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Reading Mors Koschanski - need suggestions on an Axe.

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

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Mar 19, 2007
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I am reading about Axecraft, and I have a hatchet that I use when camping, but I would love to get a larger Axe as suggested in Bushcraft.

Any suggestions on a good axe from a reputable company at a fair price?

TF
 
While I enjoy all of the pretty pictures that get posted of GB and Wetterlings axes..... I have always gotten by with yardsale axes.

My current one is a rehandled Hulks Bruks. Its not pretty but it will git er done. Deals on old axe heads are pretty common here at yardsales, most people done have the inclination or skill to rehandle one.

Mind you rehandling an axe can be a huge pita.
 
You cannot, CANNOT beat grunsfors bruks. They are a bit pricy but totally worth it. Fiskars makes a good axe as well.
 
I'll be one of many to recommend GB. I haven’t read Koschanski’s book but a lot of people have said the Small Forest Axe fits his description.

But I said "fair price" you say? Yes, they are expensive, but I have two GB’s and they were worth every cent. Besides, when else can you purchase something that is an example of “the best in the world” of any product for $110 plus shipping?
 
Don't remember the book exactly but I think the GB Small Forest Axe is about the size / Weight he recommands (maybe a bit smaller).
Wetterling and other axe companies also have equivalents.

For Axes I generally prefer to hand-pick axes so I can select wood and also because there are more things to look like head fitting, head shape.

GB are expensive for sure but compared to what people usually pay for knives it doesn't look so bad.

GB tends to be fairly consistent even if wood isn't always great.
Some people seem happy with Wetterling. In the past some pictures of baddly ground Wetterlings were posted, but I haven't seen any for some years.
 
For my hatchet, I've been extremely satisfied with my Norlund Voyageur, and I have an old Dillon Kamp Kit for a larger axe.. Very much up to the task.
 
besides Wetterlings and GB

check out Council Tools and Vaughan Mfg. too - possible Barco Industries as well

There's also Iltis Oxhead but they're pretty spendy

E bay is a good place to get old quality axes

as I'm sure you know, grain orientation on the handle is a really important consideration so either pick it out yourself or take your chances
 
Wetterlings for the price can't be beat, you can buy husquavarna axes as well, they have the wetterlings s.a.w. stamp and can be well priced.
GB are nice but wetterlings are less than half the price and are well forged.
 
What Mors describes is a trapper's axe.
The GB rendition would be the Scandinavian Forest Axe, not the small forest axe.

But for the same or less money I'd recommend
Brian Andrews Modified Snow & Neally Hudson Bay


Large one in photo:
12244662889921810939599.jpg
 
Grain orientation of the handle is only an issue if you are going to rehelve it. You can make your own handle really easily by going to the local salvation army, or yard sale, or whatever, and buying an old baseball bat. It's always the most ready source for straight grained ash.
 
Food for thought...

If you intend to cut a lot, spend the money up front or you'll be spending more in the form of time and calories. i.e., the better axes such as the GB will make you more productive.
 
Brian's way to go may be good - I then can have a person check out the fit and finish BEFORE they send it to me.

I will check out all suggestions.

TF
 
TF - I bought my last GB from japanwoodworker. I asked that they send me the best handle grain, etc.. The axe they sent me was perfect. Just putting that out there so you know there are some on-line retailers who will pre-check the product. But the modded S&N's look sweet too.
 
Wetterlings, GB, and the S&N are the only contenders in my book. The S&N has the best 'general' profile, so it's good at both limbing/crosscuts and splitting. The others will do it but they're not ideal for it. My Brian Andrews S&N splits like a muther, but the weight often precludes it coming along on excursions. If you do go with S&N though, there's no excuse to not get one from Brian; his alterations are useful and dramatic.
 
Agreed. I've got a truckload of GB and other axes but that Brian Andrews customized S&N still gets my interest!

DancesWithKnives
 
if your looking to save some money i would say wetterlings or one of brain andrews pimped snow&nealy axes both are amazing axes
 
The S&N Hudson Bay camp axe is actually lighter than the 17" fiskars hatchet but you get 4" more handle and that amounts to a whole lot of momentum on the swing.

I certainly would endorse Brian's modifications too. You'll get a great axe and have $20 to spare from a G&B. As you say, it has the personal touch from one of our own and Brian is so darn persnickety on the details that he just won't let an off one go through.
 
I just bought one of the modified Penobscot Bay axes from Brian. Very nice! I will have to get the Hudson Bay at some point.
 
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