[firetruck41]

[lingo]

I have gotten to hold one and it does have a much nicer balance than the splitting maul that I bought at my local hardware store. The materials used to produce the axe also seem to be of a high grade. Now having said that I am too cheap to buy one myself. I think that it is a very nice tool and one day I may have one. I do appreciate craftsmanship. I feel that finely made items that are made by true craftsman are worth more money, especially from dying arts such as blacksmithing.

[Mace]

Originally Posted by lingo

I have gotten to hold one and it does have a much nicer balance than the splitting maul that I bought at my local hardware store. The materials used to produce the axe also seem to be of a high grade. Now having said that I am too cheap to buy one myself. I think that it is a very nice tool and one day I may have one. I do appreciate craftsmanship. I feel that finely made items that are made by true craftsman are worth more money, especially from dying arts such as blacksmithing.

Cool

[D'Animal]

Gransfors Bruks are each made by a Blacksmith in Sweden. They are not mass produced.

Gransfors Bruks U.S. - Axes


Here is their main web page.

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

[MANUCHAO]

I have two axes. one is huge and the other is small.. both came in handy on my AK trip.....
I bought them after using my ice axe the first week on the trip.

[land crusher]

Originally Posted by Mace

What makes an axe worth $120??

Quality of the steel/blade. They hold an excellent edge.

Also, the handle. Finding a good ax handle with properly aligned grain is a real bitch these days.

[LittleBlueSubaru]

I wanted to thank all who responded. I ended up getting the Fiskers Pro Splitting Axe. Although I don't think I would split cords with this thing, it is great for splitting, actually resplitting wood at the camp site. The unbreakable handle really sold it, kids will have a hard time breaking it. Thanks again and happy camping.

[Mace]

Originally Posted by land crusher

Quality of the steel/blade. They hold an excellent edge.

Also, the handle. Finding a good ax handle with properly aligned grain is a real bitch these days.

Now that is something that I actually had not thought about (stupid of me). Watched a neat show on Axes on the history channel tonight. Cool stuff!!!

Wow, there is a $769 axe on that link Dan posted

[alpinecowboy]

As D'Animal points out, the Gransfors is a hand-made axe of the highest quality. The blade itself durably holds an edge when splitting high volumes of lumber. Additionally, each blade is precision finished so that the edge of the blade lines up perfectly with the swing axis of the handle. A Gransfors axe needs no conditioning or blade work to be 100% ready.

This is not true of most axes.

If you want quality and are wiling to pay for it, get a Gransfors.

If you want quality, but aren't wiling to pay for it and instead would prefer to work for it, get a Wetterlings.

Wetterlings axes are also hand-made and are also properly matched between the shaft and the axe head in terms of swing direction and grain. The missing step in Wetterlings is the blade prep itself. You have to prepare the blade yourself in terms of getting the bevel set and the blade sharpened. The good news is that (1) you should know how to do this anyway and (2) it saves you a ton of money.

If you want to get something that is useful in the wilderness for actually cutting wood, do not get a hatchet, get an axe. The length is worth it.

If you want a single axe that is versatile, strong, durable, well made, a good value then get the Wetterlings LHA (Large (or Long) Hunting Axe). I've been very happy with mine in a wide variety of backcountry applications.

Have fun

[AJP]

An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual, 9923-2823-MTDC, Index

excellent link if you are interested in axes.

Gransfors are very nice ... the little mini-hatchet is a great option to a sheath knife .. and along with a good folder will do most hunting chores up to - but not including - moose anyway.

Also look at Council Tools for good axes ... and American made!!

[AJP]

I want to re-emphasize the company Council Tool

Council Tool, American-made Premier Striking Tools and Drop Forgings - home

If you are an American (I'm not - well .. I guess I qualify as "North" American) you should certainly look at this company and their tools .. and axes. If you need/or want a felling axe you might consider buying their straight handled Jersey axe (I did) ... very well made from handle to head. And you will have a hard time finding nicer people to deal with!

I would never argue that Gransfors aren't excellent axes (have one and would probably get another one day) BUT Americans know a thing or two about steel as well!! After all in North America we've cut a heck of lot of wood over the last 250 years

[Mace]

Originally Posted by AJP

I want to re-emphasize the company Council Tool

Council Tool, American-made Premier Striking Tools and Drop Forgings - home

If you are an American (I'm not - well .. I guess I qualify as "North" American) you should certainly look at this company and their tools .. and axes. If you need/or want a felling axe you might consider buying their straight handled Jersey axe (I did) ... very well made from handle to head. And you will have a hard time finding nicer people to deal with!

I would never argue that Gransfors aren't excellent axes (have one and would probably get another one day) BUT Americans know a thing or two about steel as well!! After all in North America we've cut a heck of lot of wood over the last 250 years

Obviously the Council tool axes are a lot easier to deal with price wise.

Are the Gransfors that much better for the price?

Will a putz like me notice the difference?? (I seriously doubt that I'll be felling any trees anytime soon, I just want a good axle to have in the cruiser...)

[D'Animal]

Buy a Hudson Bay

Originally Posted by Mace

Obviously the Council tool axes are a lot easier to deal with price wise.

Are the Gransfors that much better for the price?

Will a putz like me notice the difference?? (I seriously doubt that I'll be felling any trees anytime soon, I just want a good axle to have in the cruiser...)

[BoondockSaint03]

I agree with most of the recommendations here. Although I do use a Double bit axe for felling and splitting duties. Technique and reading the grain and knots is the most important thing to remember when splitting. Collins makes a really good axe. I also have a double bit Kelly that my great grandfather used to fell tree's.

[Mace]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Buy a Hudson Bay

SNOW & NEALLEY "Our Best Axes", 162115 - Ben Meadows Company

or

Council Hudson Bay Axe - 28" Handle Length