Best Felling Axe? Wetterlings vs Gransfors Bruk vs Hults Bruk

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GTS9

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Hello, I'm looking at getting a new axe in the three pound range. The three contenders are the the Gransfors Bruk American Felling Axe, the Hults Bruk American Felling Axe, and what is listed on Amazon and other online stores as the Wetterlings 32H Chopping Axe. All of these axes can be found for near as makes no difference $200 dollars, so price is not a consideration. I'm leaning towards the Wetterlings. Reasons being is that it is the closest to 3 pounds* (specs are with the photos that hopefully show up) and I like the rest of it's specs as well it's style. I don't really know much about the brand, though. I know it to be a fine, hand forged, Scandanvian axe company but can't say how the quality compares to the other companies listed. I hear tell it will be the roughest axe out of these three brands.
My second inclination is the Gransfors Bruk. Reasons being it is the second closest to 3 pounds*, I have the choice of various handles, and it's very good looking. It also has a larger cutting edge, fwiw. Cuts wider but not as deep all else being equal.
I've never heard anything bad about this brand and their products are of exceptional quality.
Third choice is the Hults. It's the heaviest*, I do believe I'd prefer a curved handle, and it's pretty plain (I'm aware looks have no practical affect but with something as personal and long lasting as an axe I do like to like it in every way I can). Same quality points as with Gransfors Bruk.

*While I'd like a bigger axe than I now use this will mostly be used for clearing dead, fallen wood and cutting it down to size, not much actual felling. My current using axe is 2.25 to 2.5 lb (don't don't the exact specs, it's an antique and have forgot what it weighed before I put the handle on. 2.3 or 2.4 I believe) and I find ig smaller than ideal, but I don't think anything more than a pound of extra weight is really needed.


Gransfors Bruk-3.3 lb head, 31" or 35" handle, 4 1/2" cutting edge
View attachment 450785


Hults Bruk-3.5 lb head, 32" handle
View attachment 450786


Wetterlings-3.1 lb head, 31 7/8 handle, 4" cutting edge
View attachment 450784
 
GTS9 said:
Nope, photos don't work. Specs are there, anyway.
Click to expand...
Wetterlings is owned by Gransfors Bruk and they in process of killing off Wetterlings name.
btw, for $200 you get really nice vtg axe head and what is more personal than putting on the handle yourself
 
Most folks use chainsaws for felling and bucking but axes are still king when it comes to splitting. For your sake it would be preferable to 'field test' all three before making a decision to purchase. Outward appearance or novice opinions won't tell you much. And at the same time it would be nice to be able to compare modern Euro VS vintage North American axes. A budget of $200, plus tax and shipping, can easily be redirected toward refurbishing a classic Plumb, Kelly, Collins or what-have-you to give you much more personal satisfaction over the long run.
Here's an idea to get you started. For instance a particular Plumb pattern, that was introduced in about 1947 and made until about 1980, that appealed to me, was the 'National'. These are expertly made and finished, instantly recognizable, came in various weights, and have an overly generous poll. Were you to take the time to search out one of these vintage heads (or any other pattern of your choosing!) and experiment with curved and straight hafts of various lengths you'll become much more attuned to what to expect from an axe.
Happy hunting!
 
All 3 will have decent steel like a vintage American axe. The difference is that all 3 (and most all Euro axes in general) have flat cheeks that don't pop the chip well. They tend to tick in the wood more than a fuller cheeked traditional American felling axe.

However, it sounds like much of you work is limbing and/or bucking of smaller branches. Any of them would be suitable for that work. If you're looking to buck larger branches, say 10" or more in diameter then you would be happier with an axe with fuller cheeks.

Of the 3 you listed I'd focus on either the Hults or Gransfors just because you could run into warranty issues with Wetterlings being discontinued. That said, Wetterlings tend to have slightly fuller heads than the others. If you find one you can inspect in person and are happy with then it's still an option.

Of the 3 I'd lean very slightly towards the Hults just from the cheek shape I'm seeing on the internet.

Do you actually expect to do more limbing or bucking? What is your height?
 
Yeah, Hults Bruk says that axe has wider cheeks for splitting.
I expect to be doing more limbing and bucking limbs than anything else.
I'm 6'2" without shoes on.
 
Last edited:
GTS9,
I think that PDF above tells,pretty much,why and the wherefore the suggestions above to invest in a vintage US axe...(then again,all in re:to the word "felling" in the title of your thread).

Itwas just a matter of timing,in history.The European axes,in design dept.,have become outmoded,while this new,fresh,progressive thought/approach has come forth from that new and energetic country.

Also,the Europe's forests by then have about been done felled,while in the New World,et c.

Anyway,my internet connection sucks,and i didn't bother looking up those specific designs you posted.But they're either traditional,older European ones,or newer ones styled after the American axes,and in either case,speaking strictly in terms of Efficiency,chip-parting,et c.,the choice is obvious.

(I do love GB,and many other European axes,for a number of other than the primary woodsman chores,also just for their often tremendous cool-factor,but these are all different stories....).
Best of luck deciding.
 
GTS9 said:
I'm 6'2" without shoes on.
Click to expand...

For bucking I think you'll be happiest with a handle 34"-36" long. A longer handle is also safer for limbing because a glancing blow or cut-thru blow is more likely to finish into the ground rather than into your shin.
 
Best would be vintage American with convex cheeks.
If you get lucky you could also end up with an axe that's got way better steel and not even cost close to what these swedish jobbies cost.
 
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