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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Gransfors Bruk axes
- Thread starter kaor
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2003
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- 2,315
To some extent, that will depend on what kind of camping you intend on doing. If you're into ultralight backpacking, the mini is the only way to go, as it is really small. (mine, pictured below, weighs 15oz according to my kitchen scale) I think of it as less of a hatchet, and more of a large knife replacement.
On the other hand, (from what I've read), it's not nearly the chopper as the Wildlife Hatchet, or the Small Forest Axe. If you're mostly car camping, or are not as hyper-weight-conscious as the long distance backpackers, either of these would probably be a better bet. Here's a pic of the Mini and the SFA, along with some EDC knives for scale, and a Kershaw Outcast for comparison with a "big chopping" knife.
So, compared to the large chopping knife it could replace (for many tasks), the Mini is smaller. The SFA is much large, but from what I've read, a huge jump in chopping performance. If cost is a consideration, either the Wildlife Hatchet or Small Forest Axe is cheaper than the Mini.
In case you're interested in weight, the measurements on the above (including sheath where applicable) are:
Benchmade AFCK 4.5oz
Scrapyard SS4 9.5oz
GB Mini 15oz
Kershaw Outcast 24oz
GB SFA 34.5oz
Hope this helps!
On the other hand, (from what I've read), it's not nearly the chopper as the Wildlife Hatchet, or the Small Forest Axe. If you're mostly car camping, or are not as hyper-weight-conscious as the long distance backpackers, either of these would probably be a better bet. Here's a pic of the Mini and the SFA, along with some EDC knives for scale, and a Kershaw Outcast for comparison with a "big chopping" knife.
So, compared to the large chopping knife it could replace (for many tasks), the Mini is smaller. The SFA is much large, but from what I've read, a huge jump in chopping performance. If cost is a consideration, either the Wildlife Hatchet or Small Forest Axe is cheaper than the Mini.
In case you're interested in weight, the measurements on the above (including sheath where applicable) are:
Benchmade AFCK 4.5oz
Scrapyard SS4 9.5oz
GB Mini 15oz
Kershaw Outcast 24oz
GB SFA 34.5oz
Hope this helps!
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2000
- Messages
- 355
'Mini' is too small , go 'wildlife '. 'SFA' is a good option too .
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2003
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- 2,315
Here's a photo of the Small Forest Axe and the Mini Hatchet in-hand. Hope this helps. FWIW, I'm 5'10", thin build, average size hands.
I saw u allso have Kershaw Outcast, can mini outperforme it ?- Joined
- Dec 16, 2005
- Messages
- 411
I have the GB Wildlife Hatchet and love it. It is just the right size. If you don't think you'll use the hatchet much at all, then I would consider the mini, as it is small.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2003
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Honestly, I've not used either one. I just got the two axes, and the Outcast is my wife's, for using dividing plants. I will tell you that the Outcast came with a very obtuse edge, and it took some time on a belt sander to make it reasonable. I'll try to find some limbs/trees to hack at, and give some sort of comparison at some point.
To me the GB Wildlife Hatchet is the way to go:thumbup:. The mini, even though it is of high quality, it is exactly what its definition says it is: mini. On the other hand, the Wildlife Hatchet packs a lot of punch for its size. I have one and I couldn't have been happier with it. It goes without saying that any larger GB axe will be a better performer for wood chopping but, for what you want I strongly recommend you get the Wildlife Hatchet.
Well, you guys convinced me, so I just bought the Gransfors Bruk Wildlife. I was reading this thread and the other on the SOG tactical hatchet and decided on the Wildlife. Looks like a much higher quality piece and perfect for my application which is combo of Jeep camping and short backpack trips. If I was just packing, and packing on long hauls, the mini would be a better pick. Besides, I didn't feel like making the time to retrofit the SOG with a composite handle! (I'm behind on too many other projects!)
I also have a Gerber axe thats about 18" long, but it just sits in the motorhome for cutting kindling. It's nice, but isn't a 'stout' hand tool. I appreciate quality 'tools', so I feel this will be a nice addition to the camping kit I haul in my Jeep TJ Wrangler.
Thanks for all the inputs guys!
Doug
I also have a Gerber axe thats about 18" long, but it just sits in the motorhome for cutting kindling. It's nice, but isn't a 'stout' hand tool. I appreciate quality 'tools', so I feel this will be a nice addition to the camping kit I haul in my Jeep TJ Wrangler.
Thanks for all the inputs guys!
Doug
well if u go with car or short hicking maybe Small forest axe model is better, it will outchop wildlife as I heard by far and still is small enought to carry , here is some review about it http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/cache/articles/ce1/cegb1b.htm
dialton
Gold Member
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- Jan 1, 2007
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- 2,339
So did I. So did I. I know better than to read posts like this (its the pictures that get a guy). Always costs me money.
I was looking at the Wetterlings and also Snow/Neally (I do like that made in USA factor) Ok, I dont feel bad. I'm sure its a quality piece in need of a good home that could be handed down for generations. I just might try to wear it out.
Now that the decision was made..
I carry the small Gerber in my hunting pack, I reprofiled the edge and got rid of the little 'ledge' in the blade that is on the gerbers. I keep it sharp enough to clean a fish and it is remarkably light.
I wish I had the energy to pack my Gransfors, but I don't use it enough to justify the extra weight. I just may try the Mini now.
First I am off to get the wildlife or SFA, I should have avoided this thread.
I carry the small Gerber in my hunting pack, I reprofiled the edge and got rid of the little 'ledge' in the blade that is on the gerbers. I keep it sharp enough to clean a fish and it is remarkably light.
I wish I had the energy to pack my Gransfors, but I don't use it enough to justify the extra weight. I just may try the Mini now.
First I am off to get the wildlife or SFA, I should have avoided this thread.
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2005
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- 8,163
Great Choice with the Wildlife Hatchet, I have two huntsmans and a small forest. My girl has the mini and the Wildlife. The mini imo is too small for what I like but fits her nicely. The SFA is a bit big for hiking to me but my huntsmans work great (tad bigger than wildlife). And as expressed earlier the jump in performance between the mini and the wildlife makes getting the WL a smart choice:thumbup:
Well I have both..I have no need to chop down a big tree and only use a hatchet as a camp utility & game quartering tool so I got a mini when they came out..
Great quality and great company by the way, but I eventually wanted something with a bit more heft for pounding tent stakes,etc. .. Since I had no need for an axe I got the GB wildlife last year before hunting season.
Since I hike in & "still hunt"(I.E., crawl at times) from the ground with my bow,I quickly got annoyed with the longer handle of the wildlife,which was un-needed for me.
I cut the length the same as a mini and for my uses it is the best of both worlds. I can choke up on the head and without having that extra few inches of handle jabbing my sides and elbow and it still has enough weight to chop anything I need to chop.
I only carry a small skinning knife so this is the best combination/emergency survival set up for my back country hunts since I can do most anything with the two.
I did need to wrap the handle with 550 cord since it was skinny and made a wrist loop so it wont slip out when chopping. I used black 550 cord, but it looked like some sort of "ninja" hatchet, so I spray painted it tan.. Here in liberal tree hugger California I get less stares with this short looking hatchet than a big knife, of course having a bow in my hands probably keeps em at bay too.
I carry my hatchet in a Bianchi pistol holster so it keps the weight on my waist and holds it tight to my side without flopping around or rubbing my hipbone.
You can't go wrong with the GB brand, they will have all of my business..My first wildlife was just a bit rough on the head alignment and I sent them photos of it..The contacted me 3 times to apologize and work on fixing the issue and sent a replacement,,It was the most beautiful dark hickory handle I have seen, but I prefer function over fashion so I had to cut it.
Great quality and great company by the way, but I eventually wanted something with a bit more heft for pounding tent stakes,etc. .. Since I had no need for an axe I got the GB wildlife last year before hunting season.
Since I hike in & "still hunt"(I.E., crawl at times) from the ground with my bow,I quickly got annoyed with the longer handle of the wildlife,which was un-needed for me.
I cut the length the same as a mini and for my uses it is the best of both worlds. I can choke up on the head and without having that extra few inches of handle jabbing my sides and elbow and it still has enough weight to chop anything I need to chop.
I only carry a small skinning knife so this is the best combination/emergency survival set up for my back country hunts since I can do most anything with the two.
I did need to wrap the handle with 550 cord since it was skinny and made a wrist loop so it wont slip out when chopping. I used black 550 cord, but it looked like some sort of "ninja" hatchet, so I spray painted it tan.. Here in liberal tree hugger California I get less stares with this short looking hatchet than a big knife, of course having a bow in my hands probably keeps em at bay too.
I carry my hatchet in a Bianchi pistol holster so it keps the weight on my waist and holds it tight to my side without flopping around or rubbing my hipbone.
You can't go wrong with the GB brand, they will have all of my business..My first wildlife was just a bit rough on the head alignment and I sent them photos of it..The contacted me 3 times to apologize and work on fixing the issue and sent a replacement,,It was the most beautiful dark hickory handle I have seen, but I prefer function over fashion so I had to cut it.