Wetterlings

S

Scifidelity

Joined
Sep 29, 2019
Messages
195
Hi All,

Newbie to the world of axes here. For 2 years I wanted a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe. It was cost prohibitive and still is. After doing more research, I found a few other companies that seem to have just as good of reputations albeit less popular, but with much more approachable price points. Over the weekend I bought a discontinued Wetterlings Outdoor Axe, which is the exact same overall length as the Small Forest Axe. I could not be happier. I paid less than half of what the Bruks costs

For people that own both or have at least used both (not interested in conjecture) I'm curious how much better the Bruks is, it should be a little more than 2x as good as the Wetterlings and I have a hard time fathoming that. I suppose I should also take the steel into account. If you have insight into differences in steels used, I'm interested in that as well.

Thanks!
Josh
 
You did good!
I used to own both of these axes, and I liked both. No doubt, he GB is an overall better finished axe, the Wetterlings has a more "homespun" look.
The Wetterlings has a more robust blade and less concave profile, which is better suited for splitting than the GB. The GB is more of a chopping tool than a splitter.
While the Wetterlings axes had a steel which was allegedly hardened a couple of points harder than that of the GB, I doubt that there could be any significant difference between their performances. I think the major differences are due to the geometries of the heads and to an extent to the shape of the handles, which my promote slightly different grips. For me the GB handle always looked nicer, but felt less comfortable when gripped.
That is why I think, that the GB is definitely not 2x the axe as the Wetterlings. It has better looks and may give you more pride of ownership, but IMHO utility wise is not much superior, if at all, to the Wetterlings.
Others might have a different experience.
P.S.: While I am happy that GB is still around, I am sad that the last owner of Wetterlings (who happend to be one of the owners of GB as well) decided to get rid of that venerable brand.
 
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