Why the fascination with Gransfors?

[ScooterJammer]

I purchased my G-B Scandinavian Forest Axe because ever since I was a young man, I've wanted one. Plain and simple. And, I was lucky enough to purchase mine when they were still priced for mortal men. I think they're well made and that they provide value for the money. Are there better Axes out there? Probably. Can I afford them? Probably not.

The 'refurbishment' route is very attractive. If, you can find a 'name' Axe with a known steel quality in good enough shape to be refurbished, you could have a great project and Axe. However, just because something is old, doesn't mean it was made well. Although, statistically, there is a better chance of getting a quality piece.

I'm not going to get into the whole 'Lumbersexual and Hipster' conversation. I remember when 'they' latched on to my beloved Harley-Davidson and priced them out of reach for a normal working guy. Like the poor, 'they' will always be with us.

I have a few specialty Axes. Hand-forged Carving Axes, which are pricey, but IMHO, well worth the cost of admission for what I use them for.

SJ

 

[Liam Ryan]

I went through the phase myself, but now I prefer the fun of hunting and restoring vintage heads. However, of all the axes I have tried, old and new alike, the best performing axe I have is a very old boys axe marked simply =MADE IN USA=, and it has cheeks flatter than any GB. So personally I am not really buying into this "flat cheeks are bad" thing, but again I am not a lumberjack.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

So personally I am not really buying into this "flat cheeks are bad" thing, but again I am not a lumberjack.

The thinner the bit, the less of a difference it makes because the reduced radius you can even put on the centerline. And the effects of having one are largely over-emphasized. It does have some effect, and a noticeable one in thicker bits, but it's much less than popular lore would have one believe.

 

[Square_peg]

It depends what you're using it for. For chopping and felling the convex cheeks will reduce bind and ease the work. For bushcraft work the thinner bit can be an advantage.

 

[Liam Ryan]

I guess these Swedish axes cut a lot of green softwoods, and admittedly that's what I was cutting mostly as well. (Some birch and maple, too)
High centerline are sexier though, I must say. The more curves the better is my motto!

 

[Trigger Guard]

New here and just had to post as I just got a few new axes. Two of them are Granfors Burks and the other is a Biber. Really, I only wanted the SFA for camping and was compelled to get the American Felling Axe due to my attraction of fine tools. I also look at yard sales and such and have had a few good finds.

Left to Right;
New Hardcore Hatchet
GFB SFA
GFB AFA
Yard sale find marked "Germany" $2 It's about 2-1/2 pounds and I gave it a new hang with 28in handle
Trusty old hardware store axe of 25years or more. New hang last week.
Chopper 1, Found this at a yard sale $30 still looking for new handle.
New Biber Classic, Bought this before I found the Chopper. We go through about 4 cords a year.
Good ole maul, I believe this is its 4th handle.
Heads were yard sale finds.

 

[1badcj_7]

"ashae is spot on for most folks, as well as a little bit of the romanticism of the "hand forged" aspect of it.

Also, today's society is one of convenience for first world countries. There are a lot of things you pay for every day that people in third world countries would think of as a waste of money.

Not everyone wants to scour flea markets and craigslist looking for old tools, and then take the time to restore them."



My thoughts exactly!
I would have loved to be able to find an old axe head worth restoring but i got sick of looking and went with the gransfors instead. Its a great axe and i think its the next best option to restoring a vintage one.

 

[.30WCF]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk