My GB small forest axe just arrived... it's fresh out of the box...

H

Hassilov

Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
217
I opened the box. It was stuffed with pages from old Swedish magazines and newspapers (now I can catch up on the news from Gotland). The axe is much lighter than I imagined. It has an old world esthetic about it - a work of art. Thanks MM. I have one concern: the handle has some heartwood in it. It's located right where the handle fits through the head and is approx. 3/4" wide, 3-1/2" long, just shy of 1/8" deep. A weak spot, would you not say? Overall, the grain is nice. Straight, tight and horizontal. Sanded with care, like a Haida mask.

The head is coated (with wax?) but I detect no finish on the handle. Should I apply something like linseed oil?
 
The handles are a concern, I had a knot in the side of the throat of mine. A lot of old time axe guys would be very critical of the head/handle alignment on the GB axes I have seen. Personally, I don't have the user skill for this to make a difference, maybe in a few more years when I don't stagger chops anymore I'll be more selective. Yes, I would put linseed oil on the handle.

-Cliff
 
That was fast!

Is the handle long enough for you to swing two handed? People who are really big and bulky tend to finds the SFA akward two handed, much more so than the Scandinavian.

If you think the handle is defective, email GB customer service. They will ship out a new handle.

I have a Wildlife hatchet that the handle cracked, and needs to be replaced.

In what way is Boiled Linseed oil better than tung oil for axe handles?
 
It cures faster, Tung oil is usually prefered by those that have the time to let it cure. I use linseed oil because I got a huge can for free.

Handle/head axe fitting, done right, it not a trivial process though to be noted, Jim has excellent page describing this process in detail.

-Cliff
 
I haven't put it to work yet but I would say it's comfortable for two handed air chopping (I'm 5'9"). Probably a problem if the handle was any shorter. Overall, I think it's a superb design. I've now got the linseed on. The small heartwood area is towards the back and side of the handle, partially under the lip. I might have returned it to GB if it were at the leading edge where it might impact. An odd thing: the GB logo stamped into the handle does not have the 'Prima Hickory" words like I've seen in so many photos on the web. It says "Gransfors Bruks" on one line, no "AB", then below that, "Sweden". It might be an older stamp or axe. But, it damn well better be #1 hickory! Anyhoo, if it breaks it goes back for a replacement.
 
Yeah, fitting the handle to the head is not as simple as it appears. It helps to have an "old timer" help you.

As a side note, for canoe work, you might want to have a Kydex sheath made up to replace the axe cover.
gbhatchet0wm.jpg


Bob Dozier made this one for my Wildlife Hatchet, it is very secure. No worries about it coming off, getting wet, blade cutting through, etc.
 
Hassilov, congrats on the new axe and on getting it in time for the trip. The canoe trip generates even more envy in me than the axe, however. :D Have a good one. Let us know how it goes.

Up in the Boundary Waters there is apparently a tradition among some of leaving prepared wood at campsites for those to come after you. The idea being that folks might arrive wet, cold and worn out and having fire making materials at hand would be a real gift. I've heard of this at least one other place as well. Anyhow, a fine axe would make doing a good job of it a double pleasure.
 
The GB axes are really a pleasure to use, you start swinging them and you will soon be looking for wood to cut.

-Cliff
 
knifetester said:
Yeah, fitting the handle to the head is not as simple as it appears. It helps to have an "old timer" help you.

As a side note, for canoe work, you might want to have a Kydex sheath made up to replace the axe cover.
gbhatchet0wm.jpg


Bob Dozier made this one for my Wildlife Hatchet, it is very secure. No worries about it coming off, getting wet, blade cutting through, etc.
Click to expand...

Knifetester, what a wierd looking handle you have on your Wildlife Hatchet (i.e. very straight). I always assumed the handles looked the same on each series. Maybe it's because you have the sheath on, anyways can you post a pic without the sheath and full handle?
 
Cliff Stamp said:
The mini's have a different handle.

-Cliff
Click to expand...
Thanks, I've been to Gränsfors' site too and checked. The question was; shouldn't the handles in the WH series all be the same?
 
Viking,

I will take some pics this weekend.

They changed the Wildlife hatchet design to be like a large version of the mini about two years ago. Straighter handle, slightly different beard.

That is a Wildlife in the Dozier sheath, but without anything to put size into persepctive you could easily think it was a mini.
 
knifetester said:
Viking,

I will take some pics this weekend.

They changed the Wildlife hatchet design to be like a large version of the mini about two years ago. Straighter handle, slightly different beard.

That is a Wildlife in the Dozier sheath, but without anything to put size into persepctive you could easily think it was a mini.
Click to expand...

Do you have your holographic Certificate of Authenticity? :D ... Just kidding, I got mine when they first came out with them a few years back.

I did notice that some newer axes have a rounded "neck" that is mirror-polished. Anybody else notice that? I think if I get some free time I'm going to drive up to Gränsfors and pay them a visit. I read they're open to Tourists every day of the week.
 
I think if I get some free time I'm going to drive up to Gränsfors and pay them a visit. I read they're open to Tourists every day of the week.
Click to expand...

That sounds very cool, if you can I would love to see more pics of the production process, especially the final finish and sharpening stages.
 
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