So, I'm going to pull the trigger on a Gransfor Bruk tomorrow

Quarter Tank

Quarter Tank

Joined
Dec 30, 2010
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But, I'm torn between the mini and the wildlife hatchet

I really like the compact size of the mini but I also like the cost for the wildlife

hmmm, such a tough decision

please help me make my mind up!
 
I picked up a Wildlife Hatchet a few weeks ago from Treeman Knives. Couldn't be happier. Not too heavy, carries nice on my belt, and it can do a lot more than I originally thought it would.

While out snowshoeing, I've been using it to maintain trails on my property. It makes short work of anything 3" and under.

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P.S. I couldn't decide between the GB Wildlife Hatchet or Small Forest Axe, so I bought them both. You only go around once right!
 
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I would go with the Wildlife Hatchet. It has a wider range of uses. The head is about 1lb, so it's not a lot of weight. It is small compared to most hatchets on the market, but does a great job. If you are not sure about it, go to a local store and play around with a Fiskars hatchet. It is about the same weight and length as the Wildlife Hatchet.
 
the beauty is I get to hold both the mini and wildlife tomorrow morning at a store here in Atl.

hell, I may end up walking out with both once i hold them...
 
Haha - I had a similar conundrum between the SFA and Scandi. I ended up getting the Scandi first, but ended up getting the SFA as well a couple of months down the line... not to mention the two vintage GBA double bits that I'm restoring right now. I also have a 10" wetterlings which is what's keeping me from being in your position, but I'm sure sooner or later I'll cave and pick up a Wildlife Hatchet. the quality of GBAs is just so impressive that you'll probably end up with more than one.

If you're just going to get one for now, I'd go with the WH as it's still plenty compact and pairs well with a good knife. The mini seems really nice, but I think that due to it's size, there would be overlap into knife chores at the compromise of the greater chopping ability of the WH... however, it would be ideal if you wanted one jack-of-all-trades tool that could do knife as well as hatchet tasks.

Also, I hate to do this to you, but: don't forget there's also the kuben hatchet :p it's the head of a WH hatchet mounted onto a 10" adze handle and costs a little bit less than the WH.

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I vote the Mini! I use it for backpacking and it's incredibly useful. I wouldn't use it around the house to split logs, but you'd be surprised when you're out just how much the Mini can handle.
 
the Mini and the Wildlife would be for very small duty around the house and mainly backpacking

thinking of getting a bigger one for keeping up with the fire place logs
 
Split the difference and get the Kubben/hand hatchet. I got one for Christmas and it does an awesome job at splitting kindling and carving spindles and fireboards for the firebow. It has the same 1lb head as the Wildlife, but with a 9" super thick handle for choked up grip to carve. My Mini, 10" with 8oz head, is a sweetheart to carry but comes at a pretty penny. I paid $80 about 7 years ago, today its double that. The Kubben is $108 and the Wildlife with 14" handle is usually $110. You cant go wrong with any of them. :). Its tough to say what is best as they all have their use in some way. Thats why I own 5 GBs:D.
 
The 14" helve on the pound head makes the WH a wonderfully versatile tool. It's NOT a large axe. The mini is aptly named.

PC
 
So I did pull the trigger on the Wildlife Hatchet this morning.

great feeling tool, cant wait to start chopping wood with it.

question, has anyone put friction tape on their handle before? I want to use it and I think it would be very beneficial for holding on

thoughts?

this guy in the utube put friction tape on his GB

[youtube]99hCxjp1PUw[/youtube]
 
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I haven't done anything to my SFA, except sharpen it and treat the handle with linseed oil. I think friction tape is nutty.
 
I have also found that the RAW linseed oil dries to a tacky grip, protects the wood, and looks like an axe is susposed to look. Where to get raw linseed oil? Just go to the vitamin isle and pick up a bottle of flax seed oil!
Just don't do like me and have to be stiched up on your first day with the new axe!
 
Congrats on the wildlife, if you want tape, tape hell out of it, it's your's.

Now you know, nest is the mini.
I own both and if you hike or hunt and just need something in the old day bag they are great. but the Wildlife is great too. happy chopping.
 
Quarter Tank said:
question, has anyone put friction tape on their handle before? I want to use it and I think it would be very beneficial for holding on

thoughts?
Click to expand...

omniviking said:
Congrats on the wildlife, if you want tape, tape hell out of it, it's your's.
Click to expand...

BLASPHEMER!!!!

I've always found the beeswax finish they come with to be grippy enough. I also tend to wear gloves. If you wear through the finish, linseed oil is, indeed great.
 
bolied linseed oil has drier agents added to speed up the process, unlike raw. I use BLO on my rifles and GB axes. As for the grip tape I'm sure it will work great, but to me defeats the purpose of having an old world hand made axe. Grip tape works great on my Gerber/Fiskars handles :D. I should have told ya another benefit of the new GB Kubben bowler/Hand Hatchet was that the handle comes stippled or roughed up for better grip. Just as GB does to their special Hunter model for those times you use it for skinning deer and getting blood and guts on it. Works great.
 
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