My main points in this video. Expensive axes do not carry super powers and will not be greatly more effective than an inexpensive axe of reasonable quality. Quality can matter up to a point, but an axe which does not have the best edge retention or strength is often suitable enough. Beginners should not be seduced into buying expensive axes. It is better to start with an inexpensive axe and beat it up, break some handles and generally learn one's way around them. That kind of use and experience can build experience for making a larger purchase as some point. One might find that after using some inexpensive axes and vintage axes, that they don't really want to buy any, and may be perfectly happy with vintage heads. A lot of axe purchases are for collecting's sake alone, or maybe retail therapy or over accessorizing. The problem is that beginners often won't know what is and isn't important and can be easily up-sold to higher cost axes on selling points that are probably not going to matter that much to them if they are even true in the first place. Expensive axes are worth a lot and will be devalued by the clumsy use they will often see in amateur hands. Don't learn to drive in an expensive sports car.
Bottom line, get a cheap axe and use it a lot. Mess it up, play with modifying it, break handles, learn to sharpen, then see if you want to spend money on fancy axes. Best case scenario, get a cheap or free axe with a handle. Next best, get a cheap or free used head and make or buy a handle. Third best, buy a budget line axe, like the council boys axe and hope that you get a good handle and head.
