Uncle Rays New Signature Axe

[Martyn]

I dont get it?

What would anyone do with it, that makes carrying a 3lb axe a good weight investment in your pack?

...and I still dont get it? What exactly are people doing that needs a large cross-cut axe? Are folks really making log cabins all over the place? I have to say I'm sceptical that the majority of these large cross-cut axes get any real use at all. Hatchets I understand. Splitting mauls I understand. Making firewood, I get that. But I almost never see pictures where I think "good bit of axework involved constructing that".

 

[JonathanD]

...and I still dont get it? What exactly are people doing that needs a large cross-cut axe? Are folks really making log cabins all over the place? I have to say I'm sceptical that the majority of these large cross-cut axes get any real use at all. Hatchets I understand. Splitting mauls I understand. Making firewood, I get that. But I almost never see pictures where I think "good bit of axework involved constructing that".

The mini hatchet looks more than enough for my axe needs. But then again, I may just be convincing myself I need an axe, when I actually don't as I rarely use my Wildlife and never used my SFA since I had it in Xmas 2004. I can see why people like BR would need a large axe, so there is a market for them in the UK, albeit a small one. I doubt 90% or more actually need one for our hobby here in the UK, but I can understand people buying a large axe, just in case they did.

 

[FGYT]

i tryed the axe think with a Cegga hunter after 20yrs on a Kukri axe is lighter but not as usfull
ive got a £3 argos axe that pretty much as good as the Cegga but still unused for real (ie outside trying it cos you have it ) ive carried it for a couple of years on every outing

so ive sold the Cegga not worth selling he argos

but ive got a GB carving axe which is a luxury but really nice to use for carving nice heavy head etc

but i just dont use an axe I dont chop firewood waste of effort in UK it comes in every thickness you will need and my neck knife can batton out a dry bit to get stuff going if needed and a saw cuts it into a big a length you can carry and it will burn tro any thickness etc

I will need a big axe set soon to run (hopfully) our new houses stoves but that wil be a proper big old axe and a maul plus wedges etc using the you get it up and God will bring it down theory of big hammers and axes


now this is a Bushcraft wood processing tool

 

[rg598]

Blimey, does it really matter whether he calls it a redesigned ScFA or SFA? It's hardly an underhand marketing move as the SFA was a redesigned ScFA to fall between that and the hatchet in terms of compromise and fill that niche. RM has just taken it a step further. Hardly a marketing morality issue, and he's hardly making any false claims. It's just an axe for godsake.

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. I think the issue is that he’s been a big supported of the Small Forest Axe over the Scandinavian Forest Axe for years. There is even a short video of him on YouTube explaining axe selection, and there he also states that he prefers the Small Forest Axe over the Scandinavian Forest Axe. I think that now he is in a bad position from a marketing stand point, as his axe much more closely resembles the Scandinavian Forest Axe, then his beloved (rightfully so) Small Forest Axe. I think that is why we are getting all this talk about a magical Small Forest Axe Plus.

I’m sure the axe will perform just fine. Maybe it will be better than the Scandinavian Forest Axe, maybe not, but his approach leaves me with a bad taste. That’s all. I was just stating my problem with his approach. Clearly not everyone is bothered by that, and that's fine.

As far as the size of an axe, I know that in the US people use full size and boy’s axes a lot. Most people don’t backpack with them, but rather keep them in their trucks, and use them for yard maintenance. It is not unusual to have to chop down several trees on your property. Since I mostly backpack with axes, I max out at the Scandinavian Forest Axe sizes.

 

[Shewie]

I don't think Woodlore will have any problems with the marketing back firing, they will sell like hot cakes no doubt about it.

I think if you look at the SFA and the ScFA and the rest of the GB range, there isn't really a middle of the road do-it-all model in there. As we all know the SFA and ScFA make great choppers but the thinner head makes them useless for splitting. The other alternatives are either purpose made splitters or smaller lighter camp tools. The Carpenter axe is a nice one to use around camp but a bit too short for heavier tasks. I like the Wilderness, it ticks many of the boxes for me, the fact that it'll be going in the canoe for trips means I don't have to be concerned about the weight and length either. I think I'm going to get along really well with it, maybe I did get drawn in by the hype at a time when I was looking for a new axe, I still reckon it's going to be a really useful tool to have though.

 

[addo]

So if I get a ScFA I can save £35, get an axe the same weight, and have a slightly longer handle, and with proper technique be able to split most stuff up to 6" Dia with ease.

Or use a £10 Hults bruks ex Swedish army one, which is a similar type to a ScFA, mine splits, fells and de-limbs beautifully.

Or re-con an Elwell or other old one as suggested.

Must admit I'd like a Wilderness axe, just dont need one, which is a good job as i'm a tad on the poor side after xmas.

I only bother with a hatchet when camping, if logs are sawn to the right length and straight grained they pop open no probs when prepping wood for a wet day, if not a baton sorts them out, and its by far the best carver.

If I bought one it would be as a collector of nice things, and I would put it to good use, but I dought its anything special other than being a lovely Gransfors.
Ive the SFA BTW and like it for the jobs just that one up from hatchet work.

 

[Diamond Dave]

Had a call from Woodlore today regarding the sheath not being suitable for this axe. They have offered me an alternative sheath but it doesn't seem as secure as the existing one as the strap goes around the axe end instead of under the head and across the shaft.

They have said that they will get me an alternative but it may take awhile....

 

[JonathanD]

I like the ones that just go around the blade section. I had a custom one made to do just that on my old SFA. Have you got a pic.

 

[Shewie]

Had a call from Woodlore today regarding the sheath not being suitable for this axe. They have offered me an alternative sheath but it doesn't seem as secure as the existing one as the strap goes around the axe end instead of under the head and across the shaft.

They have said that they will get me an alternative but it may take awhile....

So I'm not the only one then, I got one made up by a fellow member which is much better. I'm still waiting to hear from Woodlore and GB and a replacement though.

Did your original mask cut through like mine ?

 

[demographic]

...and I still dont get it? What exactly are people doing that needs a large cross-cut axe? Are folks really making log cabins all over the place? I have to say I'm sceptical that the majority of these large cross-cut axes get any real use at all. Hatchets I understand. Splitting mauls I understand. Making firewood, I get that. But I almost never see pictures where I think "good bit of axework involved constructing that".

Nail, head, on.

 

[HarrogateTobias]

I don’t see why people can’t disapprove of a particular marketing strategy. Generally Ray Mears has shown himself to be an upstanding guy. I just think that this particular marketing strategy is below him. If he was up-front about it, he would say it like it is: This is a redesigned Scandinavian Forest Axe. It is in no way a Small Forest Axe Plus, or a compromise between the Small Forest Axe and the Scandinavian Forest Axe.

In terms of head weight the Wilderness Axe is the exact same weight as the ScFA, but half a pound lighter than the Small Forest Axe-absolutely no compromise there. In terms of head grind, the bit and eye of the Wilderness Axe are thicker than the ScFA, putting it even further away from the grind of the Small Forest Axe than the ScFA currently is-the opposite of compromise. The handle is 1.5 inches shorter than the ScFA, but 4 inches longer than the Small Forest Axe. It doesn’t even split the handle length between the Small Forest Axe and the ScFA-compromise? You be the judge.

What annoys me is that there is nothing wrong with putting out a redesigned Scandinavian Forest Axe. If he believes that the changes he has made will improve the tool, then he should be proud of them. I think we would all be interested in seeing some side by side testing of the two. Until then, we have only speculation based on the design. Like I said, any comparison to the ScFA would be fair. Calling it a redesigned Small Forest Axe however is disingenuous. The marketing reasons behind it are obvious and disappointing especially considering the man behind them. I expect this from a used car salesman, not from Ray Mears.

i think you guys have to see that Ray isnt a marketing expert... when his trusted agent (who he has probably had since his first Tv appearance) says its a good call he will do it...

Just making a point that not all bushcraft experts can make the right call when it comes to commercialism

Long live Ray and all that he inspires!

 

[flexo]

what is good for sir ray might not be good for me or someone else,because of ergonomy,or simply money matters,or any reason...
but i know he knows what he talks about when he speaks about axes. even if i know i'll never use an axe as he does because i am me not him,and i can't afford a gb,i prefer (don't know why) to pay the rent instead! but i consider miself an axeman,and mr mears an another kind of axeman too!
then that's his job,he makes a living sharing his skills,any follower will cash and carry anything he sells,fortunately he promotes good stuff!

 

[Xunil]

I had the opportunity to play with one of these axes this morning.

Unless you already have a GB SFA or even the ScFA then you won't notice any difference without that basis for comparison, so if you are a first time axe buyer I can see how you would be deliriously happy with one.

If you own or have used either the SFA or ScFA (or both) then you will feel the difference immediately in how the Gransfors Ray Mears Wilderness Axe handles and bites. If you don't/haven't then you won't. The difference is actually quite marked, but I am so comfortable with my ScFA that I can't think of anything I'd want to do that I would need the Gransfors Ray Mears Wilderness Axe for instead.

Given the higher purchase price I'm not sure there is any incentive to buy one of these over the SFA or ScFA, unless your needs are very specific.

On the flip side it may be worth spending the extra money since you will lose nothing over long-term ownership and may even stand to gain, which may make it a more sensible buy. Assuming you can protect your initial investment and perhaps even make a little on it, that might make it more attractive to some.

I can't see anyone in the UK doing normal outdoorsy stuff needing one of these (that said, I can't see anyone in the UK doing general outdoorsy stuff who would ever need anything bugger than a Wildlife hatchet) but I can see where it could be very useful on serious trips in different environments.

Having handled and used one I can't really see anything that would make me jump ship from my ScFA or re-handled Elwells, but if you are in the market for a GB axe then I think this one probably makes more sense than any of the others purely on the basis that you probably won't ever lose a penny on it.

Spend a little more to lose less. If that is important to you then this one makes sense. If you simply want a good sized GB axe to use as a working tool then spend less and buy the SFA or ScFA, which should outlast most owners by a generation or three at the very least...