FBM vs Gransfors SFA?

LostInN1

LostInN1

Joined
Oct 3, 2005
Messages
16
Hi, can anyone here rate the chopping power of an FBM CG against a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe? I presume the FBM can take the Wildlife Hatchet, but not sure about the SFA.

I'm trying to evaluate which tool would best accompany a small fixed blade (3-5 in.) and a Laplander folding saw on an extended backcountry outing.

Intended use would be to fell dead standing trees (6-12" diameter), split wood, etc.

Thanks,
Lost
 
LostInN1 said:
Hi, can anyone here rate the chopping power of an FBM CG against a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe? I presume the FBM can take the Wildlife Hatchet, but not sure about the SFA.

I'm trying to evaluate which tool would best accompany a small fixed blade (3-5 in.) and a Laplander folding saw on an extended backcountry outing.

Intended use would be to fell dead standing trees (6-12" diameter), split wood, etc.

Thanks,
Lost
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I have several hatchets, including a gransforks, gerber and a few others. I was out there this morning chopping wood and took the hatchets thinking that they would be better for the job. But because of how large the logs were, I ended up using the FBM with my bowling pin to batton through the logs and split them. I tried that with the hatchets but it is too difficult unless the wood is very dry and splits easily. Wet wood is nearly impossible with the hatchet to split. As for chopping I prefer the large blade, but that is my preference. I think a good hatchet that is well sharpened should hold it's own pretty well. Hatchets bind less in wood but they dull fast and long term chopping is poor in my experience.
 
chopping like how? I have used both my FBM and SFA to fell mediocre trees and the axe whips it. As far as splitting logs? I could batton the FBM easier. Axes were made for chopping and my GB outchopps all my knives...and isnt that what they were made for? I am not slighting the FBM I love it, but it wont keep up with my SFA for chopping.
 
Barrabas74 makes the point here that is really important. A hatchet/axe is intended primarily for splitting with the grain and a knife like what generally is pitted against them are designed for cutting/chopping through the grain. I feel these knife vs. hatchet/axe questions would be more accurate in comparing weight vs. usage. The minimalist mindset is great in it's intent, and believe me, I understand the need for carrying less weight. But, if you believe the need to chop and split enough to need a prime tool, then take both. I laugh to myself when people scoff at carrying multiple cutting implements. To each their own. I say take/use them both. (opinionated rambling mode off);)
 
Well, here is the deal. As I have mentioned in the past I use to chop 1 to 2 cords of wood every winter. I use to use all matter of hatchets, axes, khukuris and big blades. Here is what would happen typically. In the short run the hatchets had an advantage, though not great over large blades. However, within the hour I had to switch out or stop and resharpn the hatchets as blunting was a big problem. Even the sharpest hatchets would blunt much faster than a knife and would take longer to sharpen. I could go easily 4 times longer with a blade than the best hatchets I tried. Khukuris were also better than hatchets in this regard not so much due to lasting longer in the edge but more so because they had more edge to use.

If you only have to chop for 10-20 minute then the difference is negigeable. However, if you have to chop for hours at a time the blades worked better and when it came to batoning there was no comparison, I could split wood faster with a blade and bowling pin than the same pin and a hatchet.

This is my mileage, yours may vary. I also only used one type of blade and it literally became an extension of my hand.
 
Guyon said:
Which blade?
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115_1599.jpg
 
Cobalt, when you are chopping with the knife, is the wood ever splitting on impact without using baton? What species of wood and what sizes? There is a part of me that really, really wants to be sold on this method. I would love to rationalize a FBM so bad, but having used hatchets most of my life, it's a hard sell. I would also love to have less wear and tear on my hands right now. My HH is the kindling splitter from hell, if I could put a FBM through a round of some of the smaller Fir, Alder and Madrona, I'd be happy to put away a hatchet or 2. But some of the Fir and Cedar that dropped here in the last couple years is rather large and difficult even for a maul.
 
mymindisamob said:
Cobalt, when you are chopping with the knife, is the wood ever splitting on impact without using baton? What species of wood and what sizes? There is a part of me that really, really wants to be sold on this method. I would love to rationalize a FBM so bad, but having used hatchets most of my life, it's a hard sell. I would also love to have less wear and tear on my hands right now. My HH is the kindling splitter from hell, if I could put a FBM through a round of some of the smaller Fir, Alder and Madrona, I'd be happy to put away a hatchet or 2. But some of the Fir and Cedar that dropped here in the last couple years is rather large and difficult even for a maul.
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I would too, as my axe as far as chopping just by the dynamics of it outchops my knifes(Long handle, heavy head, greater force). I have not had an issue with my GB and edge retention, its bit stays sharp for a long time and its been that way for all my GB's. I have one of thier splitting mauls and its edge has held up great.

I am not saying your wrong Cobalt, but I have split wood for hours at a time(when they drop a stack in your yard you gotsta get rid of it), and I usually help my uncle and Grandparents split a cord or 2 per winter, and a knife has never seemed like an "better" option and I have tried them. Do you have any pics of your method?
 
Evolute said:
A FBM can easily be made into a pole axe which will work as effectively as a GB SFA.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209202&highlight=polearm

A GB SFA cannot easily be made to replicate the versatility of a FBM.

Mike
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I do want to see pics of this, the weight of the head still wouldnt compare. I will try this, I am not saying it cant be done or that it wont work till I have tried it. I am very skeptical however. I am not disagreeing witht he FBM's versatility, thats not what is under question here at all, its just about the chopping ability comparativley. I would take the FBM over an axe for versatility for sure even though I keep my axes almost shaving sharp.
 
"I do want to see pics of this, the weight of the head still wouldnt compare."

But you can make the handle longer, for greater leverage.
 
Evolute said:
"I do want to see pics of this, the weight of the head still wouldnt compare."

But you can make the handle longer, for better leverage.
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Ok, that makes sense. I will try it, got some wood layin around and it aint been to cold here in the MD region. Wont nock it till I try it.:thumbup:
 
What's all this getting along and being civil crap? This has not been blown out of proportion or become unproductive enough to come to a conclusion! You guys sharing realistic information and you guys giving the benefit of a doubt, and with no derogatory comments until seeing the outcome of a real comparison. What Next? Credibility? Belief? Conversion? MORE INFI? sorry, a ? does not belong on the last one.
;) :D ;) :D

In all seriousness, thanks guys! I look forward to seeing and hearing some results. I have to get the wife to vid some use of my INFI. :thumbup:
 
mymindisamob said:
What's all this getting along and being civil crap? This has not been blown out of proportion or become unproductive enough to come to a conclusion! You guys sharing realistic information and you guys giving the benefit of a doubt, and with no derogatory comments until seeing the outcome of a real comparison. What Next? Credibility? Belief? Conversion? MORE INFI? sorry, a ? does not belong on the last one.
;) :D ;) :D

In all seriousness, thanks guys! I look forward to seeing and hearing some results. I have to get the wife to vid some use of my INFI. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

:D I am tired of all the arguing going on frankly and I see enough of it between Noss4 and everyone else to last me a while. Credibility? Belief? Conversion? My god man your talking about people ACCEPTING things....we all know how that goes.

Yeah I cant wait to try it, it'll probably be next weekend as I have a long work week ahead of me but I'll get er done. Besides there aint much that more fun than finding another use for my INFI. :D :thumbup:
 
Barrabas, I agree that a large axe is impossible to beat in the same manner that a 22 inch khkuri is. however, I am specifically speaking of small hatchets the size and heft of my knife. I do this for fun not work. I am so much more comfortable with a knife that it seems easier to me. But there are many more people that aremore confortable wth hatchets to do that. I can get a 6-8 inch diameter tree about 25 feet tall chop it down, strip it and cut it up in faster time than a similarly sized hatchet.

It's no wrong on your side or mine, I think it comes down to preference of use. I was not arguing with you or anyone else, just explainng how it works for me. I have never been cofortable using hatchets, large axes, yes, but they are big and cumbersome to carry daity.

Again if you are use to using a hatchet then a knife may not feel right.

Hey, how about a 2x6 cutting competition between an FBM and a similarly sized hatchet. That would be cool.
 
barrabas74 said:
chopping like how? I have used both my FBM and SFA to fell mediocre trees and the axe whips it. As far as splitting logs? I could batton the FBM easier. Axes were made for chopping and my GB outchopps all my knives...and isnt that what they were made for? I am not slighting the FBM I love it, but it wont keep up with my SFA for chopping.
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Ok, my mistake here. I just looked at the SFA and that is not the one I used. I don't even own an SFA. That looks like it would dust my BM. But then again it is nearly 20 inches long:confused: compared to the BM's 15 inches.
 
Cobalt said:
Ok, my mistake here. I just looked at the SFA and that is not the one I used. I don't even own an SFA. That looks like it would dust my BM. But then again it is nearly 20 inches long:confused: compared to the BM's 15 inches.
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Hay its all good, still would be cool to test, I have a huntsmans axe to compare with the FBM as well as some others(Wetterlings). This thread has brought up some interesting points including the Pole Axe which I never considered making the FBM into. I am not a video person but I could def take pics and write down results, I would like to compare all 3 in a basic run through.
 
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