SFA Head alignment problem.

[The Cumbrian]

I've had my Small Forest Axe for a few months now, although it hasn't been used much ( I'm more of a "break a stick into bits over a rock, rather than chop it up" man ). Recently, however, I was using it quite a lot and it didn't feel right. I checked the alignment of the head, and when I looked along the bit, rather then being aligned with the centre of the toe of the haft, it was aligned with the extreme RHS of the toe.
As I've said above, this affects the feel of the axe quite a lot, but is it grounds for returning it and expecting a replacement?
My "everyday" axe, that I use for chopping wood in my back garden all winter is a mass produced tool, but the alignment on that is perfect, so I was expecting the same on a craftsman made axe.
I'm not asking too much am I?

 

[Bushcraft4life]

British Red would be the man to ask regarding this but i'll give my 2c worth.

I have heard of a few problems with the head allignment which has put me off buying another one, apparently, quite a few SFA have this defect.

I think you are well within your rights to expect a replacement, the Axe costs over £45, for that kind of money you should expect quality.

I'll leave BR or anyone else to chime in, but i would contact the company you bought it from or Gransfors themselves and see what they have to say.

The Axe has a 20 year warranty anyway so there should be no problems.

 

[Tony]

Yeah, if the head is out as bad as you describe then get it swapped out, we swapped out out the other day because of that

 

[British Red]

It doesn't sound great. If the alignment as bad as you say you are likely to feel the axe glancing (rotating) in your hand when it strikes because the blade is not correctly aligned (perpendicular to the line of impact).

Is thats whatit feels like? Kind of like the axe being puled /twisted when it strikes?

If so its clearly misaligned and I would have a (polite) conversation with the vendor. Remember that many of those who sell axes are not expert in assessing them - if you can check them over personally before buying do so, or talk to someone like Tony or Lurch who know their product if possible

Red

 

[Staghound]

I've bought a few GB tools recently and have been disappointed with the quality control on a couple of them, not bad exactly just not as good as I would expect from Gransfors. I would say take it back, after all you can get an 'any old axe' for a fiver, you pay the best part of fifty notes for a GB because you expect it to be a damn good tool.

 

[littlebiglane]

Take it back. A misaligned head can cause poor placement of the blade on the downward swing. Bad placement can cause deflection - and this can be dangerous. Anything which interferes with the control of the blade is a bad thing.

edit: oopps, just saw Red's response. Making mine rather superfluous!

 

[The Cumbrian]

I've emailed the vendor ( I bought it online ) so I'll let you all know how I get on.

Cheers, Michael.

 

[Jedadiah]

Did you buy it from a 'water-based predator' on e-bay? If so, i've been in the same boat recently, i'd be interested in what the reply is.

 

[steveo]

I had the same trouble with a gransfors scout axe that i got as a present last year ! the quality was very poor and the head looked twisted ,i didnt use it just sent it back, the replacment was perfect.

 

[Bushcraft4life]

This is what is putting me off buying the Scandi Forest Axe, the finish is so poor, and in my eyes this is only a recent thing, a couple of years ago when i got my first SFA the finish and fit was absolutely second to none, the whole axe was perfect.

What could be the problem?

 

[The Cumbrian]

Did you buy it from a 'water-based predator' on e-bay? If so, i've been in the same boat recently, i'd be interested in what the reply is.

It's not from the 'water-based predator' on e-bay, I bought it off an online retailer that offers us in BCUK a discount, although I ordered it before I realised that they did.
I'll name and praise or name and flame depending on the outcome, but for the time being I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[The Cumbrian]

Well folks, the saga almost ends here. Rob at Wilderness 1-2-1 sorted me out admirably, sending me a new axe without even hearing from Gransfors ( we've both been trying to get in touch with them, but to no avail ).
I'm now waiting to hear from Rob what he wants me to do with the original, defective, axe, either send it to him or to Gransfors, when someone at the factory finally learns how to answer emails.
I suppose that the moral of the story is to try and buy this sort of tool in person ( when I bought my axe I didn't know that anyone sold GB axes locally. I've since found out that I only live a couple of miles away from Lurch and his container full of shiny things ). As I couldn't get a GB small Forest Axe in person at the time, I'm glad that I used a good, reputable online dealer such as Rob. Although this may seem to have taken a long time, the delays can all be laid at the feet of GB.


Cheers, Michael.

 

[The Cumbrian]

I've taken a couple of pics for a side by side comparison of the original and new axe. The defective one is on the left:

Looking at the heads like that it seems to be a problem with the head rather than the way it's mounted. Curiously enough though, they're both made by the same smith, MM, Mattias Mattsson.

 

[British Red]

Aaah if I'd known it was Rob I'd have known you would be okay - good retailer there!

How does the new one feel?

 

[The Cumbrian]

Aaah if I'd known it was Rob I'd have known you would be okay - good retailer there!

How does the new one feel?

It only arrived this morning so I've not had a chance to use it yet. I'm hoping to get out for an overnighter in the canoe this weekend so I'll take it with me then. I've found a new place to camp where there are no fire pits, rubbish or other recent sign of human botheration. When I went there last week all I heard was the birdsong and the sound of the deer running away when they finally heard me.

 

[spamel]

Maybe MM is going through a divorce or something and his mind isn't on the job! I have an MM SFA, and I've seen others with MM axes and none have had issues. Maybe they are working harder as their product has become more well known and quality control is slipping to allow for the increase in workload. A poor excuse, but a feasible reason for the low quality.

 

[Lurch]

Rob at Wilderness 1-2-1 sorted me out admirably, sending me a new axe without even hearing from Gransfors

Rob's one of the good guys.

That's customer service how it should be.
Shame to hear that MM is apparently of his game as he is the most prolific of SFA producers. Though the two may not be entirely unconnected.
Makes me wonder if Gransfors may not be a victim of their own success?

 

[The Cumbrian]

Makes me wonder if Gransfors may not be a victim of their own success?[/QUOTE]

It makes me wonder if the accountants have taken over the QA department. Not every craftsman made product is going to be perfect, but in my experience if the individual craftsman is in charge of his own QA the bar is always set pretty high.

 

[MartiniDave]

A bit off topic, but I'm currently working on a project with a large Swedish company. It seems to be the norm for everybody to take a month or more off at this time of year. Not a shut-down, just what they always do!

Glad to hear you've been sorted out though.

Dave

 

[Bernie Garland]

Ive just recieved mine today from Lurch, and its also an MM but mine is faultless,many thanks Lurch for your quality control.

Bernie