[Closed] Axes - are Gransfors worth aspiring to?

Put it this way:

Do you need a Rolls-Royce for driving down to the local shops? Do you need a Rolex for telling the time?

Buy a [url= http://www.gardeners-world.net/prod_show.asp?id=921 ]reasonable axe with a Hickory handle[/url],
[url= http://www.survival-school.org/Default.aspx?tabid=249&g=posts&t=1012 ]sharpen it properly[/url] and it will see you right

Cheers Aris.

preferred a fibre handled axe for splitting myself.

if you are splitting anything over about 6" then you'll want something a bit bigger than that above, something around the 3lbs mark and a proper splitting shape that allows you to use a mallet to drive it through if necesary.

Hatchets are for murdering people and for girls to cut up kindling with

real men use axes 😉

For splitting anything of a reasonable size what you really need is one of these:

http://www.abbeygardensales.co.uk/hand-tools/axes-and-splitting-mauls/showitem-M2-MPMD3384.aspx

I would very much like a gransfors one, but can't justify it. I sell logs too!

As above you want a proper long handle splitting axe. Never had a problem with Stihl axes

Not a Gransfors but similar - I've got a Roselli and it's perfect for splitting wood for our wood burners (as well as coppicing etc for our Hazel and elsewhere in the garden) - I fully expect to outlast me if I keep it oiled and sharp.

(TBH the cost is relative - you could apply the exact argument to bikes - for the amount of use it gets I could justify spending that bit extra to get something better made)

Of course the size depends on the task in hand.

I've got a small hatchet which is great for small work and a ~3.5lb axe for bigger things.

A big splitting maul is handy, but a [url= http://www.screwfix.com/prods/51334/Hand-Tools/Hammers-Axes/Axes-Mauls/Roughneck-Wood-Grenade-Log-Splitter ]Wood Grenade[/url] and abig hammer does a good job and cost almost nothing.

Never understood the need for a hatchet. I've always just held the splitting sledge further up to the head. The weight of the head does the work.

Chopped tons of fire wood (never for me though 😕 ) and just use a bog standard spitting axe don't need any thing fancy.

You dont need a Gransfors but they are worth the money, just a nice thing to have and is an amazing axe.

Never understood the need for a hatchet

-Easier to carry about and good when camping. Whack it with a piece of wood if you need more oomph. My hatchet is one I was given a very ye olde Spear & Jackson one (Made in Sheffield) to which I fitted a more recent handle.

I've got one of the Granförs trail axes that I bought at the Westonbirt Festival of the Tree several years ago. It's a beautiful tool, well made and will last forever. A quick touch-up of the edge with a Spiderco sharpener and it will shave hairs off your arm. Don't use it that much, but it's been damned handy clearing large fallen branches and small trees on my Sustrans section from time-to-time. Sure it's expensive, but when you're talking about hand-made quality, what more justification do you need? Oh, and I love the fact that it has the initials of the bloke who forged it stamped on it.

I have a set of Firepoint axes ( http://www.firepoint.de/products/other-axes.php) - they are really, really nice! Got a hatchet, splitting axe (Scandinavian Styleee) and felling axe - just because you never know 😉

They are all hickory handled ones, as I just like wooden axes, and were stupidly expensive, but I plan on never needing another set... ever.

Good advice, all. I'll investigate tomorrow..!

😀

http://www.greenandeasy.co.uk/categories/Log-Stores-and-Accessories/Log-Splitters-and-Axes.aspx

Have the Firepoint Axes. Didn't see the hatchet on there, which is a useful wee tool, but I didn't look that hard! Also available from Euroheat.

I'm led to believe that Real Men actually use these:

[img] [/img]