Standards for checking blade alignment

J

JLKII

Joined
Jun 4, 2009
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123
I was taught to check the alignment of a axe blade with its handle by sighting down the edge of the blade and seeing where this line intersected the butt of the axe. A properly aligned axe would have the line bisect the butt.

Recently, I had occasion to inspect the handles of what are considered quality axes I was considering purchasing. I found 1 of 2 Wetterlings and 2 of 5 Granfors Bruks to have the alignment off as much as along the left side of the handle (as looked at).

I would expect better from these companies.

So what gives? Has there been a change in alignment practices that I did not learn, or is it caveat emptor once again?
 
My mini is off slightly but not enough to make a difference as far as I can tell.
 
Never really seen that problem.

Then again, maybe your standards are higher than mine.

I have frequented the U.S. supplier/importer of Gransfors Bruks Axes and handled 100's,

located in Summerville SC, which is less than twenty minutes from my house, and I

have only run into a problem with one or two they have had over the last several years, and it was not with the handles.

Being able to get my hands on just about any of their axes I want has been both a curse

and a benefit.
 
if the handle is going to bow; it is typical for vertical, parallel to the bit, grain orientation to bow right or left depending on where it was in the tree.

this could be what you observed or perhaps not;D
 
Thanx to everyone who answered so far.

It would appear that GB is shipping all of its "defective" axes to the sporting goods store that I frequent here in Colorado.

I'll have to go online to purchase what I want, and since you never see what you are getting until it arrives and is unpackaged, I suppose that the best way to do this is to order five or six axes and then take the best of the lot and return the rest, assuming that the salesman you place the order with cannot inspect the axe for you --- and even then you might end up with a less than desired quality depending upon their skill.

Or I could spend the plane fare to/from South Carolina to visit the US distributor ....... :)
 
Depends how they're stored. Perhaps shipping to a new area with different heat and humidity could cause an issue in the handle, especially if it sits for a year or so.

Haven't seen many problems though.
 
There have been a number of recent reports or poorly aligned axes coming out of Sweden. Seems to be worse with Wetterlings but guys have posted the problem with Gransfors, too. If you get one send it back.
 
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