Wetterling Long Hunting Axe VS Gransfors Small Forest Axe

[ranger]

I read with interest the attached article on Outdoors-Magazine.com on the above axes:
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_index.php?target=/s_summary.php

Being the owner of a Gransfors SFA I was somewhat surprised at the conclusion and was wondering what all your views are. Is the Gransfors SFA an over-hyped product that has been superseded, or do you think JM, the author has just been unlucky with his SFA?

Thanks
ranger

 

[steve a]

I think if your happy with the performance of your axe dont worry about it, I've a SFA and I am more than happy with it, never used a Wetterling.
I'm not sure about hype at the end of the day they are very good at the job it's made for.

 

[leon-1]

ranger, I think that this is subjective, you could only really say if you have used both axes.

I have tried both axes and to be honest liked both, either one would be a welcome companion in the wilds.

I currently have two axes (a Fiskars and a GB Hunters), I have found that the GB is very much similair to the other two in size and weight and is equally as good with the camp craft side of life.

In the end each person will have a different perception of thier ideal axe, the way it is weighted, balanced and the length of the helve.

Nessmuk has laid down a set of guidelines as to what makes a good axe, but they are guidelines not hard and fast rules (one mans meat is another mans poison). His guidelines are excellent and there is a lot of common sense in what he says.

In the end if you are happy with the feel of the axe that you have and it behaves as you require it to, then ultimately you have the correct tool for you to use.

If you make it down to the BCUK meet in Wales you will undoubtedly meet people that use the wetterlings. Ask one if you can try it out and see how you feel after.

 

[Gary]

What Leon says is very true.

I have both a Wetterling and a Gransfor and apart from price can't really tell the difference between the two - well not in anyway that matters.

One thing I will say in favour of the wetterling small hunter axe is that it is of a size that makes it smaller and more back pack able than those discussed above and yet it still has a head the same size as the large hunter and with the Helve being longer than the Gransfor wildlife hatchet it can still be used two handed. Personally I think this makes it a damn good all rounder - and its well priced to boot.

 

[leon-1]

Gary I wouldn't mind having a look at the small hunters on the BCUK meet, if you don't mind.

 

[Gary]

Not a problem!

 

[JM]

Both are great axes, you would not make a difference without having them at hand and exchanging a lot. BUT when you have both at hand, one is superior for most tasks. not by much, but is it.

There is only one way to check what I said, you pick both axes, and go and play with them, if you got only one at hand, then in all respect, I consider any counter arguments as unfounded.

Anybody that has an SFA should keep it, and not bother with this article at all IMHO, but anybody looking for a small forest axe might find a Wetterlings probably better.

As Gary said, the axes weight around the kg, only marginally more than a hatchet, but the power is not the same as you can use them with both hands.

Cheers.

 

[ranger]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

My one comment would be to JM – Given that Gransfors supply their axes with a 20 year guarantee, have you considered returning your SFA to them with a copy your article? I’d be very interested in their comments, especially given the claims they make about the pride they take in their workmanship.

 

[MartiniDave]

Before this article I'd just about decided to but a GB SFA to go with my GB Wildlife Hatchet, now I can't make my mind up if I should get the Wetterlings in stead.

HELP! Anybody :-?

Dave

 

[boaty]

Buy both :rolmao:

And a Roselli long axe too

 

[MartiniDave]

Cheers Boaty

:rolmao:

Not sure my wife will like that particular solution!

Dave

 

[Ed]

Before this article I'd just about decided to but a GB SFA to go with my GB Wildlife Hatchet, now I can't make my mind up if I should get the Wetterlings in stead.

Remember both axes are good pieces of kit. You will not be dissapointed with either. Really you need to try them both out and make up your own mind if you are that worried.

;-)
Ed

 

[ranger]

Ditto Boaty’s idea - if you should then decide you don’t like the Wetterling and want to donate it to a good home, I’ll be most happy to help!

 

[MartiniDave]

Ranger,

You are just TOO kind! :-D :-D

Dave

 

[Gary]

Indeed both are excelleent axes and while I was familiar with the GB from my days with Woodlore I had never tried the Wetterlings and when I decided to start selling axes I was tempted to opt for the GB.

But having trailed the Wetterling large and small hunter I have to say I was so impressed I decided to stock those instead.

The GB is a well made and well finished tool - the wetterling is a little rougher around the edges and that is reflexed in the price.

But when chop comes to chop I still maintain the small hunter is the most useful tool in a utility role being both hatchet and axe.

Of course this is a personal preference but I have had customers write to me expressing their delight too so I guess we can't all be wrong.

Never tried the Roselli but I love the bearded axe look of it - anybody got one? Views?

 

[boaty]

Never tried the Roselli but I love the bearded axe look of it - anybody got one? Views?

I love the look too - and it looks like it could be a very useful all-round tool

Never tried one myself, but JM has all three of these axes to hand...

 

[jakunen]

Just to add my ha'pennyworth.
I've handled both GB and Wetterlings, and have to admit that I was more than happy with the Wetterlings Gary sold me.
I definitely biased towards the Wetterlings...

 

[leon-1]

Dave and anyone else thinking of buying an axe, I get the feeling that a lot of people are going to be down on the meetup in Wales, hold off buying an axe untill after then.

Whilst you are on the meetup, you will come across many types of cutting implements including billhooks and axes. The guys that use them are mostly all experienced with thier chosen implements and can point out thier good and bad points.

Some will let you use said implements, if you let them know of your interest in buying one or possibly two of the different types.

Then you will be able to make an educated decision as to what suites you best.

When it comes down to it we will all be slightly biased towards the cutting tool that we have decided to buy, it is something that we are familiar with and as such it will work better for us because of the practice that we have had in the use of it.

This is my point of view and as such not everyone will have the same opinion, but you cannot beat personal experience. If the tool that you choose works for you then it doesn't matter what name it has or who makes it.

 

[Gary]

One good point I should add to Leon's text is that it is considered rude to ask to borrow another persons Axe.

You may look at it, if you ask, but it is the rare woodsman who will be willing to let you chop anything with his axe.

This is not rudeness on the part of the owner - this is the fact that it takes many hours of work to get a good edge on a favourite and well trusted tool and only a second in the hands of a novice to ruin itm and beleive me I have seen several axes trashed in such a manner.

 

[leon-1]

Thanks Gary, I forgot to mention that

I have before let people use my GB hunters and been lucky that no damage has been done to it, but this was due to them showing an interest and just prior I had managed to put a dink in the blade (the Dartmoor Meetup and the first time I had dinked the blade since I got it).

I had to re-grind anyway so it made little difference to me .

I should also mention that the dink was not so bad as it would impare the cutting properties of the axe when chopping (a line about a 1/4mm wide and 15mm long showing on the blade), but would of affected carving performance.