Gransfors Bruk Mini hatchet

C

Chip

Joined
May 17, 2000
Messages
2,235
Received my mini hatchet today. Cool little hatchet,
going to fit real nice in the backpack. It will come in real
handy for clearing brush for shooting lanes and field dressing
deer.

For those of you looking for a dealer that carries them,
Elkton Tree Farm, Elkton, Ohio
1-888-291-5619 Pin#1791
I talked to Susan, Super lady to talk too. They carry the Gransfors
Bruk line. Fast service!!!
 
Here's a pic of it.:D
View
 
There is an article on those in the new Tac Knives issue. Looks like a real winner, especially how securely they attach the handle.
 
Chip,
What are the dimensions of that cool tool? Length overall, cutting edge, weight? Cost? It does look like a handy thing to have around. I recently bought one of Greco's mini hatchets (hand axe) and look forward to getting it in the woods this fall.
 
GC,
Mini Belt Hatchet specs:
Weight 11.3 oz.
Length 10.25 inches
Cutting Edge 2.5 inches
Length of head 4.25 inches
Poll width 0.625 inches
Poll length 1.2 inches
$77.00 shipped
 
Chip,
Thanks for info. on dealer, I called Elkton Tree Farm and spoke with Susan, great lady and very helpfull. New stock arrives on Wednesday Aug. 29, I will have Mini Hatchet and Swedish Carving Axe on the way by mid week.

Susan stated that Granfors has 20 year guarantee on head/handle attachment. I have two NIB Norlund 3/4 Hudson's Bay pattern axes that have loosened in storage over several years.

Regards,
FK
 
It is exceedingly cool and, of course, I want one. However, I don't understand why it costs $20 more than the Wildlife Hatchet (which is larger) and $13 more than the Scandinavian Forest Axe (which is a pretty substantial axe). Is the finish a whole lot more refined? Is it harder to make a mini hatchet?

Just curious.
 
Danceswithknives,
Gransfors says that these little hatchets are much harder
to make than bigger ones. The problem is forging the huge
handle hole in the tiny head.

This is out of the article in Tactical Knives. Hope it helps.
Take care,
Chip
 
Chip,

I appreciate that information very much. I was simply fishing for a rationale with which to justify the extra bucks to myself! I can see that it might be hard to forge a small head/large hole combination.

Thanks again!
 
So how much smaller is this hatchet than the Wildlife Hatchet? I didnt see this one listed on their web page (www.gransfors.com).

I really need to get one of those wildlife hatchets... or maybe this one...

--Matt
 
Mundele, here are the specs:

Mini Belt Hatchet specs:

Weight 11.3 oz.
Length 10.25 inches
Cutting Edge 2.5 inches
Length of head 4.25 inches
Poll width 0.625 inches
Poll length 1.2 inches

Wildlife Hatchet specs:
1 lb. 8 oz.
14.5 inches
3.0 inches
5.25 inches
0.75 inches
1.5 inches


Sorry don't have pics, hope this helps some.
Take care.
 
Received my order today from Elkton Tree Farm.

The Gransfors axes are fantastic! I have messed with axes and hatchets for many years, these are the best.

The Mini Belt Hatchet will slice printer paper like a thin blade pocket knife. The cutting edge is polished and stropped 1.5" back on a very thin convex profile. I have been tempted for several years to purchase a small "trappers axe" at the New England knife shows. This little gem makes the antiques look like clunkers.

One question to the owners of the Mini Belt Hatchet. This model does not have a steel wedge in the axe eye, my Hunter's Axe and Swedish Carving Axe have the steel wedge at an angle to the wooden wedge. Possibly too small for the additional steel wedge?

The Hunter's Axe is in a class all by itself, my Hudson's Bay Normark is now retired.

All three are marked "LP" Lennart Pettersson, who is featured in the photographs in Gransfors "The Axe Book".

Regards,
FK
 
FK,
Here is the quote from the article in Tactical Knive on how the head is attached. FYI, Lennart Petterson is the blacksmith that designed the little hatchet. Hope this helps you some.

The handle secures to the head in a unique way. First,
it is driven in tightly (form fit) until it protrudes about 1/8 inch
beyond the head (commercial axe heads are usually flush mounted to the handle). Then a wooden wedge is driven in. The wedge expands the wood and notably, the 1/8 inch extension, producing a reverse taper similar to that on a tomahawk. Then the two wide metal "cheeks" on the head are pounded tightly to the wood. The result is a metal to wood bond that should never come loose. There's no need for epoxy to make up for sloppy workmanship.
 
I would also assume the wedge and glue are not necessary on such a small hatchet considering the same level of impacts it will see.

Anyone care to offer a rough estimate of the relative cutting and chopping ability of the Mini vs the Wildlife hatchet?

-Cliff
 
Cliff,
I have both the Mini and Wildlife Hatchet, the Mini is very small in comparision to a conventional 1 pound hatchet. My intended use is to throw it into a jacket pocket or small backpack while walking or fly fishing on rivers.

I will take them both out this weekend and post my impressions.

Regards,
FK
 
FK -
Did you ever make it out to test your hatchets? This does seem to be a difficult decision choosing between the two - if you can only afford one.
thanx
John
 
I'm sorry to say that I also have both and haven't tested the mini (just got it recently). However, I did weigh it on a postal scale and mine (with sheath) is 2-3 ounces heavier than posted above. I think that's what it really comes down to---weight. After handling the two, I just can't see how the mini will come close to the level of serious chopping performance I get out of the Wildlife Hatchet. Unless weight is really critical, I expect I'll carry the extra 10 ounces or so. But, when I get home in two weeks I'll take the mini out and make sure that's correct.
 
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