How to repair my Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe?

If I wanted to fix that chip I would first take it to the bench grinder. Holding it perpendicular to the wheel I would take an even amount off of the whole bit, maintaining the present curvature of the bit. Removing small amounts of material like this is easily done without damaging the temper if the bit is held perpendicular to the wheel. Then I would reset the profile with a file. Axes with handles can be clamped to the bench for filing. Free axes can go in the vise for filing. Once the profile is set just hone it to your liking.
 
Well its an easy enough fix and not worth the bother or expense to any party to ship it to the manufacturer.
I do wonder how long GB can keep their current warranty. We all know how the vintage manufactures did it. They had good breaks and bad breaks.
 
It should be taken out.
It can be filed out but that takes a lot of time, as lot of steel is going to need to be removesd A water wheel grinder is the easiest, though a belt sander can do it too but don't let it heat up; run it wet, well dip/cool the axe head often.
Angle grinders cut and run far too hot and a quick way to ruin any blade. All dry wheel grinders run too hot without a coolant.

Try to replicate the bevel of the original though possibly a tad less keen.

GB axes are made on the keen side. Other makes on the blunt side. Every axe head has some luck built in. What makes a failure like you have is anyones guess, but they do happen. Lumberjacks of old would set their axes up just right, but still get damage and have to replace every once in a while. Most axes will take quite a few big damage chunks out before they are worn out. A lucky axe might take two handles for every bad chip out. Others first time out. Its going to happen sometime, unless very lucky. There is massive energy going on with an axe head so it need to hit something soft, wood soft, not stone soft. Just goes with the territory.

I don't know what GB's warrant is though they might fix it for you.

For every sharp axe out there there are 50 blunt ones.
 
thats not a huge chip file it out take a few minutes and you will appreciate your edge more and take care not to damage it again that way... not to sound chippy with you but... :)
 
I tried to contact Gransfors but I got no response. Here's my attempt to fix it. I used the gransfors diamond file and sharpening stone and then i took it to my japanese water stones (1000, 5000, 10000). I only worked on the top part of the blade where the damage was. I think it came out pretty good.

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akrapacs said:
I tried to contact Gransfors but I got no response.

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I would remember that in the future. For the price of the axes they sell........
Not making any claims about the products they sell but council will answer emails at unbelievable hours even if you do NOT own one of the axes they make. And you can get one of those for 40 bucks:)
 
Woodcraft said:
I would remember that in the future. For the price of the axes they sell........
Not making any claims about the products they sell but council will answer emails at unbelievable hours even if you do NOT own one of the axes they make. And you can get one of those for 40 bucks:)
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GB has a very good reputation for standing behind their product. They do indeed warrant them. I believe the correct channel with them is to return the tool in question to the retailer. That has been my personal experience. They are not big on a PR department. They don't need to be.
 
garry3 said:
GB has a very good reputation for standing behind their product. They do indeed warrant them. I believe the correct channel with them is to return the tool in question to the retailer. That has been my personal experience. They are not big on a PR department. They don't need to be.
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I have never dealt with them. Nor do I own one. They definitely have a "following". I downloaded and read "The axe book" for giggles. If people say they they have a good rep for returns and standing behind the product then ok. I personally like to pick up the phone or if I have to Email the company I am purchasing from.
 
Nice repair. I would probably have done the same thing in this particular instance given the fineness of tasks that axe is suited for. With cheaper axes intended for rough work, I just blend in the chip with a half round file to reduce stress risers and let it disappear over time with sharpening. That preserves more of the bit and extends the life of the toe especially, but some of my favorites do have the same shorter toe, pretty much unavoidable with an axe that is used a lot and needs to be kept especially keen for finer tasks.
 
akrapacs said:
I tried to contact Gransfors but I got no response. Here's my attempt to fix it. I used the gransfors diamond file and sharpening stone and then i took it to my japanese water stones (1000, 5000, 10000). I only worked on the top part of the blade where the damage was. I think it came out pretty good.
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Nicely done, and now you know how to maintain your axe and will have the confidence to do so.
 
Many tools including high end knifes are chippy with the factory edge because of the heat from the belt sanders used to sharpen them. The problem will probably go away now for good.
 
Quick follow-up -- I finally did hear back from GB and they offered to warranty the axe due to possible problems with the heat treatment. Just wanted to add this to the thread since they did honor their guarantee.
 
akrapacs said:
Quick follow-up -- I finally did hear back from GB and they offered to warranty the axe due to possible problems with the heat treatment. Just wanted to add this to the thread since they did honor their guarantee.
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Thanks for the update. They are pretty good about standing behind their product. Might be waiting a while for a replacement though. Yours looks fine.:thumbup:
 
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