Anyone else have or really want a Gransfors Bruks axe?

http://www.gransfors.us/axes.html

Doesn't fit into the UL picture, but what a beautiful tool.

Soon.

Hi Craig,

I've got the Small Forest axe which I use car camping and also the smallest they make, the mini, which I sometimes use when bike camping.

The mini is really useful, and can be used in place of a knife.

Edited by dag4643 on 02/05/2009 09:03:57 MST.

Yep. My buddy in forestry swears by GB. I've been wanting the Wildlife Hatchet, for those firewood-intensive winter basecamps (makes it A LOT easier to coax friends out of indoor hibernation). Next winter, I think. Something small like that is really handy when felling trees w/ a chainsaw too - to strip the branches, etc. Eventually I probably get a Small Splitting Axe for woodstove stokin' at home.

You might check your local flea market or a farm sale for old tools first, though. Many old axes were made to this quality. Check out the double-bit Nessmuk axes by Lee Reeves too.

I've a GB for 7 or 8 years and take it up to the BWCAW 1-2 times every year. There are much lighter axes out but nothing
else of that quality.

I keep the GB American Felling Axe in the back of my SUV when I go up long forestry roads to distant trail heads, especially in the winter, never know when it will be needed on the way out.

For the past several months I've been mulling the GB Mini Hatchet as an all-purpose tool for bushcraft around camp. At only 11oz and top-quality... why not? I see it having much more utility than a fixed-blade that weighs just a few ounces less.

I wish I would have grabbed one earlier. When I first started looking at the Mini a few months ago they were under $100; now you can't find one for any less than $140.

If I ever needed a larger chopping or splitting axe for some reason I would begin and end my search in the GB catalog. They are masterpieces.

I had no idea they made an 11 oz. model.

For certain trips, that's a very packable weight- less than a snow shovel or other specialized tool.

I bought my GB Mini unseen, on the basis of extremely positive feedback from respected reviewers.

The first impression is of how beautiful, well made, sharp, small and light the Hatchet is. The ability to use it as a knife is appreciated.

Some Paracord around the handle gives a more secure grip (and a supply of Paracord!).

I love mine, and wouldn't part with it for anything. If it seems pricey, divide the cost by the 20 year warranty, it works out to be pennies, and the Hatchet will last a lot longer than 20 years!

I have been using these for about 7 years and they are great. I dont know which one I have but the head weighs about a pound and the handle is 14". So far this year I have used it to chop 2.5 cords of hard wood. I use mine daily and love everything about it. All my heat comes from my wood stove, this axe is literly a life saver. the day I bought mine I shaved my face with it just to see if I could. I give it a 10. Ali

Edit: If I had to find any negitive quality's the only one I have found is that it does not throw well. I continue to use my Tracker T-2 which can be thrown with deadly acuracy, and is also very well balanced for knife fighting. It also works very well as an axe.:)

Edited by barefootnavigator on 03/31/2009 10:43:14 MDT.

" I continue to use my Tracker T-2 which can be thrown with deadly acuracy, and is also very well balanced for knife fighting."

Ali,

I'm devastated, man. All this time I thought you were an avatar of peace and enlightenment in this den of Quick Draw McGraws. Tell me ain't so? Puleeeeeze...

Great, now there is some other expensive piece of gear I want, but don't need.

"I'm devastated, man. All this time I thought you were an avatar of peace and enlightenment in this den of Quick Draw McGraws. Tell me ain't so? Puleeeeeze..."

Tom, keep the faith my brother, Just because I have the knowledge doesnt mean I use it. Guns knives swords arrows, I know them all well, Just like fighting, I have studied hand to hand combat for over twenty years. Do I fight? No becuase I dont have to. Like Cane from Kung Foo I wander the earth in peace. All my battles are fought with my brain. Ali

"Like Cane from Kung Foo I wander the earth in peace. All my battles are fought with my brain. Ali"

Ah so, "The Peaceful Warrior".

Thanks Ali, for restoring my faith.

Tom

Back to cutting tools...my daily ritual