Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: kendogbaggio on August 17, 2009

Title: Axes
Post by: kendogbaggio on August 17, 2009
Can anyone gimme some advice on buying a first time bushcraft axe. I would be lookin something small enough to put in a 45l rucsac. Seen a nice mora axe but the plastic handle sort of put me off so any advice would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks,

David
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Mouldsy on August 17, 2009
I personally use a Gransfor Small forest axe, you will find them on Ray Mears website but if you shop around you will get them cheaper else where, It fits into the Sabre 45 nicely if you want to hide it when you are out or you can slip it between the side pocket of the rucksack for easy access, Celt Ginger bought a zegga( I think that's the right spelling)axe of a guy on BCUK and is very impressed with it I am sure if you P.M Celt he will point you in the right direction for that.
Hope this helps,
Davy.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Wolf_Larson on August 17, 2009
I am buying the Gransfor Small forest axe also.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: kendogbaggio on August 17, 2009
Cheers for that Davy the gransfor small forest axe was what i was looking at from lakelandbushcraft.co.uk. I'll not rush into buying one just yet maybe see what celt has to say about this cegga one also.

Regards,

David
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: RedLeader on August 18, 2009
I really want a Gransfors Axe but they can be pricey. Highly rated by just about everyone including Ray Mears.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Celt_Ginger on August 18, 2009
Choosing an axe is really dependant on what you want to do with it. The granfors small forest axe is a great axe. I have one and it gets used for all kinds of general bushcraft chores. I also have a Granfors Mini axe and I use it as well, especially for spoon making and carving projects. I also have a Cegga axe which is a custom hand made axe. It's smaller than the Small forest axe but is very a useful size. I'm now thinking about getting a Scandinavian forest axe as the larger size would be a help for the chores I have in mind for it. For a general purpose axe, the small forest axe is a pretty good choice, though I would advise ringing the shop where you may intend getting one from and asking them to pick out a good one as they can occasionally be a little off centre. If the shop knows you may be fussy, they will make sure you get a good straight one.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: billy56 on August 18, 2009
  Buy any gransfor axe you will not be dissapointed!! I,ve got a small forest axe and cant
fault it in any way ;D
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Hunter on August 18, 2009
Your rite about the Gransfor axe it is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for and i want 1 i use and old british army axe i got for £3.50 bout 10 years ago it date stamped 1952!
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Celt_Ginger on August 18, 2009
For a while the quality control at Granfors wasn't what it should have been and some axes were not up to the standard you should expect from a premium product. If you order one, inspect it closely and don't be afraid to send it back if it isn't up to your expectations. If you get a good one though, you will not be disappointed. It's a great tool.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Hunter on August 19, 2009
thanks mate i'll keep that in mind if and when i order 1.  :)
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: NeilB on August 19, 2009
Yeah i agree if your paying that sort of money for an axe you want it to be top notch quality, i think im going to go for the small forest axe also.

just seems like a nice sized and weight for bushcrafting
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Celt_Ginger on August 19, 2009
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee291/garyminiss/099.jpg)
For comparrison, here's a Granfors Small forest axe on the left, My Cegga axe in the centre and a Granfors Mini axe on the right.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: NeilB on August 19, 2009
would that gransfor axe be about forearm lenght celt or longer?
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Celt_Ginger on August 19, 2009
The small forest axe is about wrist to armpit in length.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: kendogbaggio on August 19, 2009
Im liking the look of that cegga. Been searching around but they are like hens teeth to get. Gonna go ahead and order the gransfors small forest axe unless your maybe your wanting to part with your cegga, Celt  :P lol
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Celt_Ginger on August 20, 2009
No thanks. I think I'll hang on to it a while longer ;)
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Mouldsy on August 20, 2009
Is that my cegga you have Gary?? I was wondering where it went. ;)
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: pablo on October 05, 2009
lol axes? you gotta be kidding..........ok , i do use a granfors mini which is big enough for everything i,ll need . im not intending to hollow out a canoe or build a cabin.

and anyway if i WAS going to build a cabin ..........id be using a SAW.

ok an axe is great for splitting sticks for starting a fire but after that its redundant,except for maybe hammering tent pegs into the ground ;D


really what you want is a quality knife and a saw. much easier to saw bigger bits of wood than hack through em with an axe i can tell you , and if your concerned about carrying weight then your fancy hand forged hickory handled love truncheon is about as usefull as a not very usefull thing.

the great god Mears who ate all the pies might need one but really when all things are weighed up? i doubt if i do.


i do like to shave my arm hairs off with mine though  ;D
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Paul on October 05, 2009
I do agree with you Pablo that buying a saw is very worthwhile i started off with a £3.50 folding saw from B&Q i have since moved on to a Laplander which stands up to more abuse. I dont agree with you about the axe, maybe  if you are a hiker or camper then an axe could be pointless, however if you are a bushcrafter an axe is a very valuable tool. I use mine for delimbing trees. splitting logs, and for all other tasks where a knife is too small and a saw is just no use as it takes to much time. I have a small forest axe and i have put it through hell and it still comes out on top. You really get what you pay for. I also carry a bead wood bow saw blade curled up in my billy can, a tip i learnt from Ben Mcnutt i then make my own handle whilst out and about dosent take too long and is good for the larger stuff.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: Celt_Ginger on October 05, 2009
Wouldn't be without an axe. Saws are great. i have a full size folding job which has proved it's weight in gold, but it can't limb a tree in a couple of minutes the way the axe can.
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: pablo on October 06, 2009
hmmm fair enough, i can see how limbing trees would need an axe.

i just dont really limb many trees i guess lol.

the saw i use is a tesco fold out one ..........yes i did say tesco! im a joiner by trade (amongst others) and i can say it cuts unbelievably well. but i might be a tart and upgrade to a laplander.

i once knew a guy who used his mini axe to cut limes for drinks on his patio. i think thats reasonable  ;D
Title: Re: Axes
Post by: b0ogaloo on October 07, 2009
Just wondering .

i come from a farming background , for laying hedges etc I always used a bill hook

Anyone ever used one ? 

I'm talking about the double edged ones like this

(http://www.cromwell.co.uk/static/products/z/graphics/jeeps/s/s-j/520/5224550a.eps_large.jpg)

Andy

Title: Re: Axes
Post by: pablo on October 08, 2009
id use one made of steel mate, that green sponge one looks a bit um........blunt?  :D


you bought your new yak yet? or a sail? ;)