Hatchet questions

B

Billbo66

Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
248
I have been a knife enthusiast for a long time, but never was that into axes or hatchets. On my last canoe trip, I used a buddy's small Fiskars hatchet, and really appreciated the benefit of having it along.

So, I picked up a little Fiskars for $22. Workable, but I like steel and wood. What should I look for in a better camp axe/hatchet? I have been considering a Gransfors Bruks, or a Snow and Nealley. Is a Grans really a big enough upgrade to justify the cost? What performance improvement should I expect? I am hoping to keep it short enough to pack.
 
I just got a Swedish Wetterlings, similar to Gransfors Bruks, at Smoky Mountain Knife Works for $37 with a 15" handle (pretty heavy). The smaller one, 13", is $35. Can't beat them.
 
If you have the money, you cannot go wrong with Gransfors Bruks. Year after year, I am more than satisfied with my SFA.
 
I have a Gransfors mini and it's my favorite blade. If you're not an axe guy though you might want to go with the Wetterlings. Gransfors are expensive. Worth it, but expensive.;)
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

One of our members, Brian Andrews, offers a custom modified version of the S&N axes. He hangs out in the Wilderness & Survival Skills forum regularly. I'll try to add his website to this post. I have been intrigued by the beautiful work he does on the S&N axes, as well as Ontario machetes.

DancesWithKnives

www.offthemapoutfitters.com
 
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Gransfors Bruks are indeed worth the money. But Wetterlings are super nice and far less expensive. I took a look at smokey mountain, mentioned above, and they do indeed have some of the best prices you'll find. In fact, I've seen used stuff go for what they're charging new. If you want wood and steel, Wetterlings is a wood n' steal :)
 
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