Gransfors Bruks: Scandinavian or Small Forest Axe?

tiogatires

tiogatires

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Feb 6, 2007
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I am.in the market for my first true axe. I am trying to decide between the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe or the Scandinavian Forest Axe. Wondering which would carry better on a pack and which is more useful to you in the woods? Any personal insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
They're identically shaped, with the Scandinavian being proportionally longer/larger. If it's a pack axe, I would probably go with the Small Forest since it's easier to carry, but I can see carrying the Scandinavian if you have any serious, heavy work ahead of you. The Small Forest is more suited for finer work but still chops just fine. It can limb a tree with a single chop per branch, and will make it through the trunk rather quickly. Not a huge amount of work here, but it was well suited for the task:

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Thanks Calc. I appreciate the time to post. When you were limbing the tree in the pic, did you feel safe swinging with the shorter (of the two mentioned) axes?
 
tiogatires said:
Thanks Calc. I appreciate the time to post. When you were limbing the tree in the pic, did you feel safe swinging with the shorter (of the two mentioned) axes?
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Very much so. I don't have a Scandinavian, but I do have a no-name of a similar size - if I need to chop or split a reasonably thick log, I go with it over the Small Forest since it actually gives me some room to swing and the heft is nice. If I need to split the log any further or to limb a tree, I go with the Small Forest since I can be a bit more precise with it. It's actually not that big, here it is next to a Ratmandu:

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Digging that rmd. I used to think a Tomahawk would do the trick, but after watching some videos of Ray Mears working with his axe, I'm leaning towards useful more than style points. The Tomahawk just doesn't have the beef to split wood as good as a comparably long axe.
 
Was in a similar situation, looking for 24" 2-2.5lb axe, but GFB's were hard to come by late last year. Ended up going Wetterlings Fine forest instead since they were on sale for around $100. Fits ont he side of my pack, and worth the 2lbs around camp, very similar to the GFB scandanavian.

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I was in your same boat. I went with the SFA because it could be packed for trips and kept in my emergency bag. I then bought a Husqvarna multipurpose axe for more than half the price of the Scandinavian (shipped) and have the best of both worlds. I love the Small Forrest and don't think you'll regret buying it. The Husqvarna can be a bit rough, but if you buy from a good seller they will replace it if there is a problem.

I've seen videos where Ray Mears talks about the SFA being his axe of choice even if he can take the Scandinavian.
 
I've been enjoying his extreme survival videos very much online lately and have been picking alot up off of them. I've been toying with the idea of getting an axe for years and after actually seeing how useful they are around the campsite besides just felling trees, I'm sold. Just have to find the right one. Currently, with the feedback provided, I'm leaning towards the small forest axe. But the Scandinavian isn't out of the running yet. I wish I could see both of them and actually hold them in hand as I don't really need more than one.
 
My Wetterlings large hunter's axe. I think they renamed it the bushman's axe it's been working out great for me.
 
I'm not sure if I can post a link for a dealer locator, but if you search you can probably find a Gransfors dealer in your area. That's what I did when I was in your shoes. I would do the same for Husqvarna just to look at their hatchet and multipurpose.
 
TT,

I don't know how much you're looking to spend, or how fast you want the axe, but I would at least take a look at Brent Bailey's work and also contact Med Chandler of Ship's Coy Forge. They will be more expensive (well maybe not Med), but you could have something custom built.

Again, I do understand if it's not something you're interested in, but just thought I would throw it out there.
 
I'll for sure take a look. I'm a sucker for anything custom made. Like I said, I really only want one axe, so I'm in no rush. The Gransfors Bruks axes are visually appealing to me and have Good reviews, so that's where I started looking.
 
There is a clear difference between my Gransfors and my other axes. They are worth the money.
 
I went with the SFA. The length of the handle is an issue for me; easier on my back, don't need to bend over as far.
Cuts like a dream!
 
When you guys say SFA, are you referring to the Scandinavian Forest Axe, or the Small Forest Axe?
 
tiogatires said:
The Gransfors Bruks axes are visually appealing to me and have Good reviews, so that's where I started looking.
Click to expand...

What drew me in was the thin profile. It bites and cuts really well, and will resharpen for a long long time before I need to thin it out.

To some extent I think an axe is an axe, but I was buying online and I wanted to get a brand that I knew had good QC since I'd be buying sight unseen. I ended up being very happy with my purchase.
 
On that note, I should ask this as well. How do you guys sharpen your axes? File, stone or kryptonite? What do you like to use and how well does it work for you? Do the GB axes sharpen easily or are they hard to touch up? I suppose I'll get a sharpener as well when I order my axe.
 
Scandinavian Forest Axe. handle is a bit longer. Stone sharpening. Comes shaving sharp.:thumbup:
 
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