How many axes do you presently own?

[bb07]

Current totals are now: 461 axes (counting heads as well) and 17 SFA's.
Obviously, no matter how long this thread is added to, the number of small forest axes in relation to others will remain very low. This definitely has been interesting. The mighty Small Forest Axe is not so mighty after all!!
Sorry Ray


#1 bb07 -23 axes plus 1 SFA
#2 Toddy ..... 5 axes plus 1 SFA that's being used by a friend in more need than I am.
#3 welchyd1 5 axes
#4 Mesquite... 3 plus 1 SFA
#5 Red...12 and definitely 0 SFA (although SFA describes their good points quite well )
#6 FGYT 4 axes 0SFA
#7 HillBill, 9 axes, 0 SFA
#8 Clouston98 ........ 2 axes and one SFA
#9 Swotty , 5 axes and one SFA
#10 Blundstoned Love - 6 axes 0 SFA
#11 Shovel 4 axes, no sfa
#12 greensurfingbear 3 axes, one sfa
#13 Everything mac - 10 axes, 1 SFA.
#14 Quixoticgeek - 3 Axes, 0 SFA.
#15 Puddock - 7 axes and 0 SFA
#16 kungaryfu - 6 axes 1 SFA
#17 Grummit 12 axes and 2 sfas
#18 Tiley 5 axes
#19 sandbender 7 axes and 1 SFA
#20 Renton - 10 axes
#21 Robevs73 -6 axes and 1 sfa.
#22 MrFrido - 12 axes
#23 nickliv 6 axes and 1 SFA
#24 Stew 6 axes, 0 SFA
#25 Hedgecrafter 4 axes, 1 SFA
#26 milius2 10 axes, 0 SFA(0 Grandsfors bruks)
#27 Shinken, 1 axe, 0 small forest axe (soon to be 3 axes as im going to forge 2x axes soon)
#28 Laro13, 3 axes, 3 axe heads, 1 SFA.
#29 tamoko about 70+ axes, 0 SFA
#30 Angst 8 with handles inc. 1 sfa & 2 heads
#31 Dancan 32 axes at last count, 0 sfa
#32 Dabberty 120+ axes, 0 SFA..
#33 Big Stu 12 9 axes, 6 heads - work in progress, 0 SFA
#34 Teepee 8 axes 2 heads 0 SFA
#35 Ozzy1977 9 axes 2 heads 1 SFA
#36 Goatboy 2 axes 0 SFA

 

[ged]

#1 bb07 -23 axes plus 1 SFA
#2 Toddy ..... 5 axes plus 1 SFA that's being used by a friend in more need than I am.
#3 welchyd1 5 axes
#4 Mesquite... 3 plus 1 SFA
#5 Red...12 and definitely 0 SFA (although SFA describes their good points quite well )
#6 FGYT 4 axes 0SFA
#7 HillBill, 9 axes, 0 SFA
#8 Clouston98 ........ 2 axes and one SFA
#9 Swotty , 5 axes and one SFA
#10 Blundstoned Love - 6 axes 0 SFA
#11 Shovel 4 axes, no sfa
#12 greensurfingbear 3 axes, one sfa
#13 Everything mac - 10 axes, 1 SFA.
#14 Quixoticgeek - 3 Axes, 0 SFA.
#15 Puddock - 7 axes and 0 SFA
#16 kungaryfu - 6 axes 1 SFA
#17 Grummit 12 axes and 2 sfas
#18 Tiley 5 axes
#19 sandbender 7 axes and 1 SFA
#20 Renton - 10 axes
#21 Robevs73 -6 axes and 1 sfa.
#22 MrFrido - 12 axes
#23 nickliv 6 axes and 1 SFA
#24 Stew 6 axes, 0 SFA
#25 Hedgecrafter 4 axes, 1 SFA
#26 milius2 10 axes, 0 SFA(0 Grandsfors bruks)
#27 Shinken, 1 axe, 0 small forest axe (soon to be 3 axes as im going to forge 2x axes soon)
#28 Laro13, 3 axes, 3 axe heads, 1 SFA.
#29 tamoko about 70+ axes, 0 SFA
#30 Angst 8 with handles inc. 1 sfa & 2 heads
#31 Dancan 32 axes at last count, 0 sfa
#32 Dabberty 120+ axes, 0 SFA..
#33 Big Stu 12 9 axes, 6 heads - work in progress, 0 SFA
#34 Teepee 8 axes 2 heads 0 SFA
#35 Ozzy1977 9 axes 2 heads 1 SFA
#36 Goatboy 2 axes 0 SFA
#37 ged 6 axes 0 SFA

 

[Two Socks]

#1 bb07 -23 axes plus 1 SFA
#2 Toddy ..... 5 axes plus 1 SFA that's being used by a friend in more need than I am.
#3 welchyd1 5 axes
#4 Mesquite... 3 plus 1 SFA
#5 Red...12 and definitely 0 SFA (although SFA describes their good points quite well )
#6 FGYT 4 axes 0SFA
#7 HillBill, 9 axes, 0 SFA
#8 Clouston98 ........ 2 axes and one SFA
#9 Swotty , 5 axes and one SFA
#10 Blundstoned Love - 6 axes 0 SFA
#11 Shovel 4 axes, no sfa
#12 greensurfingbear 3 axes, one sfa
#13 Everything mac - 10 axes, 1 SFA.
#14 Quixoticgeek - 3 Axes, 0 SFA.
#15 Puddock - 7 axes and 0 SFA
#16 kungaryfu - 6 axes 1 SFA
#17 Grummit 12 axes and 2 sfas
#18 Tiley 5 axes
#19 sandbender 7 axes and 1 SFA
#20 Renton - 10 axes
#21 Robevs73 -6 axes and 1 sfa.
#22 MrFrido - 12 axes
#23 nickliv 6 axes and 1 SFA
#24 Stew 6 axes, 0 SFA
#25 Hedgecrafter 4 axes, 1 SFA
#26 milius2 10 axes, 0 SFA(0 Grandsfors bruks)
#27 Shinken, 1 axe, 0 small forest axe (soon to be 3 axes as im going to forge 2x axes soon)
#28 Laro13, 3 axes, 3 axe heads, 1 SFA.
#29 tamoko about 70+ axes, 0 SFA
#30 Angst 8 with handles inc. 1 sfa & 2 heads
#31 Dancan 32 axes at last count, 0 sfa
#32 Dabberty 120+ axes, 0 SFA..
#33 Big Stu 12 9 axes, 6 heads - work in progress, 0 SFA
#34 Teepee 8 axes 2 heads 0 SFA
#35 Ozzy1977 9 axes 2 heads 1 SFA
#36 Goatboy 2 axes 0 SFA
#37 ged 6 axes 0 SFA
#38 Two Socks 3 axes 1 SFA

 

[Everything Mac]

I think we can see the results are really rather conclusive.

 

[bb07]

I think we can see the results are really rather conclusive.

Agreed. The latest numbers are 470 axes and 18 SFA's. I don't think there's any point in continuing, and I won't keep updating the totals any longer. Time to let this thread die.all for participating.

 

[swotty]

#1 bb07 -23 axes plus 1 SFA
#2 Toddy ..... 5 axes plus 1 SFA that's being used by a friend in more need than I am.
#3 welchyd1 5 axes
#4 Mesquite... 3 plus 1 SFA
#5 Red...12 and definitely 0 SFA (although SFA describes their good points quite well )
#6 FGYT 4 axes 0SFA
#7 HillBill, 9 axes, 0 SFA
#8 Clouston98 ........ 2 axes and one SFA
#9 Swotty , 5 axes and one SFA

Ah...I'm now up to 6 and one SFA, I acquired an old Hults Bruk for restoration today

 

[Everything Mac]

Agreed. The latest numbers are 470 axes and 18 SFA's. I don't think there's any point in continuing, and I won't keep updating the totals any longer. Time to let this thread die.all for participating.

Begs the question though: what is the most common axe type? (I think we can set aside brand)

Hatchets/ boys axe/ full size felling axe/ maul?

If nothing else, the average (6 or so axes) goes to prove the theory that one axe does not to it all and I do in fact need multiple axes.
With that scientific proof in mind I shall happily continue my search for a side axe!

Andy

 

[outpost31]

Is this thread the start of a Gransfors haters society? when they are seperated from the rest of the count. Just curious to know where this shift of consensus came from as a couple of years back most people were touting them as the dogs doo dahs. I'm always the last to jump on any bandwagon and usually just watch them roll by, but sometimes it's good to know where they came from and where they are going. I have three axes and no sfa btw

 

[Sparky415]

Agreed. The latest numbers are 470 axes and 18 SFA's. I don't think there's any point in continuing, and I won't keep updating the totals any longer. Time to let this thread die.all for participating.

Sparky415 - 10 or 15 Axes inc 1 FA

BB,
Think of it like this 18 out of 39 bushcrafters own a SFA

 

[Big Stu 12]

Sparky415 - 10 or 15 Axes inc 1 FA

BB,
Think of it like this 18 out of 39 bushcrafters own a SFA

maybe 21 out of 39 did not follow the flock..

 

[British Red]

Is this thread the start of a Gransfors haters society?

I can't think so, they make a very good axe - I have a couple. Personally I don't like the design of the small forest, but that does not equate to disliking the brand

 

[bb07]

Is this thread the start of a Gransfors haters society? when they are seperated from the rest of the count.

No. This thread is NOT the start of a Gransfors haters society. It was started to find out how many people owned the Gransfors Small Forest Axe, in relation to other axes. This is why the SFA was counted separately. Many other Gransfors axes were included in the other axe totals.
Axes, like anything else, are a matter of personal preference. Obviously the small forest axe isn't as well liked now as it was in the past, by some people, but there are lots of folks that still like them, me included. Much of it depends on an individuals intended use, and I also believe geography is a very large factor in determining the popularity (or not) of a tool.

Here, I find it to be a handy little axe for certain times of the year, and certain applications. It's not an axe I would choose as my primary tool in winter, but it excells at certain tasks when a small, light axe is desired. An example of this is it's use as a trapping axe. Axes of this size are very popular with trappers when running their lines for building cubbies (pens/enclosures).

 

[HillBill]

Agreed! i have 3 (soon to be 4) Gransfors axes, i've had 4 or 5 others which i have moved on ( pretty much all of their " standard" patterns). Love a good GB, not a fan of the SFA though. It's neither here nor there.( I bet 150 of the axes in the list comprise, Wilderness, Scandi forests, wildlife's, Carvings, or outdoor axes)

I can't think so, they make a very good axe - I have a couple. Personally I don't like the design of the small forest, but that does not equate to disliking the brand

 

[HillBill]

Another thing to remember.. is that, other than things like carpenters, carving and splitting axes... most axes are designed to cut into green wood..... axes by GB are generally ground for cutting softwood ( finer edges).....as they tend to have more of that there... pines, birch etc... Birch maybe a hardwood "officially" due to the deciduous/seed spreading nature of it... it's still a soft wood compared to things like Oak and Yew, and even pine. Pine can wreak havoc to a cutting edge if you don't know what you are doing. GB axes, like the SFA, are designed as softwood cutters. In the UK, we tend to have a lot more hardwoods....... Compare that to American made axes.. who, when all is said and done were probably the last great axe using/making nation. ( it went chainsaw from then on).... and they had lots of hardwoods.... i'd rate american axes, above scandinavian axes. for the UK. Firstly and most importantly, they are designed to cut the woods we cut.... Cheaper, more styles/designs to choose from, etc

You can even go on Ebay, and buy an axe, owned by an american logger. How authentic can you get?

 

[Everything Mac]

Is this thread the start of a Gransfors haters society? when they are seperated from the rest of the count. Just curious to know where this shift of consensus came from as a couple of years back most people were touting them as the dogs doo dahs. I'm always the last to jump on any bandwagon and usually just watch them roll by, but sometimes it's good to know where they came from and where they are going. I have three axes and no sfa btw

Far from it. I've used almost all of the mainstream GB axes and a very good portion of the rarer ones. They make excellent axes and I would rate them very highly.
I've got the SFA and the scandi axe and they are both excellent.

As has been pointed out though they can struggle with UK woods, and I've put a dink in my SFA on a cold pine knot.


The SFA itself is a good axe but it is a compromise. Made popular by Ray Mears a few years ago they were all the rage. But he then went on to design his own axe didn't he, so even Ray must know the SFA is a trade off.

I like the axe for basic camp work. But I wouldn't fancy having to do a winter with it.

I think most people have realised that they only do the work that requires a hatchet so have switched over to a smaller axe. Which to me suggests that folk have got a little more experience with axes now and recognise their needs a little better.

I still need the bigger axes on occasion so I'll stick with what I've got.

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

all the best
Andy

 

[Shewie]

#1 bb07 -23 axes plus 1 SFA
#2 Toddy ..... 5 axes plus 1 SFA that's being used by a friend in more need than I am.
#3 welchyd1 5 axes
#4 Mesquite... 3 plus 1 SFA
#5 Red...12 and definitely 0 SFA (although SFA describes their good points quite well )
#6 FGYT 4 axes 0SFA
#7 HillBill, 9 axes, 0 SFA
#8 Clouston98 ........ 2 axes and one SFA
#9 Swotty , 5 axes and one SFA
#10 Blundstoned Love - 6 axes 0 SFA
#11 Shovel 4 axes, no sfa
#12 greensurfingbear 3 axes, one sfa
#13 Everything mac - 10 axes, 1 SFA.
#14 Quixoticgeek - 3 Axes, 0 SFA.
#15 Puddock - 7 axes and 0 SFA
#16 kungaryfu - 6 axes 1 SFA
#17 Grummit 12 axes and 2 sfas
#18 Tiley 5 axes
#19 sandbender 7 axes and 1 SFA
#20 Renton - 10 axes
#21 Robevs73 -6 axes and 1 sfa.
#22 MrFrido - 12 axes
#23 nickliv 6 axes and 1 SFA
#24 Stew 6 axes, 0 SFA
#25 Hedgecrafter 4 axes, 1 SFA
#26 milius2 10 axes, 0 SFA(0 Grandsfors bruks)
#27 Shinken, 1 axe, 0 small forest axe (soon to be 3 axes as im going to forge 2x axes soon)
#28 Laro13, 3 axes, 3 axe heads, 1 SFA.
#29 tamoko about 70+ axes, 0 SFA
#30 Angst 8 with handles inc. 1 sfa & 2 heads
#31 Dancan 32 axes at last count, 0 sfa
#32 Dabberty 120+ axes, 0 SFA..
#33 Big Stu 12 9 axes, 6 heads - work in progress, 0 SFA
#34 Teepee 8 axes 2 heads 0 SFA
#35 Ozzy1977 9 axes 2 heads 1 SFA
#36 Goatboy 2 axes 0 SFA
#37 ged 6 axes 0 SFA
#38 Two Socks 3 axes 1 SFA
#39 Shewie 1 axe plus 1 SFA

 

[copper_head]

#1 bb07 -23 axes plus 1 SFA
#2 Toddy ..... 5 axes plus 1 SFA that's being used by a friend in more need than I am.
#3 welchyd1 5 axes
#4 Mesquite... 3 plus 1 SFA
#5 Red...12 and definitely 0 SFA (although SFA describes their good points quite well )
#6 FGYT 4 axes 0SFA
#7 HillBill, 9 axes, 0 SFA
#8 Clouston98 ........ 2 axes and one SFA
#9 Swotty , 5 axes and one SFA
#10 Blundstoned Love - 6 axes 0 SFA
#11 Shovel 4 axes, no sfa
#12 greensurfingbear 3 axes, one sfa
#13 Everything mac - 10 axes, 1 SFA.
#14 Quixoticgeek - 3 Axes, 0 SFA.
#15 Puddock - 7 axes and 0 SFA
#16 kungaryfu - 6 axes 1 SFA
#17 Grummit 12 axes and 2 sfas
#18 Tiley 5 axes
#19 sandbender 7 axes and 1 SFA
#20 Renton - 10 axes
#21 Robevs73 -6 axes and 1 sfa.
#22 MrFrido - 12 axes
#23 nickliv 6 axes and 1 SFA
#24 Stew 6 axes, 0 SFA
#25 Hedgecrafter 4 axes, 1 SFA
#26 milius2 10 axes, 0 SFA(0 Grandsfors bruks)
#27 Shinken, 1 axe, 0 small forest axe (soon to be 3 axes as im going to forge 2x axes soon)
#28 Laro13, 3 axes, 3 axe heads, 1 SFA.
#29 tamoko about 70+ axes, 0 SFA
#30 Angst 8 with handles inc. 1 sfa & 2 heads
#31 Dancan 32 axes at last count, 0 sfa
#32 Dabberty 120+ axes, 0 SFA..
#33 Big Stu 12 9 axes, 6 heads - work in progress, 0 SFA
#34 Teepee 8 axes 2 heads 0 SFA
#35 Ozzy1977 9 axes 2 heads 1 SFA
#36 Goatboy 2 axes 0 SFA
#37 ged 6 axes 0 SFA
#38 Two Socks 3 axes 1 SFA
#39 Shewie 1 axe plus 1 SFA
#40 Copperhead 1 axe 0 sfa

 

[falcon]

I've 2 (Snow & Neally Hudson Bay axe and a Cegga Hatchet) plus an SFA. While the Hudson Bay comes rough and ready and needs some fettling of the edge, the extra weight and length provides more cutting power and my convex edge is more robust....like others, I put a dink in my SFA in a birch knot first time out about 12 years ago. It's interesting that Ray's Wilderness axe has this extra weight and length...I've used SteveA's and it's impressive. The Cegga hatchet served us well in Sweden a few years ago...Jason split the logs with his SFA and the hatchet was superb providing kindling. I often see all this as a compromise....a trade off between what you can carry in terms of distance and weight and what functionality you might need. The SFA can provide a viable compromise IMHO but experience helps us to adapt to what we have available..

 

[Everything Mac]

I agree. It makes for a great limbing and light splitting axe. Though it's ability to split depends on the wood.

That was it's intended use though no?

 

[British Red]

For me the Scandinavian Forest axe is a better snedding (limbing) axe - it has enough length to work across the trunk to remove limbs. The extra 6" of helve weighs little but transforms an axe I think, making it capable of true two handed use.

Thats always been my trouble with an 18" helve - sort of "too long" and "not long enough" at the same time. A light one handed axe is livelier (like the Cegga that Falcon mentions) and that great for a "pack axe" as it sits inside a pack but will do enough for a cooking fire. A longer axe (like the Scandinavian or Wilderness Axe or a US Cruiser or Boys axe) is a real boon when cutting wood for a long term (heating) fire but still portable. Which leaves the small forest sort of hanging as too much for one job and not enough for another (in my view only)