Gränsfors Bruk - true or false?

[Hawkfan]

I've seen so much praise on these for years. Is it just brand loyalty or hype or do they really chop that well? I don't see how they could be so much better than the next similarly shaped axe or hatchet.

Worth the price?
In your opinion, what's a better value for the same or less money that performs the same or better?

 

[garry3]

I've seen so much praise on these for years. Is it just brand loyalty or hype or do they really chop that well? I don't see how they could be so much better than the next similarly shaped axe or hatchet.

Worth the price?
In your opinion, what's a better value for the same or less money that performs the same or better?

I love me a couple of the GB hatchets. A pleasure to use and the steel is nice and hard holds an edge well. Just depends on what you are doing if the geometry fits the task at hand.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

They're certainly well-made. They do get put on a bit of a pedestal, but a lot of what you pay for is that they're spending the extra effort to get that extra "1% factor". Much like in the shipping industry the so-called "last mile" part of delivery is the most expensive part, so too is a lot of the elements they choose to go with over other methods that are more commonly employed in the industry. So it's a decent bump in price for not much improvement in actual performance...but that 1% is worth it to some folks. And they're doing good work keeping axe-making traditions alive, so good for them. For modern axes I'm pretty well served by my Rinaldi and Council Sport Utility-series models.

 

[Blackcloud]

I would say it depends quite a bit on ones intended usage, experience and skill level. Much like traditional archery equipment there are differences from high end or custom bows to good quality mass produced ones. The average archer is not going to be able to tell the difference. Do you want that extra 7 fps? Can you actually feel a difference in hand shock? I certainly can but I have been shooting them for a long time and loosed 1000's of arrows. Come time swinging an axe I can tell the difference between a cheapo and a well made axe but haven't the experience or skill to tell if a GB would be any better than a comparable Husqvarna let alone if it gives me any edge in performance.

 

[Square_peg]

They have thin bits that are great for bushcraft and finer tasks. Those thin bits are not as good for chopping, felling or splitting. They are really designed for lighter work and they do that very well.

They're made out of something akin to 1055. It's a good steel but nothing spectacular. They do a very good job of heat treating it so they squeeze the most out of the steel.

As others have said it's really about what your use is.

Many on this forum will tell you that you can get more for your money by tuning up an old axe. That's true if you're good at restoring axes. Your first few restorations won't be great. You need some skills and tools. Those skills and tools will likely cost you more than the Gransfors. But it will be gratifying.

10 years ago you could buy amazing old axes $5 or less. Those deals are gone now.