Axe - general purpose recommendation.

[HillBill]

The new Gransfors outdoors axe sounds like the kind of thing your after.

http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/689-Gransfors-Outdoor-Axe/

 

[heath]

I have bought cheap in the past but found it false ecconomy - which is why I prefer to spend a bit more cash to get something well made these days...something that will last, does not need remaking straight out of the box, keeps an edge, can be sharpened easily, but does not need constant work etc

I agree with all this and would also add that when we're taking a hobby seriously and spend a lot of time on it, SOME OF US (I know some will disagree) like to have a tool that looks nice, and one that represents quality craftsmanship. My first axe was a fiskars, and it performed really well, It wasn't long however before I wanted something that just looked a bit nicer, and so I upgraded. I bought my Roselli second hand off here for about £30. I thought the Fiskars was cheap at £15, but I never use it now and in effect that puts my Roselli at £45 (does that make sense?) I'm sure some people would say that it's best to start off with something cheap to learn with, but I'm not sure that makes sense, it's a bit like saying that a tennis player should start training with an old wooden racket.

Heath

 

[Peter_t]

personaly i would go for the bahco/sanvik, they are quality tools with reasonable prices. not all cheep stuf is a false ecconomy, think of moras! ok the handle grain may not be spot on but who can say they have ever broke one?? as for the splitting its not that noticeable with small logs but anythimg over a foot you will notice the diference.

another thing, imo most people who buy GB axes havent got the skill or knowlege to get there full potential, so why buy one? ....im gona hide now lol


pete

 

[HillBill]

personaly i would go for the bahco/sanvik, they are quality tools with reasonable prices. not all cheep stuf is a false ecconomy, think of moras! ok the handle grain may not be spot on but who can say they have ever broke one?? as for the splitting its not that noticeable with small logs but anythimg over a foot you will notice the diference.

another thing, imo most people who buy GB axes havent got the skill or knowlege to get there full potential, so why buy one? ....im gona hide now lol


pete

The full potential is gained after using the same axe a lot and learning the individual tool. Be that a GB or a £5 argos axe.

 

[johnnytheboy]

Thats actually what i'm trying to say, the GB axes are a great tool but there are other options. The Bahco ones are a great tool as well but allot cheaper, and in todays climate, a cheaper option might not be a bad idea.

I have been at a few outings where there are GB axes lying around everywhere and you are lucky if 10% of the people there actually knew what they were doing with an axe. No slur on these poeple or their quest for knowledge but you do wonder why they have been bought, why go to that expense if the cheaper one would serve the needs of that type of user equally as well.

Everyone is quick to say GB and give anyone who speak up against them a right old shoeing, but in all honesty, its just not giving forum users a proper account of what is out there in the market place. This is peoples hard earned that is being spent here by giving recomendations.

As for the fashion accessory comment, i'm just saying what i see

GB earned their reputation and thus gained popularity long before Mr. Mears selected one for his personal usage!

Some of us actually buy tools on their merits, and without reference to whether or not such tools are also selected by persons whom by their profession, have a high public and media profile.

Your "fashion accessory" remark, and the one above are too late for April 1st, which is where they belong!

 

[Hoodoo]

Everyone is quick to say GB and give anyone who speak up against them a right old shoeing,

I'd say the mudslinging began right about here.

think of an axe as a tool not a fashion accessory

Its usually better to focus on your recommendation rather that start some kind of premptive negative comment. Then you turn around and say that it's the other folks who are doing the mudslinging. Actually it was you who started it. I think most folks are fine with other axe recommendations. But I don't think they appreciate the fashion accessory comment. That's really a personal attack and bears little on the quality of the axe itself. It's hostile and borderline trolling.

And to be honest, I apologize for focusing on you specifically, because I see a lot of this sniping going on here. Rolling of eyes, backhanded comments, a sort of holier than though attitude. Just enough that most mods will let it slide but imo, it creates a toxic atmosphere.

 

[heath]

Sorry if I'm openining a can of worms here but I have seen so many threads where people have brought up the whole 'fashion accessory' thing or the fact that people are just buying something because Ray Mears uses it, I don't get it, so what if they are? Why can't someone who's into bushcraft buy a particular axe because it looks cool? Maybe I'm on my own here but I have no problem with saying that a lot of the stuff I have, I bought because Ray Mears uses it, why not I think he's great. Do I want to be like Ray Mears? absolutely and what's wrong with that? I bought my Roselli because I thought it looked cool and as luck would have it, it works really well too. I think if we're honest we're all guilty of this to some extent, and saying 'I'm not going to get a Gransfors SFA because everyone's got one' is just as bad.

 

[Lithril]

Ok can we bring this back on track a bit please. I'm actually in a similar boat of trying to decide on an axe at the moment. I could easily take Sargeys recommendation and buy a plastic Fiskars which actually does quite a few jobs fairly well however I actually want something that a pleasure to use as well as just being functional.

I suppose most of the work I do will be splitting with some limbing, shaping work. I had actually decided on the GB small splitter but I'm being drawn towards the Roselli at the moment. Keep the ideas coming. I may change my mind again yet.

 

[heath]

What about this one?

http://www.chainsawspecialists.co.uk/acatalog/Husqvarna_hatchet_35cm.html

I've never tried one but they look good and apparently they're made by Hultafors. They also do a bigger one.
http://www.chainsawspecialists.co.uk/acatalog/Husqvarna_all_round_axe_68cms.html

 

[Neil1]

I have several axes, but the one I use the most is a Norlund that I restored. Its a perfect little axe and does everything I ask of it. None of this will do you any good tho as you can't get the originals anymore!
The closest you will get to it is the Snow & Nealley Kindling Axe, at the moment only available in the states, but drop me a PM if you are interested Matt.
N

 

[John Fenna]

Heath
It looks pretty good in the photo and has a good name
BUT
I bought several grand of sewing machine several years ago and went for the Husquavana name (out of a shortlist of several) because of the name....it is the sewing machine that gets least used as it is always breaking down! I get more use out of a £26 second hand one (but OK that one dos not embroider) and wish I had gone with another brand, but I was tempted by the Husque name that promissed rugged performance!
They may make good chainsaws - but that is no guarantee of their other branded products!

 

[heath]

Heath
It looks pretty good in the photo and has a good name
BUT
I bought several grand of sewing machine several years ago and went for the Husquavana name (out of a shortlist of several) because of the name....it is the sewing machine that gets least used as it is always breaking down! I get more use out of a £26 second hand one (but OK that one dos not embroider) and wish I had gone with another brand, but I was tempted by the Husque name that promissed rugged performance!
They may make good chainsaws - but that is no guarantee of their other branded products!

That's interesting John, It's very dissapointing that they haven't lived up to their reputation. I wonder if anyone has any experience with the axes though. I have read some good reviews, apparently they were made originally by Wetterlings, and are now made by Hultafors Bruks, two companies with a good reputation for making axes.

 

[John Fenna]

I have not used a Wetterlings axe but I have a HF/HB which is excellent!
If they are up to HF quality at that price then they are VFM alright!

 

[Hoodoo]

I have several axes, but the one I use the most is a Norlund that I restored. Its a perfect little axe and does everything I ask of it. None of this will do you any good tho as you can't get the originals anymore!
The closest you will get to it is the Snow & Nealley Kindling Axe, at the moment only available in the states, but drop me a PM if you are interested Matt.
N

I like Gransfors and have quite a few but I think Neil has a great idea and that is to pick up a used axe or axe head. They can be had for real reasonable prices and the quality is usually exceptional. Norlund and the old Sears boy's axe are two of my favorites. Plumb made some great axes as well, especially their full sized axe. I've been carrying one of those in my truck for over 30 years and it will chop and split with the best of 'em. And my all time favorite is a True Temper Kelly Perfect (on the right in the pic below). This is one of the more pricey axes you can find on ebay but still reasonable compared to Gransfors' prices.

And to be honest, if I was just starting out, I'd probably get a BAHCO. They are very good for the money.

 

[Cody]

About the Gransfors Bruks...

Many prefer the Gransfors Small Forest Axe as a general all-purpose axe. Personally, I think the axe is a hair too small, at least for myself.

Two main reasons why Ray Mears prefers the Small Forest Axe over the slightly larger Scandinavian Forest Axe: the Small Forest Axe fits into his pack easier, and it's easier for him to use one-handed. You can see him discussing this here.

This makes sense for Ray Mears, seeing how he uses a rather short and wide rucksack. My modern internal-frame pack is taller and narrower, so the larger Scandinavian Forest Axe fits inside my pack with no problems. Also, you can learn over time how to use the axe skillfully one-handed, so that isn't really too much of an issue for me either. On top of the that, the longer handle and slightly heavier head makes the axe both more efficient for gathering serious firewood, and safer to use.

And don't be fooled - upon handling it, you'll find that the Scandinavian Axe is still a small axe. Don't mistake it for some big, heavy maul of an axe. Almost anyone who handles mine comments on how light and swift it is.

I know there will be those who disagree, but in the end, if you're looking into a Gransfors brand axe, I'd recommend the Scandinavian Forest Axe.

 

[John Fenna]

True - it is a good axe!
For rough carving projects I find it a little long, and wide where I close my grip down too.
I still prefer the SFA (and it fits the pocket on a Karrimor Sabre 75!)

 

[Hedgehog]

If you know how to sharpen/reprofile &/or you know a good handle when you see one then a tenner & a few car boot sales should supply a good old hand forged British axe that will last you a lifetime.

For the price of a GB you could buy several in different patterns even - Kent pattern are great for limbing & carving etc. A more wedge shaped one will make an excellent splitter...

Just a thought.

Ta.