Light Reliable Pack Tomahawk/Axe

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rodogg

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Nov 25, 2011
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Putting together an outdoors/survival etc. pack, and am looking for an axe or tomahawk to include. I want it to be lightweight to keep down the weight of my pack, but also reliable and not flimsy. Ive been looking at 3 in particular: The Gransfors Bruks small forest axe (1 kg) and gransfors bruks tomahawks: one weighs 0.52 kg and the other weighs 0.7kg.

They will be used for wood processing and shelter building manily, plus other tasks.

I'm wondering if you would recommend any of the 3 that I mentioned, or do you have other recommendations for me?

Thanks!
 
rodogg, I do not have experience with the Gransfors Bruks items listed but they do have an exceptional reputation. Have you considered the Fiskar/Gerber offerings? They may not have the same traditional appearance of the Gransfors Bruks, but they do an excellent job at most tasks. Also, don't forget about Wetterlings and the new items coming from Condor.
 
rodogg said:
Putting together an outdoors/survival etc. pack, and am looking for an axe or tomahawk to include. I want it to be lightweight to keep down the weight of my pack, but also reliable and not flimsy. Ive been looking at 3 in particular: The Gransfors Bruks small forest axe (1 kg) and gransfors bruks tomahawks: one weighs 0.52 kg and the other weighs 0.7kg.

They will be used for wood processing and shelter building manily, plus other tasks.

I'm wondering if you would recommend any of the 3 that I mentioned, or do you have other recommendations for me?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I own and use the GB SFA and it is a fine ax. Things I like about it
1. The 3 1/4 inch edge puts a good bite into the wood
2. Handle is long enough for two handed swings. 19.5 inches
3. Balance feels great
4. Reputation and 25 year Warranty
5. My copy was woods ready out of the box.
6. Looks really good I like the pattern
7. Holds an edge awhile, top notch steel and hardening
8. Will hold its value longer than a cheapy
9. It is fairly easy to trek with
10. I just like it
 
Ay'up rodogg.

Personally I think the GB range has become a bit spendy, especially the Hawks they do.
Also, IMHO, they don't necessarily lend themselves to the mix of soft and hardwoods processing and working that is often believed.

If this is your first dabble into the axe world, or even if it isn't, I'd suggest a few other alternatives, that may be easier on the pocket, and more 'useful' in our climate for bushwhacking and wood prep alike.

First up there is anything by Bahco. Something like their HGPS axes are a good price (circa £15-25) and decent kit. There are a variety of sizes and head weights.

There are also the Fiskars range of axes. A bit more expensive (£35-50), but they are well made and bomb proof. Check out some of the reviews on here.

Also, there's Vaughan's small 'sub zero' hatchet. Web search 'Old Jimbo' and 'vaughan' together for a great review.

I've found a fancy for a small Japanese hatchet, and you can find similar online, with a full beard and oak handle. You can choke up on them nicely for carving and the profile is good for processing wood. The Japanese share our mix of soft and hardwoods ;)

For a reasonable Tomahawk there is the Cold Steel range. The Trail Hawk and the Frontier Hawk seem to be a good option for pack-ability and light woods work.
There's a lot of pictures of these in the sticky at the top of this sub forum.

There are also cheaper alternatives (than Granny B's) by makers on Blade Forums. Search around ;)

Hope this helps. Just a few ideas, I thought I'd give from close by.

Ps. Sorry for the £'s not €'s pricing!
 
I have been messing with a Wetterlings Hunting axe. About the size of a tomahawk but with a little more weight and oomph! Worked well this past weekend
IMG_0754.jpg
 
Square_peg said:
Thanks for the suggestion.

http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/vaughangrind.html
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Not a problem. My Internet was going a bit slow so apologies for not posting the link myself.

By far my favorite all round axe is my Roselli....wait for it 'All Round Axe'.
I just keep coming back to it and it's such a joy to use.

Currently it's helping me carve my pa's new hatchet handle
c83e4ee0.jpg


It's doesn't seem to get much love/attention. If I had to chose but one axe though, this would be it. It's a bit spendy again, but worth considering if you have the beans.
 
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I personally love the looks of that Roseli, but I have no experience with it.

I can highly recommend Gransfors Bruks. I own the Scandinavian forest Axe, and the Double Bit Working axe. Love them both.

Also look into Fort Turner Tomahawks. I have his Hammer Poll Camp Hawk coming in the mail tomorrow. Really looking forward to it:)
 
panzertroop said:
I have been messing with a Wetterlings Hunting axe. About the size of a tomahawk but with a little more weight and oomph! Worked well this past weekend
IMG_0754.jpg
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If you don't mind, what kind of saw is that? And what's the blade length. It reminds me a bit of the Tajima's and Silky's. Do the teeth make a straight line or curve?
 
Square_peg said:
If you don't mind, what kind of saw is that? And what's the blade length. It reminds me a bit of the Tajima's and Silky's. Do the teeth make a straight line or curve?
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Bahco Laplander......right????? I don't know the length. ;)

In the pic, that knife must be a TOPS BOB, right?
 
I absolutely love the Wetterlings Large Hunter. It is hard to beat. You should also consider the new hawk that Kentucky at Wolf Creek Forge is producing. I haven't got to try it out yet, but I think it will be great.

Howard
 
M3mphis said:
Bahco Laplander......right????? I don't know the length. ;)

In the pic, that knife must be a TOPS BOB, right?
Click to expand...

I make you right on both counts Idaho.

The Laplander has a straight blade aye.
And like those Japanese saws mentioned by Peggy it cuts in the pull only.
They have a thicker blade than the more expensive, yet bigger toothed, almost identical folding pruners by the same manufacturer.
 
There are some good recommendations stated above. But, I just don't understand the fascination with foreign steel.
Council Tool makes a fine line of American axes at much more reasonable prices than those mentioned above. Do a search for Council Tool reviews and you will see that they are highly regarded.

Maybe I'm a bit bias as I collect American vintage axes. Kellys are my favorite vintage axes followed by Norlund, Plumb, Mann, Sager and Collins axes.

For the uses that you have listed above, a Council Tool is a quality axe and will fit your needs at a fraction of the cost of a "Swedish" axe. If you like vintage steel, check out Ebay.

Just my .02, Double Ott
 
If you don't mind, what kind of saw is that? And what's the blade length. It reminds me a bit of the Tajima's and Silky's. Do the teeth make a straight line or curve?
Click to expand...

Bahco Laplander, not sure what the blade size is. Best small hand held I have ever used.
 
scruffuk said:
Because like myself, the OP is foreign!.
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Aha! Makes a big difference. There is a lot of fascination over here with Swedish steel though.
I sometimes wonder how much of it is a subconscious attempt to connect with the Swedish Bikini Team or the better half of ABBA.
 
For going leightweight I would recommend you a hawk. An axe or hatchet is always a little tricky to rehaft and imo impossible out in the fields. A hawk handle can be made in about ten minutes

Cold Steel Frontier Hawk and a Mora 711, the handle was made in about ten minutes (with that Mora 711), the other handle broke, so I made this one. Very lightweight and a great tool.

IMG_1296.jpg


Hope this could help a little bit.

Kind regards
 
Great picture Humppa.

It really puts the size of the head into perspective.

Thank you.
 
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