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Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe

gunknifenut said:
I know that I am gonna stir the pot a little, but I would comment that although I have several GB Axes, I dont see much in thier perfomance that makes them WORTH the cost. I have a wildlife GB that I like quite a bit, it packs easy and chops very well, but I also have a PLUMB hatchet that I picked up at a flea market for $2 and a handle for $8, and it chops BETTER than the GB, and is smaller.
I would never claim that GB's arent fantastic tools, but now that I own so many axes..I think that the cost isnt worth it.
Overall..I think that Wetterlings are a good high end product, I did have to work on the edge a bit, but the performance is just as good.
Or you could just keep an eye out for good second hand hatchets and axes...they are available at many yard sales and flea markets...usually, just a head goes for about $2-5 and a complete functional Axe should be about $10-20.
Click to expand...

Can you describe the geometry of the PLUMB hatchet compared to the GB? I'm interested in what properties lets it chop better (deeper cuts? less wedging?) while also being smaller (shorter, lighter or both?).
 
gunknifenut said:
I know that I am gonna stir the pot a little, but I would comment that although I have several GB Axes, I dont see much in thier perfomance that makes them WORTH the cost. I have a wildlife GB that I like quite a bit, it packs easy and chops very well, but I also have a PLUMB hatchet that I picked up at a flea market for $2 and a handle for $8, and it chops BETTER than the GB, and is smaller.
I would never claim that GB's arent fantastic tools, but now that I own so many axes..I think that the cost isnt worth it.
Overall..I think that Wetterlings are a good high end product, I did have to work on the edge a bit, but the performance is just as good.
Or you could just keep an eye out for good second hand hatchets and axes...they are available at many yard sales and flea markets...usually, just a head goes for about $2-5 and a complete functional Axe should be about $10-20.
Click to expand...

It really depends on your use of the tool. The GBSFA is the first axe I would even consider carrying, and I have several. I have a Craftsman hatchet that is the standard 1 1/4lb head, and it is one of the most useless tools I have ever seen. It is not a bad hatchet, but doesn't fit my uses. I have a Hultafors Bruks 3/4 axe, and while it is a good tool, doesn't seem to give the performance I want for the size and weight. The Fiskars is nice, but I prefer a machete for the weight usually. IMO, for my uses, the GBSFA performs WAY beyond it's size and weight. However, I don't use it for splitting, so someone who does may see things exactly opposite. I looked at the Wetterlings and was glad I had spent on the GB. Obviously, not everyone feels the same.
 
@Gunknife, I guess you bought it in the USA, overthere the prices for GF axes are much higher than here in Europa.
A Small Forest Axe can be had for 65 Euro's, that's 75 dollars appr.
Do you consider it worth the money then?

Greetings
 
I sold mine a while back (to raise funds for another purchase) and have been kicking my self ever since. I love that axe.
 
Ankar Sheng said:
Can you describe the geometry of the PLUMB hatchet compared to the GB? I'm interested in what properties lets it chop better (deeper cuts? less wedging?) while also being smaller (shorter, lighter or both?).
Click to expand...

The handle I put on the Plumb is about the same length as the GB. The cutting edge is the same width also. The plumbs cutting edge is curved gently while the GB is straighter. Just behind the edge of the GB, its hollow ground, while limbing, this seems to aid in the use of the GB, in end grain, while splitting, it seems to get stuck more often. The Plumb is slightly thicker behind the edge, only a little. They are both razor sharp, and both hold a decent edge. Overall, the GB wildlife is a really awesome small hatchet, its almost a tomahawk in shape...which I like. I am really splitting hairs here, when I say the plumb is better, but I DO think its better, because it only cost me $9 dollars.
If I had a working camera..I would take some shots for you guys...alas, I hope this helps.
 
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