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Is the GB SFA worth the money?

quietmike

quietmike

Joined
Nov 26, 2006
Messages
42,898
I have pretty much decided on a Gransfors small forest axe, and I guess I just need one more chance for someone to talk me out of it.

So for those who own one, do you regret it or would you do it again?
 
If you are hesitating, then you should probably go for the Wetterlings.

Review after review suggests that this can be as good as the best, it just needs some attention to get it that way. Ultimately, if you just want down right performance with that old country charm, then this here is axe the for you. If all you really care about is performance, then just go to your local home depot and pick yourself up a Fiskars. Spend a little time at the puppy and you will have something that puts out.

If you want the best that there is without the need for TLC than go for the GB. It has the reputation and you get to buy the braggin rights. There aren't many things in this world where $100 bucks gets you the best that is to be had - so here is your chance :)
 
I bought one and have no regrets what so ever.. Infact I would like another GB some day.
 
Just do it. The SFA is the nicest axe I own. It spoils me for all the other cheap ones, though.
 
It is the only hatchet/axe I own. And I love it! I don't think it is too big to go backing packing with, though depending on what I'm doing or where I'm going I'll take a folding saw instead. I had my SFA with my on a winter canoe trip and the weather got down in the low teens. By about 4am my wife and I were meat-sickles. I should have gather a good supply of wood for the morning, but I didn't. The SFA got me plenty of wood in no time at all.

If I were to be faced with making this decision all over again. I might want a wilderness hatchet, and something a little bigger than the SFA for longer camping trips. But I think if your only going to get one, its perfect!
 
Indeed it is. It can take care of most chopping tasks. Anything on a smaller scale can be handled by a big knife. On a bigger scale, a chain saw is probably best.

Old school craftsmanship that works! :thumbup:
 
The axe is quite good no question.

What's worth the money is relative.

In the axe "pricing scale" it is quite expensive but if you compare to the "knife pricing scale" it is quite cheap. I have quite a bunch of knives that were significantly more expensive and proved not half as useful.
 
I have a SFA and would buy it again without hesitation.

For the money, the Wetterlings is worth it. By doing some edge reprofiling it can be brought up to the performance level of the GB IN THE SHORT TERM. When people recommend this as such, I think that is all they are thinking about, and I think this recommendation is made because of the ax not getting used all that much.

Even if you get the Wetterlings to match performance in the short term, the GB still has a better handle wedge set up. I have known a couple wetterlings with extensive use to start becoming loose, and requiring fixes to keep it tight and I have yet to see this happen to a GB. Actually, I believe there are photos of this happening to one at http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/wetterling_hatchet.html.

I am not bashing the Wetterlings. I do have one, and like it. But it is no GB, and I think that when it is compared to one, not all things are considered. Just performance over a shorter period of time.

My 2 cents.
 
......................................yes
 
Not in my opinion. I have been chopping wood for 50 plus years without one and have sure never missed it. There are many good axes out there for one fourth the price. Other than telling folks that you have one, I can see no need to lay out the kind of money they fetch. I am not big on spending a bunch more than I need to to get the job done.
 
I own a SFA and to be honest it is the first axe I have ever purchased. I have used it on elk hunts getting wood together for fires mostly. However, one night some hunters from Tennessee were in the woods with us and needed an axe to clear some fallen trees to get a elk out of the woods. I loaned them my SFA and in a short time they had cleared several small fallen trees and branches. They commented that they grew up in the woods and have used many type of tools to cut and clear trees..but the SFA was hands down the best axe they had ever used. They commented that it was still very sharp after about 45 minutes of hard work. So I say get it... you won't be dissapointed! :thumbup:
 
I'd get it. In fact, I did. You can feel the difference as soon as you pick it up. The edge comes shaving sharp. Balance and handling are unbeatable. The SFA is large for a hatchet and small for an axe - right in the middle. Consider whether you might want something that's easier to carry along. If you do, give some consideration to the Wilderness Hatchet or the Hunters Axe. I once cleared an 8" blow down from a trail with the Wilderness.

Okay, I admit it. I'm a GB fan. :D
 
What everybody else said.

But yeah they have gone way up. I paid 70 for a mini and fifty something for my wildlife and 75? for my hunters and I know the mini is nearly double.
 
Yeah, I would do it again. I did several times due to having several different models. I actually had plans to hang them on a wall in the den but never got the den finished! :D

Wow, I paid same prices as Hollowdweller. I have not looked but think I will now. The mini is that much? Yeah, I need to go look. :eek:

........Well I went and looked and all I can say is...WOW!!! Now I'm not so sure. I failed to mention I have 2 of the smaller Whet's that I use a lot too. I don't worry about them so I work them quite hard sometimes. Guess it's a personal call. :D
 
hollowdweller said:
But yeah they have gone way up.
Click to expand...

I honestly don't think it is that "they went up in price." They are made in a country whose currency is the euro. If you look at the trend of the dollar against the euro over the past year......it really sucks. I think if you lived in Sweden, I bet "the price" has not changed. Since our dollar is worth less than before, of course they are going to want more for the same thing.

I actually saw one retailer stating that "prices on GB are going to be going up on XX/XX/XX due to the dollar to euro exchange rate."
 
briangandrews said:
They are made in a country whose currency is the euro.
Click to expand...
Technically Sweden currency is still Swedish Crown, but yes, it quite follows the Euro. GB price in € have also risen by about 10% from 2 years ago, but yes that's little compared to the about -30% value dollar against €.
 
Ravaillac said:
Technically Sweden currency is still Swedish Crown, but yes, it quite follows the Euro.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks for clearing that up. I have never been there, or followed it that closely so it was a bad way to word it on my part. What I did know was that I have bought a couple items direct from Sweden over the past few years (no US distributor) and their items were always sold/listed in euros. That is where my statement came from.

Thanks for the info,
Brian
 
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