Swedish axes

B

Billbo66

Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
248
Is there enough difference in quality to justify the higher price of a Gransfors small hatchet over a Wetterlings? Is it the steel, the forging, or just the name? I am upgrading from a Fiskars, and want a harder steel with better geometry.
 
The GB have a much better fit/finish that the wetterlings I've seen. The gransfors are nearly perfect, the wetterlings have uneven grinds, bits aren't in perfect alignment with the handles, ect.

I'm sure you could get a very nice wetterlings if you picked one out by hand, but if I were going to order one online I wouldnt take the chance.
 
Considering that I spend the difference almost every time that I take someone out to eat and the axe will likely last decades, getting the GB is worth it to me. However, if I were still in my poor student days, I might make the other choice. I think it all depends upon the state of your personal finances and how much you enjoy using a really good axe.

DancesWithKnives
 
Opinions will vary greatly on this subject.

My understanding is that the steel is the same, forging process is the same. In fact they are both owned by the same individual now.

What seems to vary on the wetterlings is the fit and finish as well as the grinds. I have also heard that with the new management of Wetterling that problem has been corrected to some degree.

I would say that if you enjoy working on your outdoor tools to improve them and make them the best they can be then save the money and buy the Wetterling. If you are not handy and want a very good axe of the rack then buy the Gransfors bruks.

That being said, I own 2 Wetterlings that have been slightly worked on and I would almost be willing to bet there is no difference in performance now to the Gransfors.

I am sure you will get more input. Good luck on what ever you decide.

Paul
 
Whatever it it that you are up to, you Would Not be sorry going with the Gransfors Bruks. Long after a trifle of saved money is frittered away, the lower quality would bother you.
 
Erasmus said:
Whatever it it that you are up to, you Would Not be sorry going with the Gransfors Bruks. Long after a trifle of saved money is frittered away, the lower quality would bother you.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Or as another forumite would often say "buy the best you can afford, and cry only once"
 
I compared them both side by side before purchasing and the difference in fit and finish is very noticeable with the GFB pulling way ahead. I was quite surprised. As others have said, for the price of a lunch out, it really is worth going for the GFB.
 
I've never handled a Wetterlings, but you know, I've looked at the GB's at the local outdoor store, and I noticed almost all of them had uneven grinds. A lot of people rave about them, but after looking at a few, I'm not so impressed. YMMV...
 
It would depend on the model for me. For a hatchet or and axe in which the edge is really important, go with the GB. But, for s splitting maul or somthing, i dont think that a GB could be too far ahead of the wetterlings. Also, on the mini models, i would go with the wetterlings. It is similar, not as nice as the GB, but the mini GB is so much more expensive than the mini wetterlings, that i would rather just buy the wetterlings and put some work into it. But, GB is definatly better, and definatly worth it.

Also, check out the custom axes at offthemapoutfitters.com. They have a different look about them, and perform great, so definatly worth considering.
 
i asked this question before and i was actually pointed in the direction of brian andrews here on the forum. I have not yet purchased from him but have heard great things about how he sets up his s&n axes and hatchets. I plan on purchasing one as soon as i quit going to the fixed blades for sale forum over at the makers forum. hehe. Its a good option. i believe his site is www.offthemapoutfitters.com or something like that.
 
My GB mini out-chopped my Wetterlings in the next size up, due to superior grinding. Now that I have a belt-grinder I would buy a Wetterling if I could hand-choose it, but otherwise I'd go with the GB. If you spend hundreds on knives, why not spend less that $100 on the Rolls Royce of axes?
 
hmm, I saw it at the Eugene show in April for $95. Actually though I would advise going the next size up, b/c it's cheaper (the mini is hard to make b/c it's so small) and b/c you get significantly more performance with a slight increase in weight.
 
I bought my GB Mini after reading a great many reviews and owners feedback from those whom knew far more about hatchet selection, usage and care than I.

Whilst the GB Mini was more expensive than the small Fiskars/Gerber that I originally thought of buying, I knew that the GB would easily outlive its 20 year warranty, and dividing the cost over the warranty period, it worked out to be pennies!

I love my Mini, its beautiful, feels like a natural extension of my hand and is light to carry in the pack or on the belt, its also astonishingly sharp, straight out of the mask.
 
I've heard nothing but great things about the GB hatchets...I'll have to get one. I've been using a Harbor Freight hatchet that I doctored up on the belt sander and had a friend rehandle in hickory and it seems to be doing the trick so far though. I left the edge pretty beefy on it but made it more even/thinned it out quite a bit more than it originally was. Even though it's a cheapo, it seems to hold up well enough....just the original handle was pretty crappy. If I like this thing as much as I do, than a GB is a must....
 
I first bought the Wetterling version of the light forest ax, was dissappointed, and ultimately bought the GB light forest ax. (Cry once is good advice) The GB light forest has been a great tool for me and I love taking it into the woods. I have the hatchet, which is convenient to have around, but, for me, the workhorse for moving wood on a cool autumn morning is the light ax. It's light so it's easy to carry, and, if you choke up, it'll serve as a hatchet.
 
My GB Forest Axe is awesome. The convex edge chops the heck out of stuff, and is easy to sharpen.
 
Question for those of you that were bothered by the "FIt and Finish" of the Wetterlings, could you please expand on that subject.

I am not sure what you mean by that? If the axes are of the same steel and the same size and both have straight grain hickory handles with a properly hung head then what was wrong with the Wetterlings.

I have never used a Gransfors but have handled them and they pretty much look the same.

If we are only talking about uneven grinds, then that could be corrected if someone wanted to take the time. It is actually a enjoyable project to take on for some people. I mean to coax the perfect edge out of the axe and see the performance improve is a great accomplishment. After all we are "KIFENUTS"

I don't mean to start an argument I am just looking for knowledge like most that come here.

Paul
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top