Having acquired a new toy at the GameFair (a Gransfors small forest axe- sorry to be so conventional) I was interested in the variation in the wooden handles. Various sources advise that the grain should be as close to parallel with the bit as possible, and that preferably should not include the yellow heartwood but be very pale.
Well, I looked at seven SFAs at the weekend and only two had the 'correct' grain. The others were at about 45 degrees. One had a very noticeably yellow handle but I don't know if that was because of the wood or due to a particularly strong linseed oil finish.
At the end of the day, Gransfors offer a 20 year guarantee, so it maybe doesn't matter greatly. Presumably they all got past GB's quality control. However, as a split handle of an old hatchet was my reason for buying a new axe in the first place, I wondered if anyone had any more information?
Well, I looked at seven SFAs at the weekend and only two had the 'correct' grain. The others were at about 45 degrees. One had a very noticeably yellow handle but I don't know if that was because of the wood or due to a particularly strong linseed oil finish.
At the end of the day, Gransfors offer a 20 year guarantee, so it maybe doesn't matter greatly. Presumably they all got past GB's quality control. However, as a split handle of an old hatchet was my reason for buying a new axe in the first place, I wondered if anyone had any more information?
err i take it your old hatchet wasnt a GB! lol 
