axes...

[ghostdog]

birthdays,coming up and been looking at the gransfor small forest axe,does anybody rate this? and what advice could you gentlemen give me... :o use a knukri in the field and a gene ingram for general duties...

[asfaltpiloot]

Hi

There are a few reviews on youtube.
Here's one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOtwEA33WRg

I don't use axes much.
Afraid i'm gonna chop off my fingers :p

Take care.

[FLYBYU44]

The Gransfor axes are pretty cool, but pricy. Personally I have a Estwing camp axe which is excellent for bushwacking, chopping etc., but really isn't good at splitting up wood. The Gransfor axes seem to have a narrow head as well, so I wouldn't buy one until I used to split up some wood.

[GoMeR]

Everything I have ever handled from Gransfors was a quality tool. I own 3 of them and all serve me very well. I have the large splitting axe, splitting maul, and the scandanavian forest axe. They are pricy but if you take care of them they should last a lifetime, handle excluded of course!

If you dont want to spend the money for a GB, Wetterlings makes some very nice axes for about half the price. I own 2 Wetterlings and while they are no where near as nicely finished as the GB's they get the job done!

I have had a couple Estwings in the past, I prefer wood handles to metal as a long days work with a metal handle is heck on the arms. Estwings are certainly tough and are also a quality tool.

[kbuzbee]

I have a couple GBs as well (not that one, however). Both are great and by far the best axes I've ever used. Well designed, top quality, take and hold an edge like nobody's business. Get one, you'll love it.

Ken

[Sequimite]

I have 1 Gransfors and 3 Wetterlings. The finish is nicer on the Gransfors. The one I use the most is this:
Wetterlings Carpenter's Axe
The cutting edge of the Wetterling Carpenter's Axe has a straight edge used for whittling and carving. The straight handle is of prime American hickory, and the head of the axe is constructed so that the hand gets as close as possible to the cutting edge for maximum control. It measures 19 5/8" overall, with a 6 3/4" axe head, and a 4" cutting edge. It weighs 2.2 pounds, and comes with a leather blade cover. The axe handle comes with a lanyard hole for your convenience.
Stock # 1731 Price $44.95

The best price on the net that I found was at wisementrading.com which carries both brands. Quick delivery, look under Wood Working Tools to find the axes.

[mrappraisit]

You may want to look at Off the Map Outfitters. The owner is a frequent contributor on blade forums, and is really into axes. He sells stock and modified versions of Snow and Neally Axes, which are made in Maine. You might like the Hudson Bay Camp Axe it's got a 1.75lb head and a 24" hickory handle. It has a good profile that is somewhere between pure felling axe and splitting maul. This axe may be a better bet if you deal with hardwoods (maple, oak) as well as softwoods (pine, cedar)

The stock version is $52.95 and his gussied up version (which looks SWEET) is $89.95 which is still $25-30 bucks less than the comparable size GB (scandi forest axe).

http://www.offthemapoutfitters.com/cate ... tegoryId=3

Good luck and be safe with your new axe :)

[JD Spydo]

The Gransfor axes are pretty cool, but pricy. Personally I have a Estwing camp axe which is excellent for bushwacking, chopping etc., but really isn't good at splitting up wood. The Gransfor axes seem to have a narrow head as well, so I wouldn't buy one until I used to split up some wood.

Like Brother "FlybyU" says>> the Granfors Bruks is a very fine quality tool. But he is also right about Estwing being of good quality as well. Depending on what you plan on using it for the Estwing stuff can sure take a lot of punishment. I've got Estwing tools that have lasted me for many years.

But you can't go wrong with any of the Granfors Bruks striking tools. I have been looking at possibly buying one of their splitting mauls for some time now.

A while back we had Bernie Weisgerber chime in on an ax thread we had going and he highly recommended the Grandfors Bruks line. He is probably the most knowledgable expert on axes and striking tools that I'm aware of. I have a book and video of his that are priceless.