Personal preference, but I find Gransfors and Autine a little form over function. Each to there own though.
Well, if the form is an axe-shaped tool, and it’s function is to cut through wooden objects cleanly by virtue of having a very sharp edge, then a Gransförs fulfills its intended criteria perfectly. It’s perfectly possible to find plenty of people out there who will forge an axe-head costing significantly more than a Gransförs and for which you’ll then have to find a suitable handle, or fashion your own and fit it.
I don’t actually understand that statement though, tbh; there are dozens of axe styles just in the UK, you just find the one that best suits the function to which you want to put it, at a price that suits your budget.
I have a Gransförs axe I bought a few years ago, and it’s a beautiful tool, but I’m thinking of getting one of those cheap Council Tools Hudson Bay camp axes, because they’re cheap, seem to be well made, and I like the head shape, slightly bearded, giving space behind the cutting edge to choke right up close, for carving, etc.
It might need some work to get a real good edge, but at that price it’s time I’m happy to invest. I’ve seen some beautiful hand-forged bearded axe heads that would be perfect, but were the same price as a complete Gransförs, with handle it was around £120!