Can't decide which axe

S

Sam Hell

Joined
Jan 7, 2012
Messages
552
Which would be best and most reliable? The cold steel trail hawk or the Gransfors bruk? Does anyone have either or both and what is the positives and negatives of both.
 
The GB would be considered the "best" and most reliable of the two. With a trail hawk you get a lot of bang for your buck, but as far as a bush tool, it wouldn't be ranked anywhere near the top of the list. Not saying it wouldn't get the job done eventually, but a GB axe of the same size would chop much more efficiently.
 
This is apples and oranges here. The Cold Steel trail hawk is a low end tomahawk and Gransfors Bruks makes high quality axes and hatchets. There is not much to compare here.
 
Never had the cold steel but did have a 'hawk briefly. I got rid of my extra hatchets and such tyring to pare things down- kept my small Fiskars,my GB SFA & 3/4 Double bit axe.

Bill
 
Can I jump in here, with a similar question?

I am also looking at axes, but am considering the same tools mentioned in the opening post, as well as the Condor Took and Knife axes.

Anyone have experience with Condor's axes? How do you think they compare to Gransfors's?

I have handled Gransfors, and really liked their feel, but have not handled Condor's, or used either.

I am looking for smaller/midsized ax/hatchet for my work truck.
I currently carry a Cold Steel Kukri, Special forces shovel, Pulaski, full sized shovel and a Fiskers folding saw. I thought a smaller ax would nicely round things out.

Thanks,
Brome
 
i have no first hand experience with the cold steel or condor hawks/axes so i'm not chiming in...however, i do find this gransfors bruks video informative:

[youtube]E89nlVmPeeU[/youtube]
 
The GB will be better quality, for sure. But a Hawk and an axe are two different things...
 
There's no question between the two. Personal opinion,, I don't think the trail hawk is a very efficient tool at all. Kinda fun for throwing, but it's too light and the bit isn't wide enough to be a real effective feller. If you like hawks though, check out the HB Forge Shawnee.

If you do decide on a dedicated axe, there are a few brands worth checking out.
Barco/Kelly, Husqvarna, Hultafors, SA Wetterlings, Sandvik/Bahco, and Council Tool all make very reputable retailed axes at a price point significantly lower than GB. You can buy a USA made Kelly Woodslasher boy's axe, a Bahco or a Council Tool Hudson Bay all in the 40 dollar price range. If you want to get more in depth, hit the Axe and Tomahawk subforum-tons of incredible information on there.
 
You can't deny the quality of a GB axe. As stated above, it's apples and oranges. Aside from having only two inches or so of cutting edge, you'll have to re-work the grind of the Trail Hawk as even when sharpened, it is pretty steep and short. It does have the advantage of removing the handle for transport and for using the head Ulu style. If you plan on throwing it the get the CS. For sheer bite and efficiency, between the two, the GB is the better choice. However, other than the American Felling Axe (and obviously the splitter), most GB's are ground for chopping on conifers (i.e. softer wood), depending on where you plan on using it, if you have more hardwoods, you may do better with what Payette recomends. Currently I am very impressed with the Cold Steel Trail Boss. Cruiser size but man can it work.
 
I'll second the Trail Boss, I got mine early this week. Took a Puck to it and it's good to go... it's a worker for 20 dollars-no ifs, ands or buts about it.
 
What work are you planning on doing with them? How are you transporting them? How will you maintain them? All questions that need to be answered before I can give a proper recommendation. I have used a hawk in the winter in Canada camping- but I wasn't splitting, I pushed down some standing dead birch and used the hawk to limb and section. At these tasks my hawk was more than effective, and it was the only chopper I used in a 4 day hunting trip. It carried well, was light and unobtrusive stuck through my waist belt outside of my coat, and was a lot of fun to use. Conversely I love to chop wood so a large axe is my usual preference. Using the two are night and day as well. When cutting through something with the hawk I use a beaver type of stroke- many quick chip removing hits, versus powering through as I would with an axe.
 
For hunting and chopping wood alltogether...mineral oil on the blade...linseed on the wood.....with a belt holster.
 
I've had a few hawks and never really liked the way they worked.

I may be in the minority here but for backpacking and extended carry I like something with a wide bit but a short handle and then a VERY sharp edge that makes up for the shorter handle.

GB are killer axes. A bit too heavy for my pack but I think the GB Wildlife hatchet out classes any hatchet in it's size range.

I have a mini I like and use quite a bit although with the light weight you have to use sort of a whipping technique to get the most out of it but it's ideal for light carry.
 
I like GB products.

Kind of settled on this GB Hawk for winter. Lots of meat behind the edge and a thick mid-section before the eye.

LMT4065.jpg
 
I have a CS Trailhawk and a GB Small Forest Axe. Both are fun in the woods, but the GB is the best I have ever used.
 
LMT66 said:
I like GB products.

Kind of settled on this GB Hawk for winter. Lots of meat behind the edge and a thick mid-section before the eye.

LMT4065.jpg
Click to expand...

Do you have a link to that hawk? Any close ups of the profile of the head (top down view) ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top