[Lone Kimono]

I finally have the money for a GB SFA and they are sold out on a few sites at the $120 price point. If you search on Amazon they come up $249. Did their prices go up or is it just camping season and people are buying them? I may have to look for an alternative.

 

[Lone Kimono]

I've been looking around for a backup in case I can't find the SF for the price I want and saw the Husqvarna Hatchet. For $40 shipped would that be a decent alternative or be patient?

 

[Maine1]

I have thought of getting one. Instead, i looked for a good forged hatchet head at yard sales. Then i polished it a bit and sharpened it, then rehafted it. Works great, and cost about $20. Its not a boutique axe, but those don't impress me that much. It used to be possible to get a really good hatchet at just about any hardware store. Since then many US toolmakers have expired.

Just saying- a bit of elbow grease and you might be able to get out of it cheaper, unless you really just want to try a GB.

 

[quake]

I have thought of getting one. Instead, i looked for a good forged hatchet head at yard sales. Then i polished it a bit and sharpened it, then rehafted it...

I read an online article a while back by a guy who did that, using a GB small forest axe handle on a head from somewhere else. IIRC, he said the hard part was finding the right weight head; something like 1 1/2 lbs iirc. Overall, he said he ended up $20-$30 into it and liked it better than his genuine GB version.

Might be worth looking into as an option.

 

[quake]

Found the article: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2010/11/cheap-alternative-for-gransfors-bruks.html

The cobbled-up version on the left and the Granfors on the right:

 

[Lone Kimono]

Both those options could work together, thank you. I'm not sold on the GB name I just want something that will last. Something that I won't say I wish I put this money into a GB.

For $40 shipped this isn't going to be the same quality as a GB, but would it be acceptable to put with my pack?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VLKLJE/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1GVKXU25DJ5YR"]Amazon.com : Husqvarna Hatchet (1.2 lbs) with 15" Handle : Axes : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31%2BrU777tUL.@@AMEPARAM@@31%2BrU777tUL[/ame]

Not a bad price on the replacement handle
http://www.countryknives.com/store/product.asp?sku=GBA420-H&dept_id=11012

 

[Lone Kimono]

The only Northern Tool axe I can find is the Roughneck 1 1/4 pounds. The one he built his with may no longer be made.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200621551_200621551

I found another review by that same guy on the Husqvarna, quake. I believe the one currently being sold on Amazon is made by another company now, but it seems there may not be a huge difference. So, do I build my own or go with the ready made option?

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2010/10/husqvarna-hatchet-review.html

1.87 lbs for the custom vs 2.5 on the Husqvarna.

 

[stopatrain]

S.A. Wetterling makes a nice axe. Husqvarna is made by a Swedish axe company last I heard.

 

[Lone Kimono]

I'm still on the 2.5 pound weight of the Husqvarna. Isn't that too heavy for a pack? That has to be some seriously heavy wood on the handle to be the same weight as the head.

 

[Aceman]

$250 for small forest axe????

Help me understand. And don't say "It's the best money can buy" unless BEst = Most expensive.
And then show me the evidence - not the hype.

If it's what you want - great. Go for it and don't apologize. But please say that.

I understand that someone will pay $$$$$ for something that another thinks is only worth $ and vice versa.

But I'm a price performance guy. Please explain.

(And yes - my HK is NOT worth what I paid for it. But I wanted one and it makes me happy. It is marginally more accurate / reliable than a Glock. ).

 

[RWBlue]

I always like my father's boy scout hatchet/knife combo. Now I have a Gerber. It is small and light.

It is not pretty like an old wood hatchet, but it works just the same.

 

[Lone Kimono]

$250 for small forest axe????

Help me understand. And don't say "It's the best money can buy" unless BEst = Most expensive.
And then show me the evidence - not the hype.

If it's what you want - great. Go for it and don't apologize. But please say that.

I understand that someone will pay $$$$$ for something that another thinks is only worth $ and vice versa.

But I'm a price performance guy. Please explain.

(And yes - my HK is NOT worth what I paid for it. But I wanted one and it makes me happy. It is marginally more accurate / reliable than a Glock. ).

I think the Amazon price may be inflated because local dealers are sold out. I saw it in the $155 shipped range this morning, but even that is a bit more than I'd like to spend. I'm kind of curious if this is a temporary increase because it's camping season and places are sold out or if it's a permanent increase because of inflation and the dollar going down.

 

[Lone Kimono]

$250 for small forest axe????

Help me understand. And don't say "It's the best money can buy" unless BEst = Most expensive.
And then show me the evidence - not the hype.

If it's what you want - great. Go for it and don't apologize. But please say that.

I understand that someone will pay $$$$$ for something that another thinks is only worth $ and vice versa.

But I'm a price performance guy. Please explain.

(And yes - my HK is NOT worth what I paid for it. But I wanted one and it makes me happy. It is marginally more accurate / reliable than a Glock. ).

I think the Amazon price may be inflated because local dealers are sold out. I saw it in the $155 shipped range this morning, but even that is a bit more than I'd like to spend.

Edit:
I did another search on Amazon and there is now one in stock for $160. Some place in CA still has one listed for $249
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Gransfors-Bruks-Small-Forest-Axe/dp/B000WIROX6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403368253&sr=8-1&keywords=small+forest+axe"]Amazon.com: Gransfors Bruks, Small Forest Axe: Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41eiYFX9kYL.@@AMEPARAM@@41eiYFX9kYL[/ame]

 

[Lone Kimono]

I always like my father's boy scout hatchet/knife combo. Now I have a Gerber. It is small and light.

It is not pretty like an old wood hatchet, but it works just the same.

I was trying to get quality, but am starting to lean towards other options like the one quake presented or even a Fiskars over paying inflated prices or heavier options.

 

[actionshooter10]

I was trying to get quality, but am starting to lean towards other options like the one quake presented or even a Fiskars over paying inflated prices or heavier options.

Just bought a GB Wildlife hatchet and love it.

Only thing better IMO would be a D2 steel hatchet but couldn't find one I liked for the price.

 

[Morris]

Right now, the GB SFA is a hot ax to own. As such, they are often sold out and the supply/demand thing goes into effect. I own one from a multi-ax package deal I got from Craigslist. It is a fine ax for the size and heft.

But as someone who collects and restores old axes, I back Maine on his post for the most part. If you can find "boys ax" heads from some time ago, hand a new handle and sharpen the edge, you will be on part with the GB.

The trick is finding heads that are good or salvagable. Lately, I have had difficulty finding good heads for restoration as there seems to be a new interest in them and the "pickers" hammer the garage sales.

In short, a good ax. But there are comparables for a better price. The Husky is good.

 

[Lone Kimono]

morris, is this a seasonal thing where prices will go down in the winter? I'll keep my eyes open for yard sales and maybe I'll get lucky.

 

[Morris]

No, I don't think so. For older axes, they have become something of a boutique type item for some. Then you have collectors like me. But good finds can be found at yard and flea sales, usually with a need for clean up and a new handle to be hung.

Interestingly enough, I was east of the cascades this last week and wandered into an antique "mall" (multiple vendors with individual booths). One fellow focused on tools and axes. His prices were higher than I would pay but still within range for a good use ax of US or Canadian steel.

But back to the SFA. I do enjoy mine but I would be remiss if I didn't point out viable alternatives that were cheaper and still as effective for use, packing, etc.

 

[RWBlue]

I was trying to get quality, but am starting to lean towards other options like the one quake presented or even a Fiskars over paying inflated prices or heavier options.

For cool item, Gransfors has it.

For practical side......If you have to pack it, Fiskars. If you don't Estwing.

BTW, It has been many years since I chopped down a tree with an axe. Has anyone done it recently? (Photos or it didn't happen.)

 

[Lone Kimono]

I completely agree with you, RWBlue. I typed a bit in about that in my last post, but took it out. As I was researching today it occurred to me that I'm not building a log cabin with my BOB or camping. Something like the Fiskars, Gerber, Estwing, or even a CS Pipe Hawk should work fine.

If I do spend $150 it would probably be on a larger GB Forrest to keep at home. A Fiskars x15 ($35) or Husqvarna Multi-Purpose Forest Axe ($70) would probably work just as well there too though.