I have purchased a few axes recently and looked at a lot of videos on RU-vid. I don't hike with an axe so I went with longer handled axes. They have more leverage, cutting force and are less dangerous to use as the longer handle puts the axe farther way from you in the case of a missed strike or bounce off. I got the Scandinavian and the Hults Bruk Akka as someone else mentioned that the Akka is the best of all worlds - light 1.5 lb head and a 24" handle vs the 19" on the Small Forest Axe. I think the weight is close to the same. However, if you are going backpacking or hiking and want to carry an axe, then the Small Forest Axe might be better - smaller, lighter. It would be nice to have them all - but they are not cheap.
Love the videos but one thing that always gets me is the audio. Your intro music nearly blows my speakers out because I have the volume jacked up to hear what your are saying. Thanks for this video though. I enjoy the scandi.
I think you chose the right kind of tests. Realistic for daily use. I wish they'd put a slightly longer handle on the small forest axe head. I love the length of the Scandinavian Forest Axe, but wouldn't mind it being slightly lighter.
After two years of my comment an update. I have now the GBSFA a month ago and I like it for my purposes, It did excellent performance . Blessings to you from the Philippines 🇵🇭
I think if you intend to carry the axe any distance, and you're not chopping down any tree larger than 5", the Small Forest Axe is your logical choice. You'll have to swing it a few more times than a Scandinavian Forest Axe, but who cares? You're a mountain man! For serious work, not just playing in the forest, a large axe will serve you better. An axe must match the man and the work. The number of possible combinations of these two variables is large. Hence so many axe head types and weights, and axe handle lengths. I love videos like this. btw, I own both the Small Forest and Scandinavian Forest axes.
If I was car camping or had a remote camp, the Scandanavian Forest Axe would be my choice. If I was hiking I'd go with the Small Forest Axe. But, the Hults Bruk Akka is the best of both worlds... combining a 1.5 lb head with a 24" handle. I would, and did, choose that over the two axes in your review. I have a Granfors Bruk Outdoor Axe for hiking/camping when I don't foresee having to take down anything over 3" but it will work on bigger things... just takes longer.
Both are great axes! Each one is designed for different types of jobs. Although there’s some common ground in the middle. At the extreme ends both will have advantages. In my humble opinion. Great video.
I have the scandi and i love it and i think gransfors must create a little bigger model like 28 inch and 2.5 or 2.75 pound head . A model between the scandi and the american felling with a pattern head like the american felling .
I have both and prefer the scandie because I have extra large size hands and prefer the extra weight and in my humble opinion the boy’s axe in general is more versatile! The small forest axe is the largest hatchet and the scandie is the smallest axe for me to take with me on my outings and again this is just my humble opinion!The longer axe is always the safer one to use as well! I have build enough muscle memory to carve very easily with the larger axe! I also carried the American felling axe for a while and after that the scandie really feels like a small axe to me! The 2 pound head falls right into the sweet spot for a survival/woodcraft axe for me! But everyone is build differently and most people have an issue with carrying a larger axe in the backpack! I don’t care about the weight and even if the bag gets too heavy I won’t take that on my most important piece of kit which is the cutting tool! The small forest axe does 80% of the work of the Scandinavian forest axe and is very hard to beat at 19”. Thank you for the video! I just subscribed.
Ask yourself which takes more effort.. swinging the SFA 30% more per cut every cut, or packing ~1 extra pound for the Scandi. The answer depends on how many cuts you'll make and if you need the extra reach for limbing. My SFA goes on longer backpack treks across multiple stops, mostly just splitting. The Scandi goes on all single location camps, packed or vehicle alike.
I went with the wetterlings small forest axe. Better than a hatchet but can be used the same, smaller than an axe but not so heavy. I've used mine for everything from butchering a moose, deer, hare, and bird plus processing more than ample fire wood for camp. If not packing and in a permanent camp sure the axe. But I wouldn't trade my small forest axe!
I have them both and definitely have different purposes. Make another video with bigger trees. The small forest is easier to carry and your correct if time is not an issue its the one to take.
Over 6’, wear large to extra large gloves . . . and to be honest, love my small forest ax . . . she goes everywhere with me. Love heavier axes, but can’t beat the versatility and packability of the Small Forest. 🤙🏼
I have never had a need to chop a tree down when trekking/camping. I carry the SFA in my pack. It has done everything I needed done with an axe. If I had to fell trees I would use a larger axe.
The advantage of the small axe is portability and nimbleness, lack of fatigue in repetitive smaller tasks, while the 2/3 axe is better at whacking stuff.
Great job. I have a tendency to grab lighter gear if I am gonna be hiking. The Scandinavian would probably be a great truck axe for fishing, car camping and such.
I would have to say the Scandinavian axe. I have 2. Yes its longer but so much better for processing wood. Ive been able to use the small forest axe as well and i love that one too haha my opinion i would take one of each! Two is one, one is none. And i think you processed the size of wood you should be processing with these size of axes.
Great video ... I would love to see some more extreme tests. But I agree, that u always go lighter when in the woods, I pretty much do all of it with my GBA wildlife hatchet.
Im with Mors Kochanski on this one. Crotch to ground or pit to palm length saves energy. Camp axes/hatchets will wear you out. The end of the handle bumping brush/ground has never been an issue for me in finer tasks. I just roll forward a bit on the log 😒
I fully agree with your assessment of the two. Really depends on what you’re going to use them. It would be like saying a half ton isn’t as good as a one ton. If you’re pulling a big trailer the one ton is really going to Shane. But for Intown use and pulling a camper the Half ton will really shine.
I did subscribe and clicked on the bell! I do like my 26” husqvarna multipurpose, and my 24” council tools wood craft axe equally. Like you it would depend on what I was planning on doing to choose which one I would take. Your desire to make us happier with your videos is refreshing! Great job on this one.
The Husqvarna is the best kept secret gem of bushcraft that apparently not many know. But it's also good that not many know of this glorious axe because it keeps prices down. Got my particular Husqvarna Forest Axe for $65 CAD. Rocking deal for a Swedish made high quality traditional style axe.
Excellent job in demonstrating the difference between the two. Seems to me on small camp task, the small forest axe is best. I would love to see you do another video chopping bigger trees. It would be interesting to see how the small forest axe would perform on a big tree. I know the Scandi would do well.
Great video! I’d love to see the two axes put up against some hardwood. I’ve got the small forest axe and a lot of the hardwood I’ve split hasn’t split nearly as easily. Thanks!
Each has its own pros and cons. It all comes down to personal preference. One can go with either smaller or larger axe for bushcraft and survival. Better to have an axe then no axe at all.
IMHO I would go with the Small forest ax. Only because I believe the size of it is best suited for normal camp tasks. Like you said, both are great tools. Thanks for sharing and we’ll catch you on the next episode. ATB Mike
You’re right. I have both and a manly use my SFA. Always have it in my backpack while hunting/hicking. I only use my Scandinavian to fell trees around the camp. Does it really well tho
Love your videos, but this one has to be for apartment dwelling folks who have never spent a night in the woods . Apples to oranges comparison as for as cutting ability. I think the bigger question would be why a larger ax would be best to carry in the woods on a short term trip? With the development of the great folding saws, I am thinking that the larger ax would not be needed in most people's packs. Now with that said, if someone is depending on wood to heat a house or cabin in a long term situation , the larger ax should be in the woodshed because of it's splitting ability in the long haul.
Actually if wood is needed to heat a cabin or house, a dedicated splitting axe would be ideal. That Scandi isn't a splitter. It's design more for felling and limbing.
If you hold it in the middle and a bush is bothering you why not to clean a working space in the first place? My choice is the larger axe. If I take an axe with me at all I usually intend to face some rough work and the longer handle is a BIG advantage.
enjoyed! thanks and subscribed! i ended up with two sfa's and am still awaiting delivery of the scandi model--i don't know if you can go too far wrong with either, and i bet you could sell either without taking too much of a beating. some people want a one axe does all and perhaps the gransfors achilles heel is splitting. i am not a woodsman as i approach senility, but for property maintenance, i'll go with a cutter before a splitter....
The only thing that I wish you'd done is get the same or atleast some more time for muscle memory with the Scandinavian.I love❤️ your videos and I also have a rack full of options and it completely depends on what Im doing and both are excellent options but if I could only have one the Scandinavian wins every time.
At 5’-9” 205, the GB American felling axe, is a real work horse (31” handle). The Small Forest, great pack axe, prep game and cooked entire meals with it. God Speed, and take care in the woods,,,,, Semper Fi,,,
Nice axe review. Lots of useful information. About splitting, have you tried standing square to the log, in more of a horse stance, and drop your weight as you strike? You can add a lot of speed to the head by dropping lower with your knees, back more straight, pull the handle in at the last moment to tighten the radius of your swing, and give the handle the freedom to vibrate on impact instead of trying to muscle through. The steel does the work, it's not tiring, and you don't get the impact forces into your body. And feels so zen.
Appreciate the comparison. Comes down to weight. SFA works as you say. Building a cabin you need both plus lots more tools!! Here in Australia my SFA head was chipped by the hardwoods (mist wood here is hardwood like US oak) so I bought a small Aussie axe which doesn’t chip. ruralfencing.com/collections/axes-etc/products/razorback-handcrafted-hatchet It’s heavier than the SFA but not long like the Scandinavian. Works well and portable
That axe you suggest from rural fencing looks dope but for $240 CAD or $180 USD it becomes less cool. The bushcraft trend has contributed tremendously in ways to garner hype and prices. I saw a review for a shiny $300 or $400 "Autine" where the axe helve wiggled loosed from the head from about 30 minutes of use. That is more consistent with a China made axe for $5. That is certainly unacceptable for a several hundred dollar tool. Silly saw is another one of the trendy "gourmet" brands.
I prefer the full sized axe simply because I use an axe a good bit and i can carry the same one in the woods. Also I feel a good axe is probably the best tool for staying alive in the rockies, so why not carry a real axe and go light weight somewhere else in my pack.
Great video! Would you say that for bushcraft, a long handle on your axe is a hinderance? It can be dangerous of someone or your dog walks behind you and bumps the handle while you're chopping close to your fingers. A sudden, unexpected change of direction while on the downstroke could result in injury. btw, I confess I know nothing about bushcraft, and only a little about axe safety.
I find these video's really interesting. The talk about the Gransfors Bruks axes as if they were made out of gold. They hype them up and people start to believe they could tell the difference and become what I refer to as an axe snob. There are many great axes at a fraction of the cost of the Gransfors Bruks. But for some reason this is the axe that is happening now. I own several axes such as wetterling and husqvarna. Wouldn't pay for a Gransfors Bruks as I have this aversion to being taken financially. All you that believe that 200 plus dollars are, in my opinion in need of therapy. But keep spending on them. As P.T. Barnum famously said..."There is a sucker born every minute"!!
One thing that GB handles much better than Husqvarna is quality control. I've been looking through comparisons and reviews of Husqvarna axes and one thing that has come up in a lot of the videos is that they received a product with some faults and were disappointed. Now the positive reviews I have seen are generally from reviewers that were sent an axe to review which would generally go through a lot more QC checks before it gets sent out. You definitely pay more for a GB but at least you know you will receive a high-quality product that won't require the customer to rework the product
@@TankaSaurus23 I have a Husqvarna 26 inch axe, I bought it from Amazon for 83.00 Canadian. The axe is excellent, aligns true, finish is great, handle is well done. I also have two Wetterlings that I have had for about 10 years, they too are excellent quality and the cost on the two Wetterlings was just over $100.00 each. No doubt the Granfors Bruks is a great axe but since they bought the Wetterling company their price has gone up unrealistically. Now there are always those that are willing to pay more than top dollar for a quality product. My point is when you put them side by side there certainly isn't a difference that would warrant the price that Granfors Bruks charges. If there are those that will pay I go back to P.T. Barnum famous quote. Enjoy your Granfors Bruks.
I dont care for the Scandinavian...thats not a knock on GB, or even the axe itself. Everything is opinion and preference based on individuals use and needs. I'm just out in the woods a few days at a time, doing exactly what you're doing. I dont deal with large trees or logs...usually 4-6 inches in diameter, but the wood here is dense and difficult for such a thin bit. It is a versatile tool, and you need that...I just think the Scandi is designed more around felling, and less around less splitting...I need more splitting and less felling. So I prefer a fatter profile. The thin bit just gets stuck too easily. Also, like you...I think the handle is too long and unnecessary for what I need. Again, that's all opinion and preference based on my own needs. I buck the logs, and process firewood with it if I have a place to do it. Otherwise, after bucking, I'll process it down with my knife. I would consider the SFA, but the profile is the same, and right now I've found the CT WoodCraft Pack Axe to be quite good. Great video...beautiful country out there. God Bless
I think a smaller axe is better for bushcraft and a big axe is meant for big trees for like a cabin build I use a small Snow and Neally Penobscot Bay Kindling Axe. It's ok for 60 bucks but some day I will get the Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe
Small forest is the useless size, skandi forest is already a small axe and the hatchet or hunters axe is all you need, the small forest axe fits into an size category that feels redundant.
Love the videos and have just shared them with a few friends. I hope you're able to grow as a youtuber. If I may recommend something is lower your into volume and raise your commentary volume. I have to crank my volume to hear you talk. Wish ya all the best of luck!
Of course a larger pieces of wood and depending on how much time you have and which you how much time you want to spend I kind of like the smaller one just more compact ladder weight hands on your skills
WHO wants to PAY $223 for ANY hatchet (aka GB small forest axe) when you can purchase the HB Scandinavian ( the “Akka” here in the US ) for 180 and it has a 2-pound head ? That’s a forty dollar difference and they’re both premium hand-forged in Sweden. The small forest axe is merely a long handled hatchet at 1.5 pounds and since the Hults Bruk is more effective and efficient with eight ounces MORE of forged and blackened Swedish steel, a person could use that forty dollar savings for FOOD or FUEL 👌
Small forest for bug out bag. Scandinavian for inch/ shtf bag. But I might switch out the small forest for a crkt chogan with easily replaced handle, light weight, way cheaper and ability to handle small tasks. That being said I'll be buying a Scandinavian for inch bag. Chogan for bug out bag. In case whoever reads this doesn't know. I.n.c.h=I'm never coming home Bug out=72 hour preparedness
i agree with you..i'd prefer the smaller one because it can do the same job of the larger one but will take a longer time..but in terms of convenience carrying a lighter load can save you more calorie/ energy..it will depend on your project..for long term buscrafthing that will require larger shelter the bigger axe would be a choice.but for one or max. week camping id go for the smallet axe..
Really depends on the location or environment. If you need a smaller axe try a hatchet perhaps. Not reason for me in choosing a 19" over 26" as the longer one is safer and can do more work. The weight difference of ~.6 Lbs shouldn't be a concern for anyone really. Added safety and being able to do heavier work is more important than saving an negligible amount of weight in any regard.
People always talk about how the heavier axe would burn more calories while hiking. True. However, people don’t think about how many more calories it takes to use a smaller, less efficient axe rather than a slightly larger one. It all depends on how big the wood you need to harvest is. Just some food for thought.
I like the extra length of the Scandinavian. Also, you will never find two identical rounds to compare splitting abilities of different axes. But you can see the individual axes idiosyncrasies. Like propensity to stick in wood and such. So the video will help in that respect! Good video and keep them coming!
Pretty damn sure i could have dropped those trees in under 10 swings with both axes. With the scandi it could be done in less than 5 if you know what you're doing
Neither actually. For all the hype and over inflated prices they really are not worth it. Too top it off in reality there is no hand forging involved, hand finished yes but the forging is open die drop forging which was the first form of drop forging. To top it off these are recycled steel which actually reduces the life in the long run (no one will actually notice a difference).
Why do you call it "work"? Swinging an axe is not work. It's pleasure, liking eating a delicious meal. Every swing is like a bite into a juicy piece of wood.
Your 100% correct. A Gransfors Bruks is a nice axe but not worth what they are charging for one. I just got a new Husqvarna 26" general purpose axe and when you put it side by side with the Gransfors Bruks there certainly is not 150.00 dollars difference.
@@donaldharrison3031 And basic tools file, sandpaper, sharpenin stone, leather and some polishing stuf, litle burn handle and lindsie oil you can pimp your axe new level👍🪓
He’s comparing a 19" handle axe to an 25" inch handle axe. He’s not saying that the gransfors are the only ones who can do the job! Of course other brand will do the job as well. It’s just a question of what you’re willing to pay for it.
