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Anyone have experience with the Swedish military axe being sold by Sportsmans Guide? Any maker's marks on it?
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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, one per household please.
Swedish Military Long-Handle Axe?
- Thread starter Steve Tall
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Interesting for sure. If you put one in your cart you will see they aren't due in until March. Possible that is their first batch and no way to know what you would be getting. They are used, So no way to know if the photo is a fair sample of the lot, or if it is the best of the lot.
link to that photo in full size http://image.sportsmansguide.com/dimage/196775_ts.JPG?cvt=jpeg
link to that photo in full size http://image.sportsmansguide.com/dimage/196775_ts.JPG?cvt=jpeg
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Um, I actually ordered four of them (I can't pass up Free Shipping offers
).I'll be able to get a fairly good sample, so I'll post some pics and impressions, and then I can pass some along to friends.
What clinched it for me was learning that Mors Kochanski (author of Bush Craft) uses an identical-looking "surplus swedish military axe about 2lb head and 26-28" handle" as his bush axe (according to bensbackwoods in the linked forum). The profile looks good to me.
Photos of Mors' axe are shown in this link:
http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24466
Um, I actually ordered four of them (I can't pass up Free Shipping offers
I'll be able to get a fairly good sample, so I'll post some pics and impressions, and then I can pass some along to friends.
What clinched it for me was learning that Mors Kochanski (author of Bush Craft) uses an identical-looking "surplus swedish military axe about 2lb head and 26-28" handle" as his bush axe (according to bensbackwoods in the linked forum). The profile looks good to me.
Photos of Mors' axe are shown in this link:
http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24466
...like CCKW!
I assume you remember that this one is a larger axe then that bushcraft dudes. So you are assuming similar but bigger.
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I'm hoping these heads weigh no more than 2.5 pounds, but we'll see.
see the last line from the description:
* Long hardwood handle
* Forged steel blade head
* Can use opposite side like a hammer to pound.
* Measures 27 x 7", weighs 3 lbs., 12 ozs.
I was thinking, that the 3lb 12oz weight would mean a 3.5 lb head. apparently you are thinking 27" means 2.5 lb head.
Re: the 7" dimension, I measured my HB 2lb head and it is 6.5" a different brand 3.5lb head is exactly 7"
I guess you'll know next month. I think I wait to order until you get yours.
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I picked up a military axe made in sweden last year at a flea market and worked it over. It was much shorter, had three crowns on the handle. The head looked much larger with a notch in it. It was painted green and I took the paint off and refinished the axe. I suppose the shorter axe was for packing. I read somewhere the issue was 1 axe between 3 men. I don't know if that was true. Not sure what the notch, like on a hatchet, was for. Maybe for pulling up stakes in the ground. Maybe to hang off a nail on a tree.
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Here are the four axes I bought, in the process of being unpacked.
I'll refer to them as Numbers 1,2,3,4, with Number 1 at the top.
Number 2 was the newest of the group and looked unused.
The others were used and had evidently been repainted over the original green paint.
The total weight of head plus handle ranged from 3 lb 9 oz to 3 lb 13 oz (Average 3 lb 11 oz)
This seems consistent with cegga's information that the head weight for these axes is probably 1.2 kg (which equals 2.6 pounds, or 2 pounds 10 ounces).
The handle length to top of head is 27 inches, more or less.
The heads measure 7 inches poll to bit, the edge is 4 inches.
The poll dimension range is (2-5/8 to 2-3/4) by (7/8 to 1).
This photo shows the heads of axes 1,2,3,4 (L-R)
The heads were attached with a wooden wedge and glue (no metal wedges were visible).
Number 1 was slightly loose, which I will remedy with a metal wedge.
Number 3 was the most used, and sharpenings (or repairs) had shortened the head.
Caliper measurements along the centerline of Number 2 show a thickness of 3/16" (a half inch from the edge), 1/4" (one inch back from edge), and 5/16" (an inch and a half from the edge).
These are the handles for Number 4,3,2,1 (L-R), which have a grain alignment around 45 degrees.
These are the best two axes of the group, Numbers 2 and 1 (L-R).
Number 2 had what looked like white wood glue applied to the bottom, which I easily removed with a screwdriver.
Part 2 to immediately follow...
I'll refer to them as Numbers 1,2,3,4, with Number 1 at the top.
Number 2 was the newest of the group and looked unused.
The others were used and had evidently been repainted over the original green paint.
The total weight of head plus handle ranged from 3 lb 9 oz to 3 lb 13 oz (Average 3 lb 11 oz)
This seems consistent with cegga's information that the head weight for these axes is probably 1.2 kg (which equals 2.6 pounds, or 2 pounds 10 ounces).
The handle length to top of head is 27 inches, more or less.
The heads measure 7 inches poll to bit, the edge is 4 inches.
The poll dimension range is (2-5/8 to 2-3/4) by (7/8 to 1).
This photo shows the heads of axes 1,2,3,4 (L-R)
The heads were attached with a wooden wedge and glue (no metal wedges were visible).
Number 1 was slightly loose, which I will remedy with a metal wedge.
Number 3 was the most used, and sharpenings (or repairs) had shortened the head.
Caliper measurements along the centerline of Number 2 show a thickness of 3/16" (a half inch from the edge), 1/4" (one inch back from edge), and 5/16" (an inch and a half from the edge).
These are the handles for Number 4,3,2,1 (L-R), which have a grain alignment around 45 degrees.
These are the best two axes of the group, Numbers 2 and 1 (L-R).
Number 2 had what looked like white wood glue applied to the bottom, which I easily removed with a screwdriver.
Part 2 to immediately follow...
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(I couldn't post more photos for some reason, so I put in links to the photos for this Part 2)
Number 2 has what looks like red glue between handle and head.
Note the 3 crowns stamp.
Number 2
Number 1 (below) had the 3 crowns stamp near the poll, along with "KB44".
Number 3 had a similar stamp, though with "KB42".
Number 4 had no visible stamp, probably due to the heavy green paint that had been applied.
KB44 stamp with 3 crowns
The "sheaths" (or edge covers) were a bonus not mentioned in the item description.
There was quite a variation in type and condition.
Sheaths
Below is Number 4, which was the least attractive of the group. The edge was relatively unused, but the poll had been hammered until it had deformed and cracked the handle somewhat.
Number 4
Below is Number 3, which has some handle damage and cracking due to overstrikes. The edge is well used, with a rounded shape from resharpening.
Number 3
I probably wouldn't feel safe using either Number 3 or 4, so I looked into returning these two axes for an exchange. I called Customer Service, and they will exchange these for two others, no problem. (Although Peter Vido thinks I might be too picky. He just ordered a bunch of these axes.)
Here are Numbers 1 and 2 compared to the similarly priced Trail Boss.
The Trail Boss head is 4-1/2" by 6-1/2".
Its small poll measures 1-7/8" by 1-1/16".
Trail Boss with 1 and 2
The handle dimensions, 12 inches from the knob end:
Number 1: 24 x 39 mm
Number 2: 22 x 38 mm
T. Boss: 26 x 38 mm
The knob thickness:
Numbers 1 and 2: 31mm
T. Boss: 28 mm
(note the swell at the sides of the green handle ends)
Handles with Trail Boss
Here's the balance test (a la Ross) on a hard chair arm, showing the better balance resulting from the larger poll of Number 1, compared to the Trail Boss. (Note that the poll of Number 1 is not squared off very well.)
Balance
I don't have photos to show this, but the heads of Numbers 1, 3, and 4 have good alignment with the handles. Unfortunately, the newest, best-glued axe, Number 2, did not have good alignment, but it was not atrocious either.
Judge for yourself, but at this point I personally think that these Swedish axes are a good value. It's a bit of a grab bag, though, not knowing exactly what you will get. I'll probably be posting more about these axes after Peter Vido tests them in the field and gives his impressions.
Number 2 has what looks like red glue between handle and head.
Note the 3 crowns stamp.
Number 2
Number 1 (below) had the 3 crowns stamp near the poll, along with "KB44".
Number 3 had a similar stamp, though with "KB42".
Number 4 had no visible stamp, probably due to the heavy green paint that had been applied.
KB44 stamp with 3 crowns
The "sheaths" (or edge covers) were a bonus not mentioned in the item description.
There was quite a variation in type and condition.
Sheaths
Below is Number 4, which was the least attractive of the group. The edge was relatively unused, but the poll had been hammered until it had deformed and cracked the handle somewhat.
Number 4
Below is Number 3, which has some handle damage and cracking due to overstrikes. The edge is well used, with a rounded shape from resharpening.
Number 3
I probably wouldn't feel safe using either Number 3 or 4, so I looked into returning these two axes for an exchange. I called Customer Service, and they will exchange these for two others, no problem. (Although Peter Vido thinks I might be too picky. He just ordered a bunch of these axes.)
Here are Numbers 1 and 2 compared to the similarly priced Trail Boss.
The Trail Boss head is 4-1/2" by 6-1/2".
Its small poll measures 1-7/8" by 1-1/16".
Trail Boss with 1 and 2
The handle dimensions, 12 inches from the knob end:
Number 1: 24 x 39 mm
Number 2: 22 x 38 mm
T. Boss: 26 x 38 mm
The knob thickness:
Numbers 1 and 2: 31mm
T. Boss: 28 mm
(note the swell at the sides of the green handle ends)
Handles with Trail Boss
Here's the balance test (a la Ross) on a hard chair arm, showing the better balance resulting from the larger poll of Number 1, compared to the Trail Boss. (Note that the poll of Number 1 is not squared off very well.)
Balance
I don't have photos to show this, but the heads of Numbers 1, 3, and 4 have good alignment with the handles. Unfortunately, the newest, best-glued axe, Number 2, did not have good alignment, but it was not atrocious either.
Judge for yourself, but at this point I personally think that these Swedish axes are a good value. It's a bit of a grab bag, though, not knowing exactly what you will get. I'll probably be posting more about these axes after Peter Vido tests them in the field and gives his impressions.
the crown would likely be the Swedish military mark, not the normal makers mark. I would think the KB42 and KB44 would be maker initials and year. Is there an axe maker with the initials KB? Or is it possible it could be HB rather then KB? The contour of the top and sides is very similar to my HB 2lb head. and that supports what Cegga said.
Hey
i thing i still have the 3 crown mark i can take a photo on it but have not any answer on the KB 44 yet but think that it's maybe a mark for a military company or in the swe army i think if I remember rigth that KB was some grupp of officers or traine for officer
cegga
i thing i still have the 3 crown mark i can take a photo on it but have not any answer on the KB 44 yet but think that it's maybe a mark for a military company or in the swe army i think if I remember rigth that KB was some grupp of officers or traine for officer
cegga
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I have a hand axe marked "KB" (no crowns). B = Bruks (works or factory)
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Perhaps the "K" in KB stands for "Kunglig" or "Kungliga", which is supposedly Swedish for "Royal" (which might make sense, with the crowns in the stamp)?
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Well I guess I might as well share as well since I picked one of these up... Lucked out and got a Hults Bruk one :thumbup:
Next to the GB Scandi - slightly longer handle (28" vs 25") and with a weightier head (~2.5lbs just by feel):
Profile comparison - definitely has a relatively thinner bit:
Markings "HB Made in Sweden" in the second one:
The grain orientation looks promising:
I then decided to sand off all the green paint on the handle and give it a couple coats of BLO:
This shot was meant to show the grain orientation - the blade alignment looks bad, but that's because I had the handle tilted to the side. The blade alignment is actually pretty dang spot on!
Then sharpened er up:
Steel isn't as hardened as a GB - a bit softer. Probably in the 53-55hrc range, but that's still pretty dang good.
I was looking to pick up another for my father in Canada who's in need of a decent 28"ish limbing axe, but it looks like you two snagged em all up
Next to the GB Scandi - slightly longer handle (28" vs 25") and with a weightier head (~2.5lbs just by feel):
Profile comparison - definitely has a relatively thinner bit:
Markings "HB Made in Sweden" in the second one:
The grain orientation looks promising:
I then decided to sand off all the green paint on the handle and give it a couple coats of BLO:
This shot was meant to show the grain orientation - the blade alignment looks bad, but that's because I had the handle tilted to the side. The blade alignment is actually pretty dang spot on!
Then sharpened er up:
Steel isn't as hardened as a GB - a bit softer. Probably in the 53-55hrc range, but that's still pretty dang good.
I was looking to pick up another for my father in Canada who's in need of a decent 28"ish limbing axe, but it looks like you two snagged em all up
Last edited:
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Crown is like "broad arrow" on UK military gear or "U.S." on ours. I fear I knew the name once -- the "K" -- but have lost it.