Gransfors Bruks Double bit felling/throwing axe

killa_concept · Jan 4, 2011

I guess I'll add a question: Have you taken any practice swings yet and if so, how's the balance on it? Does the 35" haft work well with a 3 lb head?

Still waiting on pictures

psp7 · Jan 5, 2011

just practice swings on a piece of paper

. Slices clean and smooth. The head is hung well and seems like it will do very well. Its certainly not something I'll strap to my backpack. The SFA is as big as I'll pack into the wilderness. I took one picture and loaded it onto photobucket. Now I gotta figure how to post it here. It may take me till tomorrow

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killa_concept · Jan 5, 2011

psp7 said:
just practice swings on a piece of paper. Slices clean and smooth. The head is hung well and seems like it will do very well. Its certainly not something I'll strap to my backpack. The SFA is as big as I'll pack into the wilderness. I took one picture and loaded it onto photobucket. Now I gotta figure how to post it here. It may take me till tomorrow.

Yeah - I hear that. I wouldn't want to backpack around with more than a SFA either. A Scandi I might be able to justify if I were up in Canada or something, but here things larger than a SFA only tag along when car camping (in which case I tend to bring along an armory)

As for the picture - go to your index, scroll over the picture, and then click on the thing next to where it says IMG code. Paste that here :thumbup:

killa_concept · Jan 7, 2011

Hey buddy - if you get a moment, could you do me a big favor and get the dimensions of the eye on that double bit? I picked up a couple of old vintage GB double bit heads (a 2.5lb and 3.5lb) and was considering just getting replacement GB handles (a 29" and 35" respectively) for them instead of going through the trouble of trying to find ones of unknown quality online.

It would be much appreciated! :thumbup:

psp7 · Jan 8, 2011

The eye is 2.5" in length, with the center width being 3/4ths an inch at its widest in the center and tapering down to the ends. Congrats on the finds. Hope you have a rewarding project

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Sorry I'm computer dummy that cant post pics.

killa_concept · Jan 8, 2011

psp7 said:
The eye is 2.5" in length, with the center width being 3/4ths an inch at its widest in the center and tapering down to the ends. Congrats on the finds. Hope you have a rewarding project. Sorry I'm computer dummy that cant post pics.

It's cool man! Was it the uploading to photobucket or getting it from there to here that was causing you trouble? Trying to help you with it is equally to my benefit as yours (or perhaps even more beneficial to me

)

Also, many thanks for the measurement! The 2.5lb I know has an eye perfect for that size haft (2 3/8" x 3/4" I believe). The 3.5lb I'll have to wait on and see... I contacted GB recently to inquire about a replacement sheath for my Scandi axe - everything about it was perfect upon arrival but the sheath was rather sliced up on the inside. They're shipping me one free of charge - great service! I also inquired about how much replacement 29" and 35" DB handles were and whether they were stamped like the original. They are indeed imprinted with the logo and apparently all handles are $28 (not sure if that includes shipping though). I think I'm going that route as gransfors bruks axe handles are top notch (as with everything else about their axes) and they're stamped so as to match the GB heads.

I'm debating as to whether to get a 29" for the 2.5lb and a 35" for the 3.5lb, or just get two 35" and cut one down as needed (since they're the same cost). Anyways, let's hope these heads prove to be in good condition and similar in quality to the heads GB produces today!

Steve Tall · Jan 8, 2011

killa_concept said:
just get two 35" and cut one down as needed (since they're the same cost).

That would be my vote. Can't make the 29" any longer, and some extra length and a knob might be welcome when swinging those two sharp edges (one facing you).

psp7 · Jan 8, 2011

killa, great info and glad GB is so responsive. Now did you contact the folks in South Carolina or Sweden? I'll assume we call S.C.

. Its good to know as I havent bothered to register or send in any of my warranty cards yet.

killa_concept · Jan 8, 2011

psp7 said:
killa, great info and glad GB is so responsive. Now did you contact the folks in South Carolina or Sweden? I'll assume we call S.C.. Its good to know as I havent bothered to register or send in any of my warranty cards yet.

Haha - I'm afraid my Swedish is not quite good enough (and by that I mean is non-existent) to contact the folks over in Sweden. And I just filled out their contact us form found here and got a response within two days :thumbup: Once the heads show up, I think I'll place an order for a 29" and 35" handle - they said to contact them via phone to get new handles, so I'm hoping I can get them hand picked

psp7 · Jan 8, 2011

Last fall I was in Northern Minnesota boundary waters and stopped at a store in Ely called Piragis and they stocked a bunch of GB axes and replacement hickory handles. I was surprised how cheap the handles were given the axes are spendy.

killa_concept · Jan 8, 2011

psp7 said:
Last fall I was in Northern Minnesota boundary waters and stopped at a store in Ely called Piragis and they stocked a bunch of GB axes and replacement hickory handles. I was surprised how cheap the handles were given the axes are spendy.

Oh nice - what was the pricing there? I found $28 to be a bit spendy compared to other handles I could find online, but gransfors bruks does tend to use premium quality hickory with nice grain...

psp7 · Jan 8, 2011

The largest handle I recall was for the Scandi FA and it was in the $20 range. Many of the other handles were smaller(Wildlife and SFA) and I think they were $15-18. I believe a wooden wedge was provided, not sure if the three legged steel wedge was though? Its probably best to order from GB as you wont pay sales tax(depending where your at) and will be assured the handle is in fine condition.

killa_concept · Jan 10, 2011

Well I got both heads in today. The 2.5lb has a 2.5" x .75" eye whereas the 3.5lb has a 2 7/8" x 7/8" eye so I guess that while I could put a GB handle on the former, I couldn't on the latter....

psp7 · Jan 11, 2011

you know it may be the same dimensions as I didnt measure necessarily precise. I'll try again with a little more discerning eye............................well, I did another measure and it is indeed right at 2.5" long by 7/8ths wide. Its more towards 7/8th than 3/4ths, but defintely at 2 1/2" for the length of the eye. hmmmm, I wonder if GB double bit raw handles are closer to your dimension as they do press the handles in with hydrolics and that may compress the wood some. I'd ask GB and mention your measured dimensions of their old head. Maybe they have something to fit your 3.5lb bit? So close.