Care For New Wetterlings Forest Axe

B

B.F.U

Joined
Jan 1, 2013
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I was recently given a Wetterling Forest Axe. I treated the handle with a beeswax and lemon oil and the head with hoppes oil. I was told by my brother (who has a Gransfors Bruks splitter and feller) that linseed oil would have been better for the handle and chainsaw oil would have been better for the head. What are your preferences in such matters?

Also, I noticed that my axe is very similar to the forest axe (or hatchet, I can't remember) made by GB. I read that they are owned by the same person, but separate. Is it just a design similarity? I do notice a difference in quality.

Thanks

ALLHSS
 
They used to be separate companies but a couple of years ago Gransfors absorbed Wetterlings who was going through some bad times. There is a noticeable quality difference between the two brands. It seems to be less now as Gransfors seems to have improved the Wetterlings line. Of course they also raised the prices too.

As for treating the axe head If yours is not rusting then it is doing it's job just fine. I myself use carnauba car wax, the old yellow paste wax we all used to use a million years ago. It works great for me. I use boiled linseed oil myself but beeswax and lemon oil should work just fine I would think.
 
Lemon oil is great for guitar fret boards, as long as you wipe it off right away. It soaks in fast and can lift up the frets, and it sticks around a while. I find that linseed oil creates a better "feel" for axe handles, it doesn't cure like a poly, but it's neither grippy nor slick, just in between. Slick enough to slide your hand up the haft, but tighten your grip and you're locked in, yet it doesn't cause blisters.
 
Thanks for the great posts! I agree, it hasn't rusted or filled and is working great. I am extremely pleased with it.

As for the linseed oil I think I will use it next time. The lemon and beeswax worked okay, but compared to the feel of the handle of my brothers gb isn't as comfortable. Of course that could be a quality issue, but I think they are the same wood, and it could be that more use has naturally smoothed his handle.
 
You are right, gransfors bruks and Wetterlings are owned by the same guy, but remain separate companies.

I use boiled linseed oil on mine and had great results with it.
 
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