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fiskars and wetterlings
- Thread starter siguy
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2004
- Messages
- 1,011
I own a variety of Gransfors, Wetterlings, Fiskar's, Ox-Head, and many, many old (beautifully made) hand-forged U.S.A, Swedish, Canadian, etc., made axes that have been forgotten about over the years. Though I mostly use chainsaws in my own woods these days for logging and clearing, I still swing an axe around camp and in the woodshed on building projects. Depending on what I am doing, I will use Kentucky, Hudson Bay, Michigan Single-Bits, and a few specialized axes made for woodworking, skinning, etc.
After swinging and studying axes for 45-years plus (some collecting), I have noticed a few things that work well for me personally. I almost never purchase an axe through the mail since even the same models can have very different characteristics and quality issues. A friend of mine sold the entire Gransfors and Wetterlings line at one time in his store. Because of poor quality issues, he had to send several back to his supplier on occasion. Some dealers would have just sold them to the public since they, the dealer, wouldn't know a good axe from a bad hammer. I would often go through his stock and keep the very best ones for myself. IIRC, I purchased a couple of my Gransfors and an Ox-Head through the mail and did alright. I remember two Wetterlings and one Gransfors that went back to the mail order dealer because of poor quality.
Regarding the axe sizes being used in the review here: I have the 19" Gransfors Small Forest Axe, the 19" Wetterlings XL Hunters Axe, and the Gerber (Fiskar's) 18" Camp Axe (?). Comparing the 18" Fiskar's, 19" Gransfors, and the 19" Wetterlings on the chopping block, the Wetterlings wins every time (hard and soft woods) . When comparing these axes at splitting, because of its obviously wedge-like thicker blade, the Fiskar's wins every time. The Gransfors Small Forest Axe, because of its thinner blade, will cut deeper than the other two, but it has the tendency to stick much of the time too (wood collapses on the thin cheeks). I have used several of the Small Forest Axes (I make sheaths for them!) and they all chop about the same as supplied from the factory. I might add: I have had several of my axe savvy friends (farmers, ranchers), students, professional loggers, etc., here on the ranch, use these same axes and get the same results. We just all agree, if the Wetterlings is well-made, properly sharpened, it is the better all-around axe of the three.
Few people in these modern days stand in the woods and chop wood all day, so perhaps some of the things I mentioned are not that important to the average Joe. I see few axes in the woods these days that are even properly sharpened! If that is the case, it wouldn't matter which axe a guy decided to buy. Here on BF, we just expect better use and maintenance of the equipment we purchase. Things like axe handle bellies, shoulders, butts or polls, are preferences that could go on and on in conversation, too.
After swinging and studying axes for 45-years plus (some collecting), I have noticed a few things that work well for me personally. I almost never purchase an axe through the mail since even the same models can have very different characteristics and quality issues. A friend of mine sold the entire Gransfors and Wetterlings line at one time in his store. Because of poor quality issues, he had to send several back to his supplier on occasion. Some dealers would have just sold them to the public since they, the dealer, wouldn't know a good axe from a bad hammer. I would often go through his stock and keep the very best ones for myself. IIRC, I purchased a couple of my Gransfors and an Ox-Head through the mail and did alright. I remember two Wetterlings and one Gransfors that went back to the mail order dealer because of poor quality.
Regarding the axe sizes being used in the review here: I have the 19" Gransfors Small Forest Axe, the 19" Wetterlings XL Hunters Axe, and the Gerber (Fiskar's) 18" Camp Axe (?). Comparing the 18" Fiskar's, 19" Gransfors, and the 19" Wetterlings on the chopping block, the Wetterlings wins every time (hard and soft woods) . When comparing these axes at splitting, because of its obviously wedge-like thicker blade, the Fiskar's wins every time. The Gransfors Small Forest Axe, because of its thinner blade, will cut deeper than the other two, but it has the tendency to stick much of the time too (wood collapses on the thin cheeks). I have used several of the Small Forest Axes (I make sheaths for them!) and they all chop about the same as supplied from the factory. I might add: I have had several of my axe savvy friends (farmers, ranchers), students, professional loggers, etc., here on the ranch, use these same axes and get the same results. We just all agree, if the Wetterlings is well-made, properly sharpened, it is the better all-around axe of the three.
Few people in these modern days stand in the woods and chop wood all day, so perhaps some of the things I mentioned are not that important to the average Joe. I see few axes in the woods these days that are even properly sharpened! If that is the case, it wouldn't matter which axe a guy decided to buy. Here on BF, we just expect better use and maintenance of the equipment we purchase. Things like axe handle bellies, shoulders, butts or polls, are preferences that could go on and on in conversation, too.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2005
- Messages
- 3,516
My GB sfa was lost by the airline on the way home (the rubbermaid bin cracked in the worst possible way, and of course it never turned up.) 100+ bucks down the drain there, but I am really considering a wetterlings as a replacement, mostly because my dad just got a belt grinder which I love playing with.
I also just got a fiscars, the biggest one that's not a splitter and it chops very well, I was quite pleased with it, but I am a bit nervous about how insubstantial the hollow handle feels.
I also just got a fiscars, the biggest one that's not a splitter and it chops very well, I was quite pleased with it, but I am a bit nervous about how insubstantial the hollow handle feels.
I just used my Fiskar's super splitting axe today for the first time...it worked quite well. It's definitely easier than lifting my old 20 pound maul. Quick question for
Dannyboy Leather...if you dont recommend buying them online what sort of places might have the better brands like the mentioned wetterlings, GB's, etc?
Dannyboy Leather...if you dont recommend buying them online what sort of places might have the better brands like the mentioned wetterlings, GB's, etc?
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2004
- Messages
- 1,011
First, I realize that in some locations mail order is going to be the only option available for some folks if they want the better brands. If I go mail order, I usually try to deal with woodworking tool suppliers (or logging supplies) who supply tools to professional craftsmen and trades people who fully expect and demand the better tools. Most of the woodworking tool suppliers in my area know their product line well since they use the tools themselves in their woodworking classes and seminars. If for some reason I see something I don't like about my new handmade axe, I send it back to the dealer for a costly refund. I find that I rarely have to do this if the employee on the other end of the phone is an experienced craftsman (not a minimum wage employee) and fully understands what I want from the git-go. Rather than placing an on-line order, I use the phone and talk with a name that can be held accountable if I am not completely satisfied. I purchased my last Gransfors from Woodcraft.com. After sorting through 6 broad axes at the store, I finally found one that I sort of liked -- the same axe the employee picked out in the beginning so I could have saved myself a 2-hour drive.
I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a Fiskar's on-line since they are pretty much stamped out and lack personality.hey dougo, thanks a lot. I checked the site but unfortunately there are no fiskars dealers down here in Brazil. I`ll buy the gerber sport axe from dave at the defenseknife online store.he ships internationally and very fast. just bought a fallkniven A1 from him.
thanks again!
Hector.