GB's small axe

M

mrjefe2u

Joined
Oct 19, 2010
Messages
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I am going to purchase a small axe or hatchet in the next 2 weeks. I went into the Husqvarna dealer and he didn't have a clue about ordering their axes so I left.

I will not be felling any trees, so it is mainly for use outside our cabin.

Also, I use a Becker BK2 for my woods working fun. Let's pick a nice Granfors Bruks axe to own from these 4 choices.

1. #413 Kubbe Hand hatchet- (I like the looks of this one)

2. #418- Hunters Axe

3. #410- Mini Hatchet Axe-

4. #415- Wildlife-

Famous Last Words, "I only want one axe."
 
Axe size preference is pretty subjective. I have a 25" Wetterlings (which, while not as nice in fit and finish is a very nice axe), a GB Small Forest Axe, and the GB Wildlife Hatchet. The WH rides nicely in a day pack, and with a little technique, is capable of splitting shorter lengths of firewood in larger diameter than a fella might imagine. (I don't know if it breaks some safety rule, but first setting the bit, then raising log and axe together, and finally inverting the whole works so the mass of the log forces the blade into the log makes splitting easy). Have fun making your choice!

PC
 
I'm trying to figure out the difference between the Kubbe and Mini. They look to be about the same length and profile...

Anyways, I have a GB Scandinavian and a 10" Wetterlings belt axe (as well as a BK-2). I have to say, if you're wanting something that pairs well with your BK-2, get AT LEAST the 13.5" Wildlife, preferably a 19" life the Small Forest Axe or Hunter's Axe. Honestly, after getting the 10" Wetterlings and re-profiling it to my needs, I'm not seeing anything that the BK-2 would excel at over the belt axe. The belt axe chops and splits better, has more leverage for basic shaping while carving, actually makes fuzz sticks better since your hand can be placed DIRECTLY behind the blade, etc. I guess when it comes to fine detailed carving work, the BK-2 would be the better choice, but having a small knife paired with the belt axe ends up being around the same space/weight while accomplishing more.

That said, I think an axe in the 15-19" range would be a more suitable companion to your campanion :p
 
I absolutely love my Wildlife Hatchet, but I do more backpacking and such so it's very well suited for what I use it for. If you are going to be using the axe outside your cabin and don't have to worry about size or weight as much as a backpacker like myself would, then I might lean more towards a larger axe. The Hunter's axe and the Small Forest Axe are almost the same...

DSC00805.jpg


DSC00803.jpg
 
I have a Wildlife and recently a Mini. I like the Mini more.

Since this will be pair with your knife, I would take something bigger like a small forest axe. But the smaller ones are easier to pack around.

other famous last words, "where did you get all the axes?" can't have only one.


The Mini's are just plain sweet, hands down.

YMMV, Pat
 
Yeah - I'd say we're all in agreement. The BK-2 is a sweet knife and a nice jack-of-all trades, but if you get a smaller axe like a GB mini or wildlife to pair with it, you'll find too much crossover in usage and will want to trade out your BK-2 for a smaller, finer work blade like a 4" Scandi. If you want to keep the weight/space down, I have to say that a 10-13.5" axe and smaller blade make for an AMAZING combo.

If you're not so stuck on the weight, want to keep your BK-2, and still want to pair an axe with it, I'd definitely suggest a 19"er to maximize the tasks you're capable of doing while minimizing crossover.
 
Thanks for opinions.

I am going to order the small forest axe

if I can find a good online dealer in the US.
 
Anyone else ever change their mind?

I got back from the mountains of southern NM at Thanksgiving and decided

to order a 20" Wetterlings plus a Faulkniven F1. Free shipping through

December and good prices made for the double deal.
 
I was going to suggest the biggest one since you are only going to use it at a cabin but it looks like you already came to that conclusion.:D You should be happy with your new mind. Hell, can't beat free shipping.:thumbup:
 
mrjefe2u said:
Anyone else ever change their mind?

I got back from the mountains of southern NM at Thanksgiving and decided

to order a 20" Wetterlings plus a Faulkniven F1. Free shipping through

December and good prices made for the double deal.
Click to expand...

Oh nice - where did you end up ordering from? I spent a good bit of time debating between Gransfors Bruks and Wetterlings when I was picking up my 26"... I ended up going with GB because of the warranty, more consistent quality, nicer factory edge and better fit and finish. When you're ordering online and can't handle the item personally, I think spending the extra for the GB tends to pay off. It's also like the Rolex of axes so that doesn't hurt either :D

Any chance of getting some pictures when it arrives? I really haven't seen many good "initial impressions" on wetterlings and am quite curious as to how they compare :)
 
I was under the impression that Gränsfors Bruks and Wetterlings were both owned by the same gentleman, made in the same factory by the same workers these days?

I own a hunter's axe by both makers. Both are relatively old so they are pre-merger and yes, of mine the Gränsfors is the finer of the two, but comparing the two modern versions recently at a gun and knife show, (both of the 19"-20" variety), I did not see $100.00 worth of difference between the two unless you are a professional moose hunting guide and you've mastered the art of butchering moose or elk with your axe and you plan on doing it full time for the rest of your life.

As I understand it, the steel in each is now identical. There are slight differences in the handles, a slightly different curve and the Gränsfors has a nice brand that is about the equivalent of a hood ornament, but other than that I am not sure the average user would notice one bit of difference when chopping. Oh, and maybe the hole drilled in the Wetterlings is slightly larger if I remember correctly. Still, each head was almost identically shaped and the feel and balance of the two were so similar in terms of weight, etc., that paying more than double the price for the Gränsfors was determined to be a thing of excess, of luxury, imho.

BTW, I would definitely go with the hunter's axe minimum and the longer 20", not the shorter 16" handle, for the OP's stated needs as a minimal cabin axe and all around utility tool. That brings up another point. If you intend to do any skinning with the axe, which I have done and it works quite well, I would not advise you doing any hammering with a hunter's axe as it would deform the poll/butt and render it far less slick in terms of butchering. The poll on both designs is intended to remain as is - it is not intended to be used to pound nails or stakes or anything along those lines. Just a fwiw.
 
use outside your cabin for what?

I have the Hunters, the Wildlife and the Mini.

I don't really like the hunters. Not long enough and not short enough;)

I love the wildlife. For the size one of the most agressive chopping hatchets of it's size.

If it is for using around your cabin I'd rule out the mini. I love mine and use it more than the other 2 combined, but for backpacking. The mini is so small you trade off chopping power for portability.
 
If you are going to be using it outside the cabin to split firewood (as in large quantities thereof). Then get a full size axe. You'll thank yourself in the end as you'll save yourself a LOT of additional work.

If you want a good packable axe fro use when out and about in the woods the 19"-20" range is best for the compromise of size and function for building shelters etc.

If all your looking for is a hatchet to split some kindling and occasionaly split some wood then a regualar sized hatchet 13" or so will work just fine.

The smaller axes can of course be pressed into use to do the bigger jobs. However they do so only with some advanced technique and a lot of extra work.

The 20" axe teamed with the F1 is a good combo ny the way.
 
Airborne Falcon said:
I was under the impression that Gränsfors Bruks and Wetterlings were both owned by the same gentleman, made in the same factory by the same workers these days?

I own a hunter's axe by both makers. Both are relatively old so they are pre-merger and yes, of mine the Gränsfors is the finer of the two, but comparing the two modern versions recently at a gun and knife show, (both of the 19"-20" variety), I did not see $100.00 worth of difference between the two unless you are a professional moose hunting guide and you've mastered the art of butchering moose or elk with your axe and you plan on doing it full time for the rest of your life.

As I understand it, the steel in each is now identical. There are slight differences in the handles, a slightly different curve and the Gränsfors has a nice brand that is about the equivalent of a hood ornament, but other than that I am not sure the average user would notice one bit of difference when chopping. Oh, and maybe the hole drilled in the Wetterlings is slightly larger if I remember correctly. Still, each head was almost identically shaped and the feel and balance of the two were so similar in terms of weight, etc., that paying more than double the price for the Gränsfors was determined to be a thing of excess, of luxury, imho.

BTW, I would definitely go with the hunter's axe minimum and the longer 20", not the shorter 16" handle, for the OP's stated needs as a minimal cabin axe and all around utility tool. That brings up another point. If you intend to do any skinning with the axe, which I have done and it works quite well, I would not advise you doing any hammering with a hunter's axe as it would deform the poll/butt and render it far less slick in terms of butchering. The poll on both designs is intended to remain as is - it is not intended to be used to pound nails or stakes or anything along those lines. Just a fwiw.
Click to expand...

Yes and no - they're now both owned by the same person (Gabriel Branby) but are still kept separate and independent entities / factories. There has been no mandate placed on them to change their methods of doing things as the new owner values Wetterlings' rich history and is not trying to make them like GB. To me, the difference between the two seems to be that Gransfors Bruks tend to be kept to a higher tolerance and are more consistent in quality. The fit, finish and alignment is generally better and the factory grind is always top-notch. The wetterlings I've purchased (a 10") required regrinding and fairly extensive sharpening to get the profile right whereas the the GB I bought (a 26" Scandi - also ordered a 19" Small Forest Axe which is on the way) was shaving sharp and with a perfect profile out of the box. The grain on the GB was also perfectly vertical - the wetterlings was satisfactory, but not at the same level as the GB. Then of course there's the 20year warranty that GB backs their products up with.

Also, the difference between similarly sized GBs and Wetterlings (aside from the 10"belt and 19" hunters) is more along the lines of $40, not the $100 that you mention. Admittedly, the difference in consistency/quality and warranty doesn't ENTIRELY account for this difference in price so there certainly IS a level of prestige mentality in owning a "rolex-of-the-ax-world" that drives up the price - I just don't think that it's as large a factor as you make it out to be.

Honestly, both Gransfors Bruks and Wetterlings produce amazing axes that are well ahead of most other junky axes out there. Whether a person can justify the price difference between the two is really a personal decision. I own axes by both companies, love them both and think they were both worth the money.
 
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killa_concept said:
Oh nice - where did you end up ordering from?

It's also like the Rolex of axes so that doesn't hurt either :D

Any chance of getting some pictures when it arrives? I really haven't seen many good "initial impressions" on wetterlings and am quite curious as to how they compare :)
Click to expand...

Just got my computer out of the shop. Might have been the "GB axe porn" pictures above?

Canteenshop.

I am very partial to knives even though I own less than 20. I couldn't resist
the Fallkniven F1. The money I saved went towards the F1.

I decided against the GB because I will probably use the axe sparingly. My neighbor says to help myself to his woodpile. Life is good. It will be used mainly to split the larger logs. If I need to do anything heavier, it will say "Echo" on the label and have a pull rope.

I don't want to spread dis-information on the internet, but I was told that in Sweden, the Wetterlings are more popular than here in the US.

I will post pictures when they get here.
 
mrjefe2u said:
If I need to do anything heavier, it will say "Echo" on the label and have a pull rope.

I don't want to spread dis-information on the internet, but I was told that in Sweden, the Wetterlings are more popular than here in the US.

I will post pictures when they get here.
Click to expand...

What is this echo of which you speak?

It makes sense that the cheaper axe would be more popular. Just like Estwings are more popular than GB's in the US.
 
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