Gransfor Bruk - need something to actually work on cutting wood.

[RJM]

So, My wife and I went camping this past week with family and I came to the conclusion that our ridiculously cheap and crappy hatchet just doesn't cut it...so I'm looking for a good one. I was thinking of picking up the Small Forest Axe that Riv sells. Is anybody besides Grant using one of these hatchets/axes?  What are your opinions on them? Is the quality worth the price that you spent? I'm looking for a camping hatchet/axe, so something that will break up small logs into kindling and possibly cutting up deadfall but not as big as a regular sized axe that you would buy at Home Depot or something (my HD axe's handle broke the third time I used it so I'm not too keen on going cheap again).

[Chris Chen]

The wildlife hatchet is a fine piece of kit; I like it very much for splitting firewood and making kindling. That said, it's a pretty light, one handed tool so if you really want to split stuff you should go for something a bit heavier, something made for two hands.

So yeah, the forest axe sounds like a good deal.

On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 1:30 PM, RJM <crccp...@gmail.com> wrote:

So, My wife and I went camping this past week with family and I came to the conclusion that our ridiculously cheap and crappy hatchet just doesn't cut it...so I'm looking for a good one. I was thinking of picking up the Small Forest Axe that Riv sells. Is anybody besides Grant using one of these hatchets/axes?  What are your opinions on them? Is the quality worth the price that you spent? I'm looking for a camping hatchet/axe, so something that will break up small logs into kindling and possibly cutting up deadfall but not as big as a regular sized axe that you would buy at Home Depot or something (my HD axe's handle broke the third time I used it so I'm not too keen on going cheap again).

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[Liesl]

In general, the Grunsfors Bruk axes are superb.  I do some wood carving and am a member of the Summit View Spoon Carvers club (http://summitviewspoonclub.blogspot.com/).  There are some way talented carvers in this group and I would guess that GB axes are the most prevalent axes of members.  If you scroll to the December 11 2013 entry with Jarrod Stone Dahl, you can see him using a GB carving axe.  Jarrod, when asked, maintains that an axe is extraordinarily efficient compared to power tools in just about every regard—plus it has the potential to still work in 1000 years. 

I have the carving axe and the mini hatchet and they are simply outstanding.  I had the wildlife hatchet, and gave it to my son-in-law as I much prefer the mini—or the a larger Hudson Bay style axe.  The wildlife hatchet for me just felt in-between. Take care of them, meaning keep the head away from dampness or even put a light film of oil on it, keep it honed, and never chop near stones, concrete, etc.  It service you well.  .

If you have, use, and maintain a fine axe, you will not regret it.

[Deacon Patrick]

I don't remember which one this is, but it may be the wildlife hatchet. Here it is in action: https://www.flickr.com/photos/32311885@N07/14394796378/in/set-72157645528023234

It's great for the small firewood we burn in our FireBox, big enough to be very useful, small enough that it's part of my semi-ultra-light set up. Sharpens easily and holds a great edge. The only trick is to know how to manage rust with applying oil, or in the case of a multi day, wet trip, doing the best you can and cleaning it up when you get home. No biggie.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Tony DeFilippo]

In sure the Grunsfor is amazing, I picked up their full size felling Axe here on the forum and couldn't be happier with the function of the form. (And I have used it as it was intended on several occasions!)

For a smaller Axe/hatchet I think you should consider the (MUSA) and quite affordable 'Boys Axe', a 28", 2.25 lbs Dayton pattern Axe. I just got one last month and prefer it to my fiskars x15 by a large margin.

http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=22BR

Riv carries their premium Hudson bay Axe and they actually make a premium version of the boys Axe to if you want something with a bit more finish. Maybe they can order it for you!

Tony

[Tonester]

Estwing makes a nice inexpensive hatchet.  Made in USA.

[RJM]

I've done some Youtube watching recently since the camping trip and found this feed called "Wranglestar" where he and his family are homesteading in the west someplace. Many videos discussing axes and their uses. Kind of neat.

 

Well, I know I could probably make do with a cheaper axe, but I figured I would try the Gransfor Bruk small forest axe out, so I put an order with Riv in today. I'm going to use this primarily for car camping but also around the house since I have plenty of wood that needs to be cut up. I'm kind of excited to get a good tool for this that doesn't use gasoline and make a ton of noise.

 

If I need a smaller hatchet for bike camping I'm going to check out estwing and dayton. thanks for the recommendations.

[Tony DeFilippo]

I'd like to see some Riv-ster's share pictures of axes/hatchets attached to their bikes... :)

Congrats on getting the Small Forest Axe, I'm sure you'll appreciate it!

Tony

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[Deacon Patrick]

Tony,

Here's where it rides on my Large SaddleSack: https://www.flickr.com/photos/32311885@N07/14796262085/in/set-72157645664039089

Here it is on the bike, but I'm betting you can't see it: https://www.flickr.com/photos/32311885@N07/14793913704/in/set-72157645664039089

With abandon,

Patrick

[Tony DeFilippo]

Sweet Patrick!  Thanks.  Is that part of your regular 'tool' kit?!?

[Deacon Patrick]

On Thursday, August 21, 2014 10:11:45 PM UTC-6, Tony DeFilippo wrote:

Sweet Patrick!  Thanks.  Is that part of your regular 'tool' kit?!?

Save for day rides, aye. Our stove: http://www.fireboxstove.com This stove is new in our kit this year) and it makes it possible to grill steak/burgers/fish every night, boil water in a stainless steel water bottle (no extra pot needed), plus we then have a great fire pit all evening without leaving a scar on the land. Lighter ones have problems warping.

With abandon,

Patrick 

[Mark Reimer]

I have the small forest axe. It's beautifully made and certainly does the job it was made for. It's not large enough for splitting large logs, but great for smaller pieces of wood - maybe up to 2.5-3" across. It's probably too large to make sense for cycling applications, but if I can extrapolate my positive experiences with this tool, I would presume the smaller axes would be just as great. 

[BenG]

Midwest we have extensive containment for Emerald Ash Borer, such that on-site fire prep is mostly splitting pallet oak or bundled pine. The GB 439 splitting hatchet is really good attempt that, primarily due to head weight and grind. Same head as 441 Riv sold; shorter handle but still easy to get two big hands on it with safe clearance and leverage. Along with a 425 Outdoor axe for throwing, we enjoy our GB.
By the way, last year I commuted past 59 dead ash trees on one half-mile neighborhood street. I hope our containment spares you!