axes with that lens. I can swing the tui work axe for a while, but not as comfortably as say one of my 3.5lbs-4.5 lbs axe patterns if I'm trudging around in the woods. If you want a heavy race style axe that is robust or a thicker edged training axe for timbersports, I do think the tui work axe is a solid investment. Hope this helps.
I think it only took a couple weeks after I received notification my order had shipped. But I've had variable wait times for oversea shipping. Tuatahi seems to go fine. But they make things to order I think so that might affect your wait time. I would buy it again if that helps you make the decision.
I love the Tuatahi work axe. I'll be keeping it at 20 degrees for sure. It's a great practice axe and I don't mind swinging it for moderate amounts of time. Longer working stuff I prefer 3.5-4 lbs. And I am partial to Michigan's, Daytons, and Jerseys for working/cordwood things.
