Vintage Gransfors Bruks and Wetterlings axe head size vs current models

S

SurvivorDan

Joined
Apr 17, 2013
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43
I recently purchased 2 vintage Gransfors Bruks and Wetterlings axes. The vender refurbished the axe heads and crafted new handles for both. Top knotch work, and he offered me a deal on the pair, that I couldn't walk away from.

Anyway, stamps are still clearly visible on both heads, and from what I was told, they date back to sometime between the 1950s and 1970s. I was also told that the steel used back then is different than current models. Dimensions of the axe heads are supposedly different than current models as well.

Neither of the axes came with sheaths, however, but he told me I could by replacements online. Anthing "production" that I've found online seems very cheaply made and I would assume that original factory replacement sheaths would not fit correctly because of the age of the axes.

I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on verifying the date of the axe heads, and if anyone has suggestions on quality axe sheath makers. I've used Skystorm Leatherworks in the past, but he's not taking custom orders until the summer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance
 
Wranglerstar has a good tutorial on Youtube on how to make your own. It's easy.

Who did you buy them from?
 
Does the Gransfors Bruks have any initials stamped into it? The bladesmith who built that axe at GB probably put his initials into it. If he no longer works at GB they might be able to give you a timeline as to when it was made.
 
It sounds like the vintage you are describing is well before they started stamping initials on the heads. The pieces you got are probably drop forged and do not have the lugs. This was before they went "boutique" and started their power hammer/multi-stage drop forge hybrid thingy.
 
Gotcha, do you know how long have they been stamping the heads with initials? (good stuff to know, thanks!)
 
Jbmass said:
Gotcha, do you know how long have they been stamping the heads with initials? (good stuff to know, thanks!)
Click to expand...

I've never really nailed that down. Best I can tell, they started 10-15 years ago. That's just an educated guess. Maybe someone else knows.
 
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