small axe comparison

H

hd2k_va

Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
108
Cliff, I enjoyed reading your recent reviews of felling axes. Right now though, I'm looking for a good, small axe to take camping and such. I was thinking of the Marbles #4 safety axe at agrussell.com, or the Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet.

Does anyone here think one of these is significantly better than the other, or maybe know of some other hatchets I should check out?

Thanks
 
You might also consider P.J. Turner's uluchet:

http://www.eknife.net/

I have seen one, but did not get a chance to use it for anything. Just based on handling it, it seemed lightweight, compact, and versatile. I didn't care for the sheath system though. Search the archives for more information and detailed reviews.
 
You won't regret a Gransfors Bruks. I have the mini belt hatchet, and don't see how I ever did without it. They are sharp, well crafted (hand forged) have excellent edge geometry and quality hickory handles. My next one will be either the Wildlife or small forest axe. They cost a bit more, but are worth it!
 
The Marbles is considerably more expensive. For that price you should be able to get a Wildlife hatchet (1lb 4oz) and a small forest axe (2lb 2oz). I can't see a GB giving up anything to ANY other hatchet. While I really enjoy using the Wildlife, the small forest axe is awesome.
 
Crayola:

Lee Valley Tools had one that was not listed in the catalogue - so I got it! If you call their special orders dept they'll get one in - they're bringing in a falling axe and a mini hatchet for me. It could take some time as I guess they do their orders in bulk and direct - 3 months for my stuff. My sfa was $89.00 CAN.

Lee Valley
 
I asked the same question about the Marbles and the consensus seemed to be that the GBs would outperform it. Since I already had several GBs, I didn't buy the Marbles. However, I still think it's a cool little ax and might someday be convinced to buy one just for the heck of it.

I have an Uluchet and it performs very well on food preparation. I bought it for hunting and its performance in the kitchen leads me to believe it will be a winner. Kindling chopping/splitting ability is decent for a small tool of its size, but not as good as the GB hatchets.

The leather sheath for the Uluchet is merely adequate (as noted above), but I think that the kydex setup is terrific. Excellent retention, very compact, and extremely reasonable in price.
 
My perspective mirrors Jimbo's, in that the GB looks to give up nothing, and is in fact less expensive. This is the biggest problem in finding competition for the GB, they are just so inexpensive. Anyway, just looking at some images and spec's of the Marbles, I in fact see several problems. First off all, I would prefer a more pronounced end-knob on the handle to torque off of. Secondly, I would prefer a higher hardness. On one page the hardness of the Marbles was listed as 48-50 RC, this is 8-10 points lower than were I would want it.

-Cliff
 
Yeah, and the folding guard looks like it might do a number on your fingers too if you used it without gloves.
 
Thanks Jimbo!

I think I'll pass this info on to Christmas Present buyers :)

I talked with my soon to be bro-in-law the other day, who is an avid hiker and member of the Vancouver Search and Rescue team. For chopping, he's up to packing a khukuri or machete, as opposed to an axe. Goes to show you that preference is as much a part of the equation as other factors.
 
Hi Crayola:

Depends on what you do most. If you have to get through a bunch of devil's club (he'll tell you all about that stuff) or such, then a long blade is a fine choice.
If you're getting a sfa for Xmas then tell them to order early from LV. They do carry all the other axes in stock and they're all good so don't get disappointed with a substitute. I took the Scandinavian FA out last night for side by side comparison on a big fallen spruce, and was amazed by how well it did. It would sure take some time to get through a 2' trunk - but you could sure do it.
I also fitted up an old Norlund hatchet head that I've been slowly grinding on, because I wanted to see how it did. It's right up there with a HB Wildlife. So it might serve you well to look around, and make up a good hatchet to use in the meantime.
norwl.jpg

Lots of cosmetic stuff to do but on hard 7" driftwood it was right up there with the WL. Good design for whittling too. I intend to lighten it further but couldn't resist trying it out. Unfortunately with flash close to dusk, you can't see much...
 
Thanks for the info Jimbo!

I searched high and low here in Lethbridge for Mora knives too. NO ONE has them!! GRRRRRR!!! Fortunately a friend had a KJ blank, and this week-end I ought to have a handle on it. I am in the middle of making a slot in a piece of bras for a bolster.

I found an axe at Totem called a boy's axe for $20. It is exactly the size Mors Kochanski advocates. I passed on it, thinking that a $20 axe isn't going to be worth the money, and I should hold out for something better. I may go back and take another look, anyways :)

As of late, the big lesson I learned is that thin is the way to go on a bush blade. Boy do thin blades cut and cut and cut! A nice thin blade combined with a chopper, whether that be a khukuri or an axe, must be a combination impossible to beat!

Jimbo, any preference on stainless versus carbon versus laminated Mora blades?
 
Lee Valley carries Moras:
LV
Camper's Village has the plastic handled which kids love - and which are great carvers. They have stainless Clippers too:
CV
I'm finally trying a stainless Frost blank which seems very good - but it's the carbon that I like due to the hard wood around here.
What's the brand on the short axe?
You must have horse tack shops in that area. Go have a look at a Mora hoof knife. With a little work it makes an awesome crooked knife for $15. Details on my page.
 
Jimbo :

I took the Scandinavian FA out last night for side by side comparison on a big fallen spruce, and was amazed by how well it did. It would sure take some time to get through a 2' trunk - but you could sure do it.
Click to expand...

Yes, the biggest problem, well only one really, that I have is that the handle is too short for proper felling close to the ground. You either have to leave really high stumps, or bend over way too much. I think I might fit mine with a full length handle and see how it fares.

-Cliff
 
Yep you sure don't stand on the log to chop between your feet! Best to start with an Iltis head and fit a 36" handle. I could even use a longer handle than that. The Iltis balances very nicely with 36" - but the GB would be too light. Even the 2lb 2oz Iltis head is light on 36".
 
Yes, that was the major concern. It is fairly light as it is, so the longer handle isn't going to help. I was thinking of the longer handle mainly so I could find a use for it as it is a dedicated axe for something I don't usually use an axe for (limbing).

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp, I tried emailing you but may not have been succesfull either in the attempt or my wrting. Let me try again:

I want a first axe. I know I'll get more than one eventually. I am torn between the SFA and the Shawnee throwing axe by Hb forge.

Comments?

Thank you,

munk
 
I don't presume to answer for Cliff, but I have both and would get the GB SFA if your primary application is chopping. The H & B is a decent hawk, but it is made with much softer steel to absorb the abuse of throwing. It works fine for limited chopping, but will not stay with the SFA for extended work. The SFA also has better handle ergonomics and edge profile for chopping.
 
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