New SFA - any cause for concern?

K

killa_concept

Joined
May 19, 2009
Messages
1,161
So I loved my Gransfors Bruks Scandi axe so much that I decided to get a Small Forest Axe as well :) Finally showed up today and like I always do when I first receive items, I gave it a very stern looking over. Initially was very pleased: alignment and hang were amazing, the grain perfect, keen edge, and sheath in good condition.

Then looking over the head itself, I noticed these marks... Obviously it's a forged head and a rough finish is to be expected - small depressions, strike-marks, and such. These however, sort of worried me: the lines aren't cracked and actually feel raised rather than depressed. It's the web-shaped pattern of it that worries me, as I associate that to cracking/stress marks. I figured there were so many people on here who make custom axes that someone would be able to chime in and tell me what they are :confused:

P1050683.jpg


P1050679.jpg


Thanks in advance guys :thumbup:
 
My GB mini has a little bit of that crack pattern. I've beat the hell out of it though and it's fine.
 
Cracks generally mean one of two things.
1: Just forge scale that was never knocked off
2: metal was overheated
BUT since I seriously doubt that they overheated that axe and it dosnt look like overheat cracks to me. Id say its forge scale .
 
Yeah - I figured it was just the forge scale, but wasn't too sure what would cause it to create that pattern as my Scandi doesn't show similar lines. I'm betting it's purely cosmetic and if was an actual issue, GB wouldn't have let it get out of the factory. A bit of use will hopefully prove that to be the case

All that aside, I'm REALLY impressed with this axe. I originally picked the Scandi over it because I wanted a more dedicated chopper and thought a 19" handle would be much too short to use properly two-handed. Now that I have the SFA, I can see why it has such a huge fan base. You can just tell that it would make the perfect jack-of-all trades. The balance and head weight makes it it easy to use chocked up, and while not the optimal length for the task, it can definitely be pressed into effective two-handed chopping.

Can't wait to try it out :thumbup:
 
Hey
I go more for that it are forge with some old tools that's have been used long time and have some wear on the tool .
Cegga
 
I own two SFA's and they both have this. It does not bother me and it has not changed either's performance. Very typical.
 
Although it didn't have the marks you highlighted, My SFA had so much scale (bought new maybe 3 years ago) that I cleaned it up with a wire wheel the day I got it. Before that, it looked terrible, IMHO.
 
Thanks for the added reassurance guys! I was probably just being a bit of a worry-wart, but never hurts to ask

Larry from Bend said:
Although it didn't have the marks you highlighted, My SFA had so much scale (bought new maybe 3 years ago) that I cleaned it up with a wire wheel the day I got it. Before that, it looked terrible, IMHO.
Click to expand...

I personally love the forge scale on GBs - I think it gives them a nice rugged look but to each their own I guess.
 
My wife bought me one of these for Christmas--my first GB. I absolutely love this thing. I used it out back today just small stuff for starting a small fire in the snow but it handles like a dream.

Upon close examination, I have the same marks as the OP listed. Glad I found this thread because it sort of bothered me a bit, as well.

Thanks, guys!
 
My wildlife hatchet has this also. You're axe is good to go... I enjoy the rough forge marks left behind by these craftsman. I have a couple of custom knives that still have the hammer finish on them as well, and it just proves to you that this tool was made by a skilled hand. In my case, my Wildlife Hatchet was made by Mattias Mattson. I appreciate his work each time I use my hatchet in the bush.


JGON
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top