Gransfors bruks, small forest axe or outdoor axe?
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Get the outdoor mate. I have both- they're both well made axes and are both functional but the outdoor punches above its weight- useful axe for carrying for 3 season camping but the small forest is no good for carving realistically and isn't quite big enough for a winter axe but it is a bit too big for a summer pack axe. Nicely made but a bit of a jack of all trades - I never used to see it like this but the more I compare them the more this is my conclusion. If I were you'd if probably get the larger Scandinavian forest axe- but most likely still the outdoor. Hope this helps! 
Need a bit of an all rounder really, it's going to be my only axe for the foreseeable future. Mostly general camping/messing about in the woods but also some carving and woodwork.
Thanks for the feedback Clouston, the outdoor was actually what I was leaning toward, just skeptical as to wether it would be worth the extra cash, glad to hear it's a good one.
Thanks for the feedback Clouston, the outdoor was actually what I was leaning toward, just skeptical as to wether it would be worth the extra cash, glad to hear it's a good one.
Small Forest Axe every time for me based upon the reasons that you've given. It's designed as an all-rounder, and it serves that purpose very well. I've used mine for everything from carving cutlery (it's a decent carving axe if it's given a suitable profile, a properly designed and set up carving axe would be better though, John Neeman makes some nice ones) to felling and snedding quite large trees (anything above about 6" in diameter is hard work with a small axe like the SFA, but it's possible, much easier with a felling axe though, Council Tool make some very nice felling axes).
If you were to spend the money that you have lined up for an axe on a course with someone like Ben Orford you'd get a much better idea of what you want in an axe, as well as a good grounding in how to use the tool safely. You'd then be able to take that knowledge for a walk round the local car boot sale/junk shop/flea market etc. and use it get yourself the axe that will actually suit your needs for very little money at all.
HTH.
Stuart.
If you were to spend the money that you have lined up for an axe on a course with someone like Ben Orford you'd get a much better idea of what you want in an axe, as well as a good grounding in how to use the tool safely. You'd then be able to take that knowledge for a walk round the local car boot sale/junk shop/flea market etc. and use it get yourself the axe that will actually suit your needs for very little money at all.
HTH.
Stuart.
For decades I used only Boy Scout sized axes (1.5lb. heads) for wood working or "bushcraft",,, they were all I could afford. I'd pull the heads off the dogleg helves and replace them with 19" straight helves. Then, some years ago, when I no longer had any "real" need for a small axe, but still enjoyed having and using them, I stumbled upon the GB Small Forest Axe. That's what I have now. There is little that can't be done with it, shaping wood, splitting small rounds, making gluts, and making mauls to drive gluts through larger rounds. It is the Bentley version of the cheap Boy Scout axes I once used to make my living.
its a very difficult. Question for us to answer, all we can do is give a bit of general advice
Mine is this
I have both the axes on your list, and they are very different. The SFA is a mighty chopper compared to an outdoor
If you just want to feed a firebox of some kind and cut the odd stake the outdoor is a capable and easily packable little axe
If you want to build natural shelters, limb decent sized green wood, and feed larger open fires then the SFA is about the most axe you can fit in a medium size ruck, plus it will do the smaller tasks too
Mine is this
I have both the axes on your list, and they are very different. The SFA is a mighty chopper compared to an outdoor
If you just want to feed a firebox of some kind and cut the odd stake the outdoor is a capable and easily packable little axe
If you want to build natural shelters, limb decent sized green wood, and feed larger open fires then the SFA is about the most axe you can fit in a medium size ruck, plus it will do the smaller tasks too
got both.
outdoor axe comes out to play much more often that the SFA.
in fact I don't recall the last time I used the sfa
outdoor axe comes out to play much more often that the SFA.
in fact I don't recall the last time I used the sfa
Don't overlook the wetterling bushmans axe. That is what I settled on faced with a similar choice and criteria and haven't regretted it at all, great all rounder and the design lets you choke up nicely on the head for finer work.
I handled the SFA and the Outdoor at the Wilderness Gathering recently and fine axes though they are they just didn't feel as "right" as the bushman, must be the weight/balance or something but just took to it right away.
Cheers, Paul
I handled the SFA and the Outdoor at the Wilderness Gathering recently and fine axes though they are they just didn't feel as "right" as the bushman, must be the weight/balance or something but just took to it right away.
Cheers, Paul
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It sounds like the Outdoor would be my recommendation too, I don't own one but have had a play. I have an SFA, it would probably be my choice if I needed to travel long distances with an axe in my pack. However if I was going to be processing a lot of wood and perhaps bringing down some trees, I would choose the Scandinavian Felling Axe.
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Good choice. I've got both and the SFA rarely gets to play out these days. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fantastic axe, it's just that it's very rare that I'm doing anything that the outdoor axe can't cope with. Weight for weight, is the best axe I've ever used.
Cheers, Michael.
Cheers, Michael.
I'm no Mr. whoop de do with axes, but I play around with them. I have the tiny Wetterlings hatchet and love it. The G. Bruks small forest and love that. But I find the small forest to be fairly limited as to what it can comfortably split. I recently picked up the Fiskars x25 splitter and that does a dandy job....as a splitter. I also grabbed the little Fiskars hatchet and I enjoy it quite a bit. But this also feels more like a kindling splitter than a chopper, my Wetterlings hatchet leaves it for dead, but the Fiskars is ok. I love the Fiskars hatchet weight, which is next to nothing.
What about this one?
http://www.robin-wood.co.uk/shop/the-robin-wood-axe/
It'll be one of my next purchases.
;-)
http://www.robin-wood.co.uk/shop/the-robin-wood-axe/
It'll be one of my next purchases.
;-)
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