Another Gränsfors axe question

[Iron Hoarder]

Noddy have you thought about a vintage North american axe like a Norlund or something similar They tend to have a more wedge shaped profile with a lot more meat behind the edge than the GB axes. I have a Norlund hatchet and the edge is much tougher than that of my GB scandi. Just throwing a spanner in the works of this thread sorry Mark.

What he said.

You're in Canada. Go to some yard sales, flea markets or junk shops and pick up some nice vintage axes and try them out. They are as good or better than the big ticket names of today.

[Noddy]

This is the new plan Just found the Scandinavian FA is nearly $150 here

[Everything Mac]

This is the new plan Just found the Scandinavian FA is nearly $150 here

Offt.

I've heard nothing but good things about Norlund axes. Would love to try one myself. ...ebay here I come!

Atb
Andy

[marlheolddu]

Offt.

I've heard nothing but good things about Norlund axes. Would love to try one myself. ...ebay here I come!

Atb
Andy

Andy check out Old Jimbos site cant do a link google is your friend, He has a lot of info. Norlund are great but make sure its an original they sold the name and the newer ones are not of the same quality so I have heard. Get the Norlund hatchet and add a 19" handle any you have a great axe.

Mark

[Noddy]

So, as someone who has given this no real thought before, I have figured out what I am after for a useful winter camping axe.

A felling axe at about 3lbs, give or take, on a 30" helve, with what I have seen described as a centreline. Seems an all important detail for an axe that can chop AND split. The axe equivalent of a swedge, I guess

If the GB felling axe had the centreline swell, I'd be off to the local posh tool shop in a trice. But it dun't. So, the search goes on.

It'd make an ideal bushcrafter's axe. 3lbs being a bit light for a proper, working felling axe, it looks like. So, there's a market there for anyone interested - I'd buy one Only things I have seen that match are about 4lbs - and you have to draw the line somewhere

5160 seems a favourite

[Everything Mac]

3lbs is an odd weight. You might be able to find an older axe head around that kind of weight. A larger English Kent pattern axe perhaps.

Marlheolddu - cheers for the info mate I'll keep an eye out.

Andy

[Noddy]

So a couple of weeks ago I typed in 'vintage axe' to an ebay search and it has been a whirl of education and failure to land a bid since

You are right Everything Mac, 3lbs is obviously an odd weight for the kinds of things people used axes for in the past. There's so very few of them - neither a green feller nor a hatchet, I guess. But perhaps felling and splitting up dead, dry trunks in the snow isn't what ye olde axe manufacturers had in mind

Anyway - if I get something I'll show. I think a Plumb Victory would be my ideal snag

Some of these heads are listed at rather probibitive prices. There's a nice 3lb Pritzlaff there at the moment, but it is $60! Norlund scout hatchets cost a bit too - but they have the ideal wedging centreline going for them too

[Noddy]

Just to keep you informed of the shape of an emerging interest. Here's an ebay auction for a nice 3 1/2lb Norlund

It is nice, it really is, but when all's said it is a used axe. The starting bid was 200 dollars! Which is quite a bit more than an equivalent GB. Thoe truth be told it is possibly a better item all round, practically, aesthetically

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=221024934045

[george]

Ultralight chainsaw? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsbzh...yer_embedded#!

George

[xavierdoc]

Cegga makes a nice axe (contactable on BCUK) and may beable to make one to your spec (Noddy).

[Noddy]

Thanks for that Xavierdoc. Approaching the great man had crossed my mind. And I still might yet.

I just had a bit of a disappointment missing a great little 2 1/4lb Plumb on a 27" handle. Messed up a bid on it and before I realized my error, it had gone fo rnext to nothing Never mind, at least I know that exactly what I want is out there for not much