GB, Wetterling, Fiskars. Any real difference?

Troop

Troop

Joined
Oct 26, 2006
Messages
2,898
Hope I'm not being a traitor to the knife community, but, even though I now make and use large "chopper" knives, I just can't for the life of me deny that, for me, axes are the way to go for chopping. Yes, I know that large knives are more versatile, but for chopping, I like axes.
So, to the heart of the matter. I know that GB makes a great product. But, pricey! Any real difference between GB, Wetterling, or Fiskars? I mean, besides the name and legend (GB), any real difference?
- Thanks.
 
I have no experience with Fiskars.

GB has a better edge on them and fit and finish are better out of the box.
 
hollowdweller said:
I have no experience with Fiskars.

GB has a better edge on them and fit and finish are better out of the box.
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Thanks for the reply, brother. Seems like a big price difference between the other two, must be for a reason, right? Which model to you like the best? I'd like to be able to wear it on my belt, as well as putting it inside a pack, but I don't want the axe too small so that I lose all the mechanical advantage of having an axe.
 
No experience with the Fiskars but the difference between the Wetterlings and the GB is like night and day. The fit and finish of the Wetterlings is sketchy at best. The grinds can be all over the place and I mean ALL OVER, like ground in dents, assymmetric to the point were you want to call the grind a chisel grind, different grinds top and bottom.... How well the axe is hung is also partly a matter of luck. In comparison, the GB are pretty much flawless. How well they are hung is still a matter of some luck as they are forged not cast. Once you put in some work though, the Wetterlings can become a most excellent tool. Since I don't have a belt grinder it took me about 1-2 hours till I had my Wetterlings where I was happy. So you really have to really do a hard calculation: If you are the tinkering person, the Wetterlings will offer a lot of savings that is well worth it. If you want something that is satisfying out of the box, the savings of the Wetterlings over the GB is not going to make you happy.

I know a lot of people don't like to hear this, but on hard targets a $20 Wetterlings will outperform a several hundred $ chopping knife without breathing hard. That is just a fact. On soft target (one that is light or flexible enough to move when you hit it, like a thin branch), though, a good, fast blade can easily pull ahead.
 
HoB said:
No experience with the Fiskars but the difference between the Wetterlings and the GB is like night and day. The fit and finish of the Wetterlings is sketchy at best. The grinds can be all over the place and I mean ALL OVER, like ground in dents, assymmetric to the point were you want to call the grind a chisel grind, different grinds top and bottom.... How well the axe is hung is also partly a matter of luck. In comparison, the GB are pretty much flawless. How well they are hung is still a matter of some luck as they are forged not cast. Once you put in some work though, the Wetterlings can become a most excellent tool. Since I don't have a belt grinder it took me about 1-2 hours till I had my Wetterlings where I was happy. So you really have to really do a hard calculation: If you are the tinkering person, the Wetterlings will offer a lot of savings that is well worth it. If you want something that is satisfying out of the box, the savings of the Wetterlings over the GB is not going to make you happy.

I know a lot of people don't like to hear this, but on hard targets a $20 Wetterlings will outperform a several hundred $ chopping knife without breathing hard. That is just a fact. On soft target (one that is light or flexible enough to move when you hit it, like a thin branch), though, a good, fast blade can easily pull ahead.
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If it's just a matter of the grind being off, I can fix that sure enough. Is there anything more? I mean, I'm not up on my axe terminology at all, but, what about the "hole" in the head where the handle fits up into? Do they finish that on the Wetterling smoothly?
-Thanks
 
How come nobody has any experience with Fiskars? Is there bad "Ju-Ju" associated with it? Like with Cold Steel?
- Thanks
 
Hard to beat Fiskars for value. I'll recommend it. It comes ready to use off the shelf, has a easy to maintain profile, is durable and efficient for it's size. If you do manage to break or lose it somehow, it won't break your heart as if it were a GB.
 
Troop said:
How come nobody has any experience with Fiskars? Is there bad "Ju-Ju" associated with it? Like with Cold Steel?
- Thanks
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Troop if you do a search here in W&S you will find plenty of people that have posted favorable experiences with the Fiskars. I have used one, and it's a good axe for the $$$. Grind is a bit thick, so for splitting it works very well. However for carving, and smaller tasks it isn't anywhere near as good as a GB, or Wetterlings.

I have both GB, and Wetterlings. To be honest, I like my Wetterlings medium hunter the best. It's just a little thicker that the GB, and being that it's half the cost, I don't worry about it as much.
 
tarmix101 said:
Troop if you do a search here in W&S you will find plenty of people that have posted favorable experiences with the Fiskars. I have used one, and it's a good axe for the $$$. Grind is a bit thick, so for splitting it works very well. However for carving, and smaller tasks it isn't anywhere near as good as a GB, or Wetterlings.

I have both GB, and Wetterlings. To be honest, I like my Wetterlings medium hunter the best. It's just a little thicker that the GB, and being that it's half the cost, I don't worry about it as much.
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With the "medium hunter", is the handle long enough so that you can really "haul off" with that thing? - Thanks....I hate the search function; it's so darn picky!:mad:
 
I've got a good bit of experience with the Fiskar's hatchet, it's great stuff! It's one of those items that's worth several times what you pay for it. I've always found it's one of the most valuable camp tools that I have.

The weight and balance are great, and the edge is easy to make shaving-sharp (whatever that's worth). It does a good job chopping, and is comfortable to choke up on for controlled chops or carves.

The only competition to this in my 'gear room' is a new KaBar Heavy Bowie, and I've yet to really put it through its paces. After school, though, I'll give 'em both a good run and see if one comes out a clear winner.

I don't have much experience with the GB's or Wetterlings, except all the things I've read. I don't think I've ever heard a bad word about either!

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shecky said:
Hard to beat Fiskars for value. I'll recommend it. It comes ready to use off the shelf, has a easy to maintain profile, is durable and efficient for it's size. If you do manage to break or lose it somehow, it won't break your heart as if it were a GB.
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The fiskars only has that small little strap of plastic securing the head to the handle. If I was way out "in the back", I don't know if I'd trust that thing.
- Thanks
 
Well, GBs are certainly prettier than Fiskars models, and work better if you intend to use the axe for knifelike duties. Can't beat the Fiskars for the price or durability, though. They're what I use. Not my only axes/hatchets, but light and durable, and cheap as hell, so I can do whatever I feel like with them.
 
Troop said:
The fiskars only has that small little strap of plastic securing the head to the handle. If I was way out "in the back", I don't know if I'd trust that thing.
- Thanks
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It's not clear how small it is, or if it's even relevant. I can't recall anyone complaining about the lack of durability of the Fiskars, and that includes some pretty heavy users.
 
shecky said:
It's not clear how small it is, or if it's even relevant. I can't recall anyone complaining about the lack of durability of the Fiskars, and that includes some pretty heavy users.
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Thanks, Shecky. Looks like a pretty good bang for the buck. :thumbup:
 
What HoB said, word for word. I had a GB mini that was a pocket chainsaw but wanted something a bit bigger. Bought a Wetterling 12" model for maybe $35 and it was just a crude chunk of steel, needed SERIOUS regrinding. I decided to sell it at a loss and picked up a similar-sized GB from the forums for $70. GBs are the Rolls Royce of axes, the chips fly almost effortlessly. Compared to the $$ we all spend on knives, it really only makes sense to pay under $100 for assured excellence vs. under $50 for "I hope I can fix this so it's decent."
 
Troop said:
With the "medium hunter", is the handle long enough so that you can really "haul off" with that thing? - Thanks....I hate the search function; it's so darn picky!:mad:
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It's about 19 1/2 " from end to end. I've split some very hard, and wet wood with it using wood wedges I've made at camp.
 
Elen said:
Well, GBs are certainly prettier than Fiskars models, and work better if you intend to use the axe for knifelike duties. Can't beat the Fiskars for the price or durability, though. They're what I use. Not my only axes/hatchets, but light and durable, and cheap as hell, so I can do whatever I feel like with them.
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Elen, so the head on the GB is shaped different than the Fiskars, right? Same for the Wetterling? Both the GB and Wetterling I can use more like for skinning, right? What about the Carpenter's Axe by GB? Like the shape?
- Thanks.
 
fishface5 said:
What HoB said, word for word. I had a GB mini that was a pocket chainsaw but wanted something a bit bigger. Bought a Wetterling 12" model for maybe $35 and it was just a crude chunk of steel, needed SERIOUS regrinding. I decided to sell it at a loss and picked up a similar-sized GB from the forums for $70. GBs are the Rolls Royce of axes, the chips fly almost effortlessly. Compared to the $$ we all spend on knives, it really only makes sense to pay under $100 for assured excellence vs. under $50 for "I hope I can fix this so it's decent."
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Thanks...guess you get what you pay for. You're right...but, it's twice as much!
 
Troop said:
Elen, so the head on the GB is shaped different than the Fiskars, right? Same for the Wetterling? Both the GB and Wetterling I can use more like for skinning, right? What about the Carpenter's Axe by GB? Like the shape?
- Thanks.
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Yes, the GB and Wetterlings are much slimmer, and have a concave shape to them. Fiskars I have used is shaped more like a wedge, and is much thicker.
 
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