New GB SFA mini review

[Ropeman]

I just ordered a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe from Gary at Bearclaw (http://www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk) Bushcraft. I ordered it on Sunday he said it was in the post Monday morning and my poor beleagured postie delivered it on Tuesday morning. Gary said he'd pick me out a good example and he was as good as his word, the axe has a good vertical grain and a well aligned eye. great service. Cheers Gary :biggthump.

The axe is made by Mattias Mattson who seems to be the UKs favourite axesmith if you read this thread (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1058&highlight=who+made+yours%3F)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/nickshepherd/axehead.jpg

I had to wait in this morning for a guy to come round and fix my TV aerial so I was stuck in the garden a bit. At the back of the garden there is some encroaching Rhodedendron which is trying to take over the garden and choking the light for a load of young native trees (Ash, Elder and Holly) so I've been waging war on it. A few weeks ago I went at it with my folding saw but left a 4 inch branch because I couldn't be bothered with it.

Here is a before:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/nickshepherd/logandaxe.jpg

and after a few inexpert strokes:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/nickshepherd/choppy.jpg

All in all it is a pleasure to cut and chop with this axe. I say cut as the axe came sharp enough to easily cut paper, a few strokes on a bit of polish loaded cardboard has made it frightening even after chopping down the branch. I can totally see the point now of a good axe. This is my first really good axe and I love it already.

It's my first review too so I apologise if I ramble. :D

[Edd-UK]

Great review and great pics :biggthump well done ropeman.

[Rickman]

Nice review, thanks

What had the poor rhododendron done though? :P

[Ropeman]

I hate Rhodedendron, it kills all the other plants and the leaves are poisonous. Perfectly acceptable in Northern India and anywhere else it belongs but just another perfidious introduction like Japanese knotweed and Grey Squirrels. Rant over, time for a little pink pill and a nice cup of tea;)

[Rickman]

Well, it can't be as bad "up there" as it is here in the New Forest. Hundreds of the darned trees/shrubs.

[Ropeman]

And no Red Squirrels left either presumably?

[Joules]

I am in the market for a Gransfors SFA... Your review is well timed and the link to Bearclaw , just what I needed. Just about to have our solid fuel stove fitted. Many thanks

Joules

[Ropeman]

No worries Joules, gary is a good guy to deal with. The axes are brilliant.

[Isshogai]

I've received a GB SFA this morning from Bearclaw. I'd just like to echo what Ropeman said. The axe is incredibly sharp from new,grain and head alignment is spot on, unlike a few other axes I've owned and Gary is a great guy to buy from. Thanks Gary :biggthump

[spamel]

That rhodododododendron thingy, the branch looks pretty stout. Can it be put to any use at all other than battoning?!! Is it any good for friction fire lighting, did it burn well (if you did burn it, of course) and is the wood poisonous aswell as the leaves?

As for the axe, well, I'm after one of garys' new knifes, I may aswell get a new axe at the same time. And it is a necessary bit of kit for bushcraft. And the hatchet I've got isn't brilliant. And it looks very nice!!

Just got to convince the missus :O

:spam1:el

[Ropeman]

The branch is drying out, at the very least I'll practise carving on it. I think RD will burn well, I wouldn't use it where the smoke got on the food though. I'm not gonna make spoons out of it just in case.

I'd love to see you with an axe sticking out the back of your Bergen Spamel, as if you haven't got enough to carry:ralmao:

I can't recommend this axe highly enough though, it shaved hair off my arm straight after chopping that branch better than 95% of the knives I've owned.

[Stuart Ackerman]

I have heard of woodworkers here in NZ making candlestick holders, and table legs out of Rhodedendron, but I have not seen any, so cannot comment. A short dry length was in my workshop when I bought the house ( it was labelled Rhodedendron), and it seemed to have very little figure in my wood, pretty hard though. Don't know where it is now.

Back on thread... I wonder if you can order an axe from GB, and specify the maker?
Probably have differing prices for the same model, in time, based on who made it?

[Ropeman]

You could probably talk to most retailers and see which makers their axes were made by. I wouldn't know who to ask which smiths are the best, can't see GB telling you one of their guys was the best. (If you do ask, and they tell you, don't keep it to yourself eh ;) )

[MotorbikeMan]

That rhodododododendron thingy, the branch looks pretty stout. Can it be put to any use at all other than battoning?!! Is it any good for friction fire lighting, did it burn well (if you did burn it, of course) and is the wood poisonous aswell as the leaves?

As for the axe, well, I'm after one of garys' new knifes, I may aswell get a new axe at the same time. And it is a necessary bit of kit for bushcraft. And the hatchet I've got isn't brilliant. And it looks very nice!!

Just got to convince the missus :O

:spam1:el
Rhodedendron burns very well. When I was working for the Dorset Wildlife Trust on Brownsea Island, we were fighting a never ending battle with the stuff. Dry wood burns quite long and hot as well.