Hoffman Blacksmithing Mini Camper VS Gransfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet @HoffmanBlacksmith96 @gransforsbruk @wranglerstar @DavidCanterbury@fieldcraftsurvival @fieldcraftsurvival
Hoffman's story is a good one, but there's some hard lessons in there for us all. He's not making a fortune on his axes. For all that price, he's barely getting by and there are dozens of similar operations that have long since been shuttered. That's the real price we pay for all the taxes, laws, and regulations we demand. Everyone talks about the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, but nobody thinks about the million straws that came before it. Small businesses in the US are trying to get by in a very hostile environment, and we need to really think about the long-term consequences of the little things we do as citizens.
I dont disagree with what you said, but the law of supply and demand says that when you have a 2 year backlog, you raise your price. Why let the secondary marketers harvest that profit?. I know what you will say.... he wants to keep the price reasonable for the common person who wants a real working tool. But is that really who is waiting 2 years? Maybe, but might also just be a flipper or someone that wants to hang it on the wall.
@@corporalpunish6089 As an old man I can absolutely say my Hoffman, and the next one, are wall leaners (I don't hang 'em). I bought my first two the day Wranglerstar posted his video, then waited a while, had to digest the new cost, then ordered his signature piece. Closing in on two years now. Could I run MY business depending on that schedule (I don't have a business, I'm retired). NO. But go order a Randall knife. The wait time without any options is about 5 years. And you ain't helping Bo Randall, that's a company now. Again, I'm old. I won't be flipping mine. Maybe my son will but I seriously doubt it. I'm going to go out on a limb and say 1% of his axes are regularly used. Maybe I'm waaay off and it's 5%. So that leaves us with 95% as art, and very fine art. If you NEED an axe go to Tractor Supply.
@@corporalpunish6089 THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. "I can charge $1,000/axe and I won't be as busy as I am. Or I can increase my price a bit to meet demand by streamlining production while maintaining quality and have a significantly larger customer base." These thoughts are constantly banging around in the head of every small business owner. That's kind of the very definition of a small business owner. He has a brick and mortar firehouse. Employees that aren't numbers. Taxes. Environmental concerns. Supply issues. I don't see him popping up in the news a lot but I place him, at ~27 years old, as a very industrious young man. I almost wish he'd go into politics but on the other hand I wouldn't wish that on anybody. I know I wasn't doing the things he's doing when I was that age.
I gave up trying to get a LH. I’m not willing to pay resale market nor am I willing to wait over a year. I’m happy w my GB’s. But if I ever get a chance at a retail priced one I’ll do it
Yeah I get it. You have to really really want one badly and stay on top of the fb page to find out when they’re coming available. I’ve had 3 over the past few years and my wife was the one to get them. They are definitely worth it if you can get your hands on one.
Awesome review / comparison. There's just something about axes. Of all the axes I've tried there's nothing that feels and handles like a Gränsfors, pretty expensive but also very much a craft. And in the end it's a real tool although a pretty one.
I really think the Gransfors are the best value for sure. I prefer the Hoffman because of the handle and head profile but it’s hard to pay that price tag.
I have allways wanted a GB but the price was a factor and the fact I don’t burn wood also taken into that factor. They are beautiful, functional and deadly everything that hatchet should be.
Hoffman needs to take ALL orders not some gimmick ordering system. Just keep increasing wait time then at the customer will get one just like Randall made knives.
I agree. Or he could just raise his prices and that would slow down demand and also slow down the secondary market. If you buy one from him for $400 and flip it for $650 the next day then you increase the number of orders drastically because it’s in such high demand and low supply. But if you sell it for $650ish then you won’t have anyone wasting their time trying to flip axes which will cut down on orders.
Great video! Especially for those of us just learning about the LH line. Sorry if I missed it but which handle length is on the Farm axe? 28” or 32”? Which do you think would be more ideal for someone one about 5’10? Thanks again
I'm not interested in price. If I'm buying a tool for life I don't care if it costs several hundreds of dollars more. I don't think you'll care 30 years down the line whether something was less or more expensive. What I'm interested in is whether the LH really is better or better yet... that much better than the Gränsfors or Hultafors or Norlund? How would you rate each from 1 - 10? Would you say the LH is the best axe you can get these days?
I do think the LH axes are better than the Gransfors. I prefer the overall weight and handle construction of the LH over the other brands. If price is not an issue for you then you just have to be willing to wait a long time for an LH. In this comparison I would rate the LH a 10 and the Gransfors a 9. The LH just doesn’t have the decades long track record of the other older brands… yet.
Those lottery spots cost $100 per spot. Non refundable and doesn’t count as a deposit into cost of the axe. So you can enter 4 times in a month for $400 and not necessarily get picked to buy an axe. Just an fyi.
Fyi the Estwing hatchet poll is hardened, the whole axe head is hardened. Nice axes and great video, especially toward the end with your son. Those axes will be his some day.
Gransfors Bruks uses hickory handles sourced from Tennessee. The GB Small Forest Axe is more equivalent to the Hoffman. They also have the Outdoor Axe.
The gb small forest axe is on my list to get. That’s definitely one of the best all around axes. I have another Hoffman coming very soon and it’s a 1 of 50!
If you are going to make kindling and lots of it then a GB splitting hatchet is the ticket. A camping hatchet; I'll take the GB over the smaller Hoffman any day of the week.
Well made? Yes. But too expensive for most to actually use. Especially when excellent performance can be gotten out of far less expensive axes. In essence, Hoffman axes have become collectibles. If you buy one, store it safely and consider it an investment. Then, for example, buy a Council Tool for much less money and use that instead. Doubt you'll notice any loss of performance. (Yes, you might get a less than ideal one occasionally. But it can be fixed and you'll still have saved a lot of money for an axe you'll actually use.) The same could be said about a GB axes. Btw, I do own a Hoffman axe. Bought it from a desperate seller for much less than its going price. I wouldn't pay the usual prices. It was unused and beautiful. And remains so with me.
I agree for the most part. I just can’t imagine not using it. That tool just feels like it’s perfectly made and it does the job so well. I use it right along side the Gransfors, my grandpa’s no name 6lb maul and my $25 marbles axe. I love them all.
@@pieceofparadise9338 If I were y'alls age (guessing) I would be gasping at the prices and rightly so. But I'm old, grew up in a time when things were made rather than manufactured, and am willing to pay the extra money to try to keep that ethic alive since I have the luxury of some wealth. Wealth, and youth, are wasted on the young, but I digress. Hopefully some younger lad or lassie will see Liam's success and jump into the game and produce a product at...half the price? That would be a real feat. Keep looking for them and when they pop up, jump in quick with both feet.
So what you’re saying is everyone originated from Africa because we all have that in our DNA which is a fact that is indisputable. And being your blood is German you can make a blade with zero knowledge? So if I was to cut your hand off drink your blood eat your fingers for breakfast, would I be able to make a blade two with no experience? Technically I have German blood inside of me now 😂
I have a question about your video. Why do you have firearms in the background? Is it some sort of cool thing the youngsters are doing these days? Am I missing something?
