Gransfors in short supply?
- Thread starter Swallow
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A gnats over 41/2lb i'd say.
as much as i wanted to i'd never of asked to chop anything with it. I really wanted to see how the haft handled, it was the best thing about it...nice and thin and beautifully curved
Imagine a longer GB scandi haft with more pronounced curves to it....very similar to a current top end u.s brand that I can't remember for the life of me atm
I agree with most of what you say - re the professionalism but I wouldn't cut off my nose to spite my face...
Yes, it's poor business practise to burn bridges with a supplier - especially one so deeply associated with bushcraft as Gransfors. As a retailer - it also doesn't do to wash your dirty linen in public, as it were. I'm a punter and, as such, I'm not interested in behind the scenes issues - do you stock them or not? End of.
However I would say that the Bushcraftstore does provide a valuable outlet to our pastime - they stock some interesting stuff, previously only available in the USA, for example, and the one occasion I bought from them, I was thoroughly satisfied with the customer service.
Like any resource like this, it's a case of "use it, or lose it".
There are plenty of other suppliers now though, having taken a good look around the market recently I doubt there is much they are selling that you can't get elsewhere. They will certainly not be the first place I look any more.
Cant disagree with that either. My personal experience with The Bushcraft Store has been excellent, and I've recommended them to many. They price very competitively, stock a good range, and though not contributing directly to the forum, have taken the time and trouble to produce a couple of knives that are exclusive to them. These are sold at reasonable prices. I think the supermarket references are rude and unnecessary.
That is my point in a nutshell. Professional retailers don't have public supplier spats, they simply change suppliers, promote the new product range and move on. At most a simple message of "we no longer stock product XXXX because of availability / quality issues".
I really don't understand we expect a different standard from them than we would from any other retailer.
Total storm in a teacup, wouldn't sway me either way about buying their goods, pretty sure that any business has little disputes with suppliers and customers every once in a while.
If they sell the product I want at the price I can afford I would buy from them. Plus realistically, Gransfors aren't the only game in town anyway.
Might do us good to look beyond their offerings and realise that other companies offer as good if not better stuff.
If they sell the product I want at the price I can afford I would buy from them. Plus realistically, Gransfors aren't the only game in town anyway.
Might do us good to look beyond their offerings and realise that other companies offer as good if not better stuff.
As an ex-shopkeeper I have a different perspective on this. I too have been a victim of a supplier's selective selling policy. I suspect that GB has informed its UK salesforce to supply new retailers in previously untapped areas in preference to supplying established retailers. A local (to me) climbing shop in North Wales has now started selling bushcraft tat and has a range of GB axes proudly on display in their shop window. They don't seem to have a any re-supply problem! Obviously the glory boys such as Woodlore will retain their 'Preferred Reseller' status too. I also suspect that GB are making enough axes to satisfy the demand caused by buyers but not making enough to to satisfy the needs of buyers plus new re-suppliers who are building stock levels for their shop.
GB axes have been trading on an inflated reputation for far too long, I'm glad too see that this seller had the courage to kick them into touch.
GB axes have been trading on an inflated reputation for far too long, I'm glad too see that this seller had the courage to kick them into touch.
i doubt GB give two hoots about one small online uk retailer throwing their teddy on the floor. have you seen the stores they are sold in over here in North America? for instance lee valley tools, has stores all over the country and a massive mail order following. I bet they sell more axes in one store than that bushcraft store sells in total.
its pathetic business practice, regardless if justified or not, and makes them look childish.
me, I'm happy with my GB axes I've used for many years. is there better, maybe, are GB axes good enough to not care what else there is? yep.
And there's the problem in a nutshell. They enjoy promoting the image of a traditional cottage industry but in reality they are just another hard nosed corporation looking after their own needs and casting aside their minions when they no longer meet their needs.
So, what this amounts to is, a sound business decision by Gransfors Bruks, and a whinge from a fairly well established bushcraft equipment supplier. And a serious lack of comms between both companies. That's how I read it.
As said by many, it should have been kept in house with the doors shut.
TBH I've never seen any store over here stock them (granted I'm down South) For that matter I've never seen a GB axe anywhere in real life, only pix online.
After seeing a well-used Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe at a Wilderness Gathering I purchased one on-line last year. I was disappointed; the one I seen in the flesh appeared to have a riven handle, the one supplied definitely had a cut handle to my mind there is a significant difference in strength.
Question is are GB dropping their previous high standards or was I mistaken when observing the older axe. If the former I could understand a retailer changing their relationship.
The point about the Bushcraft Stores pricing policy is concerning if it was the sole reason for restricting supply; Im not sure such a practice is legal.
Question is are GB dropping their previous high standards or was I mistaken when observing the older axe. If the former I could understand a retailer changing their relationship.
The point about the Bushcraft Stores pricing policy is concerning if it was the sole reason for restricting supply; Im not sure such a practice is legal.
If you're only using the axe to split kindling then any ol' sharpened heavy metal wedge on a stick will do... Never really understood the fuss over GFB's unless you have specialist axe needs (Carving, felling etc.)
They're more of a badge. I do wonder what my grandparents would've thought to the prices of axes these days. Let's face it just about every household would've had an axe back then - mainly for splitting kindling. Were they expensive items back then? Maybe more expensive? I pretty sure my Grandad would've had a good chuckle at the hype over SFA's.
They're more of a badge. I do wonder what my grandparents would've thought to the prices of axes these days. Let's face it just about every household would've had an axe back then - mainly for splitting kindling. Were they expensive items back then? Maybe more expensive? I pretty sure my Grandad would've had a good chuckle at the hype over SFA's.
I doubt that any Gransfors axes have been riven, at the end of the day they are a commercial outfit so the logs would be saw to length, maybe roughly band sawn to shape then on to a copy lathe. Even if they were riven by the time they come off the lathe there would be no difference between the 2
If you are just chopping wood - any old wedge of steel will do, as said.
However, if you are shaping, cross-cutting or cutting notches to insert boards (old-school aussie way to climb a tree), then the axe matters.
When I was a teenager in Western Australia there were still small-scale timber cutters who felled and cut logs to order for local farmer. Boundary riders went out with axe, adze and hand saw to maintain fences in remote areas (I was fortunate to be taught fencing and adze skills by one of these guys).
These workers were very fussy about their tools. A local sawmill had a full foundary (big enough to build a steam engine from scratch) and saw doctor shop. Timber workers and racing axemen would get their axes made or altered as they desired.
However, if you are shaping, cross-cutting or cutting notches to insert boards (old-school aussie way to climb a tree), then the axe matters.
When I was a teenager in Western Australia there were still small-scale timber cutters who felled and cut logs to order for local farmer. Boundary riders went out with axe, adze and hand saw to maintain fences in remote areas (I was fortunate to be taught fencing and adze skills by one of these guys).
These workers were very fussy about their tools. A local sawmill had a full foundary (big enough to build a steam engine from scratch) and saw doctor shop. Timber workers and racing axemen would get their axes made or altered as they desired.
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