Small forest axe or wildlife hatchet?

[gabrielo]

Hi Folks,

i´m gonna buy a gränsfors for christmas, that is sure. But i don´t know if i should take the SFA or better the hatchet...i will mostly use it for cutting branches, splitting firewood or carve with it. don´t need a huge amount of firewood. so is the qildlife hatchet enough for that kind of jobs or should i reach for the SFA because it´s more universal and also usable with tow hands?

[CanadianMike]

I have the SFA, I'd say go for that due to the reasons you posted, more flexible and longer handle. You can still carve with it, you just need more room around you (I think it's the same head but different length handle) so you won't jab your buddies. Amazing axe though, the finish is beautiful and you can shave with it out of the box, easily sharpened too.

[Martin]

I've got a better idea. Why not get both?? You know you want to really and it's only money and it's Christmas so, go on, treat yourself. ;)

Martin

[Comptona]

Or buy us all one and we can decide for you lol:D

[CanadianMike]

Be nice guys. Lol

[WoodTroll]

I've got a spare axe head if anyone wants one - and the leather cover for it. The shaft snapped a while back and I've never round to making a new shaft. If someone fancies it as a project I'll mail to you if your in the UK free of charge. I don't want any money. It's in good nick.

[Northwoods]

Of the two, I'd have to say Wildlife hatchet - it just feels nicer to me in the hand whereas I am always cutting myself with the SFA, which IMHO is too small to do big stuff and too big to do small stuff (although I am in the minority here)

OR

Here's an idea. For a small hatchet get the Husquvarna hatchet for £25, really a beauty, hand-forged in Sweden, allegedly in same factory as GB etc etc, better for splitting kindling as it has a more wedge-shaped head, then get yourself a GB Scandinavian Forest Axe as well - bigger size, can chop down 12" dia trees and limb them etc, full size handle so safer than the SFA, but still not too heavy to carry.

I made my ash self-bow almost exclusively with the Huskie hatchet and it was great to use.

http://www.ramages.co.uk/acatalog/Special_offers.html

I would say neither the GB WH or the SFA is good for splitting. For that I would go for the GB splitting hatchet or splitting axe. Superb.

Richard

[gabrielo]

hm thanks so far...



get yourself a GB Scandinavian Forest Axe as well - bigger size, can chop down 12" dia trees and limb them etc

that´s not really the jobs i´m gonna do because i just don´t need to chop trees with 12" diameter.

do you think the huski is also good for chopping or carving?

[Northwoods]

Gabrielo - on the Huskie, I would say yes. Its the same size as the GBWH, slightly heavier head, slightly more flared grind. Feels more powerful in the hand but perhaps a little clumsier as well. Probably a better splitter and rough carver (eg first phases of a bow) but not so nice for fine carving.

I would have to say as well that the Huskie has not quite such a nice finish, and slightly variable quality control, but less than half the price of the GBWH.


Richard

[JustinTelford]

The Kuben hatchet would be my choice over either the WH or SFA :)

[Tony1948]

I thougth the wildlife hatchet was mainly designed for butchery and skinning so it has a bit thinner head

[Ashley Cawley]

I thougth the wildlife hatchet was mainly designed for butchery and skinning so it has a bit thinner head
I don't think so Tony, I'm pretty sure it's still made for primarily cutting wood, it is an axe after all :p

Having said that I would prefer to use the Kubben Hatchet if I was going to use it in game-prep (it's still the same head as the Wildlife Hatchet) but will a smaller handle, take a look:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAAMqWIJIRo

Having said that I wouldn't really use an axe for game-prep, I'd use my knife as you won't catch me without one! ;)

[redmegalord]

I've got a spare axe head if anyone wants one - and the leather cover for it. The shaft snapped a while back and I've never round to making a new shaft. If someone fancies it as a project I'll mail to you if your in the UK free of charge. I don't want any money. It's in good nick.

do you think youd be able to ship it to the U.S? along with knife making im begging to take an interest in woodwork.

[Metal mug]

I've only had a sfa but it's been good for me. The only shame is that gransfors sharpening stuff is so expensive.

[Shewie]

There's a new kid on the block today ....

http://www.raymears.com/blog/ray-mears-unveils-the-new-and-exclusive-gransfors-ray-mears-wilderness-axe/1585/

I shouldn't really but I've been waiting for an upscaled SFA for a long time and my will power was weak this afternoon, review when I get it :)

[Martin]

There's a new kid on the block today ....

http://www.raymears.com/blog/ray-mears-unveils-the-new-and-exclusive-gransfors-ray-mears-wilderness-axe/1585/

I shouldn't really but I've been waiting for an upscaled SFA for a long time and my will power was weak this afternoon, review when I get it :)

:D :D Does it come with a glass cabinet to keep it in? Obviously far too nice to anything so mundane as chop wood with.

Martin :)

[CanadianMike]

No kidding, and a satin pillow to rest upon as well.

[Shewie]

No I'm gonna break up big logs with it :)

[Thinstick]

WoodTroll, has anyone taken up your offer of a free axe head? if not could you tell me its weight. Thanks

[Bambii]

WoodTroll, has anyone taken up your offer of a free axe head? if not could you tell me its weight. Thanks

Ashley had it I think, there is a thread about rehandling an axe.

[WoodTroll]

WoodTroll, has anyone taken up your offer of a free axe head? if not could you tell me its weight. Thanks

Yeah Ashley took it up and is running a thread about rehandling it.

Ive made a few blades I might give away here though in the new year. So keep yer eyes open.

[Ashley Cawley]

Hi Folks,

i´m gonna buy a gränsfors for christmas, that is sure. But i don´t know if i should take the SFA or better the hatchet...
Having used all three (SFA, WH & Kuben & owning two; SFA+WH) I can say I prefer the Wildlife Hatchet. I used the SFA for years (that was before I got my mits on the Wildlife Hatchet). I love the Wildlife for it's reduced size handle length and slightly smaller head, you loose hardly anything in terms of cutting edge, so I find that the the Wildlife hatchet could still perform all the tasks that I personally needed doing, but for a more manageable size.


I have the SFA, I'd say go for that due to the reasons you posted, more flexible and longer handle. You can still carve with it, you just need more room around you (I think it's the same head but different length handle)...
I personally wouldn't like to do any carving with the SFA, but that might just be me. Also I can confirm that it's definitely not the same head, just had my friend Scott in my office today comparing the SFA & WH together as he too is wondering which of the pair to get.


I've got a better idea. Why not get both?? You know you want to really and it's only money and it's Christmas so, go on, treat yourself. ;)
Pah!!... Alright if you've got a spare ton, couldn't lend me a ton could you Martin? :p Nah, I'll stick to my Peasant knife then!

All Granfors products are superb from the range that I've seen, so Crimbo is over now, what did you end up getting?