Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe 25 Inch, 430

Finally after a handful of high end axes, an axe handle with excellent grain orientation. The blade was sharp, but not polished. The poll was rough and not machined. Hickory is getting more difficult to find, so if you are interested in eventually getting an axe like this, don’t wait too long. Nice axe, just a little rough. Update: I lightly sanded and put the first coat of raw linseed oil. I read that no finish is put on at the factory so it does need a coating of something. The first coat brought out the brown heartwood hickory and it is a gem.

I'd pondered the idea of the GB and Wetterlings axes and hatchets for a few years before being able to afford them. I initially chose the GB over the Wetterlings based on my research, which indicated the more expensive GB axes and hatchets are better finished than the Wetterlings. I never got the chance to handle the Wetterlings in person before purchasing to compare the two side by side. I handled the GB in person before pulling the trigger and decided it was worth the price. They're expensive, yes. But if you're the type who appreciates quality tools, is looking for a lifetime purchase, and subscribes to "buy once, cry once" you'll be more than satisfied with this hatchet. If not, you'll never be happy due to the high price tag. My axe arrived very nicely finished with no mill scale and a nicely sharpened edge. I unsnapped the sheath, gave it a few licks on a strop, and shaved hair off my arm no problem. The wood handle is executed well and the leather sheath is useful and unobtrusive. It feels real nice in the hand and balances well. It's the kind of item that hasn't changed for a hundred years and there's a good reason for that. I'm used to using a longer handled American handled axe and was concerned at the shorter handle on the Scandi version (26" on this bad boy vs. 31" or so on a 'merican style axe) but it works just fine. These guys know a little bit about axes and if the handle needed to be longer I'm sure they would've made this change sometime in the last hundred years or so. I'm fairly tall with long arms and have no issues chopping with this axe. If anything, it's a little handier to stow behind the seat of the truck and/or prop up against a wall since it's a wee bit shorter than a 'merican style axe. I highly recommend this axe. Very rarely is such a simple item so well made and so beautifully executed. Take care of it and your grandchildren will split wood with it.

The size and weight of this axe is perfect for what I use it for. Most men feel that they can use a heavier head when felling a tree, but too much weight leads to inaccuracy and sloppy axemanship. This is a "Scandinavian" forest axe. For use at northern latitudes. If you were in the American Southeast, or the Northeast, or the California redwood forest, you might have very different needs. I live in Alaska and our trees are very similar to those found in Sweden where this fine axe was made. About Gransfors: many fine axes come out of Sweden from Husqvarna, Hults Bruk/Hultafors, etc. But Gransfors makes the very best. Each head is made by a single smith with his or her initials stamped into the head, so you know who made yours. Very nice. The handles are of a proper hickory variety with excellent grain orientation, a well set head, and perfect weight to handle length ratio. This particular example is a "general purpose" axe for me when working in the woods. It is just the right size to fit in my faller's Toolbox, and it is used to clear a path around trees I am going to cut. I wear the GB Small Forest Axe on my belt for pounding wedges, and with these two axes I could do most anything except fall the largest of white spruce and hew them, maybe. I still use a chainsaw for speed, but these axes help me process approximately 7 cords of firewood each summer. Been using their products now for the almost the last decade, and I stand by my statement that they are the best...at least for interior Alaska trees. Another time on Amazon I reviewed a copy of this axe from another company and stated that the only better version was one from Gransfors Bruk. And now I have one to write about too!