Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe 25 Inch, 430

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.

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.

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!

My wife bought this for my birthday. I have never owned an axe until now, I have used many in my life, so I am aware of the vast differences.. I bought this based on YouTube reviews, and reviews here on Amazon. I could not be more pleased. Of course it's expensive, but it has a twenty year guarantee.It is better to spend more and never have to buy a replacement. I try not to be brand myopic, but some companies are just so consitent, and care so much about their reputation, that they do not deviate from the proven formula, like Victorinox, Fallkniven, and Gransfor Bruks. The handle is ergonomically perfect, the grain is tight, and straight. The head is extremely symmetrical, which is amazing, especially if you watch the video of how they forge it entirely by eye. It came hair-popping sharp out of the box. I took it out and removed a four inch diameter limb hanging over my drive way, the wood was very hard, and took a couple dozen whacks. It was over six feet high, making it kind of awkward, otherwise It would have taken far less. The edge was still sharp enough to shave my arm afterwards. The leather sheath that came with it is very high quality as well, it fits nice and snug to protect the edge, and can even be looped to your belt. A very detailed axe book is also included explaining their mission statement, a list of their smith so you know who made your axe, instructions on use, care, even how to use it safely, and a section on stacking firewood to cure it properly. The book also includes a catalog of their other axes, and how they are best employed. Gransfors Bruks is one of the last bastions of old world craftsmanship, and I am a very proud to be an owner. In my opinion this axe is simply perfect, I highly recommend it. I went to Home Depot today not long after using my new axe, and looked at what they had to offer, the difference is glaringly obvious, and it just reinforced the decision I had made in choosing this particular axe. I am planning to by the American Felling Axe,and the Splitting Maul in the future. I am going to link a a video to axes being made at the one and only GB factory in Sweden so you can see the process for your self [...]If Amazon removes the link search YouTube for "Gransfors Bruks Axe Forge Tour" I also want to thank the smith, Anders Strömstedt, who proudly initialed this fine tool! I also owe a big Thank you to David, at Barracuda Supply & Liquidators for the amazing customer service!

This is as great little ax. Perfect to toss in the pack and process on the site. I recently felled three cedar one 1 foot diameter and two larger than 3 foot diameter. Obviously used the chainsaw to fell them but limbing was a breeze with this ax. Cant wait to see how it will do as the weather gets warmer. I've had a void in my kit of a quality small ax and although this is still a two handed ax, it fits the bill nicely. Everyone that has seen me cut with it comments on how quickly I can tear through 6"+ branches of pine and how effortless it looks. To be fair this is an ax you need to have a bit of skill and understanding to use. Even though it is razor sharp out of the box (literally) you'll realize that using the right angle of swing far trumps the power you add to the swing. Straight down swings are average (wood dependent); however, the right angle on the swing and half the power will sink the blade about 2-3 inches. Nice little ax. Definitely wont replace the felling ax but definitely fills the void of a nice all-around ax. If this was the only one I brought to the job and still had the chain saw to fell the larger trees I wouldnt have an issue. And since it is so light and thrives on technique amd not power I can use it as long as the grip in my hands will allow.. easily an all day workhorse.

Ok, I'm writing this for my husband. I got it for him for Christmas and boy did I do good. I was sort of clueless when it came to axes so I started looking at several kinds and brands. I finally settled on this one and I will tell you that it's probably my husband's favorite gift ever and we've been married over 18 years. He keeps it in the house and he even named it. Luke. He has used it several times already and it just slices through things like butter. The handle is so smooth and beautiful. Everything about it is beautiful. The leather sheath, the blade, everything. You can feel that it's high quality. It came with a cool booklet that has a lot of information in it. It is expensive but worth it. You get what you pay for and this is something that will last and last. He wants to put up hooks to hang it in the house! He's so proud of it. So glad I got him this. You can't go wrong. Also, he's 6'1'', 190 lbs and it's not too small for him. He loves the size. Luke completes him! I thought I did, but it turns out the axe is the secret.

This is a quality axe. When a friend of mine recommended this and said this brand was top of the line, hand crafted and the best you could buy, he wasn’t kidding. The handle feels great in the hand, and check out the grain lines on the handle in the pics. Aside from that, the sheath is a beautiful dark leather with feels like brass buttons and it all looks incredible. I almost feel bad that i have to use it tomorrow. Comes with a book that is both instructional for new axe handlers and also about the other types of axes available and their uses and tells who the maker marks belong to, so you can find out who made your axe. I’d say this is a great gift for any new axe handler, but is bit on a small side. If you’re looking for a splitting axe for big logs, definitely go bigger. But for trimming and small logs, this will probably be perfect. I’ll update this after I use it. . Update: worked exactly as I expected. Great for splitting firewood.

I do forest restoration for a living. In my area, it's somewhat common for land owners to not want chainsaws running all day. For that reason, I had to find l a short, light axe suited for use while on my knees taking out understory invasive woody shrubs. I spent a lot of time researching axes and GB still seems to be the best out there for the price. I also spent a lot of time looking through sellers trying to find one that was least likely to be selling Chinese knockoffs, which appears to be a major problem now. KMA imports was the seller I chose. I was lucky enough to get one that's the real deal, though I agree with other reviewers that GB quality control has gone down considerably. My handle's grain isn't anywhere near parallel with the head and there's a dab of epoxy or glue visible at the top. The head has some blemishes near the bottom that look a little strange, though I don't think they will effect the axe's overall integrity. That all being said, It does cut spectacularly. I even sent the blade straight into the ground after an amateurish swing resulted in a glancing blow. It found a small rock to hit down there. Whereas "dale" (my old garage sale axe) would have probably had a giant ding in the edge, the GB only had some chalky residue on it and a slightly dull patch. All in all, I'm happy with the purchase, I just suspect the handle will give out sooner rather than later at the rate that I'm using it. I recommend you do some soul searching before you buy this axe. There's a ton of hype and most people can get by with a hardware store axe. If you have to have this axe, try to find it at an authorized dealer where you can look through a selection and find the nicest handle. If the closest dealer is a 12 hour car ride away, find a seller you think you can trust and roll the dice. If you're buying the axe to use occasionally or just to hang on your wall, the handle really doesn't matter that much anyway.