sorry about the wind! Do you want a top dollar axe or a great bargain axe? look no further... After having these axes for a few months now, Nico and I thought it was time to test out their pros and cons. I hope you find this useful!
Have been a Gransfors Bruks fan since trying one for the first time...own four of them now...everything from the splitting maul to the small hatchet...superb workmanship, excellent tool, and well worth the extra dough to call it mine!
This is sort of apples and oranges... Hultafors has a much closer axe to compare with that particular Gransfors axe, which would be the Hultafors Classic Hunting Axe.
I have just bought one because I was having a bad day and work and decided buying another axe would make me feel better... it did! In comparison to my grans small forest I personally found them incomparable, there are gaps around where the head is supposed to be tight up against the shoulder, gaps around the top of the eye, it came rough ground and chipped. I was willing to overlook these things because it was only £30 the head was tight and it did sharpen to a razors edge with little effort, however...... after splitting a wheelbarrow load of knotted pine into kindling the blade is chipped and rolled and requires a complete re-profile. It did work well but unfortunately if that happens after every hours work there will be little blade left in a week or two. Anyway that was my experience nice video pal I like your style
Nice review and good comparison. I'm not too keen on the Hultafors Trekking range, the Classic range is a far closer in head design to the GB range and just as good. perhaps not the same finish though. Thanks for the comparison and all the best.
Thanks for stopping by man. I would love to handle one of the classic range from what you say, and I have also heard good things about them too. Though possessing the SFA I dont think I'll be looking to spend money on another axe for a long while. Thanks for watching!
+Silva Wolf I bought the Hultafor's Trekking Axe by mistake thinking it was the classic model. I also have the Gransfors Small Forest Axe and comparing them I would say: - The Hultafor's Trekking Axe is a good group axe, you can share it with an easy conscious (no worrying). - The Hultafor is not as well crafted but this is fine. - The Hultafor's is one of those good (not great) tools that you have around to do jobs that could damage any axe but you use it because its *expendable* (kind of like the movie). The Gransfors Small Forest Axe is a great axe that is like a sword in the old days. Most forks carried an inexpensive seax. So using the Gransfors Small Forest Axe is awesome and expensive. To the average Joe a rare treat. - The Gransfors Small Forest Axe as said is expensive (to most) but is worth the money if you take care to use it wisely. - Although many axes preform close to this axe the Gransfors Axes are the top axe to buy for it's high performance in wood. IMO of course. Happy Holidays!
MCQBushcraft Interesting info about the trekking vs classic hultafors range. Thanks. Big fan of your channel MCQ, and i think it speaks volumes to your character that you’re helping and encouraging other small bushcraft channels. Top man.
GF SFA due to the narrow cheeks, the handle gets often damaged. You can flip the head on impact a little, but this gives wrist problems on the long run. Other solution is to cut with 2/3 of the edge, much more dangerous.
Thank you - good and interesting comparison. The Gränsfors axe is a thoroughly forged premium axe. The Hultafors trekking axe is Hultafors´ standard line of axes. Hultafors put much less work in the standard axes - that´s why the lower price. But it is the same metal alloy composition as in their premium line of axes - a product manager informed me of that today. So the metal composition/quality is probably similar in the two axes here, but the Gränsfors is much more worked on=better quality. The Hultafors standard line are more affordable axes. Hultafors also has a premium line of axes, like the Åby forest axe. Update 2022: Small Forest Axe is 1 kg/1000 g. head. Price in Sweden: 1500 SEK/150$. Price for the Hultafors H008 Trekking Axe (production ended): 500 SEK/50$.
Nice one Dan. I've actually just ordered (and it's arrived) the Hultafors Trekking (HULH008SV - Trekking Axe 800g) and paid only £19.39 delivered .. that's 1/3 the cost of the GB .. for me I had to go with Hultafors as none of the reviews and testimonies of either gave me an overwhelming desire to spend 3 times the cost.. I can't wait to use it but I'll have to wait until after xmas as the kids have wrapped it and put it under the tree LOL
Its a great axe the hultafors buddy! I'm glad I've got my gransfors but mate, for 20quid!!!! Bargain of the year! I hate having to put presents under the tree!
This is a very nice review, even after almost 7 years. :) And I totally agree with your conclusion. I wish I only bougth the Hultafors ... because when I got the SFA as well it became a gateway for other GB axes ... amy wallet hates me now!!! DAMN! :-D
I have both, but the Haltafors is a much better axe. Now called the Trekking Hultan which retails around £80 to £100. Haltafors is great tool, well built.
I have a Granfors Bruks small forest axe, splitting maul, and wedge. The most usefull works of art I own. I saved a while for both the axe and maul and I don't strike my wedge with my maul. I do feel bad using my wedge sometimes because I like it so much and using it will invariably destroy it. All three tools came hair popping sharp and stay so for a good long while. Invest in some linseed oil and some good stones and your grandchildren might use your tools.
the key element you have not even mentioned is lasting edge. How often do they need to be sharpened? In my experience this is where the Gransfors kicks all others butts
I've numerous Axes from both makers but my Hultafors are from the classic range (better finish/quality) iirc GB harden to around 58hrc and the classic HB (other than their mauls which are a little softer) 58-59hrc. Sharpening and using both shows they are basically the same.
Well worth the wait as usual lads! I was surprised to see both axes perform so well with heavily knotted wood. Usually I'm there for ages bashing away for the axe head to go through but I mostly cut recently dead wood for drying so that'll explain why xD great to see you guys posting a video! should film your next walk when your out and about and keep us in the loop maybe even spot a few winter wild edibles ;) Great review!
Thanks Ryan! Great to have the support of regular viewers like yourself mate! Aye, even though this stuff was knotty, it was off a bit of standing dead wood. We may not make it out for more videos before xmas, but.. We have big plans for January!! ;)
Anytime my friend! You lucky buggers having seasoned wood haha. Well I'll be tuned in to see what you guys have in store as per, looking forward to this one! xD
Should have compared it to the Hultafors Classic. It's much similar in shape and the sheath is a lot better with an actual belt attachment to it. And they are stamped too.
Ahh that's good to know, I hope the viewed see this as that definitely makes it harder to sway towards the gransfors! Thanks for watching as always mate!
I bouggt my Hults 17" Agdor range because it was on a closeout and it's right in the middle of my 14" and 20" hatchet, as far as the shape and finish, Yeah I love my Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe but my Hults came out very edge centered and the wood had a near perfect grain on the handle, With a little bit of work, my edge is just as sharp as my S.F.A. and at a 1 3/4lbs it's males short work on processing firewood and kindling simply by Axe Tapping, Yeah, If I could get another one, even if it wasn't centered, I would still buy it in the hart beat, Yeah Doc V thinned his Gransfors Bruks too thin so he thought it would be sharper and rolled the edge on his Gransfors Bruks, , ,
Yes yes the wolf is back :) Great review Dan, i'm getting myself the GB small forest very soon as I have the hatchet for the spoon carving I do. You are right too about them being hard to find at the moment, what I was told is that GB are restricting who can actually sell these now to a limited number of outlets so what you see available is what stock is left over, so i've been told anyway. Great quality video too and am really hoping you're able to put out more videos moving into the new year as well ~Peace~
Aye man! The wolf I back!! Hooowwwwwlllll!!!!!! Hahaha! Hope you manage to snatch one up wherever you find it, becoming rarer than rocking horse poop! Glad you like the video, for some reason it hasn't uploaded in HD :( we probably won't be out filming til new year but I got big plans for January bud!!! Boo yaaar!
I find these comparisons open them selves up for scrutiny , the man is camping, if you ve camped you don't want robust axe , you want something that feels good in the hands, that is nimble and sharp. this man is probably a bit bias to the grans, because he generally likes the axe better and can afford it, he does't knock the other axe, Its quite simple friends, come on now,, If he could nt afford the grans, I reckon this video what of bin 180 degrees , be kind and exercise yer heart, these comparisons are silly though !
there are "one hand" axes (under 700 grams). Usually with a short handle. there are "two hand" axes (over 1000 g. usually 1200). with a long handle. between this are the intermediate ones which can be used as "one or two hand." for a big man a "one hand" axe that weights 500 grams is too light, 800 is just fine. for a small one - 1200 can be heavy , 900 is ok. just have to adjust the length of the handle. the skills of the person that holds the axe in the hand determines how good an axe performs, not a stamp or a sheath.
Nice review, thank you for sharing! I especially liked the part about how to split logs safely. I've had some pretty close shaves myself with short shaft axes and know that "safety first" are not just empty words. I have a small Husky axe that is suspiciously similar to Hultafors Trekking Axe (and is probably made by Hultafors) and I use it mainly for splitting firewood and such, surprisingly it's quite good even for bigger logs. Not so perfect for carpentry it seems, the head seems a bit thicker than that of the Trekking Axe, but then there are other axes for that.
cheers for the kind words! yes axe safety is paramount, I know a guy who sank a hatchet into his leg due to not thinking. yes a cabinetry axe is a very different piece of kit. and likewise would not lend itself well to most of the usual camp activities. thanks for watching! Dan
I have had the GB small forest axe for a few years now and it's one of these rare occasions where I have actually stopped looking for another axe. I only to that when a tool totally satisfies me in what I want it to do. It certainly is an exceptional axe that I would not hesitate to spend the money on again! great review! cheers
yeah they are crazy expensive. I once damaged the blade on my GB pretty bad and I felt like crying... cant imagine what it would be like to damage a neeman... they do look great though, I have a look at them regulary, a man can dream I suppose!
I would probably cry. It would no doubt never cut anything, I'd use my GB instead a a the work horse. Getting the Newman out only for special occasions haha
haha yeah that is the one thing I have trouble with... I tend to look for all these great tools but I would never really dare use them hard. Quality does come at a price but I don't think we should spend too much on things we use. I still carry a 30 euro pocket knife as my edc and I am really happy with it :) no need for a sebenza... although I do eyeball that thing from time to time!
Absolutely. I have been making knives that are, if I may say so, are of good quality, and have more detail and higher end components than your average knife, problem is though I don't want to use them, I just grab a Mora or my leatherman!
I have a GFB SFA so I know how it cuts. Hurts Bruk makes good axes, but I like Granfors Bruk products and will pay the additional 10% for the Grandfors product.
Say Heah Silva, Even though after it was made, My 19" Iltis Oxhead wasn't that cheap but a few dollars less than a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe. Anyhow I had a Heavy head put on a shorter handle. I finally heard a term used for that kind of set-up. I heard them called House Axe, and Miner's used them too. But WoW does it split just by tge shear weight, it is a thin 5" face, but very sharp, and I love Axe Tapping with it. It's something new for me but I knew about it. Oh by the way the Iltis is a German made axe. It is a bit heavy, but in camp it makes short work out of making kindling. But I also have a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest, but then I also have three different size Estwings which are pretty good for the money, and also my on person carry and some of my Fav's are my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet and my WarBeast. Oh Yeah, I'm also working on my Norlund Tomahawk Hatchet it's look's very promising too Thanx for a very good video. I'm surfing the Tube and cleaning up some of the tools I'll be using soon. Most just need a little tune up, since I put them away in very good shape. Thanx again, Silva. By the way you make some great Compass's, heh heh heh
Say Heah, Silva, Yeah I think I have enough Axe/Hatchets. But for my B'Day I got myself a gift, I bought a Hultafors Bruk a Camping Hatchet, I had a Cobbler put together a belt carry loop that attaches to my belt a very simple design but carries my Hatchets secure and comfortable, I still use the face mask though. The reason I got the Hultafors Bruk over a Gransfors Bruks is the eeight, Yeah, like I have mentioned before it's because I axe chop kindling and there's just more weight to beable to tap through my logs which are not too big for just making kindling, then all wood will burn regardless of size when the fire gets going, It doesn't takes long to get a blazing fire. Yeah, maybe the Gransfors Bruks and don't get me wrong I like mine and it prolly is my Fav's. But I could get my Hultafors Bruk real sharp, and again I think the weight allows my to use mine and what I do with my camp hatchers that my Hultafors Bruk is just what I needed.
Hello ,I’m new to the axe world. Do you think the Gransfors Brux small forest axe is a good axe for trail hikes/ camping and processing medium to small wood?
Say Heah, After using both for a little longer time, I'm still very happy I have both and I think I like the G. B. a little more because it's more expensive. I use them both for task specific reasons. Aa far as that the 17" Agdor Hatchet is more compact and a 1 3/4lbs. head, It's my Fav. Bush Craft Hatchet when I take a Basic Trio, But in colder weather the fact it is a little longer, I tend to lean towards the lenght alittle more, and usually I also multi carry my knives a Bush Craft/Survival Knife. But on cold weather trips where I know I'm going to process more firewood, My Fav. is my 24" Council Pack Axe. I like the fact that my 17" Agdor Hatchet is alittle heavier, Because this way with a shorter handle it still has a kick to it when I'm in the bush. But the S. F. A. is good because it is a little longer so I could put alittle more of me into the swing when I'm chopping a dead fall. But because I rotate my axes, I also have a lighter 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet for a very nice lite carry trio, For example, I could team my Rodent 5 or my Bravo 1 in 3V with my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet or even my 2Hawks Warbeast three edge Tomahawk. plus my Wicked Tough Saw for a very good lite trio, with maybe just my British Army Issue Clasp Pocket Knife for un-tangling paracord and with the can opener I can feed my munchies with a can of beans and hot dogs. It just doesn't get any better with a hot cup of coffee on a open fire. So, yeah, I'm still happy to rotate my axes for task specific use.,,.
Say Heah, Not only did I got a great price on my Hultafors Bruks 17 "Agdor Hatchet I think sometimes called a Trekking Hatchet, I also have the G. B. Small Forest Axe, Yeah the Hultafors is a little smaller but not by much, However the steel on both is very similar, The shapes are a bit different, But once I got my Hultafors as sharp, I use it when I want to go lite, I've combined it with my Puma Bowie 2, and my Bokor Rold, It teams up nicely with alot of other knives, And both preform great, But the more compact size of the Hultafors, I can wear it easier on person, I think it was replaced by the Classic, But again the steel is the same too, I call it my Bushcraft Axe or Hatchet, Once I sharpened up and it didn't take long at all, I tend to use it actually more then my G. B. I consider myself very lucky to be able to buy such a great Hatchet at the price I paid, I would defenetly do it again, Unfortunately it's no longer available and the replacements are much more expensive, It's a Excellent Hatchet and the size actually makes it more manageable than my G. B. Small Forest Axe.
You should have compared the Hultafors carpenter's axe 20" for a better comparison. I just bought a Hultafor carpenter's axe but haven't had time to use it yet. Hultafor carpenter axe cost me $85 compared to the Gransfors price of $135 Canadian. I had to order mine online at Bushcraft Canada in order to get a good axe. It was very difficult to find a good axe in Edmonton.
in the US today the Agdor medium shown here costs $47 on Amazon including shipping and no Tax. The cheapest one could find the small Forrest axe on is $160 that is a big difference. The Classic Hultafors Hunting axe is $74. for some reason you got confused on the head weights... The GFB is 900 grams and the Agdor medium is 800 grams yet you insist the Agdor is the heaviest??? please accept my thumbs down with pride as you did give this a good try.! Buying in today's market a GFB axe is the same as buying a Mcclaren and not a cheaper as capable 911 turbo... you don't need a Mcclaren you want one! Subbed All the best. Blazin'Blades
Hultafors is the oldest make of axe and still going strong and in my opinion are the best and better value better quality of some top makes iv used for 5 times its price.
Say Heah M8, If I learned anything is that the weight has its benefits, I learned that from a House Axe I had made, I have a heavy thin 5" face head put on a short handle, Yeah, I wanted something with a bite and yet plow through wood, I did it, a Iltis Oxhead hanged on a 19" White Hickory Handle. Yeah, I love my Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe, but then I saw a deal I just couldn't pass up, It's the Hultafors Bruks 17" Agdor range Hatchet, I really didn't need another hatchet. But the more I thought about it the better the idea, 17" is right in the middle between 14" and 20". and the fact it's 1 3/4lbs head, Bingo, I got it. I find it easy to transport and I can handle it with one hand, But I can also use two hands. Sure a longer heft is better for felling a tree, But most of my trips I don't need a longer heft, For a short trip a 17" Axe is plenty, atleast for me. I actually got lucky with my Hultafors Bruks, I used my Gransfors Bruks Puck, and now it's as sharp as my S.F.A. and surprising the edge retention I can't tell a difference, and yet mine came out on spot, everything was in its place. The bevel was straight and so was the wood grain, Yeah, It's a keeper, , ,
My Hults brook axe is just as nice as my gransfors both cut great, hold an edge identically. Truthfully these axes are totally different in this comparison and is a bad model to compare between the two. My Akkad foresters axe is my favorite. Less money and just as good of a tool.
tontrenner cheers I wish someone had told me. Oh wait. Loads have. I'm comparing a budget to a non budget axe. I was aiming to show that there isn't much difference in performance.
YOU ARE NOT COMPARING THE SAME PRICE RANGE, YOU HAVE PICKED THE CHEAPEST HULTAFORS. THEY ARE ALL MADE BY THE SAME COMPANY. WHY DID`NT YOU COMPARE THE CLASSIC RANGE OF HULTAFORS?
Not a TRUE comparison dude !!! A fair test is the Hultafors Classic Hunters Axe with great leather sheath.. Your doing a apple to orange test..Not true and fair...
I'm showing a budget option vs a more expensive one dude. not trying to find two axes as similar as possible to one another.. sorry man but A LOT of folk don't seem to get that. I should out an annotation in or something.. just trying to show the hultafors holds its own pretty much
+Silva Wolf The other hultafors (where Dean's talking about) is 40 pound which is also much cheaper than the Gransfors. The handle length is much more similar and the sheath of that hultafors is better than the gransfors sheath. So what he's trying to say was that it would be a better comparison to compare the gransfors small forest axe with the hultafors classic hunters axe.
i generally enjoy your reviews, but on this vid it seems like it wasn't a fair comparison between the 2 products but more a why the gransfors is better than the hultafors. It would have been better if you didn't have a bias towards the gransfors already and were testing them both like it was the first time you'd held either.
ChurchMouseHey there! Thanks for watching, We actually headed up all the way to scotland on the 2nd of january, but around midnight, in the middle of nowhere I came down with a stomach bug, the three day exercise turned into a late night scramble for the car sadly, as i was gradually getting more ill. I did get footage up until I felt ill, but then it became a serious affair. hopefully we will get chance to do one before summer!
I like to respect everyone from the bushcraft community, and I fully appreciate a well-made video. But awarded this a thumbs-down. While you're seeing whether spending twice is worthy, you're comparing a Bentley with a Ford. It's pointless because there's only going to be one clear winner. For me, investing in a good axe that'll last decades renders the additional £30 useless. Why not compare the Gransfors with an equivalent Hultafors from its 'Classic' range, rather than a lower-spec Hultafors? It has a much higher-spec, hand-forged head design, with manufacturer initials, and similar feel to the handle of the Gransfors, and costs about the same. Surely this method would determine which manufacturer makes the better axe, and would therefore influence buyers which brand is worth the long-term investment.
I'd say neither of these axes are designed for that purpose in mind. Either could be reground to a way more obtuse edge, perhaps. Either would knock nails in
My 35$ council tool boys axe trumps both of these axes, holds a beautiful edge. WAY less money for a proper working tool. Plus i have a bunch of extra money to spend.
Zed & Co, its not hard to find them, dude check out www.raymears.com he has the full collection, I got mine (the small forest axe) from him over 13 years ago and it is still going well, keep up the good work , kind regards Chris
Hey bud! Aye its been a fair while, those b*****ds! Ruining a beautiful part of Cheshire like that! We should meet for a camp though! I can't use my permission til Feb, as they shoot pheasants down there... Bad times!
check this hultafort trekking from the classic which does infact has the makers/factory name in the head.. I really believe the one you show is..well there is something not right about it. No fault or blaim to you off course but it almost seems like a replica or counterfeit. Allthough I cannot tell for shure. Here is the link for the Dutch knivesandtools site: www.knivesandtools.nl/nl/pt/-hultafors-trekkingbijl-mini-classic-h-008-sv.htm#tabbutton1
This is a B.S. comparison.. As the others have said Hultafors has a comparable Classic series that is much better. Between the two you have sure the GB wins and at twice the cost. The classic is about $90 and it is every bit as good as the GB. Honestly the Council Tools Velvicut Bad Boy Axes are better than either. In the end pride of ownership is really the only deciding factor