Granfors Bruks - no more metal wedge on small axes

[n5750547]

I thought you guys might be interested in hearing that - according to the Australian distributor - small GB axes won't have steel wedges in addition to the wooden ones. They say that this won't affect performance but are keen on feedback.

This is my wildlife hatchet that I received today

 

[Operator1975]

If it is wedged correctly, an axe doesn't need a metal wedge.

 

[tobiism]

I sure do hate the look of metal wedges. The round ones don't bother me as much as the straight ones though.

 

[Lieblad]

......

 

[tobiism]

I think they are just trying to save a buck, (or Kronor actually)
PT Barnum is their marketing director, sounds like his influence carries into GBs product design & QC dept. With the side benefit no steel wedge excites axe worshippers in unnatural & unhealthy ways.

LMao thats funny

 

[300Six]

Could be a cost-saving measure but more likely a factory response to blade forum discussions on the merits (pros and cons) of 'afterthought' wedges. Wedges (typically metal) installed without a pre-made slot tend to be detrimental over the long run. Thank you G - B.

 

[Hacked]

Metal wedges are the devil. Perhaps they will get rid of those aweful lanyard holes next. I can't be the only one who can't stand having a lanyard hole in their axe handle right I'm not likley to buy an axe from them either way, still good to see they did away with them on at least some of their line.

 

[300Six]

I think they are just trying to save a buck, (or Kronor actually)
PT Barnum is their marketing director, sounds like his influence carries into GBs product design & QC dept. With the side benefit no steel wedge excites axe worshippers in unnatural & unhealthy ways.

It's OK to air a different point of view, but proper rationale helps. Steel wedges should be reserved solely for use in field repairs of loose heads that otherwise can't be disassembled and correctly re-wedged. Otherwise they merely cause wood to irreparably split. The current manufacturers fad of using a diagonal-set small steel wedge to lock in the primary wood wedge is both unnecessary and often cracks the handle. Wedges (all types) are not a good substitute for lousy fitment of wood within an eye either.

 

[Operator1975]

It's OK to air a different point of view, but proper rationale helps. Steel wedges should be reserved solely for use in field repairs of loose heads that otherwise can't be disassembled and correctly re-wedged. Otherwise they merely cause wood to irreparably split. The current manufacturers fad of using a diagonal-set small steel wedge to lock in the primary wood wedge is both unnecessary and often cracks the handle. Wedges (all types) are not a good substitute for lousy fitment of wood within an eye either.

Have to agree with this.

I wonder if they now have a hydraulic/press kind of thing going on, similar to what Council does with the aluminum wedges, just they do them with wood, maybe some swell lock, glue, etc.

 

[Hacked]

Yup 300 hit the nail on the head.

 

[jstare]

Have to agree with this.

I wonder if they now have a hydraulic/press kind of thing going on, similar to what Council does with the aluminum wedges, just they do them with wood, maybe some swell lock, glue, etc.

They do use a hydraulic press to put there handles, it appears they use glue on their wedges which to me is a much better compromise than using a metal wedge. There is a good youtube interview/tour of their factory and interview with the owner, he speaks about their approach to becoming more environmentally conscious with their manufacturing and getting back to their traditional ways of making axes. If you skip to 3:00 you can see the handle installation process, but the video is great to watch the whole process all the way through, although in the video it appears they still are using the wedge at the time of filming.

Youtube video: https://youtu.be/Ha9mHXkZddw

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It's OK to air a different point of view, but proper rationale helps. Steel wedges should be reserved solely for use in field repairs of loose heads that otherwise can't be disassembled and correctly re-wedged. Otherwise they merely cause wood to irreparably split. The current manufacturers fad of using a diagonal-set small steel wedge to lock in the primary wood wedge is both unnecessary and often cracks the handle. Wedges (all types) are not a good substitute for lousy fitment of wood within an eye either.

Yup. And that's the nice thing about them not having a factory steel wedge installed--it's not uncommon for handles to shrink a little if being sent to very arid areas, and so those experiencing loosening as a result can take up the slack with a steel wedge. Otherwise the fit should be good enough that the wooden wedge is all that's needed.

 

[300Six]

If a handle is 'bone dry' (and this is easy to ascertain via moisture meters these days) when it's being fitted there should be no need for 'afterthought wedge' insurance. Hollow conical-circular wedges are intriguing because their outward forces are wonderfully multidirectional. Nevertheless these automatically relegate any 'become loose' handle to the scrap bin if/when you try to remove one. Wood wedged hangs, on the other hand, are usually recoverable/renewable.

 

[tobiism]

If a handle is 'bone dry' (and this is easy to ascertain via moisture meters these days) when it's being fitted there should be no need for 'afterthought wedge' insurance. Hollow conical-circular wedges are intriguing because their outward forces are wonderfully multidirectional. Nevertheless these automatically relegate any 'become loose' handle to the scrap bin if/when you try to remove one. Wood wedged hangs, on the other hand, are usually recoverable/renewable.

Not so, I have quite successfully removed the round wedges and reused the handle with great results. If you drill the wooden wedge you can usually get a tool on the round wedge to work it out

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Yup--I've removed round wedges before using that method. Drill out the center and get a prying implement down in there to pop it loose.

 

[Square_peg]

I'd wager that they stopped using the metal wedge because they were losing too much money replacing axes with split hafts. These decisions are always driven by the bottom line. But the cost of the wedge is nothing. The cost of replacing an axe is huge.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'm still surprised that there isn't any company selling "hang it yourself" kits. Then if there's a problem with the hafting job they're free of liability and folks can take as long as they like carefully getting it done up to their own liking.

 

[Hacked]

I'm still surprised that there isn't any company selling "hang it yourself" kits. Then if there's a problem with the hafting job they're free of liability and folks can take as long as they like carefully getting it done up to their own liking.

Pioneer Arms does, or at least did the last time I was looking at their site. Problem is I think most of us who would want to haft our own tools opt for used heads in good condition vs new. Would be a nice option though.

 

[Steve Tall]

I'm still surprised that there isn't any company selling "hang it yourself" kits. Then if there's a problem with the hafting job they're free of liability and folks can take as long as they like carefully getting it done up to their own liking.

Best Made Co. previously offered a Wetterlings kit, including two handle blanks (roughly shaped):

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I was referring more from the standpoint of a production company, but those examples count. At that level, though, it's already kind of expected that the head would be hung correctly so there's less incentive. I do like the use of blanks--makes it easier to get the shape right where you want it.