I bet you've never seen an axe this cute!

Bill Siegle

Bill Siegle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2000
Messages
6,809
Picked this up today at the NWKC show in Salem OR. It's the sweetest little axe I've ever seen!
 
Hiya Bill. You're right, that is one cute little guy. I don't think my wood pile would be very intimidated ;) but it looks like it would make a nice "bag axe" for hunters.
 
They have received positive comments in a couple prior threads here. I have come to like the little axe, but the somewhat larger Wildlife Hatchet goes with me more often. Several of my friends bought one of the minis on the "cute" factor alone.
 
well I just got back and picked up 2 more:a wildlife and a hunter's axe. I'm just no good at passing up a great axe:)
 
If it's not a GB mini belt hatchet, it's a perfect copy.

Bill, I think it's time to consider the double bit felling axe. Not only does it function superbly, but the cool factor is off the charts!
 
yes they are GBs. I liked the double bit but thought the other three were more "me". I like to get off trail when I can so I tend to use the smaller stuff. The Wildlife will probably see the most use.
 
I agree, the Wildlife gets the most use by me. The Scandinavian Forest Axe is close behind. I use the double bit mainly when I drive the 4WD into a remote area to car camp and day hike. I use it in camp only.

Regarding the Hunter's Axe, I'm curious whether you've had any previous experience skinning with an axe? Using the rounded poll of an axe to peel off hide seems like a lot more expenditure of energy than using a knife, but maybe a diminished risk of cutting the hide makes it worthwhile. I know that the axe has won design awards but would like to hear some field experience.
 
Now, I wouldn't say that;)

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I can't wait until I a Canadian supplier has those! I sure like the wildlife hatchet for now, and I find the SFA fantastic. The carver's axe is quite the tool too.
 
I used my HUNTERS AXE on 4 caribou just before christmas..a superb job of skinning..but it works best if a pardner holds the hide taunt fir U
 
budman,

Thanks very much for the field report on the hunter's axe. If I may pester you for a little more detail, did you find that it was faster than skinning with your favorite knife? Did swinging the heavier axe tire you out faster? Did the hides look better than ones you've removed with a knife?

Thanks a lot for any additional info you care to provide. I'll be laughing at myself if you convince me that I need an 8th GB product!
 
Yes I found it much faster..when you have help pulling on the hide. The quality of the skinned hide is much better also, none of those annoying nicks. You would have to believe it was done by a professional butcher, it is that clean when you finish. Fatigue factor....depends on your physical condition...I'm 230 lbs. in fairly good shape for a 48 year young guy....8-)
 
Oh-Oooooh: I feel a possible 9th Gransfors Bruks coming on!

Thanks, budman, for the practical advice. It sounds like even if skinning with the Hunter's Axe is a bit more fatiguing, the elapsed time is shorter enough that you have an overall easier job. If I schedule a hunt for an animal with a hide worth preserving (like deer or elk), I'll give it some serious thought. I mainly hunt wild pigs and just discard the hides. The Uluchet/Busse Basic 3/etc. may be good enough for that job.
 
DWK
A man with 8 of anything from the same maker needs now big push for a copy of a different model...8-) Your thinking about use with larger animals is sound...Tell me about your likes and dislikes concerning the SFA............
 
budman,

I think that the SFA is the best all-around size in the GB lineup. You can two-hand it to comfortably drop medium size trees (10-12 inch trunks) or choke up on the handle to split smaller kindling for fire starting. It is very versatile and doesn't cost much more than the Wildlife Hatchet and Small Forest Axe. If I recall correctly, it was my first GB axe. In a recent thread, one European member said that it's the largest axe than any of his woodsman pals use.

I have the big double bit felling axe and it is certainly more efficient for that purpose. However, I've probably used the SFA ten times for every once that I used the big guy. The only reason I'd even consider pushing you toward a model larger than the SFA would be if you chop a lot of big wood and plan to use your existing Hunter's Axe for removing limbs, splitting kindling, etc.
 
I bought a SFA from Skylake for limbing some trees this spring. I have quite a few on the property that I want to thin out..Most likely the chain saw will drop them ..but I don't want to use the saw for limbing.GVEA- our power co. - cut 40 or so trees down for powerline right of way past my place..so I should be a good lumberjack after this spring. Thanks for your reply....
 
I used a Gransfors Hunter's axe this fall while butchering two beef. The edge is what I used, in the manner of using a knife, and it really was faster than using my knife. I worked with my hand choked up under the head. The grip angle was perfect for skinning. I was impressed with it. With three of us working on the beef doing the skinning chores, it was impractical to swing it, so, I never did use the flay poll. My brother's were very impressed at the speed I was able to work with it though. On another note, I also have the Scandinavian Forest axe and really like the size. It's great for small limbing jobs, but you still can't beat the work a chainsaw will do. I also had to have the double-bit throwing axe,,, now there is something to throw!My neighbors must think I'm some kinda wildman,,, no one makes eye contact when they go by my place, if I'm outside,,, and that's the way I like it, No one borrows anything from me... yeah.
 
If you like having a skinning blade sort of under your hand, you should also check out the Uluchet at www.silverstar.com/turnermfg

Cliff Stamp referred me to this unique and well made tool. Although I have not yet been able to test it on game, I've used it in the kitchen and camping quite a bit. I think it would provide some of the cutting benefits of the Hunter's Axe without the extra weight and long handle. Of course, you'd still need to have the axe if you were planning to use the poll for skinning in the manner described by budman.
 
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