GB French trade Axe - large pics

M

Moff8

Joined
Apr 14, 2004
Messages
342
I was out chopping this weekend and comparing my French trade hawk with my kukri. I haven't really tried before because the hawk head would come loose after a few chops and it was driving me nuts. After reading some of the threads about fitting handles I got a good fit and I could chop fine but as soon as I took a throw the head came loose again.

can some of you guys that know about forging have a look at these pictures and let me know if the eye is OK, for me it looks out of allignment and misshapen.

ps
sorry for the pic of the ugly thumb nail, I got it torn off in a fight and it never grew back quite right.

IMG_0032_edited.jpg


IMG_0034_edited.jpg


IMG_0036_edited.jpg
 
It looks really crooked, i would smooth it out with a dremel, take all the high spots out, and then mate the handle to the axe, untill you get a nice fit.
 
Oh my! $300+! I would agree with Mongo-man on virtually any other hawk, but if you void your warranty on this one you may be less happy than if you sent it back with your complaints. I am a big fan of Gransfors-Bruks, but I would not for a minute tolerate this kind of performance from something I paid more than $300 for. I think the wisest thing to do in this case would be to send it in for a replacement.
 
OMG thats worth $300? not familiar with the brand.
 
Moff8 said:
I was out chopping this weekend and comparing my French trade hawk with my kukri. I haven't really tried before because the hawk head would come loose after a few chops and it was driving me nuts. After reading some of the threads about fitting handles I got a good fit and I could chop fine but as soon as I took a throw the head came loose again.

can some of you guys that know about forging have a look at these pictures and let me know if the eye is OK, for me it looks out of allignment and misshapen.

ps
sorry for the pic of the ugly thumb nail, I got it torn off in a fight and it never grew back quite right.

IMG_0032_edited.jpg


IMG_0034_edited.jpg


IMG_0036_edited.jpg
Click to expand...
Oval hole's with no taper are just SAD,dated a girl like that one time,heat the skirt's up with a torch until spit boils's on it then start slammin it on to a new handle when the burning stop's you'll have a good tight fit,then you can drill a hole thru it and put a roll pin in it or pop it off and use 2 part epoxy between the head and the burnt portion where the head seated itself (but then it's only temporary just like life)I abuse every Tomahwk i sell before i sell it as well as the handle's:thumbup:
 
There is a taper (middle picture is almost straight on) but the eye looks wrong - squint even and for what I paid I think I will see if GB will replace it.

Sent an email with pics yesterday evening and I will wait for a reply.

thanks all
 
I'd also send it back.

The prices on the Gransfors hawks are MUCH higher than on their axes and for that kind of money, they ought to be better.

DancesWithKnives
 
wow i didn't realise that it cost 300$!!! :eek:
For that kind of money they should send you a perfect one IMHO.
Prob one that slipped thru Q.C.

Send it back.
 
As it was the only hawk I am ever likely to be allowed to purchase by SWMBO I decided to get the best I could afford. And I really liked the head shape. Nowadays I would know better and got it made.

To be fair it takes a great edge and makes a lovely singing tone when it cuts.

GB have been in touch and are looking into it for me.
 
300 $ .... ? Should buy you something absolute perfect and can buy you a custom made personalized hawk :)
 
300 is a lot to pay for that particular head. Looks to rough in quality for that kind of moolah. Track of teh Wolf has the same style heads for about $50
 
just an update - GB were very quick to reply and said there is nothing wrong with the head (??) but after I pointed out the opinions of other makers they have agreed they will replace it under warranty. Although I will have to wait 6 months - it has sat in a drawer for the last 4 years so maybe it is not that long to get a decent one.

or

I can take credit for what I paid for the item back then.

I will probably take the replacement (as what I paid back then would not cover the cost of a new one and I can't remember exactly what I paid) and push to see if I can get it sooner than 6 months.

Thanks all for your advice and expert opinion. It really helped when I went back to them after their first reply.
 
Moff8,

I heard that Gransfors just had a big shipment come in recently and the less common items were undoubtedly already spoken for. So, unfortunately, it sounds like you're stuck waiting for the next boat. I'm glad to hear that they agreed to replace your item.

DancesWithKnives
 
i would venture to say GB said there is nothing wrong with it because in my experience most forged hawks including the CS heads have a twist to them. maybe not as bad as that but i'm sure it will still perform imo.
 
Mongo-man said:
wow i didn't realise that it cost 300$!!! :eek:
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Yeah, $300 for this is madness
GB forestry line is very good for money, but their historical line is really overpriced.
I hear all their "non typical" line is done by Lars Enander so it could be considered custom, yet it is too expensive for what it is (particularly for the tomahawks, price seems more acceptable for more "spectacular" historic ones).

I have French trade axe, but only got it because I scored it for $100 on the e(vil) bay.
The handle doesn't fit well if at all. Sometimes wonder if it isn't an historical feature: you're supposed to fit some green wood handle from the field in it. Anyway it is annoying.
 
Ravaillac said:
Yeah, $300 for this is madness
GB forestry line is very good for money, but their historical line is really overpriced.
I hear all their "non typical" line is done by Lars Enander so it could be considered custom, yet it is too expensive for what it is (particularly for the tomahawks, price seems more acceptable for more "spectacular" historic ones).

I have French trade axe, but only got it because I scored it for $100 on the e(vil) bay.
The handle doesn't fit well if at all. Sometimes wonder if it isn't an historical feature: you're supposed to fit some green wood handle from the field in it. Anyway it is annoying.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear you have had the same experience I did. When you buy GB you expect quality and when it doesn't live up to what you thought - you start to wonder if it just you being too picky.
 
Thats ashame, with how good their heads are and the price you would think they'd work on the fit and press it in
 
Moff8 said:
just an update - GB were very quick to reply and said there is nothing wrong with the head (??) but after I pointed out the opinions of other makers they have agreed they will replace it under warranty. Although I will have to wait 6 months - it has sat in a drawer for the last 4 years so maybe it is not that long to get a decent one.

or

I can take credit for what I paid for the item back then.

I will probably take the replacement (as what I paid back then would not cover the cost of a new one and I can't remember exactly what I paid) and push to see if I can get it sooner than 6 months.

Thanks all for your advice and expert opinion. It really helped when I went back to them after their first reply.
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I would take the refund and have one of the fine makers here make you one. For $300 your choice here are wide open. I have been bitten by the Hawk Bug, and let me just say, I have a long list of different pcs. from different makers on BF. More than enough to keep me busy for a long while!
 
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