One Blade Survival: The Axe

BarberFobic1992

BarberFobic1992

Joined
Jan 21, 2008
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3,346
I am thinking of doing a few more of these types of reviews, so tell me what you think.

the idea was to take one blade outside and use it for many different survival related tasks, especially tasks that the tool wouldnt be very good for. Today, for the first of these reviews, i took out the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe.

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keep on mind, everything done in these photos was done with the axe.

first up, just some basic whittling. really, the main reason i did this was just to get used to using the axe in this manner. it had a bit of a learning curve, but after about ten minutes, i got pretty comfortable using it this way.

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then i tried shaving some bark, as i would if i were starting a fire.

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then some chopping, which it obviously excelled at. the first picture shows some small bits of wood that were cut in one chop,the next pics show some more heavy-duty chopping.
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then some point carving and fuzz stick:

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some of the more difficult stuff to follow...
 
Drilling holes is not a typical axe related duty, so i figured i would give it a go.

the peice of wood ( showing its thickness):
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it took a little while to get the hole all the way through, but it worked pretty well:

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and finally, the most difficalt of all the tasks: the figure 4. making a figure 4 is a good test of notching ability and controlled cutting ability. i wasnt really sure if i would be able to do this succesfull, but i did!

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some pics of the notches:

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hope you all enjoyed!
-Brendan
 
Good stuff. You have my attention. Just my opinion,but I think a good light axe is very underrated,and large heavy choppers(knives) are greatly overrated. Maybe even vastly overrated. Having said that,I own several and love using them,but a light axe can really be more compact and more useful. Looking foreward to the rest of the story.
Alex
 
Sweet! The GB forest is on my short list. Now if I can just get my hands on some of that green papery stuff that makes people give you stuff...:(
 
Good review :thumbup:

In the right hands, a good axe or hatchet is indeed a very versatile tool.



Kind regards
Mick
 
A really good idea and a great demo. I have the Small Forest Axe too and I'm continually impressed with its versatility. To be fair, I'm not using it for large axe tasks such as felling serious timber, it's not designed for that. But for all the things you showed, it excels. I have to say, I never thought of the drilling aspect, but you have inspired me to give that a try. Nice job.
 
It's been said in the past that an experienced native canoeist running rapids would always be sure to have his axe at his side, ready to grab in an instant. That was the one tool he wanted if he ever dumped and was stranded.

Sweet axe. You sure can handle it. I love my SFA and I would have to agree that it's a great choice if you had to pick just one tool. Shelter building, processing massive amounts of firewood, defense. It rocks.
 
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Great idea for a review. Doing uncommon things for a specific tool. Seems that it did pretty good for what it is. Great review :thumbup:
 
I've taken just an axe out a bunch of times. Like most of the northwoods bush folks I've found you can fairly easily make it with just an axe. This includes skinning and processing small game. They are indeed great and versatile tools.
 
Great post, There are a number of hatchets and small axes that can do the job and I sure would not feel handi capped with only an ax. The same could be said for me with a SAK and one of my small folding saws.
 
Great reivew. Keep them comming.

I love axes.

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and hatchets too

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this is the one I carry everyday with a sheath I made for it and with the other two knives and the sharpener and the match safe all in the same sheath.

Bryan
 
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Great pics and thread!! WOW!

Little known fact: the rounded hammer side of the axe on the gransfors (not blocked off like the ones in the picture) are used to separate skin from fat.
 
G'day Joe

Joezilla said:
Little known fact: the rounded hammer side of the axe on the gransfors (not blocked off like the ones in the picture) are used to separate skin from fat.
Click to expand...
The GB hunters axe certainly has a thinner rounded flaying poll :thumbup:

My GB mini doesn't (just as well 'cause I use it to hammer in tent pegs :D ).
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Kind regards
Mick
 
I would take an axe over anything else. But of course, most people already know that about me :D

Hey Bryan: I guess I don't have to ask if that next set of axes showed up for you :thumbup: :D

B
 
Yep they got here. I forgot to tell you. Kory brought them home today He was as tickled as I was. We had to go and try them LOL. I will send you a e-mail telling you they got here LOL.


Bryan
 
Nice review 'Ol Bud:thumbup: You guys are killing me with all those neat Axe's :o Mine don't compare to those nice ones ! ColdSteel TrailBoss & Gerber 14" sportaxe & ColdSteel TrailHawk. Oh well maybe I'll get the chance to step up to at least a wetterlings or S&N sometime this year:rolleyes:
 
Great review.
I have been eyeing axes.
I am almost certain to have a couple before very long.
 
great little review. I am a big fan of axes. I allways have one close at hand, and am never with out one while out side durring the winter. joe
 
Ooohh this is just the post I needed. I just got word that Lee is starting on my Nessmuk double bit next week.


ooohhhhhh ya! :thumbup:
 
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