Gransfors Bruk Outdoor Axe

I've been practicing outdoor living skills for most of my 49 years and studied extensively with Ray Mears among others. I've also owned, restored and built dozens of axes. Have to say I was really surprised by this little axe, The Haft is very slender and the contact between head and wood is minimal but I never get the sense it will fail. Cuts and splits very well given it's size. Don't be deceived into thinking this is a beginners tool, a light head on a short handle and with a tiny cutting edge means you need accuracy and strength simultaneously. That Shorthandle also means it's less forgiving of mis - hits. The edge is convexed and mirrored properly which GB don't always do with their axes. Tough, sharp, stays sharp, well balanced and light enough to lose in you ... MoreI've been practicing outdoor living skills for most of my 49 years and studied extensively with Ray Mears among others. I've also owned, restored and built dozens of axes. Have to say I was really surprised by this little axe, The Haft is very slender and the contact between head and wood is minimal but I never get the sense it will fail. Cuts and splits very well given it's size. Don't be deceived into thinking this is a beginners tool, a light head on a short handle and with a tiny cutting edge means you need accuracy and strength simultaneously. That Shorthandle also means it's less forgiving of mis - hits. The edge is convexed and mirrored properly which GB don't always do with their axes. Tough, sharp, stays sharp, well balanced and light enough to lose in you rucksack. Well done GB

Beautifully crafted well balanced axe.

This is a beautifully crafted well balanced very light weight axe. It looks like it will last a lifetime. It is well suited as a flexible multi purpose back pack axe, with the head and shaft shaped such that it can be gripped flexibly in a variety of ways for different uses. The shaft is quite rounded in order to achieve this flexibility, which means that it showed a tendency to want to turn slightly in my hand when striking hard unless gripped tightly which is why I do not give it the full 5 stars.

Great smaller axe for all your camping needs

I bought this axe for my boyfriend as a bday present (after him dropping several hints about it) and he is absolutely in love with it. He claims it's a really good size and weight for use while camping or doing other tasks that require precision and good handling. We were both surprised by how light it is, but concluded that this was a great thing because of how we plan to use it (camping and other lighter tasks) and because with this axe even my noodle arms can help with chopping fire wood.

If you are used to dull hatchets then watch out !!!

I realize now that I am not a real axe/hatchet kind of guy. I have split a lot of wood with mauls and kept a dull Estwing in the camp kit and used them regularly in the field for kindling and firewood but this little baby is different animal. I "needed" one because I saw some fancy folks with them on youtube. When I took the sheath off I cut myself almost immediately and didn't even know it till I saw the blood.. I have a crazy respect for this thing and possibly some fear as I find myself jumping awake each night after dreaming of my fingers lying on the chopping block and stumps on my hands where they used to be. Perhaps a saw would be safer and lighter but I am going to keep her and get to know her better before I give up. Besides the price is going up fast so I ... MoreI realize now that I am not a real axe/hatchet kind of guy. I have split a lot of wood with mauls and kept a dull Estwing in the camp kit and used them regularly in the field for kindling and firewood but this little baby is different animal. I "needed" one because I saw some fancy folks with them on youtube. When I took the sheath off I cut myself almost immediately and didn't even know it till I saw the blood.. I have a crazy respect for this thing and possibly some fear as I find myself jumping awake each night after dreaming of my fingers lying on the chopping block and stumps on my hands where they used to be. Perhaps a saw would be safer and lighter but I am going to keep her and get to know her better before I give up. Besides the price is going up fast so I feel like I got a deal and I am a sucker for a good deal even if it helps me maim myself.Size wise I would relate this to a carpenters framing hammer with a serious compact blade on it. If you have any experience framing with a hammer then you should be ok. If you have ever hit your thumb with a framing hammer then you will hopefully have the awareness to keep your digits. Do not buy this for an accident prone family member. It is razor sharp and can shave with it from the factory. I did.

It is an investment that is well worth it for what you get.

1st and foremost John at NRO is a rockstar. Very helpful and cares about the customer. To me that goes as far as the products one sells.So, the GB Outdoor Axe.Let's deal with the elephant in the room. Yes, it is pricey....but this is a hand forged heirloom quality tool that will last many many years with proper maintenance. That means not leaving it out in the rain for a year or longer, and that means treating the handle with boiled linseed oil periodically(I also treat the handle with Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP as a finish coat on top of the periodic boiled linseed oil applications.)I also carry a small tin of Obenaufs LP in the field when on extended trips to coat the axe head because it is carbon steel. If wet for prolonged periods just like any carbon steel ... More1st and foremost John at NRO is a rockstar. Very helpful and cares about the customer. To me that goes as far as the products one sells.So, the GB Outdoor Axe.Let's deal with the elephant in the room. Yes, it is pricey....but this is a hand forged heirloom quality tool that will last many many years with proper maintenance. That means not leaving it out in the rain for a year or longer, and that means treating the handle with boiled linseed oil periodically(I also treat the handle with Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP as a finish coat on top of the periodic boiled linseed oil applications.)I also carry a small tin of Obenaufs LP in the field when on extended trips to coat the axe head because it is carbon steel. If wet for prolonged periods just like any carbon steel tool such as a knife it can and will rust.The mask is a quality leather, well made mask that I also treat with Obenauf's HD LP.The axe is very light, I weighed it at 1.25lbs on my scale with the mask. The axe head has more of a wedge type angle as compared to say the GB hatchet so it splits well above its weight. I am quite impressed and to add to it's splitting capabilities it is also a phenonenal chopper. There are limitations obviously due to the size but for what it is if you are looking for a camp axe/hatchet that won't beat ya up on the packweight this is a phenomenal choice.The attention to detail in regards to craftmanship is spot on. Then take into consideration the smith's initials are are pressed into the axe head. Reminds me of my Hilleberg tents where the maker puts their name on a tag in the tent.This is a high level of maker accountability and a sign of quality as far as I am concerned....would you put your name on a sub par product?The design of the axe and size also gives one a great deal of ability to use the axe for wood working as you can hold the axe similar to that of an ulu style knife. It will also work for game processing should that need arise.The edge came shaving sharp so no need to do anything on my end as far as that goes. I am one who believes in stropping in the field to stay on top of my edged tools whether that be my 3v knife or my axes.If ya do this the amount of sharpening one needs to do is minimal if any barring something unexpected happening.Just get into a habit of when ya use a tool whether that be an axe or a knife, strop it at the end of the day before ya put it up. It only takes a few minutes and will keep ya from having to get on the stones as much.There is a small steel collar under the head that affords a little protection in the area of overstrike should that occur.I personally split wood in a manner in which I rest the axe head edge on the log and run the log parallel with the handle so the possibility of overstrike is minimized...I'm not gonna get too far into this technique but it is easily researched on the web.It also minimizes the potential for injury substantially.In closing I am gonna simply say this is a great little axe and excels when used in a system with a folding saw and a knife.I highly recommend it if you are willing to drop the coin.Let's be honest, many of us have no problem paying a premium for a knife so...If I had it to do over I would purchase it a 2nd time without hesitation and would make that purchase fron NRO.It a worthy investment for me. I use and rely on my tools when in the wilderness for extended periods solo....and this is one tool I am proud to own.Keep on keepin on folks, and most of all be well.-Loco Raindrops.

Outdoor Axe

First, I have to sing the praises of Canadian Outdoor Equipment. When I pre-ordered, they said the axe would arrive Thursday March 5 and it did. They immediately shipped it out, with Canada Post saying I would receive it on Monday. Then I received it not on Monday but on Friday March 6! That's service!The axe itself is great, as I would expect from Gransfors. I already have the hunter's axe and wanted something a bit smaller and lighter. This fits the bill perfectly. The overstrike protector is a really solid piece of steel and not some flimsy sheet metal bent around the handle. Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a hurry when I was putting the mask back on and the top edge of the axe went right through the leather. The mask is a much tighter fit than on my hunter's ... MoreFirst, I have to sing the praises of Canadian Outdoor Equipment. When I pre-ordered, they said the axe would arrive Thursday March 5 and it did. They immediately shipped it out, with Canada Post saying I would receive it on Monday. Then I received it not on Monday but on Friday March 6! That's service!The axe itself is great, as I would expect from Gransfors. I already have the hunter's axe and wanted something a bit smaller and lighter. This fits the bill perfectly. The overstrike protector is a really solid piece of steel and not some flimsy sheet metal bent around the handle. Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a hurry when I was putting the mask back on and the top edge of the axe went right through the leather. The mask is a much tighter fit than on my hunter's axe. Note to self: make sure the bottom point is FULLY seated in the mask before easing the rest in. Oh well, I guess I'll spring for a new mask and be extra careful. I certainly don't blame Gransfors for that razor-sharp edge!

Small but mighty

Great little axe, small and lightweight enough that you forget it's on your belt, but big enough to tackle most tasks. You're not going to be felling a tree, but processing kindling is a breeze. Choke up on the handle for fine work and with the axe head's design you can comfortably use it just like you would a knife (think an ulu knife). Everything on the axe is quality, and thoughtfully designed as to be expected from Gränsfors Bruk. The edge on the head comes razor sharp and grain orientation is about 60 degrees which while not perfectly vertical is perfectly acceptable for the kind of workload this axe will encounter. Canadian outdoor equipment shipped quick (even to the US) and had one of the best prices I could find.

Small package, big performance

Smaller than expected. It was a gift to my brother who heats his home with wood. He buys his wood already split and only uses his ax to split kindling and make feather sticks for lighting his stove daily. Perfect little ax for use indoors or packing with you long haul...

Swedish Tomahawk!

Typical Gransfors Bruk axe. Everything is done perfect and it cuts like a laser beam. The outdoor axe should be described as a tomahawk, not an axe. Its head is smaller than an average hatchet head, but the handle is longer. This is a Swedish tomahawk. Beautiful!