Hello, I don't have one yet, where would you start? I have about 10 axes, but no Gransfors. Most of mine are Hudson Bay/Boys axe types. I am thinking a Wildlife or Mini as the only hatchet I have is a Husky which handles like a brick on a stick but Hatchets are not really as much fun. It is for playing around in mostly Hardwoods

Thanks

I recently bought a GB Wildlife and I like it. It weighs 22.9oz with sheath. I doubt I'd ever carry it into the woods except to feed a woodburner in the winter. I've fondled, but not used, the GB Outdoor Axe. Its head appears to be more of a splitter, while still being an adequate chopper and it is markedly lighter than the Wildlife Hatchet.

I recently bought a Husqvarna Forest Axe, and if I were going into the winter woods for a long stay, that would be my pick. It is only 20oz heavier than the GB Wildlife Hatchet, and is a real axe.

I should add that a small saw is worth much more than its weight. I'm liking the Silky folder I just purchased. EdT likes the Sawvivor, but it appears they are no longer made.

EdT has used about all of the GB forest tools extensively.

I haven't used GB axes as extensively as EdT, but the two that I can't live without is the new Outdoors Axe (pretty much a tomohawk) and the Small Forest Axe.

On bigger trips in the fall, if we have 3 or more guys heading into camp, the Small Forest is well worth the weight to have in camp. Usually, if the big axe is going, the Sawvivor is going too.

On solo trips, and trips earlier in the year, I pretty much always have the Outdoors Axe on me. I grew up in the backcountry though, and did lots of horse packing when I was young. To not have an axe feels foreign to me.

For a big axe, find your local Husky dealer. The Multi Purpose Axe they can get is a Hultafors Brux axe that is pretty much a less refined GB Scandanavian Forest Axe. They're well worth the 60 bucks.

Got one from Bailey's last year for $70 delivered. The handle is perfect, all it needed was honing a tad. It's a chopping/splittin' mofo.

My comments pretty much parallel Dan's. I would definitely choose the Outdoors ax over the Mini and when I know I am really going to need an ax, I bring the Small Forest or Scandivian Forest.
One ax I am interested in is the Council Tools Hudson Bay, but haven't had a chance to try one. That is probably larger than the OP is looking for though.

Don't bother. I picked one up a few weeks ago in a hardware store. The handle's grain was bass-ackward, just waitin' to bust in half. I've read online that the Velvicut series had good handles, but my money would go for a similar GB tool.

It appears the only axe "deal" is the Hults-Brux stuff that Husqvarna is selling.

That same hardware store has every tool that GB makes on the rack. I looked at every handle and the grain on every single one of them was no more than ten degrees off of vertical.

I should have specified the Velvicut series, not the regular Council Tool. I do like the Hudson Bay style, although there isn't much an ax could be improved on from the GB's

Hello and thanks for the replies. I should have been clearer on the axes I own as I own a couple of the suggestions. I have the Husky multi purpose (the Hult Bruks version, not the Wetterlings) and It fun to use. Keeps a good edge and really bites. I have Velvicut Hudson Bay and it is my new favorite. It just hits where I want it to, splits stuff up great and chops as well as my axes with a quarter pound heavier head. Holds an edge nice too. Funny thing is I bought it used from a guy at a steal who could not stand it.

I have a Wetterlngs Large Hunter and it rocks so I can see why the Small Forest would be a go to.

Dan, I am like you in that I do not like being outside without at least a hatchet.
My father gave me a Norlund hatchet when I was a young one and I used it everywhere. Every time I am without an axe I miss having one as they just are fun if not necessary.

Why the Outdoors over the Mini or Wildlife?

To me the Outdoors does more things better than the others. In another words the Outdoors is a hatchet or as Dan more accurately put it a "hawk," that preforms like an ax.

I had a Mini for many years, used it a lot but when I picked up the Outdoors on Dan's suggestion, I sold the Mini, as I knew it wouldn't be coming along much any more.

If I need less than an GB Outdoors, and I'll pack a knife only. More that the Outdoors and the Small Forest or Scandinavian gets the nod.

The Wildlife never did anything for me. I don't care for the handle length ratio to the head weight and profile.

I'm really glad to hear 1st hand info on the Velvicut. I think I need to pick up one of those as well as one of the Wetterlings Bushman Ax:
http://www.wetterlings.se/the/index.php

+1 on Ace's recommendations. Depends on where you want a 'hatchet' or 'axe'.

Absolutely love my GB SFA...awesome.

Where do you guys get your Gransfors from normally?

Ed, I picked up a Council Tool Hudson Bay hatchet - 18" about a month ago. I'm very impressed with it. Handles well, nice balance and maybe I lucked out with the handle as the grain is nice. It's been splitting my kindling and smaller firewood and I'm happy.

My next purchase will be Council's Jersey Axe. My local guy can't get them, but I'll order from Baileys, etc.

Where do you guys get your Gransfors from normally?

I've got my last couple from Imagine Gear. They're is often a 5% discount floating around.

I've bought several GB's from Gearheads in Moab, Utah. Haven't been there in a few years but they usually have dozens of GB's to choose from. Got my Outdoors Ax from Sportsman's and Ski in Kalispell, MT.

PIRAGIS NORTHWOODS CO has a good selection as well.
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/tools-axes

They also carry handles an sheaths for GB axes and they have the Sawvivor, though it is the 18" not the 15".
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/trailblazer-outdoor-produ/sawvivor-18quot-saw-combo-23256

You're evil.....

Army Navy here in Ktown has those in stock, I didn't realize Les Stroud had anything to do with it.

Taking up smoking crack would've been cheaper than meeting you

You all are evil, No doubt a Crack Habit would be Cheaper. I just ordered The Outdoors, and on the Hunt for a Small Forest but can't find one as Gransfors can't keep up with demand.

As to the Velvicut Hudson Bay some seem to like the Best Made Hudson Bay Version better as it has a longer handle and a more practical Sheath:

http://www.bestmadeco.com/collections/axes/products/unfinished-hudson-bay-axe

The Council Tool Velvicut Handle Length works for me though.
I also think I got a great as the blade on mine seems like Blade is about as hard as My Swedish Axes, some say there somewhats are soft.
The Council Tool Velvicut is my favourite axe as of now though I am now on the Hunt for a Les Stroud!
The Les Stroud seems like the ticket for what I do here in the Northeast as an all around Hang out in the Woods Axe.
It should split thick oak and maple Great.

I could say that about this whole group.

BTW I just bought one of those nifty Swedish fire knives. I needed it, (cough, cough.)

Which axe would you get if it's main duty was feeding a large stove and you are going to strap it to a pannier.

I don't do hatchets or axes (have a nice Fiskars I never use) but these are interesting from SnowPeak:

http://www.snowpeak.com/tableware/axes-hatchets.html

If a mule or horse were carrying it, I'd get the Small Splitting Ax
http://www.mountainsports.com/msmai...oduct=Gransfors+Bruk+Small+Splitting+Axe

Great, Now I have to add the Best Made onto the want list!

As far as sheaths, sacrilegious as it may seem, I make Kydex sheaths for all my axes.

Cool link Brad!
Most of them look like they would be better than a machete for clearing brush. The more ax like one:
http://agentlemansword.com/?p=3383
looks kind almost broad ax shape to the head. Can't tell from the photo whether the bevel is one sided or both.

I have played around with something similar to this:

http://www.snowpeak.com/accessories/all-other-accessories/ajikataya-hachet.html

It is lots of fun, but the I used did have a single beveled edge.

and here I thought you were going to say American Felling Axe? Only because it would have to clear blowdown on the trail too

Oh, and I sold my Scandanavian Forest to help fund one.

I just saw one at Sportsman and Ski Haus here in Kalispell yesterday. They also had a couple Hunters Axes too. They do a pretty good job stocking most of the GB line.

I'd be more inclined to look toward a less breakable handle, like:
http://www2.fiskars.com/Gardening-a...xes/Fiskars-Chopping-Axe-28#.UsxuTLQudh4

Or:
http://www.estwing.com/ao_campers_axe_long_handle.php

But then again, the whole artsy axe thing is lost on me.

Any of you have experience with the Hunters Axe by GB?

It looks similar to the Small Forest Axe, but has some extra work done on the handle and has a rounded poll one the backside so that it doesn't tear up hides when you use it to skin them.

My concern is the other things I'd use it for around camp, like driving stakes. It seems to me that the rounded poll might cause a lot of slippage....

Anybody have any experience with the Husky Carpenters Axe?

I really want an outdoor axe but haven't ponied up the cash yet. That Wetterlings bushcraft is also interesting too. You guys suck!

1) That Fiskars handle will break also, ESPECIALLY where you live

2) It's all about the STEEL.....Fiskars and Estwing ain't got it, though you could do worse than the Estwing. If I had to place a small axe in an elevated cache at a remote cabin, that would probably be it. That Estwing isn't a bad chopper, but it don't split for [bleep].

Also look at the axes by Hults Brux and Mueller's Biber line of quality axes.

LeValley Outdoors LLC.com also is an place to look for quality vintage axes that were mainly made in America and Sweden. I've purchased beautiful felling axes here, but he's also got hatchets boy's axe and everything else to choose from.

They do suck, EdT whets my appetite for the Bushman axe, then Dan Adair says where a man can find one. Next thing I know I am on the phone with a woman named Lois in Kalispell and a Les Stroud axe is on its way here. There goes my bonus check.

Thanks, that is a cool sight.

Too funny!
I'm really interested in what you think of the Bushman Ax. Wish I had a bounus to spend on one

The Hunters was actually my first GB Ax. Used it to half and skin a couple elk and then gave it to my cousin. An ax for me needs to do more than cut or chop. The Small Forest is identical except for the rounded poll on the Hunters.

Ed,

Do you process game with the SFA? Do you miss the rounded poll or have you found that it made no real difference?

The SFA is about $40 cheaper than the Hunters so if that poll doesn't make much of a difference, I think that's what I'll grab....

In 50+ years of using axes and hatchets, I have yet to break a handle.

I have used Estwing's a lot of the years, especially on traplines, but a hand forged ax with a handle that is properly shaped and fitted is a whole different animal.

I was quartering a lot of elk back when I had the Hunters. Didn't really use the poll much for skinning as after skinning 100's of beaver over the years, I am pretty quick with a knife. Any more, everything I shoot is boned, and the only real use I have for an ax while hunting is cutting and chopping wood. If I could only have one ax, it would be the Small Forest, unless of course the Velvicut Hudson Bay or the Bushman manage to impress me even more

Good to know! I appreciate your experience.

This:
http://www.levalleyoutdoors.com/plumb-pack-axe.html

Looks like a nice ax. I have a couple really old Plumb Miner's axes that have split many hundreds of cords of wood.

I also wonder if the GB "Ray Mears" ax is any different than the standard SF ax?

http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/67-Gransfors-Small-Forest-Axe/

Looks the same to me.

I have a GB hunters axe and really like it. It always goes with in the winter skiing, hunting, or trapping. This is mostly for emergency/warming fires. The hunters axe usually goes along hunting or horseback as well. It is short enough that I can slip it between my slicker and the cantle of my saddle yet it fits in most backpacks when afoot.

Like EdT said I wouldn't go with a round poll if you needed it for lots of pounding, but for some use driving stakes and standard trapping duties it works fine for me but a square poll might be even better. The hunters axe (or a similar) is small enough to carry all the time yet still do most jobs well. It also sharpens up well enough to do fine work.

I do not use axes or saws much on game, usually only if I have to go back the next day and the carcass is frozen.

I like the fiskars/gerber better for pure chopping and carry one in all my vehicles and use one at the house. Estwing hammers are great for construction work but the axes in my opinion are not worth owning.

Good morning,The Small Forest Axe on Ray Mears site is same as the regular SFA axe.
He does have his own axe design built Gransfors Bruks called "The Wilderness Axe". It is similar to the Council Tool Velvicut Hudson Bay.

http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/814-Gransfors-Ray-Mears-Wilderness-Axe/

I guess you can tell I have an axe problem.

You guys spent enough of my money! No new camera for me this year.

[bleep]!!! If ever there was a need for a 'tweener' in GBs line, that would be it.

and I think Ray Mears is a Dbag. I guess I could wipe the logo off the handle.

Can someone tell me why the heck I just bought an axe head on ebay?! I'm blaming it on you guys! What the hell do I know about putting a handle on an axe? Guess I'm gonna learn!

I would carry the largest bow saw and a splitting axe, better yet go in pre-season with a chainsaw and a maul. I have both the GB small forest axe and the Husqvarna splitting axe. If you look at the splitting axe closely you'll see bevels running to the top and the bottom, these make splitting really small pieces more difficult but the little splitting axe far exceeds my performance expectation.

GB workmanship is superior but the Husqvarna was hung nicely and what roughness was easily cleaned up. Paid $67 for the splitting axe, $130 for the small forest.

I have 3 old heads lying around, no clue on how to rehaft, let alone the time.

Just recently cleaned up my grandfathers Felling Axe, Ordered a new handle from Granfors, and by luck they had an old sheath for that model. New heirloom for camping trips.

NICE! Congrats!

Barkoff, We need more pics. I had an antique axe stolen out of the back of my truck years ago... That's what started the whole GB thing for me.

Well, that and Ed T

That EdT guy is a trouble maker! He mentioned Plumb and next thing you know I have a really clean vintage looking Plumb axe head sitting on my workbench looking for a handle. Couldn't find anyone actually still selling the Husky axes so figured this will hopefully end up my full size axe for fairly cheap.

Don't you go blaming your lack of self control on poor old Ed.

I have the forest axe and really like, it chops and splits much better than it's size would make you think it would.

The folks at GB were very nice folks. Gal who helped me out had me send her the measurements of the inside diameter of the handle hole. She actually threw in the sheath for free because it had been laying around for a long time.

Didn't take a whole lot of pics. I'm happy as hell gramp's axe will live on from the old cracked handled axe that was almost thrown out. It was a GB thread here at the Fire that led me to go dig it out of a box to see what it was. What a coincidence That I ended up staring at the GB logo.

Why would that be? The man is a Hunter and belives ijn modern game management.

Has the NW Montana Chapter of the Tin Foil Hat Society deemed him unworthy?

[img]http://[IMG]http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj20/pixiebarn/IMG_4236.jpg[/img][/img]

This is my GB

Nice blade.. It looks well used and equally well cared for..

Thank you sir! That is the kind of thing I was wanting to hear. Thank you for sharing your experience.