Uncle Rays New Signature Axe

[JonathanD]

For those that fancy a go at making and fitting their own handle to an old axe tutorial here
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38767&highlight=axe+handle
and here
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38842&highlight=axe+handle

I've often thought about doing this, but would never feel confident using it. I can imagine the head flying off and imbedding itself into the other halfs back. Whatever scenario I run over in my mind, I can never see SOCO buying it as an accident. So my conclusion is not to bother.

 

[robin wood]

I've often thought about doing this, but would never feel confident using it. I can imagine the head flying off and imbedding itself into the other halfs back. Whatever scenario I run over in my mind, I can never see SOCO buying it as an accident. So my conclusion is not to bother.

I assure you if you follow the instructions in the tutorial there will be absolutely zero chance of the head flying off. It really is a great thing to do especially if you use a piece of ash you have cut yourself but very quick and easy to fit a bought handle.

 

[JonathanD]

I assure you if you follow the instructions in the tutorial there will be absolutely zero chance of the head flying off.

....this is what SOCO will say too. Except they will add the word 'intentionally' into your sentence.

 

[bojit]

Hey Jonathan , how about contacting those very nice people at woodlore
and asking about the possibility of a BCUK group buy .
but here is the best bit we get them for £60 !:yikes:

just think of the publicity that they would get from this .

but then again they might just be a bunch of money grabbing gits !irate:

Craig...............

 

[Martyn]

Well, he's gone and released his own signature axe now made by GB.

http://www.raymears.com/blog/ray-me...fors-ray-mears-wilderness-axe/1585/#more-1585

I dont get it?

What would anyone do with it, that makes carrying a 3lb axe a good weight investment in your pack? I wouldn't dream of adding that much weight to my shoulders unless it pays big dividends and I just dont see how it does?

 

[sandbender]

You could have both a Scandinavian Axe and a Small Forest Axe for only twenty pounds more than this one. It is overpriced and I don't think it needs to be, had they charged perhaps only a little more than these either of these two axes and retained the exclusivity I think it might have sold quite well for them. No doubt buyers are paying the additional costs associated with a limited production run but folks should also be aware that Woodlore have never provided the best prices for the Gränsfors range.

 

[SouthernCross]

G'day JonathanD

Why does it just have to confined to the UK bushcrafter? Many of RMs clients and buyers are international and even us UK bushcrafters get to play abroad quite a lot........

Now I must admit that this confuses the heck out of me

Have a carefull read of post # 83 here: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65188&page=3 (please note: that the use of both underlinning & itallics is intended to add emphasis)

On the one hand it, appears to be acceptable to defend Ray Mears designs based on; "Why does it just have to confined to the UK bushcrafter? Many of RMs clients and buyers are international and even us UK bushcrafters get to play abroad quite a lot" ( please note: that the use of italics in this instance is to identify a quote, rather than indicate an emphasis, however you can consider my use of underlinning in the previously identified quote as my attempt to denote an emphasis that I wish to impart within this quote).

But when someone outside of the UK (who at the same time happens to live in the Sth Hemisphere) dares to ask genuine questions to determine the usefullness of the woodlore outside of the UK, they are set upon: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65188&page=1 (in this instance, you can consider my use of both underlinning & Italics as an attempt to add different degrees of emphasis)

I would love to hear the rational behind this not being a double standard (please note: the use of italics in this instance is to denote an emphasis and not a quote).

BTW to the Mods here, just in case anyone hasn't noticed before, I find it rather tedious to use italics and or underlinning to add different degrees of emphasis to a comment and at the same time, be required to add additional comment to differentiate the use of italics to identify a quote




Kind regards
Mick

 

[Lynx]

I'd snap up a RM axe ASAP because they'll be exchanging hands for £700 a piece in no time!

 

[Xunil]

I'd snap up a RM axe ASAP because they'll be exchanging hands for £700 a piece in no time!

Given this morning's rather dismal financial news that it is now considered pointless to invest money into a savings account, I can see your way of thinking gaining popularity by the minute

No jostling at the front of the axe queue please - just take a ticket and stand in line...



Seriously though, I still feel you can achieve as much if not more by learning to use a lighter and infinitely more transportable axe properly. Better technique and/or a more appropriate approach to your cutting task can pay massive dividends even with a lighter axe. Unless you want a dedicated felling or splitting tool I don't buy into the concept of a heavier axe in these dimensions - the 'gains' made are at too great an expense. You effectively sacrifice portability for less cutting power than a full-size axe would give you, and it strikes me as a negative benefit situation.

No doubt it will be a roaring financial success and good luck to all concerned in that regard, but for those interested in making an informed decision and if they already own a Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe, Small Forest Axe or a Wetterlings/Roselli counterpart, I'd stick rather than twist. For those in the market, the Scandinavian Forest Axe, Small Forest Axe or a Wetterlings/Roselli counterparts offer a more flexible and more portable overall package.

I suspect the added weight at that length might marginalise the axe's performance and more or less make it too specialised for most general purpose use, which kind of defeats the object just a tad. I'm keen to see more of it though, to try and understand the rationale which, at the moment, I don't.

 

[John Fenna]

Why does it just have to confined to the UK bushcrafter? Many of RMs clients and buyers are international and even us UK bushcrafters get to play abroad quite a lot. I wouldn't use this in the UK as I don't need anything more than a knife and a saw. But if I had access to large amounts of private land here then that would be different.

Lots of scope for UK based Bushyness as well!
Not all Bushcrafting happens in the holidays/weekends - I use bushy skills at home, harvesting firewood for the homefires from hedges (windfall/large trimmings) and an easily portable axe is a "must have" for my foraging trips. I get most of my exercise these days shouldering homegreat baulks of firewood!
Out in the countryside bushy skills are everyday skills if you are poor/tight!

 

[Andy T]

Look on the bright side you can use this £95 axe to cut wood to have a fire that's been started with your £11.50 firesteel ( in presentation box), or your £45 blue flame pocket torch, whilst waiting for your £14 billy can of water, ( that's been purified in your £95 katadyn base camp water filter), to come to the boil. Whilst waiting for the water to boil you could be preparing your food cutting it with your £275 knife, sitting on your £175 ray mears nanok jay sleeping bag thats inside your £185 terra nova discovery bivi bag, green. The £80 therm-a-rest mat would of course make you more comfortable. I'm sure that the £85 australian hootchie/flysheet would keep you dry as long as you remembered to peg it out correctly using the £10 hootchie guy lines attached to the £4.95 ( each)clingons large. I am pretty sure most of this kit would fit into your £140 karrimor sabre 75 litre rucksack, and not make you sweat too much carrying it wearing your £325 norrona recon gore-tex shell jacket. If the water seems to be taking it's time coming to the boil you can always enjoy the scenery using your £1575 leica ultravid hd 32mm binoculars.

No affiliation with the above company just a shell shocked never to be customer.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Look on the bright side you can use this £95 axe to cut wood to have a fire that's been started with your £11.50 firesteel ( in presentation box), or your £45 blue flame pocket torch, whilst waiting for your £14 billy can of water, ( that's been purified in your £95 katadyn base camp water filter), to come to the boil. Whilst waiting for the water to boil you could be preparing your food cutting it with your £275 knife, sitting on your £175 ray mears nanok jay sleeping bag thats inside your £185 terra nova discovery bivi bag, green. The £80 therm-a-rest mat would of course make you more comfortable. I'm sure that the £85 australian hootchie/flysheet would keep you dry as long as you remembered to peg it out correctly using the £10 hootchie guy lines attached to the £4.95 ( each)clingons large. I am pretty sure most of this kit would fit into your £140 karrimor sabre 75 litre rucksack, and not make you sweat too much carrying it wearing your £325 norrona recon gore-tex shell jacket. If the water seems to be taking it's time coming to the boil you can always enjoy the scenery using your £1575 leica ultravid hd 32mm binoculars.

No affiliation with the above company just a shell shocked never to be customer.

And what a lovely brew that would be, you've just convinced me, i am off out for the weekend!

 

[Andy T]

lol very good southey

 

[Twodogs]

The answer is if you dont want one dont buy one .. But this axe does fit in nicely between the Small forest axe and the Scandinavian forest axe and loads will buy it

Twodogz

 

[Toddy]

BTW to the Mods here, just in case anyone hasn't noticed before, I find it rather tedious to use italics and or underlinning to add different degrees of emphasis to a comment and at the same time, be required to add additional comment to differentiate the use of italics to identify a quote :Kind regards
Mick

Mick, you purport to be an intelligent man.

Act like it and stop this infantile egging.

Toddy

 

[sasquatch]

The answer is if you dont want one dont buy one .. But this axe does fit in nicely between the Small forest axe and the Scandinavian forest axe and loads will buy it

Twodogz

Agreed Cliff. The outcome of this thread was so predictable! If you can afford one and want one then that's fantastic. If you can't afford one or just don't want one then don't bother but no point biting on here...

 

[rancid badger]

Remember - it is his name on the blueprints for the Wilky Survival Knife as well....

Well okay, but we have to accept that anyone can make a mistake or two!

As for this latest axe, well if people want one, go ahead and buy one.

They appear to be of reasonable quality, though spoiled by the RM logo in my opinion. Actually, if they just used the "RM", I wouldn't mind so much, why do they have to use the "bushcraft" bit ?

I cant see the need for it if I'm honest ( the axe that is) but then there's no need for a lot of the stuff sold to "enthusiasts" of any hobby and remember; that's all "bushcraft" is to the vast majority of people who might buy this axe.


Anyway, as to price, it is way over the top.I imagine that; once again, the 'marketing people' are gambling that Mr.Mears "fans" will happily fork out extra cash for anything adorned with the "RM" mystical runes.
I most definitely would not hand over £95 for one of these axes. I don't need one but even if I did, the price is ridiculous.

You know; I find myself actually wondering if it is the marketing people, who are dictating the pricing of the kit sold by woodlore:bluThinki

Regardless, some of the kit sold by woodlore is actually very reasonably priced.
I've recently bought a merino/possum hat for less than I could find it elsewhere, as well as a couple of "fireflash" firesteel blanks, (which are, in my experience, the best steels available) for £6 each. Other items are also fairly priced, you just need to do some checking before you buy.

 

[sapper1]

Nice to see Southerncross hasn't lost his keen sense of irony.
Personally I gave up on axes a while ago,I just can't seem to use one safely.I've had lessons and loads of practice but still can't use one safely.
I'd love to be able to use one and if I could I'd probably go for the scandinavian type,I need an axe that HAS to be used two handed as using a single handed axe is an ideal way for me to lose a few pink bits.
If you want this new axe and have the money to spend on one ,then go for it,it's your money and it will be your axe.Don't be led by comments that concentrate on whether it's needed or if it's overpriced and doesn't do anything a cheaper one can't.The point of this axe is so that people can have something new and well branded and possibly improve their abilities with wood.If you are confident with your tools you WILL be better at using them.
This all sounds very much like what is the point of this tool when that tool does the same thing cheaper.
How many of us have some kit that is so over-engineered that we will never use it to it's full extent?I know most of my kit ,even in abnormal use, will never fail.It's the best I can get and I'm very happy with it,and yes there is a lot of oneupmanship and kudos to have expensive, named kit.Just not many will admit it.
Did I really need to spend £150 on a single pot and cup cookset(with stove)?Of course I did,it makes for interesting conversations and it does work.This is my hobby and I want the best.
So after all that waffle,is this axe something sprcial and new,does it do things better?
Yes to all the above.
If you like ,get it and show it off to everyone because whether they like the axe or not and whatever their opinions ,they'll all want to have a go.

 

[JonathanD]

More importantly, Shewie should have his arriving any second now so we shall expect a thorough review.

 

[Shewie]

More importantly, Shewie should have his arriving any second now so we shall expect a thorough review.

Just got home for lunch but Mr Postie has already been, have to wait until morning now before I can collect it