Wetterling's vs. Snow & Neally

Thanks for all the info guys. That so many are willing to share their experience is truly a credit to this community.

I'm still thinking on this. I wish there was someplace in the area where I could handle several different models. I wonder if Bass Pro or Cabela's would stock a decent selection? That's about the only two places around here that I can think of that might give me the chance to really look over different models and consider which is my best choice.
 
The plot thickens...

A very good friend of mine owns Mountain Sports (you can find them online BTW). Turns out they are a Gransfors Bruks dealer and he can get me one at a good price.

What to do, what to do? lol

Which GB would you recommend for use as a camp/backpack model? The wildlife hatchet looks pretty nice and is a lot less expensive than the mini-hatchet.
 
If I had a buddy that could get me a gransfurs for a good price i'ed snap it up in a quick heart beat.The wild life is a good choice i also like the mini and the hunters axe.It was mentioned that this was for your son who is going for his tote & chip card for scouting. personally what I would do is pick up the GB and put it in a safe place until he is older with more experience and start him out with something less expensive because as sure as little green apples its gunna get dinged up as he learns.:)
 
Hey Texas Slim, you did mention to your buddy that you and I are buddies right? Buddies share their discounts right? right? :)

j/k I think the only prohibiting factor I've EVER seen about GB here is the cost. Remove that, and it's a no-brainer.

and ya I like the wildlife hatchet
 
Noshtero said:
Hey Texas Slim, you did mention to your buddy that you and I are buddies right? Buddies share their discounts right? right? :)
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Man I would if I cold! Hell, it's hard enough for me to get the discount these days. I'm still leaning toward the wild life hatchet, unless someone can give me a good reason not to.
 
MIKE MACINTOSH said:
put it in a safe place until he is older with more experience and start him out with something less expensive because as sure as little green apples its gunna get dinged up as he learns.:)
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Yeah, I have to admit, I thought the same thing. Especially since one of the requirements is sharpening an axe. GBs look plenty sharp from the factory. The thought of him dragging a file across the edge just makes me cringe.
 
Texas Slim said:
Yeah, I have to admit, I thought the same thing. Especially since one of the requirements is sharpening an axe. GBs look plenty sharp from the factory. The thought of him dragging a file across the edge just makes me cringe.
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I hear ya, just picture that edge the first time he chops through a log and gets some dirt and rocks, it happened to all of us when we first started out:)
 
Texas Slim said:
The plot thickens...

A very good friend of mine owns Mountain Sports (you can find them online BTW). Turns out they are a Gransfors Bruks dealer and he can get me one at a good price.

What to do, what to do? lol

Which GB would you recommend for use as a camp/backpack model? The wildlife hatchet looks pretty nice and is a lot less expensive than the mini-hatchet.
Click to expand...

Personally I'd go with the small forest axe (19"). Small and light enough to fit in the pack, but just long enough to swing with both hands effectively, makes for a more versatile tool than the shorter hatchet imo.

Yeah, I have to admit, I thought the same thing. Especially since one of the requirements is sharpening an axe. GBs look plenty sharp from the factory. The thought of him dragging a file across the edge just makes me cringe.
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just fyi, the Gransfors I've owned have all come shaving sharp from the factory.
 
In my book, 12 is on the young side for the lad to learn how to use a sharp axe. Also, the smaller axes (hatchets) tend to be more dangerous for the novice than mid sized tools. I would recommend close supervision and a boy's axe (medium sized) with an smaller head. Here the idea is to get used to the feel and balance of the tool.

Also, please don't misplace the protective eyewear.
 
I've taught hundreds of 11 and 12 year olds axemanship. It's not too young, so long as they're supervised. I use a 3/4 axe and a hatchet for teaching.

I had a Snow and Nealy as my first hatchet. The first time I used it, the head broke off. I was left holding the handle with the head stuck in the wood. I know people who love them, but not a great first experience for me.

I really like my GB wildlife hatchet.
 
I spent a lot of my childhood doing axe work...would have definitely been younger than twelve when I started.

I grew up in a home (in Canada, yes) with just a wood stove for heat and lighting the morning fire was one of my chores starting when I was really young. I spent tons of time bucking wood with a boe saw and splitting it with either an axe or a sledge and wedges. I'll tell you this: when you are ten years old and someone tells you to split up a two foot thick seasoned oak round, you are in for a long hard morning!

Anyway 12 is definitely not too young to learn to use an axe. BUT! I hope that you will teach the kid what to do instead of just ordering him to get the job done...kind of a miracle I wasn't hurt as a kid, had NO idea what I was doing when I started out!

But no, I definitely wouldn't give a young kid a good axe...instead, I would give him a simple, hickory handled two-footer from Home Depot or what have you and sharpen it up for him.

Also PLEASE if he takes a good nick out of the bladeby accident DON'T whack him around with the handle, he will be bruised up for two weeks and it will cost him a win at the district elementary school 4x100m relays competition! Not that I've been there or anything!

I have lots and lots of advice on how kids should not be trained on axes actually so fire away with any questions...here are a sample to get you going:

Q: If the axe is dull, should I sharpen it myself, teach my kid to sharpen it, or just whack him with the handle and tell him his axe is too dull?

A: I would go with one of the first two.

Q: If he does a lousy job stacking the wood, should I give him a hand, or give him the handle?

A: First option is better.


It makes me laugh now but man I think the main use of that axe was hitting me with the handle, the next use was to split "spanking boards" and on some rare occasions it may have been used to help heat the house!

Anyway even if you do it all wrong it turns out the kid eventually learns to laugh about it and doesn't care and likes going and camping with you...but it takes a few years!
 
I've had a Snow and Nealley for quite a while now, and I love it. I have no complaints. Furthermore, every other one I've looked at has been in great shape, without any defects. Some of them need the edge to be touched up a bit, but otherwise, I'm a fan.

I have no experience with GBs, so I won't talk about them.

As far as being too young, I would say 12 is right about the age a kid should be learning axemanship. As long as he's wearing steel-toed boots and is accompanied while he practices, I'd say go ahead!
 
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