Gransfors Bruks: Scandinavian or Small Forest Axe?

What are you using it for?
Winter camping where you are processing a lot of wood and carrying it for less time
Or backpacking where you are cutting less wood and carrying it far

I don't have either either axe but they are very similar

I split the range of the differences so the two axes are more useful for different tasks
I have a 24" 2 lbs Hudson Bay ax and a 14" 1/2 lbs GB Wildlife Hatchet
I find the Wildlife with a folding saw to be very efficient and light for backpacking
Also very easy to use for controlled cutting for carving tasks
The 24" heavier ax is good for bigger wood and if I needed wood to keep going I would use it

So perhaps compare the Scandi and the Wildlife
 
Thanks for the input gang. To be honest, I'm not sure how I will end up using it specifically as I have nothing g really planned atm. I'm just looking for a general purpose axe that can do most everything well. It doesn't have to be excellent at any one thing. I want one to round out my camping/hiking equipment.

Does anyone here use a file to sharpen their axe?
 
tiogatires said:
Thanks for the input gang. To be honest, I'm not sure how I will end up using it specifically as I have nothing g really planned atm. I'm just looking for a general purpose axe that can do most everything well. It doesn't have to be excellent at any one thing. I want one to round out my camping/hiking equipment.

Does anyone here use a file to sharpen their axe?
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They are superb cutting axes. "General purpose"? Does that include splitting for you? If so, you want an axe with a convex face, not flat or, worse, concave.

I have one axe that is too hard to sharpen with a file. I finish the job with a Carborundum, A file designed for carburetor points is a good tool for dressing up an axe edge on the trail.
 
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I'm just looking for a general purpose axe that can do most everything well

Scandi..........

I have not sharpened with anything more than a DMT fine
 
I went with the Small Forest Axe due to it's size. It fits on my Tarahumara pack quite well. I really have no need of anything larger while recreating.
 
I don't use a file, but I do use something similar - DMT hones. The steel they use doesn't chip that easily, and I don't like to remove a ton of metal when I sharpen if I don't have to.
 
I had both, sold the Small Forest and kept the Scandi. Luckily all my packs have the ice axe loops at the bottom, drop handle through with head up, pivot nadle up and trap with fastex buckle so it rides secure and yet length is not so much an issue. Keeps the sticky residue on head out of my pack as well.

I will admit to not having done a ton of splitting with the Scandi. I have several other vintage heads of similar weight and handle length- my favorite sized woods bumming axe.

Bill
 
Depends on where you live and what you are using it. I'm from New England. Summer time I use SFA winter time I use a ray Mears wilderness axe which is similar to the Scandi.
If you really need to make a shelter or need allot of fuel then Scandi is the way to go. Sfa is more packable
 
Buy a vintage axe head for 10 bucks... A new handle for 10.. You have an axe of higher quality than almost any axe made today, for 20 bucks and some elbow grease.
 
OP, visit the Axe subforum! So much amazing history and axe care knowledge! Don't waste your money on a modern axe.
 
I don't have too much knowledge on axes, nor have I owned many.

I do own a Small Forest Axe from Granfors Bruk and let me say, you will NOT be disappointed. This axe is everything I'd want, its small and light, the handle shape is great, the wedge is perfect and it cuts wood like a dream. With the short handled axes I like that it forces you to use safer positions for swinging an axe.
 
tiogatires said:
Thanks for the input gang. To be honest, I'm not sure how I will end up using it specifically as I have nothing g really planned atm. I'm just looking for a general purpose axe that can do most everything well. It doesn't have to be excellent at any one thing. I want one to round out my camping/hiking equipment.

Does anyone here use a file to sharpen their axe?
Click to expand...

I've had good luck with the red & blue DMT stones. Depending on what kind of edge you have as stated above.

Thomas Linton said:
I finish the job with a Carborundum, A file designed for carburetor points is a good tool for dressing up an axe edge on the trail.
Click to expand...
Pretty genius! I dig it.
 
I carry a Small Forest Axe when I backpack or hunt. I have been very please with it.
 
Very difficult to find anyone near me that carries gransfors bruks. If possible, I would like to check them out before I decide.
 
Again.. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. Save a piece of HISTORY and restore a vintage american axe. You'll end up paying 20 or 30 dollars total, and it will be better quality than a Gransfors.
 
olybears57 said:
Again.. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. Save a piece of HISTORY and restore a vintage american axe. You'll end up paying 20 or 30 dollars total, and it will be better quality than a Gransfors.
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That is a bit of a stretch. There have been poor quality axes and high quality axes throughout history. Quality will vary even within companies. Production methods evolve over time and personnel change. The gränsfors axes are solid products.

If you are convinced about the size of axe you want I'd feel comfortable recommending either SFA axe. The difference between the two is largely the length of the handle. 19 inches vs 25 inches. Which one will fit in your pack better?

Here are some axe comparisons and tests.
http://www.oldjimbo.com/Outdoors-Magazine/Wetterling-long-hunting-axe-VS.pdf
http://www.oldjimbo.com/Outdoors-Magazine/Gransfors-Bruks-Small-Forest-Axe.pdf
That website, oldjimbo.com, is excellent for axe reading.
 
Yeah, If you buy some crap 90's collins it won't be great.. But if you know what you are looking for (file test, steel harmonics, high centerline, stamps, etc) finding great vintage axes isn't hard. You just have to look.
 
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