- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 636
Since I will be doing a good bit of wood chopping/clearing etc. next year, I am tring to decide between the SFA and the Hunter. Anyone have any experience using both of these and what are your thoughts? Thanks.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
GB Small Forest Axe vs. GB Hunters Axe
- Thread starter go2ndAmend
- Start date
I am surprised that nobody else has chimed in on this.
I have the mini, SFA and the hunter and love them all.
Personally I like the SFA for general use.
however if I could only have one axe I would probably go with the Hunter. You can choke up on the handle and use it one handed or use two hands when you when you need to.
For chopping the GBs are great.
As for "clearing", assuming you meen brush I can see alot of ground strikes and I couldn't bring myself to do that kind of work with a $150 axe. Unless it was an emergency.
I think something a little more utilitarian would be in order.
Maybe a Vaughan boys axe 2 1/4 lb head 19" handle and a $20 price tag. would be a better choice.
http://www.amazon.com/2-1-Pound-Boy...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1225656079&sr=8-1
Iv'e been thinking of getting rid of the mini and hunter for just that reason. They are works of art and worth every penny but now that I have them I just can't bring myself to use them. Sorry but thats the truth.
If I need to carry a little axe the little vaughan will serve the purpose.
Will it slice tomatoes? Maybe depends on what I cut before I try. But thats why I carry a knives.
Really how would you guys/ladies classify the GBs.
Top of the line?
The best tool for the job?
Are they worth that much more or are we just paying for bragging rights?
Heck like I said own all three of the GBs so I'm not casting stones, but I'm having trouble justifying $450+- for axes when I carry $25 Mora 2000 or my old Schrade 165. and a SAK Farmer.
Honestly where would our money be better spent?
I'm just guilty as the next guy by letting my wants get in front of my needs. What about you?
Sorry I got carried away. I really just wanted to give my 2cents about the SFA vs the hunter and wound up emptying my wallet.
I have the mini, SFA and the hunter and love them all.
Personally I like the SFA for general use.
however if I could only have one axe I would probably go with the Hunter. You can choke up on the handle and use it one handed or use two hands when you when you need to.
For chopping the GBs are great.
As for "clearing", assuming you meen brush I can see alot of ground strikes and I couldn't bring myself to do that kind of work with a $150 axe. Unless it was an emergency.
I think something a little more utilitarian would be in order.
Maybe a Vaughan boys axe 2 1/4 lb head 19" handle and a $20 price tag. would be a better choice.
http://www.amazon.com/2-1-Pound-Boy...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1225656079&sr=8-1
Iv'e been thinking of getting rid of the mini and hunter for just that reason. They are works of art and worth every penny but now that I have them I just can't bring myself to use them. Sorry but thats the truth.
If I need to carry a little axe the little vaughan will serve the purpose.
Will it slice tomatoes? Maybe depends on what I cut before I try. But thats why I carry a knives.
Really how would you guys/ladies classify the GBs.
Top of the line?
The best tool for the job?
Are they worth that much more or are we just paying for bragging rights?
Heck like I said own all three of the GBs so I'm not casting stones, but I'm having trouble justifying $450+- for axes when I carry $25 Mora 2000 or my old Schrade 165. and a SAK Farmer.
Honestly where would our money be better spent?
I'm just guilty as the next guy by letting my wants get in front of my needs. What about you?
Sorry I got carried away. I really just wanted to give my 2cents about the SFA vs the hunter and wound up emptying my wallet.
I have both and I prefer the SFA for general around the yard use. The Hunter's axe is tied to a bugout bag and I can't remember using it. A friend used the SFA to chop up a sapling in my yard and was amazed how it cut like a hot knife through butter. I have often euphemistically said, "The Gransfors-Bruks SFA is my sharpest knife". Really an amazing hunk of steel attached to some sturdy hickory.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 6,156
I have a SFA... dunno why everyone complains about the price. It was under $100. Most of my knives are at least twice that.
That said I do like it, but to be honest I have been eyeing the Wildlife hatchet for some time now. I feel that the slightly smaller one would be just right.
Not sure why the Mini is considerably more expensive than the Wildlife, as they look the same to me (Wildlife is slightly bigger) but that's the one I want now.
The SFA is really an excellent all-rounder though. If you want just one for everything, that would be the one to go for...
That said I do like it, but to be honest I have been eyeing the Wildlife hatchet for some time now. I feel that the slightly smaller one would be just right.
Not sure why the Mini is considerably more expensive than the Wildlife, as they look the same to me (Wildlife is slightly bigger) but that's the one I want now.
The SFA is really an excellent all-rounder though. If you want just one for everything, that would be the one to go for...
If we're talking about the SFA (small forest axe) and the Hunter, there isn't much difference...except for the rounded pole and grooved handle of the Hunter...they're both the same length and weight. If we're comparing the SFA (Scandinavian forest axe) it is longer (25" vs 19") and heavier (2 lbs vs 1 1/2 lbs).
I've been using the small forest axe for a couple of months now limbing and processing branches (for fire place) from a bunch of felled trees. I was looking for a tool that was easy to use one handed but had the extra length to use two handed when needed...it has been excellent in this capacity...very versatile. It has also worked well for splitting small rounds using a baton. It continues to amaze me with how efficiently it cuts...the quality of the steel is worth the price IMO. Another consideration...I wanted something that would also fit in my pack and the small forest axe does that...if I was planning on only home based chopping I would have probably gone for one of the larger axes.
I've been using the small forest axe for a couple of months now limbing and processing branches (for fire place) from a bunch of felled trees. I was looking for a tool that was easy to use one handed but had the extra length to use two handed when needed...it has been excellent in this capacity...very versatile. It has also worked well for splitting small rounds using a baton. It continues to amaze me with how efficiently it cuts...the quality of the steel is worth the price IMO. Another consideration...I wanted something that would also fit in my pack and the small forest axe does that...if I was planning on only home based chopping I would have probably gone for one of the larger axes.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2007
- Messages
- 2,149
I pack an SFA and Busse CGFBM, I never liked using the axe when I got to chopping on the ground or cutting brush so the Busse is always there for that.
I picked up the SFA for $60 and while it was a bit of a bargain I have seen them going for this most weeks on the Bay. Little bit of auction sniping and bingo you get one. It's the most expensive axe i've ever owned but still is a third of the price of the cheapest knife I use.
Pound for the pound the best value cutting tool I have ever bought (still haven't got round to buying a Mora though)
I picked up the SFA for $60 and while it was a bit of a bargain I have seen them going for this most weeks on the Bay. Little bit of auction sniping and bingo you get one. It's the most expensive axe i've ever owned but still is a third of the price of the cheapest knife I use.
Pound for the pound the best value cutting tool I have ever bought (still haven't got round to buying a Mora though)
Don't know what I was thinking.
I don't have a SFA I have a Wildlife. It is my favorite.
Between the SFA and hunter I would go with the SFA. You can get it cheaper, it will cut just as well and you have the flat back for pouning.
still wouldn't want to be clearing brush with one.
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2007
- Messages
- 5,846
I vote SFA. We have assorted hawks, I've tried out all the GB variations friends have, we've got a large splitting maul, and a Collins Michigan Pattern 36 inch handled axe.
I use the collins most of all around the yard, because of the dirt and crap that happens - like it getting left out after someone splits kindling. If it weren't for the mud and people leaving it out on the woodpile in the rain, I'd use the SFA for all of the home chores.
The SFA cuts excellently, and *I* use it some at home, and it's my main field axe when we go do Stuff Outdoors.
If I'm doing a solo night out, or hiking, I take a cold steel hawk with the hammer poll reworked on my grinder to mae a proper hammer head.
I use the collins most of all around the yard, because of the dirt and crap that happens - like it getting left out after someone splits kindling. If it weren't for the mud and people leaving it out on the woodpile in the rain, I'd use the SFA for all of the home chores.
The SFA cuts excellently, and *I* use it some at home, and it's my main field axe when we go do Stuff Outdoors.
If I'm doing a solo night out, or hiking, I take a cold steel hawk with the hammer poll reworked on my grinder to mae a proper hammer head.
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2006
- Messages
- 1,255
If you have a lot of axe work to do, I would strongly recommend a full sized axe over the smaller SFA or Hunter's Axe. A full sized axe is safer, easier to use, has a more powerful impact, and is just plain more efficient.
The smaller axes are for when you need to pack one in - don't limit yourself to that for real work. Get a full sized axe! It'll make a huge difference! :thumbup:
The smaller axes are for when you need to pack one in - don't limit yourself to that for real work. Get a full sized axe! It'll make a huge difference! :thumbup:
I vote for a full-sized axe if you are not moving about the landscape. Smaller axes benefit from portability, but are compromised when it comes time to work.
D'oh! I didn't read all replies, and am repeating what Grampa said, but he is a smart guy.
I have the SFA, got it probably 3 or 4 years ago when they were still like $70. I use it a lot for limbing, usually with two hands on green wood. Man does it cut! I never tried to cut a tree down with it, I think it would be too short, and I have a cheap 3 lb felling axe for that.
Maybe you should look at Wetterling, their axes are supposed to be very nice and you could almost buy two for the price of a GB.
Maybe you should look at Wetterling, their axes are supposed to be very nice and you could almost buy two for the price of a GB.
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2006
- Messages
- 1,255
They say that the test of how smart someone is, is to see how much he agrees with you!
You must be a pretty smart guy too! :thumbup:
I wasn't going to mention anything, but sense Chewy did I'll chime in. I would give a vote to the Wetterlinsg Large hunters axe, 19" hickory handle forged carbon steel head, made in sweeden, all the good stuff. The only thing is they usually need a little work you the edge, but in all honesty if you some experience with axes, then getting something this cheap(for what you get) and something thats not really that hard to change, why not?
