Any user impressions of the GB American Felling Axe?

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mrappraisit

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Oct 25, 2007
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I currently have a Scandinavian Forest Axe that I use for car camping chores. I love the Scandi FA, but kind of want something heavier that would be a little more capable for splitting, or felling duties.

My question is: does anyone here have one of the GB felling axes?
If anyone here has one of these models, what do you think of it? How does it work for splitting and felling?

Real world pictures would help if anyone can provide some, especially from the eye down towards the handle.

Thanks
 
Hello ,
I have one(35"). Sorry I did't have the chance to use it. I go get some picture for you. It's not realy for splitting .

Jozsef
 
Here is the pics. One from the head , one with the scandi forest and the third small forest , scandi forest and the felling axe. Its a quality tool like the others from Gransfors and heavy to (this is the reason I did't get the chance to try it out).

Jozsef
 

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I have the GB double bit felling axe. It throws huge chips and I expect the American Felling would cut just as effectively. However, it doesn't split especially well. I got a GB maul and wedge for that and they work great. Both will shave hair off your arm.

DancesWithKnives
 
Jozsef - Thanks for the pics, those really help. I know the felling axe isn't for splitting, but I don't want to carry more than two axes (I would probably keep my ScandiFA) and would prefer to just carry my hatchet and a full (AFA) or 2/3size axe (ScandiFA).

I guess I want what everyone wants, the one axe that will do it all. In the past people mostly just traveled with one axe the size of the ScandiFA or the AFA, and one of these handled all the jobs they needed done, that is my thinking behind wanting to try the AFA.

Also the fact that the AFA axe has been dropped from the GB line-up before, and like every knife knut I don't want to wonder if I missed the perfect axe for me.

DWK2 - I know what you mean about sharp, after three days of camping with splitting small quarter rounds, making kindling and even cutting down a small dead-standing pine my ScandiFA could slice hanging newsprint after 3 or 4 minutes with the DMT's. I love this little axe.
 
I've been wanting to get one for a while now too. I'm trying to decide if I should get the 31" or the 35". I have a Scandinavian Forest Axe, and a Double Bit Felling Axe, so I am leaning towards the 31".
I'd love to hear some input.
Thanks,
Jason
 
I'm 6 ft. and around 225 lbs. I like the 35" handle on my double bit. I gave one to a friend who is a forestry professor in Montana and heats his home with wood. He shortened the 35" handle and thinned the grip a bit. He's around my height but probably 50 lbs lighter.

How tall are you? Are you going to use it primarily for: (1) Felling, (2) chopping logs on the ground, or (3) chopping logs that are supported above ground level? For (2) I'd go with the 35". For (1) and/or (3), I think it would be mostly a matter of personal preference.

DancesWithKnives
 
Good info DWK2. I am almost the same size as you and had the same question about the best handle length like Junkyard did. Thanks!
 
I wasn't too clear on why I mentioned my forestry professor friend, who is about the same height as I am but uses a shorter/thinner handle on his double-bitted felling axe. I noted that just to illustrate that even between people of about the same height and strength, personal preferences on handle length sometimes vary for no particular reason. As a result, it might be worth borrowing a couple friends' felling axes and seeing how you like various handle lengths.

Shortening a handle is somewhat problematic if it is slightly curved. GB used to periodically do a limited run of American Felling axes with straight handles, rather than the slightly curved handles that you see on most axes/hatchets. I don't know how long those straight handles came from the shop. However, if you like the straight handle and could get it in 35", you'd have the option of shortening it to your personal taste without fouling up its grip geometry (as you might if you tried to shorten a curved handle).

Some axe experts greatly prefer straight handles on single bit felling axes but I've never had a problem with the slightly curved handles so I can't offer an opinion one way or the other on that subject.

DancesWithKnives
 
I think I am going with the 35"curved. If it doesn't suit me, but I love the axe profile and find the weight/size usefull, then I can always sell it and get the
31" curved or straight.
 
Junkyard said:
I've been wanting to get one for a while now too. I'm trying to decide if I should get the 31" or the 35". I have a Scandinavian Forest Axe, and a Double Bit Felling Axe, so I am leaning towards the 31".
I'd love to hear some input.
Thanks,
Jason
Click to expand...

Jason,
If you have the Sfa go with the 35" . It was hard to decide which one to buy. I was lucky because I could handle the whole Gransfors product line .

Jozsef
 
mrappraisit said:
I think I am going with the 35"curved. If it doesn't suit me, but I love the axe profile and find the weight/size usefull, then I can always sell it and get the
31" curved or straight.
Click to expand...

I didn't like the feel of the strait handle.

Jozsef
 
I have GB's Bearded Axe With Eye-Socket (from the Ancient Axes collection). It has a straight handle. I've used it a few times and the handle felt OK to me. However, I also get along just fine with the slightly curved handles so I wouldn't go out of my way to get a straight handle. But that's just my personal reaction.

DancesWithKnives
 
Thanks guys. Seeing as I'm 6'3" tall and I'll probably be doing a little of everything, I'm going to go with the 35".

Thanks again.
Jason
 
I'm still on the fence. I think the 31" may be a little easier to control in the begining, but I have a feeling eventually I will want the 35". Especially when you think about the fact that it's a 3.3# razor sharp tool being hurled at wood, the farther from my shins the better. I'll be getting the curved handle for sure, I cannot imagine using a straight handle of either of those lengths.

I think I will order one today and hopefully get it in time for a Mogollon Rim trip next weekend.

Thanks for all the feedback and advice guys, much appreciated!!
 
Yes, I've certainly heard a lot of folks say that the longer handles are safer. For me, it's mainly a matter of setting up in a safe position/stance. However, I feel that I personally get more axe head speed and a deeper bite with the longer handle (all other things being equal).

DancesWithKnives
 
Just ordered the 35" from Japan Woodworker. That's more than I have ever spent on anything with an edge:eek::eek::D

They were helpfull over the phone and they promised to have one of the "tool techs" choose an axe with a perfect grain, no knots etc... not like GB puts many of those out but you never know.

Hopefully I will get it before Fri. A.M. when I am headed north for some camping, if I do I will snap some pics.
 
Excellent! I've done some backpacking on Mogollon Rim trails and it is a pretty area. We saw deer, elk, and even one black bear. I heard there are some wild turkey in there too.

DancesWithKnives
 
i thought i would bump this and maybe get some feedback.
i'm going to order the GB american felling axe but am having a hard time deciding on handle length and straight or curved. i've used my double bit extensively w/a 35" handle and have had no problems. however, i was wanting something in between my forest axe and the double bit. i will be using it to fell trees for stove wood, so it will be used alot.
straight or curved? i enjoy both, but through my research, it seems that many folks prefer the straight handle on the single bit felling axe.
i'm really leaning toward the 31" straight handle. btw; i'm 5' 8" and 175Lbs.
any advice would be appreciated. thanks...
 
Condor actually makes a double bit chopping/splitting axe, check out there site, their axes have been getting well reviewed.
 
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