I am not well versed on axes, so if you want to make fun of my questions, enjoy yourself. Now, to the point: I read a comment on a thread on this forum, to the effect that GB's were heat treated to a very small degree and would have diminished service life therein. I have a mini and have very few miles on it, so I have no objective experience on this issue and certainly no data on the GB heat treatments themselves. Thanks.cwd
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general question on gb heat treatment
- Thread starter cwdotson
- Start date
Gransfors states in their axe book (which comes with all axes, and is available free on their site) that the hardness is 57RC, which is harder than your typical American axe. I believe this is because in Sweden they are mostly dealing with softer trees than you come across here, so there is less risk of chipping the edge. Gransfors axes are also designed with a more discerning user in mind, note the price. That usually means a seasoned axe user, and again, less risk of damaging the edge.
http://www.grandforest.us/TheAxeBook.pdf
I'm not sure if that's what you meant, but there you go. HTH
http://www.grandforest.us/TheAxeBook.pdf
I'm not sure if that's what you meant, but there you go. HTH
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2011
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I used my gransfors american felling axe for a season of trailwork two years ago and it held an edge really well. Even through beech, old hemlock, and whatever else I was cutting. Lots of use. The only way I've ever damaged an edge is being stupid and making contact with the ground.
Thanks for the answers-what I was trying to articulate was request for response to the post that pretty much stated that the gb axes had a short life because the edge-holding portion of the heads was very small, I presume compared to other premiium axes. Thanks.cwd
Do you mean the hardened portion doesn't extend very far into the bit? I don't know if they are differentially heat treated (I don't think so), but if they are I really, really doubt you will sharpen through it in one life time. If you do, you're sharpening it incorrectly, taking off too much metal each time.
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I only have older GB's. The one that I soaked in vinegar was hardened almost to the eye on both sides (both double bits). Anyway, I really don't think there's any truth to that. GB certainly would not enjoy the reputation that they have if they had a short serviceable life. Also, they have a 20 year warranty, and I've never heard anything but positives about their willingness to warranty broken axes.
They most definitely ARE differentially heat treated. Any and all good axes are differentially heat treated. Hard in bits and softer in the eyes. That way, the eye is much less likely to crack.
I couldn't find anything specifying that they are, but I must have over looked it.