Bushcraft Axes - Gransfors Burks Scandinavian Axe and Small Forest Axe
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- Опубликовано: 28 окт 2015
- Hi folks, I’m sharing two high quality bushcraft axes, the Gransfors Burk Scandinavian Forest Axe and Small Forest Axe. All the best to everyone and enjoy your bushcraft outings in the woods.
Gränsfors Burk Scandinavian Forest Axe
Cutting Edge: 3 ½ inches or 8.8 cm
Poll/Butt: 2 - 3/16 inches long x 3/4 inches wide or 5.5 cm x 1.9 cm
Head Weight: 32 ounces or 907 grams
Hickory Handle: 25 inches long or 63.5 cm
Total Carry Weight with Sheath: 43 ounces or 1219 grams
The Scandinavian Forest Axe is more effective and efficient at chopping than the Small Forest Axe. It offers more weight, length and leverage, and this translates to more chopping power. It is capable of taking down dead standing timber.
Gränsfors Burks Small Forest Axe
Cutting Edge: 3 ¼ inches or 8.2 cm
Poll/Butt: 1 - 7/8 inches long x 3/4 inches wide or 4.7 cm x 1.9 cm
Head Weight: 24 ounces or 680 grams
Hickory Handle: 19 inches long or 49 cm
Total Carry Weight with Sheath: 34 ounces or 963 grams
The Small Forest Axe is my preferred bush axe. It is not as powerful as the Scandinavian Forest Axe, but it’s more practical, compact and packable. It fits perfectly in my Eberlestock X2. I’m sure the bush axe you choose with be the right one for you.
Axe Head Maintenance: sharpen with stone, or file, or Worksharp, strop, and keep oiled.
Handle Maintenance: linseed oil or Howard’s Feed-N-Wax works fine. 
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The Scandinavian is just on a next level ..I took down a massive tree with that Axe and i mean massive !
I have both, and I have no idea why people seem to prefer the SFA over the larger Scandi.
The SFA took a whopping 75+ swings, multiple regrips, and some heavy breathing near the end, the Scandi took 17 swings.
So what takes more effort.. carrying one extra pound on your pack, or swinging a small axe 4 times as much for every cut?
I like the SFA for splitting at the fire, but thats it, the Scandi is far better at everything else; fewer more efficient swings with a faster head speed, further safer reach, proper coordinated two-hand grip instead of the scrunched up awkward SFA swing... I mean c'mon its the easiest extra pound you'll ever carry.
And so what if the Scandi is a bit longer and doesn't look as cute strapped to a pack...
To put the Scandi into perspective.. it weighs a couple ounces less than a loaded 1911, and those have been carried daily on a belt by untold thousands across 110 years.
I agree brother, I did the math as well while watching.
Small Forest Axe 1 min 6 secs, vs Scandinavian Forest Axe 28 secs. That's only one cut as well and I'm sure a person would be cutting more so it adds up.
The Scandi takes less than half the time, half the effort and half the energy spent. The ONLY benefit the small has, its smaller size for carrying. With the small, you will also be sharpening your blade more due to hitting 5 times as much !
The reason the Small Forest is more popular is because it's more portable and it can do small task much easier without straining your wrist. Try carving a spoon or kuksa blank with a scandi, you can do it but it will be very uncomfortable. Small Forest can be use one handed easily, while it can do the bigger job if it must. The only reason to take the bigger Scandi is if you plan to fell a tree and buck it into lots of firewood for a long stay or winter conditions. But that is not common for those who are trekking and camping during spring, summer, and fall months. Or course there are even those who consider the Small Forest too much and go even lighter with the Wildlife hatchet or Outdoor's axe. All these axes have their place, depends on your needs and preference. I prefer the Small Forest because I enjoy using it one handed and it fit in my backpack so no one knows I am carrying it around and it can process smaller size woods well. I also love the Scandi when I need to tackle bigger jobs but I don't want to carry it around.
Good comment.
@@walden6272 i did mention the small forest axe packs down well. And as you stated each has its place depending on what your doing, if i want to carve a spoon, pretty sure id be using my knife and my scandi can do everything else. Happy hunting, trekking and camping mate.
He is taking baby swing with the SFA!
the scandinavian forest axe is one of the best allaround axes ever made jmho
Agreed. I still find myself using my SFA more often.
If your not built for the Scandinavian axe use the small forest axe.
I have the small forest and love it but man that Scandinavian is just a real beast! Hmm
I have both and love them equally! They are different tools for different jobs and both are easily packed in or on a pack.
Pricey yes but worth every penny! You get what you pay for.
But can either axe not do certain jobs? What jobs is each better at? Can the larger one do everything the small one can do?
I have the Gränsfors Bruk small forest axe and I absolutely couldn’t do without it. Never heard of a Burks lol
Couldn't do without it? Lol
lmao !
Thanks for sharing! Danish hugs :) I love all my Gransforsbruks, truly great tools
This is exactly the video I'm looking for right now. Thanks!
Awesome. I just bought the small forest axe. Should b here Tuesday
Wow!! the bites that Scandinavian took were incredible to see. I’m just getting into the Axe game and I’m sold right off the bat on this brand. No need to look any further.
Great work there friend. Thanks
I own both these as well, and highly recommend that you also factor in your local wood type. Where I live locally is bountifully filled with soft woods. Pine, alder, cedar, and the like. Both of these axes are the apple of my eye for these types of wood.
If I were in an area filled with harder wood type trees, or more knotted, twisted grain trees, I would look into one of their axes with a bit more heft behind them.
Got em both and the wildlife hatchet love them all the small forest axe is one of the best pack axes around. The larger one is great for around the home or campsite and the ease of carrying the wildlife hatchet is great and can break down big game like a champ.
@@drknubele that’s a tough one but if you do more hiking into a campsite and like me are a smaller guy I love the small forest axe on the other hand the forest axe would make more sense if your not going to hike with it to much and are a stronger/ bigger it isn’t real heavy by itself but with other camp gear it can be a little big it can do more chopping and split a little better even though none of them are great at splitting larger pieces of wood and if u have the wildlife hatchet u can do more of the smaller things that the small forest axe would be better at again it’s hard to say but I hope my mumbling helped
Thank you for the demonstration as well as your thoughts and opinion.
Great thoughts on the pros/cons of each. I recently purchased the Scandinavian Axe as a split in character between the American forest axe and the small forest axe. It's the right size to do it all. I've felled some medium-large trees, broken those trees down, and split wood with it. Excellent... excellent axe. Very happy with the purchase.
if you were to pick one for hiking or bushcraft which of those three would you pick?
@@iverstoreide9965 That's a hard choice. The handle on the Scandi is a bit long for hiking, but if your pack can accommodate it, I love it. The American is way too big for hiking/bushcraft. The small forest axe may be the perfect hiking axe for most people, but you loose some leverage with that shorter handle. I suppose it depends on how tall you are and how big of a pack you'd carry. Personally at 5'9", the Scandi just fits my hand and swing perfectly, so I'd make that work.
@@robertwinston2496 I see, thank you so much. I was already pretty settled with buying the Scandinavian so i guess thats the one i am picking. Also since i am 6'5 i think it will be perfect:) hahaha
@@robertwinston2496 the scandi is my favorite as well. At 5'7", the purchase per swing and force, is just right for what I usually go for. Once I have a return to camping area, and I know the layout, if there is lots of blow down, etc, I usually return with the small forest. Really hard going wrong with either, even as a smaller guy, I'd always choose the scandi.
@@jeremyhall134 Yeah i agree im 5''8 and the scandinavian forest axe feels just perfect
For me, i would buy my top 3 Gransfors Bruks Axes in this order. Scandinavian Forest Axe, Small Forest Axe, and American Felling Axe.
I have the felling was considering the large forest axe how do you like yours
@@jessewatt5528 I love it, it's actually my favorite among the three
I'm 6'1" and I have both, i know the difference isn't great but these are two tools that serve a totally different function for someone my size and they are not compatible. The SFA is perfect for one handed use and carving. Just long enough for two handed use for that occasional power cut but it is good in one hand, the SaFA is a two handed tool for larger work, instead of comparing the two you should review it as a 1-2 punch
Excellent review.
Great work on video
Excellente demonstration, congratulations.
Cool Video 👍
Thank U for the Info 👍
very good axes. The best from sweden.
I’m on the lookout for an axe that’s light enough for cutting of branches yet powerful enough for felling… That Scandi seems awesome.
Thanks for putting this video out. And looking for a good review on the small forest that and I have to agree with your reasons for caring it. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
thank you
I've got both. Scandi for the end of the world. Small for my micro adventures and when oz count.
@Ben Goldwyn The Scandi Forest Axe if you dont mind carrying it around
Anders Strömstedt = Alpha Sierra....lol
I've got the Scandinavian Forest Axe, I carry it every time i'm in the bush in my pack and have never had any issues. Great video showing the quality and performance of these products.
He was just saying the initials with the NATO alphabet, he wasn't saying the name of the smith was "Alpha Sierra"
A=Alpha and S=Sierra so AS=Alpha Sierra
I own a Hultafors H009 trekking axe, with 900g head and 19 inch handle. After placing it in on a scale it turned out that overall it weights almost 1400g... Which is much more than the Scandinavian Forest Axe with 25 inch long handle! I guess it is due to the profile of the handle - I've seen some comparisons and the ones on Hultafors axes are usually much fatter.
Just wanted to say that the name is Gränsfors bruk.
I was just about to write that.
I have the SF axe, love it , and i want to buy the scandi... (and all GB axes in fact).
The Scandinavian axe is my kinda axe
Say Heah, I wasn't used to ise a axe/hatchet, But from researching and watching videos like this I ventured into the axe/hatchet arena. I first got a G. G. Small Forest Axe. Awesome Hatchet. then I had a House Axe made using a vintage 2 1/2 lbs. Iltis OXHead head on a 19" White Hickory handle, For as thin as it is, It splits great. Then on my B'Day a couple of them ago. I bought a 17" Hultafors Bruks Agdor Hatchet on a closeout when they were up-grading the Range. My 17" Agdor Hatchet became ine of my Fav's a 1 3/4 lb. head, It's very compact with a nice kick to it. When I came to the cross road selecting a little larger Forest Axe. I went with the Council 24" Pack Axe because some of the others were harder to get. But believe me absolutely no regrets, A 2 lbs. head on a 24" handle absolutely great, The steel is also a 5160 which I'm liking alot on this axe. Yeah, very good review, Thanx You.,,.
Thanks realy informative video!
like you said I'm one of the folks who would rather carry a large 8" survival knife and a folding saw like the Silky bigboy 2000 instead of an AXE.
I love Axes for reminding me of the good ol' days but technology has deemed them a bit absolete.
IMO the risk of injury out in the wilderness increases substantialy over a folding saw/survival knife combo.
Thanks again for a great video.
Cheers
Blazin'Blades
Blazin'Blades Used correctly an axe is in many cases much safer than a knife! !
Interesting perspective
Randal, do you have any examples? I can't think of any off the top of my head. However, I can think of many where they are more efficient than knives.
Personally, axes are not obsolete, but they have moved more towards a "specialty" item than a general use. I generally find myself leaving the ax at home in favor of a chopper. I find myself processing modest amounts small/medium wood/machete work than I do processing substantial amounts of wood. When I do anticipate more wood processing, I'll bring the ax.
Axes are easier to work with when it comes to human physiology, not as efficient when it comes to large tree cutting when compared on a per cut basis, that's why old school lumberjacks "rested" by going to the axe after cutting with the crosscut saws
Nice looking axes, but how thick are they in comparison? Why is it that no one ever shows how thick their knife and axe blades are? Blade thickness is a huge deciding factor for what you intend on using tools for.
yup, get the scandi and pair it with any cheap hatchet because hatchets honestly are mostly all good at any range
素晴らしい！
Handle length makes all the difference.
Between say the two and a half and three and half minute mark, the video's shows what looks like a 6" diameter piece of dead standing timber being chopped into short lengths before being split. However the chopping leaves the ends of those sections quite uneven and rough..However it then swtiches to those sections being stood vertically on a stump and being split. The ends of each log section now seem to be very tidy/flat looking as if they had been sawn to enable them to stand properly? Is that the case?? Or was there another "tidying" step with the axe that was not shown??
I use boiled leenseed oil after I sand them
The forest axe is the ticket
Thanks for posting this! I have both axes too and I couldn't help but notice that the 'small forest axe' has 'Gransfors Bruks' on the handle. Mine has 'Gransfors Bruk', which is how the company spells it on their Web site. Weird ha?
Yes, it is. At some point, they must have changed their wooden stamp and updated their website, although, in some places on the website, it is still spelled with an “s”. Just as interestingly, on the back of the Axe Booklet it is spelled Gransfors Bruk, while inside it is spelled Gransfors Bruks. My axe is a gem and true woodsman’s tool. All the best
"Bruk" is "farm", while "bruks" is "farm's" (i.e. possession).
They've been changing some branding things recently (along with removing the metal wedge)
I might be wrong but isnt bruk sweedish for axe? So bruks would be axes
I think "bruks" means "works"
Gransfors are lighter, but i like hultafors for the weight and using less energy to cut.
I gonna economise my money and buy one scandi .
May I suggest that you give more than one blow to each side before switching, dig deeper, 3-4 inches, then switch. You'll end up with half the number of swings.
I am probably (certainly?) not the first one to say this, but it is ”bruks” not ”burks”. Other than that nitpicking - thanks for the video, excellently done indeed😊
Thank you. I have a small forest axe. What kind of oil should I use for the head?
Raw/or boiled flaxseed oil are the perfect choice.
Losing a lot of energy with the tree flexing so much btw
@Grendel Hydrick brace it
Bom muito bom! Mas onde comprar?
From pic u finish cut just for one breathing mean the axe is sharpness congratulations bro
I never quite understood the love of the SFA over the ScFA beyond Ray Mears-ing it up. The ScFA will give you much more effectiveness for a modest increase in weight.
I think it's the bang for buck in terms of size. Not much extra weight for sure but it all ads up. I'd go the SFA and work a little harder
When you're out camping and bushcrafting, you are not out to build a cabin. The ScFA is too big to carry around and won't fit inside a rugsack like the SFA would. With a SFA, you can hike around and no one knows you have an axe. The SFA is also much better for wood carving because you can easily use it with one hand.
For me! I’d like to get a scandi one. Already have the SFA. What stops me to get one is the fact that i only need that type of axe around the camp to fell trees about 4-6 inch for the camp fire. I also like to have an axe in my backpack while hicking. A scandi would be too big for my needs. The SFA fits perfectly in my backpack and still has enough cutting power to work with it. BUT! One day i’ll sure get a scandi hahaha
Sorry but what are the shoes/boots you have on when you’re wearing the olive fjallraven pants??? I’ve been looking for them for ages! 3 mins into video
Hi, the pants are dark olive color. The boots are Lowa Tibet GTX. They are premium boots. I acquired them from Lathrop and Sons. Enjoy.
Thank you so much, been looking for these for so long. Enjoyed the comparison, just picked up my Small Forest Axe, couldn't be happier :)
I'm 6'5, I bought the Scandinavian forest axe and found it too small.
It's TINY bit too big for one handed work and too small for a two handed axe.
My wife now has an awesome axe and I use a Fiskars (which is pretty good for what I use it for)
which fiskers do you use? The chopping axe?
PseudoSarcasm get the felling axe
The felling axe with the long curved handle feels massive for me, and im 6'1". Perhaps it would fit your size better?
@@Vivungisport I nearly bought that one, but I have too many axes as is. Plus I don't use them as much these days. At the time I was looking for a nice light axe for camping and possibly hiking. I did buy the GB Wildlife hatchet, which was great before it got stolen.
Just wish I could actually find one to buy.....
Just bought the scandinavian on amazon. A few other sites had it too but this eas cheapest w/ shipping considered
Me and my brother have approx 20 Gränsfors bruks axes together, but we live in Sweden so i assume its easier to find them.
How do you think the Scandinavian would fit in the Eberlestock X2?
Hi, when inserted into the interior slip pocket, the Scandinavian axe sticks out 8 inches. In other words, the head of the axe protrudes 8 inches from the top of the backpack. The small forest axe only sticks out by 2 inches. Respectfully
Would the small forest axe handel fit in the eye of the Scandinavian forest axe head?
+TacticalFleshlight Hi, I do not believe it would be safe. This past fall, I placed rubberized collars on both axes and noticed a slight size difference in the length and width of the top handles. The wood section at the top of the Scandinavian Axe is slightly longer and wider. Even with a wedge you might not get enough expansion within the tapered eye to make it safe to use. Respectfully
+TheAmericanOutfitter
That is good to know. That was kind of what I thought but I wanted conformation from someone who owned both. I like the weight of the Scandinavian head but would like a shorter haft. Perfect reply though thank you.
+TacticalFleshlight Nothing stopping you have one made brother!
My sf axe came shaving sharp
My Scandi came with a crooked bit...contacted Gransfors and they said "...enjoy your axe..."
Wild swinging. Slow down you will get there in the end. No point in showing off to the rest of RUclips. Control your aim, be safe
i'm wondering how did u still have ur legs in one piece!!!The way u using the axes is at least scary to watch!!!Otherwise these r the best axes without any doubt if u r looking for a bushcraft axe!!!
I'd disagree look up Liam Hoffman he makes the best axes in the world in my opinion.
Where can you get one from, or order from?
Here's one, but there are many other sites. www.amtraders.com/G-gransfors.asp
very nice video. Good info. A little too much plain info of the specs - would have loved so more actual working. But a 8 point out of 10 ;-)
Again the grain is wrong in the handles. I have yet to see a good one. You would think with the prices they charge they would get it right. Husqvarna axe handles are perfect i purchased 3 for the price of the small forest axe. And by the way, who makes them and who owns all three well known axe makers. I will give you a clue they bought out wetterlings, ( the competition)
Damn I have the SFA and now am seeing this 89 swings vs 17 lol hmmm
I don’t like this test (the first part) a lot because, your swings are a bit inaccurate, the tree wobbles everywhere, making each blow less impactful, you’re also swinging in an inefficient way. I haven’t finished the video yet, it’s just what I saw with the small forest axe and the Scandinavian forest axe.
Rowan Fernsler
Considering that they’re both GB axes, I couldn’t care less how it was tested. They’re both great axes and they’ll do the job that you need. In the end it’ll all come down to which one you prefer. I just wanted to watch some woodcutting haha.
“... a bit inaccurate”
You win the award for being FAR too polite. Seems the only necessary criteria for an “ax review” is the ability to acquire an ax and then film the events that follow.
There was NO usable info shared here.
What exactly is wrong with his swinging? Exlpain
The Scandinavian axe out performed the small forest axe hands down in the video. It took you 3 times as many strokes to get through that first log. I really like the small forest axe but the larger one doesnt just chop a little easier, it's much easier.
It's gransfors bruks not burks
Ah yes, I see
No need for all that chopping if it's firewood. Just put a chop or two on each side, depending on the size of the stick, and then break it off.
Gransfors bruk, not Burks, very good demonstration however . Had to edit. All of the gransfors bruk axes, I have ever seen have had gransfors bruk stamped on the handle. The small forest axe in this video actually said bruks .The company pronounces it bruk ,not bruks. What gives? Is that an aftermarket handle ?
Nah, I think it has to do with distrubution to different countries.
@@hugoakerlund5114 well, i stand corrected. I looked up some more info and apparently Gransfors opened up other forges and started putting bruks on their axes . Bruks is simply plural because an axe from them is made at one of their different forges.
Linseed oil.
Boiled
Boiled
RAW
@@jgarcia9011 where's the LINSEED *OIL* !?
@@xxgoodboy1499 Raw, linseed oil is recommended. You can also substitute it with raw flax.
“Bruk”
It's a mask not a sheath.
An axe
Great axe, although somewhat dull in general.
Yeah ok mr. expert.
Not "burk" . Burk means "can".
disrespect to all in scandinavia for not even being able to spell their company name right.. Its not burks..
Both are scandinavian!!🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️
The larger one is named the Scandinavian Forrest axe though the smaller one is just called the small Forrest axe
swedish of course. Scandi is the name of one of them , just is
Your going to need to cut and split and burn wood after spending all that money on axes like that. That is just crazy what people will spend to cut or split a piece of wood!
$130 for a beautiful axe that will last a lifetime is better than spending $130 on one meal at a fancy restaurant. You will never understand unless you're a tools guy.
I have more tools then most people,as far as axes I have about 17.
58belvedere It's not about having lots of tools. It's about having the love and appreciation for the craftsmanship of the tool. Just as someone who has lots of girlfriends are less likely to understand the deep love a man can have for just one woman.
58belvedere having those 17 axes? are you one of those guys that buy those cheap online ones like the wannabe collectors that collect crappy knives? just wondering
I have a few axes and splitters as well. This (and a no-brand log splitter) are the few I'd be happy to pass onto my grandchildren.