my first axe with my progressing kit

[Brocktor]

i bought it from focus (used to be called 'do it all), a large DIY store. its 20 oz camping axe, carbon steel drop forged heat treated, w/tubular handle. it was £9, the cheapest from 4 similar stores. ive used a small sharpening stone to sharpen it so far. i have been carving with it and made half a kennel (it started to rain heavy).
it looks similar to this, but the handle curves more at the end -


i also got a strange small saw from my grandfather today, it looks like a pistol, made by a company called "rolls tools ltd". anyone want to enlighten me on how to sharpen a saw?

 

[maddave]

Google is your friend

http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

 

[laurens ch]

All you need now is a frosts mora knife to go with the axe

 

[stevieg]

personally i always avoid axes/hatchets with tubular steellhandles opting for wood. The steel ones have very little give in the shaft and are jarring and fatigueing to use for any time, also when occasionally you miss strike and catch the shaft whereas the wooden one may just graze and bounce off a tubular one can sustain a dent which seriously weakens it. However for infrequent light use you can't fault it at the price (unless of course i mention i got my gransfors at a car boot for £1 !!)

 

[Brocktor]

ah, i see, so what is my axe designed for?

http://www.wildcatcommerce.com/productimages/large/26/campaxe.jpg

 

[Longstrider]

Hi Brocktor, Hatchets like yours can be, and are, used for doing just about anyhting that those with GB's will do with theirs. It's just that a wooden handle can actually prove to be stronger in the long-run and safer for the user because of it, and an axe like a GB will be made of much better quality steel. The better steel allows the axe to take, and keep, a finer, sharper edge. The cheaper axes always seem to me to be built like little tanks when it comes edge geometry. More than one of them has been made into a far more useful tool by having the edge completely re-profiled to a slimmer angle and a proper convex grind. (Convexed edges are the best edges for axes but are not too common on the cheaper models)

If you are new to the idea of bushcrafting you could do a lot worse than follow the various tutorials on this site, re-grind your hatchet and use it until you either break it or can actually see a need for a better (but far more expensive) axe.

Ultimately it's like so many other things in life.. You tend to get what you pay for.

 

[Brocktor]

ok thanks. what does GB stand for?

 

[led]

Gränsfors Bruks

 

[gregorach]

Gränsfors Bruks - possibly the best axes in the world.

Edit: I see led beat me to the punch...

 

[British Red]

Brocktor

Theres nowt wrong with your axe mate. Think of you axe as the Fiesta you got when you passed your driving test. Theres better stuff out there, but there always will be. You axe will do duty for some light chopping and splitting, make dry kindling out of wet logs, cut stake points etc.

Gransfors Bruks are the Morgans of the axe world (compared to your Fiesta), hand made, fantastic craftsmanship and a matching price tag. Many people own em and never really use them hard (jest like Morgans). Give your axe a good sharpen, learn some prper axe techniques and enjoy it.

Red

 

[Simon E]

nowt

I havent lived in my native UK for a long time and havent visited in nearly 11 years, please tell me you also say 'Eee by gum, lass' and I will give you rep!

 

[British Red]

Aye lad, I do that

 

[wanderinstar]

Nay lad tha cant say that, tha lives darn sarth, dunt ta.
Ian.

 

[faolin little wolf]

[i also got a strange small saw from my grandfather today, it looks like a pistol, made by a company called "rolls tools ltd". anyone want to enlighten me on how to sharpen a saw?[/QUOTE]
what you whant is a "pocket multi sharpener" its dimon shaped and sharpens serrated edges bought mine from attleborough accessories for £7.50. but a new blade would be best

 

[British Red]

Aye, now, also Devon, Yorks, Lancs, Cheshire, Herts, Somerset, Shropshire, etc. Reckon my accent is best described as "Mongrel"