Nothing interesting to say, except that I really like your axe videos. You always have the right balance between entertainment, humor and "educational" content. Just a little "keep it up!" doobili-doo comment for your spirit.
Apologies if I missed it in the video. But you have a barrel wedge and a step wedge in the eye, did the handle come loose, or is it just your preference to have a metal wedge?
It’s something I’m always thinking about. The first thing to learn is how to identify the trees by bark and leaves. Once you learn that move on to invasive species. Then you can simply start to apply common sense. Learn what woods are most “valuable” and then simply look at the canopy and the stand of trees near it and start to make decisions.
Dudley Cook’s Axe Book. A must read for anyone using an axe, in my opinion. I’ll be doing a full book review on it this year, so make sure you look out for that. Thanks
When you talk about the back in the day thing, it does make sense. Speaking as a logger, on softwood trees all wood that is under 8-9" in diameter is considered celulose and would make sense why you would just chop it to length with an axe since it really doesn't matter, half of us don't even measure the stuff when cutting it. But anything thicker that would be valuable wood for sawmills it would make more sense to cut with a saw to save as much wood as possible
I love shooting in the snow. You can basically drop the camera anywhere and it’s a beauty shot. The cat’s a problem. He won’t stay off the ladder, but can’t get down when he gets up there. We had to put a towel on the bottom rungs to deter him lol. He learned his lesson one night when he fell off. Serves him right.
I hate to admit it, but sometimes I think I prefer one axe over another just because I like the way it looks. Whatever the reason, as long as you are using it and having fun, it’s a win all around. This past year I really learned the value of using a smaller axe on smaller trees. I tend to take one with me now when I’m heading out to chop.
Great stuff. I'll have to take the wee axe out for a wee tree. The end made me laugh. Now that I'm making video's it takes twice as long to get anywhere.😂
Nice that you recommend using the saw for the backcut! As you say its a small tree and you are accurate so you dont really need it for the front. Axe only work is such a waste, but that depends on the environment.
0.39-0.42 nice. I reckon a lot of the appeal of these smaller axes is that they suit the pack light, travel fast, minimalist bushman mentality, design-wise, even if there's a compromise or two. My husky irritates me but still gets a fair amount of use. The granfors just dead set looks fkn cool though. Lovin seein ya gettin owt n swingin sm axes mate. (Haha gramma nahtzees'd hate ostrayya)
Somehow I knew you would appreciate that fade shot. It’s hard to do properly with the iPhone, but I shot a few clips in this vid in 4k, which really eats up my battery but it does looks better on the closeups. Tbh I’m not entirely sure why they are so popular. I think they have a great marketing team. But what you said, I don’t know why exactly but the GB just looks friggin sexy! I think some of it is that scandi style grind against that rough hand-forged look. They’re hickory is a gorgeous color too-not sure whence it comes.
That was a good choice of tree. Don’t see many ash trees around here. Mainly red oak, hackberry, locust and Osage. That was good info about foot placement while putting in the face cut. I never really thought about it, but I’m going to be more aware of my position next time. That granfors seemed to do a good job. I’ve seen so many mixed reviews about them, so I’m skeptical about buying one.
Seems like you know your local trees. I like to see that. It pains me when I ask a guy what wood they’ve been burning this winter, and they say “I dunoo…dead ones.” Hahaha, good one 😔. Anyway, I’ve got all of the above in my wood lot, but no osage-more oak (red and white) and maple than anything. Shaggy Hickory, Black Cherry, Walnut, a few healthy ash left, the odd Beech, hackberry and sycamore, small Elm’s (due to Dutch Elm disease), a couple healthy Tulip Poplars, one Massive Buckeye. Overall a really healthy mixed hardwoods, but unfortunately much of the acreage was clear cut years ago for one reason or another. I sell a little hay, but other than that I don’t farm. As for GB, if you don’t already have one I wouldn’t bother.
The formal name of the company is Gränsfors Bruks AB, so I think it’s totally fine to call it Gränsfors Bruks. Thanks for an interesting video. /Viktor from Sweden
I do love it. Said so in my first vid on it. What irritates me is that you’re not allowed to say anything bad about it in some folk’s eyes. If you do, that means you don’t like it. Lol I hadn’t thought about the hat. I should have wore my Fjallraven trousers, too.
Great video Kevin !! I love the “I just noticed the greatest axe” I think a lot of people get wrapped up in the internet key board warrior hype as if they are defending their own legacy! With that said I don’t own a gransfors, I’m sure they’re amazing. I also think any axe can be considered the greatest axe of you are using it to perform tasks is great at. For example you wouldn’t fell a tree with a maul, but that doesn’t mean mauls are junk. Idk if I’m explaining my thoughts correctly, I’m my head it makes sense. I do one day hope to be able to have the opportunity to use or buy the Scandinavian forest axe, out of the bunch that’s the one I would want. I want to be able to have my own true opinion on the axe. Again killer video Kevin I really enjoyed watching 👍
@@KevinsDisobedience you’re not kidding it sure is !!! Haha have dreams about this axe lol I just don’t know how to buy one here in the states or else I’d probably have one already.
For me, language is about communication and has never been “pure.” It’s always been evolving, so to insist on a particular pronunciation-especially when it’s a “loan” word like memoir-is just silly. Also, you just sound like a jerk when you correct someone. I’m with you. I say irn.
"Back in the day" you used an axe to cut your notch and used a one or two man steak and potato powered saw for your main/felling cut. The old logging videos show great examples of this. I think an axe and hand saw cordwood challenge is in order! For me if I am bucking from the ground and felling, splitting a 34-36" handle makes for easier work. Ive never had an issue packing larger heavier axes. If its mostly on the log a 32-34" is far more comfortable. For me, That 28" boys size is for when i do not have a lot of processing. They come in handy camping....but I would rather have a hatchet at that point if im just processing dead fall or kindling for a fire. "The longer the axe, the safer the axe"-Ray Mears
Yes, that’s the why most did it and it’s the way I’d do it if I had to do it for money. I might even cut my bottom face kerf with a saw and pop out the chips with the axe. Whatever’s comfortable for you makes sense to use. 28” is far from a hatchet though, even 24” is usable with two hands very comfortably. I used to think the same thing because I grew up with 32-34” handles. And while I love Raymond-just bought his new book, in fact-I don’t consider him an authority on the axe. He was merely repeating the old adage here. YeIts true if you miss it can more easily go into your leg, but being able to hit what you’re aiming at matters a lot. Good conversation.
@@KevinsDisobedience I used Mears as an example because He is the reason so many people are running around trying to do full size work with a sub par tool for the job. I think people missed his early axe videos. He was pretty honest about why he chose what he did, and the fact that it was a pretty big sacrifice. Ive used quite a number of axes in my life. A silly large amount and of many varieties and patterns. I get rid of the ones that just do not get used. Some of them i was fond of until i realized that my like of them lost out to the reality other axes got grabbed instead of them in the name of getting the job done as well, and as efficiently as possible. Its telling for me that there is not a single axe left that falls between hatchet and 28" pulp axe.
I took him down the first time. He went back up to the top and laid there for awhile. Then he tried coming down and fell, so now we have to throw a towel over the first to rungs so he won’t try and climb it lol 😂🤷♂️
The Scandinavian forest axe was my first “real” axe. Before it all I knew were fiskars and eswings, which both suck in their own ways. I didn’t have many tools at the time (nor did I have a lot of time to work on an axe) and I didn’t want to buy an axe like a council tool knowing it would take a lot of work. I fell in the trap of the gransfors name thinking that I was going to get “the best axe.” That was until I watched your review where you completely changed the handle. I could never look at the axe the same way again lol. I started to see the faults in these companies, especially with the handles. Having only used fiskars and eswings, obviously I had no idea about thinning down handles. So the axe that I thought was perfect quickly became an ongoing project. I loved it yet I absolutely despised it at the same time. Slowly but surely, over about a month, I scraped the handle down to where I felt it was comfortable. I’d go out and chop, then do a little work on the axe. Then I would go out and chop and repeat the process again. While I would never recommend a gransfors as someone’s first axe, it happened to be mine. I think the price tag forced me to really take my time and think about what I was doing. If I had a cheap council tool I might have just went to town on the handle without slowly experimenting with what I really like. So that’s my story; been subbed ever since! Haha
Thanks for sharing the backstory. I’m glad the video helped in the way I intended. My experience was very similar with the Husky. I bought it after seeing SkillCult’s vid in 2017, and I scraped the varnish of it and went out and chopped. Then I thinned the handle down a little, applied oil, and chopped. Come back watch Stephen’s vid and realize I had barely taken any material off lol. Do it all over again. It took me a good year or two before I had opinions of my own.
@@KevinsDisobedience I wonder how many modified Huskys are out there after people watched Stephen's videos?? I know I've got one... He should get commission.
Second! lol . Always helpful stuff and fun too. All my three axes are now pretty much finished , I did tape collars with one layer of fiberglass strapping tape , covered that with electric tape to "seat " it, then black cloth tape , sealed with varnish. Durable as hell, does add a smidgen of weight . I might cover all that with some thin suede, salvaged from an old leather sofa. Doesn't make the profile too thick, so I might get away with that. Can always re-do it later anyway. The boy's axe restore came out awesome. What was that book with the illustrations ? I must get that. We have a MT Lion wandering around one mile from my apt on the edge of the city. I have clear pics . Insane . Can't remember if I mentioned that already, apologies if so. Check out the Tom Wessels YT videos, He is amazing.
Good to hear the axeperiments are moving along. The book is Dudley Cook’s Axe Book, and you absolutely need to read it. It’s basically the Bible for modern axe users, and there’s a good reason why. You mentioned the MT Lion-a little bigger than our two, eh😉
@@KevinsDisobedience I made friends with the dude , lives in the mansion section above the golf course , I am in in the DMZ section. Says he's seen it on his property before many times. Our DEEP keeps dismissing it, to prevent mass liberal freakout. I had one run across my bow at 30 yards at midnight. They always try to say it's a housecat or a bobcat . The pic is pretty clear, it's at least 60 lbs. An "extinct " eastern cougar. I know what I saw , I have huge bobcats run out into the road and stare at me at 20 feet, like "F.U.!!! " I also have photos of tracks . Oh play this next time you are sharpening knives. Proof that Bigfoot exists!!! (snicker) ruclips.net/video/PCkMXJBoRRk/видео.html
Except Gransfors bruk there's also Hults Bruk and Wetterlings to check out. All are hand forged axes made in Sweden. Gränsfors is pronounced sort of like the "gra" in Grain.
Are you sure that's an ash? Looks to be a black walnut to me. Notice the dark heartwood. Ash heartwood it clear. Also notice the branching, as ash is opposite, this walnut was alternate. Come back and look at the tree growing right next to it in the spring. Those are likely both stump sprouts from the same tree. Nice video
You know Coddi thought so as well. I suspect you’re right. The dark heartwood is a dead give away. Parre branching is sometimes deceiving, but in this case I suspect you’re right. I just noted the woven bark and made an assumption, but ash often doesn’t develop that until later.
I’ll have to walk down there and take a closer look and see if the other stump has any missing parallel branches. Glad we have this little community of peers.
Those Scandinavian axes are really nice but the price tag is just too much for me. I primarily use fiskars to split firewood and fell trees. I own 4 of them and have found that the short handle ones make me nervous so I use my x25 for splitting. The ash boer have decimated our ash tree population here in Illinois. Ash makes good firewood though. How do you like that Silky bigboy? I love both cats and dogs but I am not allowed to have any in the building which I live in because of the by-laws. Treasure the time you have with them. I honestly think that we don't deserve them because they are so good to us.
Ash does make decent firewood, but when left dead standing for years they burn so fast the coals almost disappear. The BigBoy is the perfect folding saw. I have the others, but this is the size you want for a general saw.
I also love cats and dogs. I honestly don’t understand people who like one but not the other. They’re different animals. You can’t expect them to be the same thing to you.
@@KevinsDisobedience good to know. I own 2 smaller silky saws-the pocket boy 170 and a ultra accel 240. Both work really well for their sizes. The longer blade for the bigboy makes me nervous because of how they bend or break if not used properly. I have bent some of my blades for the 2 I own but they still cut very well.
@@KevinsDisobedience true. Growing up I used to like cats more than dogs. Then 2 years ago I got to babysit a friend's 2 pitbulls for a few months while he was going thru bootcamp for the fire department. They were great to be around. Because they were pitbulls I was hesitant at first. It ended up being a great learning experience for me. It changed my opinion on the breed and I saw how they were great family dogs as long as they are well trained and not used for fighting.
I keep the pocket boy in the van in case we need to remove a few limbs when we’re painting exteriors, but honestly I’d rather have the Gomboy for that. But if I’m in the woods I want the BigBoy. Don’t worry about the bending. I’ve bound it a few times and it’s never snapped. If it does just replace the blade.
It’s an old Bass jacket. If I could find another like it, I’d buy two. Alas haven’t been able to find it since I found it on clearance years ago. Sorry
No, I haven’t. I have both CT Hudson Bay axes. Always more to try, though. But my next axe I think is going to be a Rinaldi. Gotta give the Italians a try.
@@KevinsDisobedience Funny you say that, I’ve been eyeing up the Calabria work axe for a couple months. Not sure if it will ever come in stock. Bet it would be a sick feller/limber! Might put it on a basque style handle like Ben did.
1:28 With me being born into an area where a group of austro-bavarian dialect is spoken, here you can just say things how you want or leave letters away or add some.... But online i cant write in Dialect, the germans who barely have any dialects left would not understand me!.....
When i first started out i heard the swedish axes were good and me not knowing anything i believed the internet people. Im happy to say that in the end i bought a light Dayton Pattern axe. The only really bad thing about it is the thick blade. I dont know the measurements (since nobody wants to measure it for an online doc...) but i bet it is twice as thick as my Biber. Where is the sense in this?
The best looking? Subjectively yes. The best axe? Objectively no. Size, weight, haft length, price, edge length, wedge design, etc? Absolutely not. I really love this axe, but a nice thick cheeked, wedged boi, is so much more efficient. This is probably my favorite all around axe on the market tho. With the vast majority of the reason being the aesthetic. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't realize, "Raspberry" had a P in it, until literally my 30's.
Yeah, that’s about the size of it. I learned “raspberry” had a “p” the hard way, coming in third in a fifth grade spelling bee when I misspelled this word lol. Something I had picked tens of thousands of growing up lol.
It's a chopper. For less money I think I got a lot more with my Council Tool Boy's Bad Axe. It's ready for work right out of the box for less money. Not only that, but better steel (5160), heat treatment, factory edge and thinner Grade "A" haft. It still needs thinning, but not even close to the club's that C50 Swedish heads come on. Come on Kevin. Quit steering your viewers to buy imported overpriced inferior axes mounted on freakin' clubs; just be real.
It’s a good axe. Overpriced…yeah, probably, but I don’t know what they pay the guys in Sweden to make them-hopefully a living wage with health insurance. In that case then I will be more enthusiastic about supporting them. That said, I love my country and my CT boy’s axes. Have all four of them: the old red one, the new sport utility, the velvicut and the forest model release. Going to do a comparison vid soon, but basically my thoughts are just get the cheap one. Also, I don’t want anyone to watch my videos and think I got to go buy an axe. My hope is they watch and go outside and use whatever it is they got and have fun. Cheers
The problem with Council Tool's axes is they are not as attractive as Gransfors. And the steel in the Gransfors is quite excellent. I watch a destruction test on one of them before and it held up well.
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Typing on a phone humbled this grammar queen.
That kitty is so adorable. Mine know where not to go, when I'm watching.
🐈
Yeah, typos are just part of internet life.
Nothing interesting to say, except that I really like your axe videos. You always have the right balance between entertainment, humor and "educational" content.
Just a little "keep it up!" doobili-doo comment for your spirit.
Thanks man, I do my best to keep it balanced and keep it moving. Sometimes I just want to chop though. I know you know. Cheers.
@@KevinsDisobedience I know you know I know. =))
Apologies if I missed it in the video. But you have a barrel wedge and a step wedge in the eye, did the handle come loose, or is it just your preference to have a metal wedge?
I see that and I'm curious now too...
Loose after 6 months. There’s a vid in the channel somewhere
Great video. I didn't know you had so much experience with an axe when I found your channel. Subscribed. Cheers.
Thanks, glad to have you aboard
I like how your talking about forest management a bit because that's something I know nothing about
It’s something I’m always thinking about. The first thing to learn is how to identify the trees by bark and leaves. Once you learn that move on to invasive species. Then you can simply start to apply common sense. Learn what woods are most “valuable” and then simply look at the canopy and the stand of trees near it and start to make decisions.
Gratuitous use of adorable kitten. :-D
Awesome video! If you don’t mind me asking, what was that book you showed a page of?
Dudley Cook’s Axe Book. A must read for anyone using an axe, in my opinion. I’ll be doing a full book review on it this year, so make sure you look out for that. Thanks
When you talk about the back in the day thing, it does make sense. Speaking as a logger, on softwood trees all wood that is under 8-9" in diameter is considered celulose and would make sense why you would just chop it to length with an axe since it really doesn't matter, half of us don't even measure the stuff when cutting it. But anything thicker that would be valuable wood for sawmills it would make more sense to cut with a saw to save as much wood as possible
Definitely saves more wood, but it’s also faster with a handsaw. Around 10-12” trees become lumber.
Loving the snow shots! Looks like you will have to reorganize your library and put your kitties favorite titles on the bottom shelf.
I love shooting in the snow. You can basically drop the camera anywhere and it’s a beauty shot. The cat’s a problem. He won’t stay off the ladder, but can’t get down when he gets up there. We had to put a towel on the bottom rungs to deter him lol. He learned his lesson one night when he fell off. Serves him right.
Fantastic video Kev! I adore your cat.
Thanks, yeah he’s pretty cute.
I hate to admit it, but sometimes I think I prefer one axe over another just because I like the way it looks. Whatever the reason, as long as you are using it and having fun, it’s a win all around. This past year I really learned the value of using a smaller axe on smaller trees. I tend to take one with me now when I’m heading out to chop.
Most of us can admit we love the looks of some over others. They have their uses.
Those kittens are adorable
Yeah, they’re alright. I do miss my dog, though.
Great stuff. I'll have to take the wee axe out for a wee tree. The end made me laugh. Now that I'm making video's it takes twice as long to get anywhere.😂
Now you know the YTubers pain lol.
Nice that you recommend using the saw for the backcut! As you say its a small tree and you are accurate so you dont really need it for the front.
Axe only work is such a waste, but that depends on the environment.
It’s definitely a waste on big trees, a waste of wood and a waste of time. But it’s also fun!
0.39-0.42 nice. I reckon a lot of the appeal of these smaller axes is that they suit the pack light, travel fast, minimalist bushman mentality, design-wise, even if there's a compromise or two. My husky irritates me but still gets a fair amount of use. The granfors just dead set looks fkn cool though. Lovin seein ya gettin owt n swingin sm axes mate. (Haha gramma nahtzees'd hate ostrayya)
Somehow I knew you would appreciate that fade shot. It’s hard to do properly with the iPhone, but I shot a few clips in this vid in 4k, which really eats up my battery but it does looks better on the closeups. Tbh I’m not entirely sure why they are so popular. I think they have a great marketing team. But what you said, I don’t know why exactly but the GB just looks friggin sexy! I think some of it is that scandi style grind against that rough hand-forged look. They’re hickory is a gorgeous color too-not sure whence it comes.
That was a good choice of tree. Don’t see many ash trees around here. Mainly red oak, hackberry, locust and Osage.
That was good info about foot placement while putting in the face cut. I never really thought about it, but I’m going to be more aware of my position next time.
That granfors seemed to do a good job. I’ve seen so many mixed reviews about them, so I’m skeptical about buying one.
Seems like you know your local trees. I like to see that. It pains me when I ask a guy what wood they’ve been burning this winter, and they say “I dunoo…dead ones.” Hahaha, good one 😔. Anyway, I’ve got all of the above in my wood lot, but no osage-more oak (red and white) and maple than anything. Shaggy Hickory, Black Cherry, Walnut, a few healthy ash left, the odd Beech, hackberry and sycamore, small Elm’s (due to Dutch Elm disease), a couple healthy Tulip Poplars, one Massive Buckeye. Overall a really healthy mixed hardwoods, but unfortunately much of the acreage was clear cut years ago for one reason or another. I sell a little hay, but other than that I don’t farm. As for GB, if you don’t already have one I wouldn’t bother.
The formal name of the company is Gränsfors Bruks AB, so I think it’s totally fine to call it Gränsfors Bruks. Thanks for an interesting video. /Viktor from Sweden
Thanks, it just rolls of the American tongue more easily, but it really pisses some folks off. Oh well, it’s the axe I enjoy, not the name lol
I think deep down you love that little axe as much as the rest of us haha. Love the fjallraven hat really representing the Swedes.
I do love it. Said so in my first vid on it. What irritates me is that you’re not allowed to say anything bad about it in some folk’s eyes. If you do, that means you don’t like it. Lol I hadn’t thought about the hat. I should have wore my Fjallraven trousers, too.
Great video Kevin !! I love the “I just noticed the greatest axe” I think a lot of people get wrapped up in the internet key board warrior hype as if they are defending their own legacy! With that said I don’t own a gransfors, I’m sure they’re amazing. I also think any axe can be considered the greatest axe of you are using it to perform tasks is great at. For example you wouldn’t fell a tree with a maul, but that doesn’t mean mauls are junk. Idk if I’m explaining my thoughts correctly, I’m my head it makes sense. I do one day hope to be able to have the opportunity to use or buy the Scandinavian forest axe, out of the bunch that’s the one I would want. I want to be able to have my own true opinion on the axe. Again killer video Kevin I really enjoyed watching 👍
Thanks, sure I understand. Right tool for the right job. I’m sure you’ll have one someday. There are better axes, but this one is a fun and sexy.
@@KevinsDisobedience you’re not kidding it sure is !!! Haha have dreams about this axe lol I just don’t know how to buy one here in the states or else I’d probably have one already.
good video, i also do that cheating thing where you line up on weak side on small wood
Just makes sense doesn’t it. Easy to be accurate over the shoulder on the strong side, and you can’t easily move around on a hillside.
Last set of trees I had that close together, I just grabbed the chainsaw. Nice job on that. "Irn" vs "Iron" always gets me, i-ron just sounds wrong.
For me, language is about communication and has never been “pure.” It’s always been evolving, so to insist on a particular pronunciation-especially when it’s a “loan” word like memoir-is just silly. Also, you just sound like a jerk when you correct someone. I’m with you. I say irn.
"Back in the day" you used an axe to cut your notch and used a one or two man steak and potato powered saw for your main/felling cut. The old logging videos show great examples of this. I think an axe and hand saw cordwood challenge is in order!
For me if I am bucking from the ground and felling, splitting a 34-36" handle makes for easier work. Ive never had an issue packing larger heavier axes. If its mostly on the log a 32-34" is far more comfortable. For me, That 28" boys size is for when i do not have a lot of processing. They come in handy camping....but I would rather have a hatchet at that point if im just processing dead fall or kindling for a fire.
"The longer the axe, the safer the axe"-Ray Mears
Yes, that’s the why most did it and it’s the way I’d do it if I had to do it for money. I might even cut my bottom face kerf with a saw and pop out the chips with the axe. Whatever’s comfortable for you makes sense to use. 28” is far from a hatchet though, even 24” is usable with two hands very comfortably. I used to think the same thing because I grew up with 32-34” handles. And while I love Raymond-just bought his new book, in fact-I don’t consider him an authority on the axe. He was merely repeating the old adage here. YeIts true if you miss it can more easily go into your leg, but being able to hit what you’re aiming at matters a lot. Good conversation.
@@KevinsDisobedience I used Mears as an example because He is the reason so many people are running around trying to do full size work with a sub par tool for the job.
I think people missed his early axe videos. He was pretty honest about why he chose what he did, and the fact that it was a pretty big sacrifice.
Ive used quite a number of axes in my life. A silly large amount and of many varieties and patterns. I get rid of the ones that just do not get used. Some of them i was fond of until i realized that my like of them lost out to the reality other axes got grabbed instead of them in the name of getting the job done as well, and as efficiently as possible.
Its telling for me that there is not a single axe left that falls between hatchet and 28" pulp axe.
Those Gransfors are pretty slicey! Did you need to rescue the cat or not?
I took him down the first time. He went back up to the top and laid there for awhile. Then he tried coming down and fell, so now we have to throw a towel over the first to rungs so he won’t try and climb it lol 😂🤷♂️
@@KevinsDisobedience haha, cats sure are entertaining
It's always the cat that has to be like that kid that's always pushing the boundary limits.
That’s why they say curiosity killed the cat.
I need a nice patch of woodlands.
The Scandinavian forest axe was my first “real” axe. Before it all I knew were fiskars and eswings, which both suck in their own ways. I didn’t have many tools at the time (nor did I have a lot of time to work on an axe) and I didn’t want to buy an axe like a council tool knowing it would take a lot of work. I fell in the trap of the gransfors name thinking that I was going to get “the best axe.”
That was until I watched your review where you completely changed the handle. I could never look at the axe the same way again lol. I started to see the faults in these companies, especially with the handles. Having only used fiskars and eswings, obviously I had no idea about thinning down handles.
So the axe that I thought was perfect quickly became an ongoing project. I loved it yet I absolutely despised it at the same time. Slowly but surely, over about a month, I scraped the handle down to where I felt it was comfortable. I’d go out and chop, then do a little work on the axe. Then I would go out and chop and repeat the process again.
While I would never recommend a gransfors as someone’s first axe, it happened to be mine. I think the price tag forced me to really take my time and think about what I was doing. If I had a cheap council tool I might have just went to town on the handle without slowly experimenting with what I really like.
So that’s my story; been subbed ever since! Haha
Thanks for sharing the backstory. I’m glad the video helped in the way I intended. My experience was very similar with the Husky. I bought it after seeing SkillCult’s vid in 2017, and I scraped the varnish of it and went out and chopped. Then I thinned the handle down a little, applied oil, and chopped. Come back watch Stephen’s vid and realize I had barely taken any material off lol. Do it all over again. It took me a good year or two before I had opinions of my own.
@@KevinsDisobedience I wonder how many modified Huskys are out there after people watched Stephen's videos?? I know I've got one... He should get commission.
He absolutely should. I don’t think he had an affiliate link at the time. I know he does now.
Second! lol . Always helpful stuff and fun too. All my three axes are now pretty much finished , I did tape collars with one layer of fiberglass strapping tape , covered that with electric tape to "seat " it, then black cloth tape , sealed with varnish. Durable as hell, does add a smidgen of weight . I might cover all that with some thin suede, salvaged from an old leather sofa. Doesn't make the profile too thick, so I might get away with that. Can always re-do it later anyway. The boy's axe restore came out awesome. What was that book with the illustrations ? I must get that. We have a MT Lion wandering around one mile from my apt on the edge of the city. I have clear pics . Insane . Can't remember if I mentioned that already, apologies if so. Check out the Tom Wessels YT videos, He is amazing.
Good to hear the axeperiments are moving along. The book is Dudley Cook’s Axe Book, and you absolutely need to read it. It’s basically the Bible for modern axe users, and there’s a good reason why. You mentioned the MT Lion-a little bigger than our two, eh😉
@@KevinsDisobedience I made friends with the dude , lives in the mansion section above the golf course , I am in in the DMZ section. Says he's seen it on his property before many times. Our DEEP keeps dismissing it, to prevent mass liberal freakout. I had one run across my bow at 30 yards at midnight. They always try to say it's a housecat or a bobcat . The pic is pretty clear, it's at least 60 lbs. An "extinct " eastern cougar. I know what I saw , I have huge bobcats run out into the road and stare at me at 20 feet, like "F.U.!!! " I also have photos of tracks . Oh play this next time you are sharpening knives. Proof that Bigfoot exists!!! (snicker) ruclips.net/video/PCkMXJBoRRk/видео.html
Except Gransfors bruk there's also Hults Bruk and Wetterlings to check out. All are hand forged axes made in Sweden. Gränsfors is pronounced sort of like the "gra" in Grain.
I’ve got a couple HBs. And I gave away a SAW once.
Are you sure that's an ash? Looks to be a black walnut to me. Notice the dark heartwood. Ash heartwood it clear. Also notice the branching, as ash is opposite, this walnut was alternate. Come back and look at the tree growing right next to it in the spring. Those are likely both stump sprouts from the same tree. Nice video
You know Coddi thought so as well. I suspect you’re right. The dark heartwood is a dead give away. Parre branching is sometimes deceiving, but in this case I suspect you’re right. I just noted the woven bark and made an assumption, but ash often doesn’t develop that until later.
I’ll have to walk down there and take a closer look and see if the other stump has any missing parallel branches. Glad we have this little community of peers.
What book are the pages from? Where can I get a copy?
Dudley Cook’s Axe Book. On Amazon. A must read. Welcome!
Another great video Kevin. Really enjoyed the tree chopping....... But.... The cat. The cat is the star of the show! Sorry Buddy.
Hard to compete with cats and dogs. The make life better.
I miss my dog, but at the moment cats are just easier and my wife prefers them. But I’ll have a dog with me again, mark my word.
Those Scandinavian axes are really nice but the price tag is just too much for me. I primarily use fiskars to split firewood and fell trees. I own 4 of them and have found that the short handle ones make me nervous so I use my x25 for splitting. The ash boer have decimated our ash tree population here in Illinois. Ash makes good firewood though. How do you like that Silky bigboy? I love both cats and dogs but I am not allowed to have any in the building which I live in because of the by-laws. Treasure the time you have with them. I honestly think that we don't deserve them because they are so good to us.
Ash does make decent firewood, but when left dead standing for years they burn so fast the coals almost disappear. The BigBoy is the perfect folding saw. I have the others, but this is the size you want for a general saw.
I also love cats and dogs. I honestly don’t understand people who like one but not the other. They’re different animals. You can’t expect them to be the same thing to you.
@@KevinsDisobedience good to know. I own 2 smaller silky saws-the pocket boy 170 and a ultra accel 240. Both work really well for their sizes. The longer blade for the bigboy makes me nervous because of how they bend or break if not used properly. I have bent some of my blades for the 2 I own but they still cut very well.
@@KevinsDisobedience true. Growing up I used to like cats more than dogs. Then 2 years ago I got to babysit a friend's 2 pitbulls for a few months while he was going thru bootcamp for the fire department. They were great to be around. Because they were pitbulls I was hesitant at first. It ended up being a great learning experience for me. It changed my opinion on the breed and I saw how they were great family dogs as long as they are well trained and not used for fighting.
I keep the pocket boy in the van in case we need to remove a few limbs when we’re painting exteriors, but honestly I’d rather have the Gomboy for that. But if I’m in the woods I want the BigBoy. Don’t worry about the bending. I’ve bound it a few times and it’s never snapped. If it does just replace the blade.
What jacket are you wearing?
It’s an old Bass jacket. If I could find another like it, I’d buy two. Alas haven’t been able to find it since I found it on clearance years ago. Sorry
Cute kitties.
Have you tried the true temper Hudson bay pattern? They make a good midwieght chopper (2 1/2) lbs , like a norlund on steroids lol .
No, I haven’t. I have both CT Hudson Bay axes. Always more to try, though. But my next axe I think is going to be a Rinaldi. Gotta give the Italians a try.
@@KevinsDisobedience Funny you say that, I’ve been eyeing up the Calabria work axe for a couple months. Not sure if it will ever come in stock. Bet it would be a sick feller/limber! Might put it on a basque style handle like Ben did.
Ben’s got one on a Basque handle? That’d be cool.
1:28 With me being born into an area where a group of austro-bavarian dialect is spoken, here you can just say things how you want or leave letters away or add some....
But online i cant write in Dialect, the germans who barely have any dialects left would not understand me!.....
Yeah, language is flexible. Just makes it interesting in my opinion. Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
When i first started out i heard the swedish axes were good and me not knowing anything i believed the internet people. Im happy to say that in the end i bought a light Dayton Pattern axe.
The only really bad thing about it is the thick blade. I dont know the measurements (since nobody wants to measure it for an online doc...) but i bet it is twice as thick as my Biber.
Where is the sense in this?
Yeah, if you believed the internet this is the Axe Paul Bunyan was longing for when he cut down the old growth of America. Lol.
The best looking? Subjectively yes. The best axe? Objectively no. Size, weight, haft length, price, edge length, wedge design, etc? Absolutely not.
I really love this axe, but a nice thick cheeked, wedged boi, is so much more efficient. This is probably my favorite all around axe on the market tho. With the vast majority of the reason being the aesthetic.
I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't realize, "Raspberry" had a P in it, until literally my 30's.
Yeah, that’s about the size of it. I learned “raspberry” had a “p” the hard way, coming in third in a fifth grade spelling bee when I misspelled this word lol. Something I had picked tens of thousands of growing up lol.
Ha ha!!! The cats are great!
Yeah, they’re alright.
Hello my friend....
👋
First!
Thanks as always for the support, brother.
Man! I thought i had it!
@@kurts64 Got to be quick!!!
It's a chopper. For less money I think I got a lot more with my Council Tool Boy's Bad Axe. It's ready for work right out of the box for less money. Not only that, but better steel (5160), heat treatment, factory edge and thinner Grade "A" haft. It still needs thinning, but not even close to the club's that C50 Swedish heads come on. Come on Kevin. Quit steering your viewers to buy imported overpriced inferior axes mounted on freakin' clubs; just be real.
It’s a good axe. Overpriced…yeah, probably, but I don’t know what they pay the guys in Sweden to make them-hopefully a living wage with health insurance. In that case then I will be more enthusiastic about supporting them. That said, I love my country and my CT boy’s axes. Have all four of them: the old red one, the new sport utility, the velvicut and the forest model release. Going to do a comparison vid soon, but basically my thoughts are just get the cheap one. Also, I don’t want anyone to watch my videos and think I got to go buy an axe. My hope is they watch and go outside and use whatever it is they got and have fun. Cheers
The problem with Council Tool's axes is they are not as attractive as Gransfors. And the steel in the Gransfors is quite excellent. I watch a destruction test on one of them before and it held up well.
Yes, it is 🪓