Gransfors Bruks Outdoor Axe

[The MAX]

Hi all,
I recently acquired a GB Outdoor axe, as my wetterlings hunters axe (not sure which one, got it used) didn't perform well at splitting larger logs. Kejimkujik, a national park here in NS, has a strict no cutting policy, but provides firewood in the way of quartered logs. Kindling, and tinder must all be acquired from this source and not the ground (officially) so they require you to bring an axe. So I wanted something that was claiming to be more of a splitter, and I was a little shocked at how diminutive the thing was.

Sorry for the poor pic, it's from my cell.

Anyway, I took it out for a spin last night on an overnight camp, and on a 4" diameter (about 10cm) piece of wood, it barely made a dent. that being said, I'm not the most skilled axemen. I didn't want to put this in a review, as its not that detailed, but I think if you're looking for a better splitting axe this is not it, imho. My Wetterlings hunter would do a better job. I think anything this can split, can most likely be split with a good knife batoning. If you are looking to carry this as your main cutting tool and only have a pocket knife, then maybe it's suitable.

I think I will be trying to return this if they'll take it back, as beautiful as it is, to try to get something more suited to splitting, without it being a huge maul. Any thoughts on Roseli or the Wetterlings Bushman Axe by "Les Stroud?"

 

[Gill]

I like you felt the same when i saw Barn owl,s Outdoor axe .I have quite a few GB axes and just can,t see where this fits in?Also i find it hard to understand why the price goes up drastically ,the smaller the axe with GB?

 

[Gill]

And Rosseli axes are fantastic, great splitters as is GB small splitting axe .

 

[Man of Tanith]

Im a fan of the outdoor axe. As I mention in quite a few threads. Its my go to axe for 90% of my excursions.

However its not one I would want for splitting.

 

[HillBill]

The outdoor axe is supposed to be a good splitter isnt it? Its a cross between a WH and and their small splitter, (hence the steel collar). I've never used one, but i've wanted one for a while. The appeal was the better splitting ability than the others while still being a good cutter.

 

[Man of Tanith]

It works for small rounds. Like you'd want for a summer fire or small cook fire.
For a lot of splittin I'd look for a bigger one

 

[Tiley]

Any thoughts on Roseli or the Wetterlings Bushman Axe by "Les Stroud?"

I have the Wetterlings Les Stroud Bushman axe. It is very good indeed. I have been comparing it recently with a Ray Mears Wilderness axe, made by Gransfors, and, once you get used to the straight shaft, it works beautifully. It is excellent for splitting though I still have reservations about the hammer poll, limbs well and is surprisingly good for carving where the swell at the top part of the shaft and the slight beard on the axe allow you to control what you do very efficiently. They represent good value when compared with the Gransfros/Mears Wilderness but I am sure that there are other, better deals available out there. However, if you're interested in the Wetterlings, I would say that it is definitely worth a try.

 

[mrcharly]

If it is just for splitting, get a cheapish beater with thick walls to the eye. Then you can baton the axe with a large lump of wood or improvised maul.

 

[salad]

I have a Ray Mears wilderness axe, This is an awesome splitter without being a specific splitting axe ( if that makes sence) .

I use it for splitting down rounds into kindling for the wood burner at home regularly , Some people online compare it to the scandinavian forest axe but it is a quite a different axe with a weighty head .

I also used to own the outdoors axe but ended up moving it on as I also found it was just not enough of an axe ,I agree with your observations on it .
I have not tried the Les stroud axe so cant really comment on performance, but I have seen one and it looked to be a good well made axe

 

[Shewie]

Sorry for the poor pic, it's from my cell.

They let you have axes in prison now, what is the world coming to?

 

[Perrari]

It's not an out & out splitter ! But on a 4" diameter piece of wood any axe should be able to split it comfortably. I have split things like that with my wildlife hatchet.

If you want something small to split with, the following link may be an option. And for the price if you don't like the fibreglass handle you could drill it out and fit a wooden one.
I don't have one of these so cannot vouch for the performance, but it looks like it would work very well.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AXE-HAMME...arden_GardenPowerTools_CA&hash=item5d3cf9b57f

 

[John Fenna]

They let you have axes in prison now, what is the world coming to?

Nah!
He lives in a monastery!

Axes in prisons indeed!

 

[The MAX]

To be fair, the 4" piece i was cutting was some pretty hard dead standing timber, but it barely made a dent. I have the extra large Gerber axe, it was a gift, and I feel if I need a dedicated splitter, that is the one to go with. The wetterlings large hunter is a nice axe, but I find it does not perform well at splitting tasks, and I find the round poll to be a PITA (bought it used). I guess I'm looking for a more all around axe that isn't too heavy, but not too light, and can do a decent job at splitting, can be used with two hands or one. The GB outdoor, I found was barely big enough to two hand it.

Seems to be some positive thoughts on the Les Stroud axe. Anyone use Hultafors axes? I'm thinking about the Forest Hatchet in particular, although it may be a little short.

Thanks!

 

[bb07]

The Forest Hatchet you linked to won't be any improvement over what you already have. I think it would be worse. If you're in a park with camp sites that you can drive to then just go with a dedicated splitting axe or maul, along with the axe of your choice for other tasks.
If you are backpacking, then the Roselli axe would be a possibility I suppose, although it's not my kind of axe. Being very obtuse, I don't know if it would be much good at anything other than splitting.

The Stroud Bushman axe may prove to be an excellent all around axe, good for both splitting or chopping, but not having used one makes that a guess.

A 4'' log shouldn't be too hard to split with with either axe you showed. Are you relatively new to using axes? I don't mean to be critical, so please don't take it that way, but technique means a lot can be accomplished as shown here

 

[Limaed]

Im a fan of the outdoor axe. As I mention in quite a few threads. Its my go to axe for 90% of my excursions.

However its not one I would want for splitting.

I also like the Outdoor Axe it because it's easily packable and light to carry, I use mine for kindling and splitting small rounds which it does well. It wouldn't be the axe I would take into real wilderness or for processing lots firewood in winter however I really like mine for what it is.

 

[The MAX]

A 4'' log shouldn't be too hard to split with with either axe you showed. Are you relatively new to using axes? I don't mean to be critical, so please don't take it that way, but technique means a lot can be accomplished as shown here

To be honest: yes. I mean, I've used them, but not heavily. And I'm sure my technique is probably bad. I know I need to work on it, but I just don't see this little axe being a good performer.

 

[British Red]

but technique means a lot can be accomplished as shown here

Haven't spoken to Jim for a year or two - do hope he is doing well. Now there is a real axeman!

 

[Everything Mac]

When you say a 4" round; of what exactly? And what length?

Knarly wet wood, wouldn't be a good test for example.

Just saying.

One of the few GB axes I've not used sadly so I can't really comment.

Andy

 

[bb07]

To be honest: yes. I mean, I've used them, but not heavily. And I'm sure my technique is probably bad. I know I need to work on it, but I just don't see this little axe being a good performer.

The link I showed of Old Jimbo using that tiny hatchet is an extreme example of what can be done, but realistically most people would never attempt such a thing. If there's no one nearby that can help you, then other than using time to gain experience, your next best bet might be to read and watch videos. Older guys never had the opportunity to learn axe work by any other method other than trial and error, learning as we went and gaining experience over decades of use.
Here's a bit of reading that might help. Learning to read the wood is very important and makes a huge difference in how easy or hard splitting can be. The right tool for the job always is best but more often than not compromises must be made.
There's lots of information out there. Google is your friend here if you're on your own. Some reading to start that might help: splitting wood
And rather than buying an expensive axe to start with, I would suggest something cheaper until you know what it is you really want/need. Cheap ones are also good to learn technique with, as you'll probably overstrike to begin with, which is hard on handles. Another advantage would be learning how to sharpen without fear of messing up an expensive axe.

Haven't spoken to Jim for a year or two - do hope he is doing well. Now there is a real axeman!

I hope he's okay too. I haven't seen or heard anything of him for several years. A true pleasure reading his writings

 

[The Cumbrian]

Since I got my GB Outdoor axe I've rarely used anything else.

It really punches above it's weight, but doesn't respond well to poor technique.

Last weekend I was using mine to split 8 to 10" logs. Sure, sometimes it didn't split them first time, but I wasn't expecting it to; that's the sacrifice you make by carrying a small, light axe.

One thing that does increase it's power massively is to hold it right at the end of the handle, and to swing hard. This requires confidence in your technique, but once acquired you'll find yourself loving this little gem of an axe.

Cheers, Michael.