Small Forest Axe or Scandinavian Forest Axe(Gransfors)

[Bushcraft4life]

Hi all bushcrafters out there. Can anyone help me decide between the small forest axe or the scandinavian. Until a few weeks ago it was the small forest axe but now i am not so sure. Can anyone with any knowledge of these two in particular help me make the right choice.

Cheers and a happy new year

 

[MikeDB]

Not sure this will be much help but....both.

It really depends on what you are planning. If it's portability then the small forest but if you are not planning to pack it every day then the Scandinavian. It doesn't take much more practice to be able to use the scandi one handed and it really does have a good weight. A delightful axe to use.


or perhaps something more er, traditional

Mike

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Cheers. Usually i have a fixed camp but this is only when i am with my family. I will be heading for more remote places soon so portability will be a must. Any other info will be great. Still hankering over which one

Very nice axes . Very traditional

 

[leon-b]

i have the small forest axe and it is superb, it is light enough to be used one handed but the handle is long enough to be used two handed, is portability is a must i would reccoment the small forest axe
len

 

[oetzi]

I will be heading for more remote places soon so portability will be a must.

The SFA is more than capable of doing everything you need and carry a low weight.
I jumped from the Hatchet to the LFA and then back to the SFA and this (1000gr/50cm) is the kind of axe I currently own four different ones of.
So versatile and compact and definitly not too heavy.
Go for it.

 

[MikeDB]

If it's ultimate portability as you say then go with the SFA. Everything you need in an axe in a small, easily packed package. No competition really

Mike

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Thanks all for the really quick replies . Well after your comments i can say i am currently turned in favour of the Small FA. I will probably order one later today.

Cheers for the posts :You_Rock_

Any other information on handling or experiences would be appreciated.

 

[sandbender]

I have both, the SFA is the best choice for portability, but the Scandinavian makes light work of any larger jobs.

 

[British Red]

To buck the trend, I'd go Scandinavian every time. I have an axe (or 20 ) and the Scandinavian is fantastic. The extra torque of the additional handle length makes splitting a joy, the blade profile makes splitting a complete joy. It sits neatly in the ice axe loops on my Bergan or hangs from my bladric just fine. The wieght differential is marginal and the advantages are large in my view. For true "portability" I'd be looking more at a wildlife hatchet or Wetterlings small Hunting or even a pocket axe. For the one that has to do everything though, Scandinavian every time.

Red

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Well done british red you have totally thrown me .

I don't know what to get now.

Cheers for comments

 

[oetzi]

Sooner or later, you will have them all.
Red made a good point, though.
How about getting a "Silky" saw for cutting down and a Leuku for splitting? Together with a SAK this is a very versatile combo and saves even more weight.

 

[British Red]

If you find yourself in Hampshire, drop me a note mate and try a few out - thats the best way in my view. Or hold off, go to a meet or moot and try lots!

I bet if you called Andrew at Outdoorcode he would send you both and you could at least handle them both before deciding and send back the one you don't like.

I also believe if you get a chance, read the "selecting an axe" thread and check over several of each type you will find great variations between models.

Alternatively, tell me what you plan to do with it (really do with it rather than the things we fondly imagine we will do) ) and I'll try for some better advice mate

Red

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Cheers British Red. Actually i have been speaking to Andrew at outdoor code as i ordered some things from there a few weeks ago. His website is brilliant and that is where i was going to order either of my choices. cheapest place i have found gransfors axes anywhere. Really nice bloke. Late post for one of the items i ordered (two weeks) and he offered me £5 off my next order even though it was due to stock shortages. I can't believe he runs the whole website on his todd .

Basically I was planning to use it for British woodland, small felling and log splitting for the fire. And maybe some light carving. The scandi is a lot bigger and it is only a couple of quid more so it seems the better option. But i am planning a trip next summer to europe and i don't really want something that big.

Cheers for posts.

 

[British Red]

Well under the heading of "I don't really want something that big", I suspect you have answered your own question!

Neither axe is really designed for felling but the scandinavian is capable of two handed felling action. The small forest will fit inside your bergan though wich would be a struggle with the scandinavian so if you plan to take it when you fly, that might be a clincher. Both are a little large for carving in my view although either could be choked up to rough out a spoon.

Sounds like a small forest will meet your needs better in the round - if you want something larger later, it will be easy to sell on at minimum loss too

Red

 

[MikeDB]

What size pack are you using mate. I'll run off a few pics to compare sizes between the scandi and the SFA if that's any help.

Mike

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Cheers MikeDB. Since when i am out camping i Mainly work from a car. (Not me driving yet since i am 17 lol). I currently have a stamina rucksack by snugpak which has a 40 litre capacity. Quite large but i will be getting a bigger pack soon when i start heading off to europe next summer . Pics would be great because for the amount of pics on the net there are no good ones.

 

[MikeDB]

Cheers MikeDB. Since when i am out camping i Mainly work from a car. (Not me driving yet since i am 17 lol). I currently have a stamina rucksack by snugpak which has a 40 litre capacity. Quite large but i will be getting a bigger pack soon when i start heading off to europe next summer . Pics would be great because for the amount of pics on the net there are no good ones.

No problem. I'll sort some pics early this evening, just off to de-gunge our small person

Mike

 

[MikeDB]

Ok, picture heavy but might help with your choice.

My appologies for my lack of photographic skill

SFA with a Berghaus Munro (40ltr) and Woolore for some scale.

Scandinavian Forest Axe with same

Both axes on a 100ltr Vulcan

That should give you some idea on pack size hopefully.
As for blade/head size for comparison we have a selection....


Both axe heads with Woodlore

Ah, a group photo

Lastly, just for some detail:

Scandi

SFA

Wildlife Hatchet

I hope this helps a little. I don't know what experience you have with axes but if you want to start off with some carving you might well consider the Wildlife Hatchet and taking either a folding or collapsable bow saw for firewood etc.

All GFB axes come with their 'Axe Book'. A really useful read. I have a few knocking about the office so if you PM your postal addy I'll send one out. Might help with the decision a bit. When you finally get your new axe just pass the book onto the next person with a quest for knowledge.

Cheers
Mike

 

[British Red]

Great post mate - you have rep!

Red

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Thanks MikeDB and British Red. :You_Rock_ . Absolutely awesome photos. (look at me going all american on you lol). That pack is so alike my Stamina pack i thought it was a snugpak. And just to make me jealous you git you had to throw in the woodlore as well. Probably the most sought after knife ever.I want one .
Ah well i will have to give Mick Spain a call to make me one. When does a 17 year old get £180 .

As for the axe book i have actually got several myself. You get em for free at gransfors what could i do . Great read in fact. Its nice to know so much passion goes into making these axes.