A Guide to Bushcraft Axes
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- A Guide to Bushcraft Axes - and a bonus Viking Axe as well: In this video, I share my opinion on axes for bushcraft and the outdoors. I talk a little bit about both some Gränsfors axes and some Cold Steel tomahawks.
Specs for the axes in this video:
The Gränsfors Outdoors Axe:
500 grams, 37,5 cm - 14.8 inches
Gränsfors Small Forest Axe:
930 grams, 49,5 cm - 19.5 inches
My old axe:
1668 grams, 76 cm - 29.9 inches
Hultafors Agdor:
1130 grams, 44,5 cm - 17,5 inches
Viking Bearded / Dane Axe:
1990 grams, 150 cm - 59 inches
Cold Steel Norse Hawk:
898 grams, 76,5 cm (custom handle) - 30.2 inches
Cold Steel Trail Hawk:
676 grams, 51 cm (custom handle)- 20.1 inches
Øyo Vikingøks (small beltaxe):
575 grams with sheath and collar, 32 cm - 12,6 inches
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Bjørn Andreas Bull-Hansen
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#jomsviking #bushcraft #axe #gränsfors
I believe, sincerely, that your videos are so much more genuine than many on the TH-cam. I watch any number, and while the production values are equal with yours, so many presenters are so rehearsed, they lose the human element. I appreciate your approach! Your videos are like viewing something from a friend.
Ron Schramm Thank you, Ron. I like that, I want to be a friend.
Bjorn Andreas Bull-Hansen..If your book tour(s) ever allow you to come to the United States, our home and hearth will always be open to you here in Kentucky.
That is very kind of you!
Bjorn Andreas Bull-Hansen it would be our great pleasure to host ya'all.
dude what ever is catching your sound while recording is amazing, you can feel when the axe hits the tree even the crushing of the snow as you step
Thanks for noticing!
Agreed
I've never owned an axe... so this video was just what I needed for a good starting point. Thank you!
3lbs total weight and under is a very good weight and easy to pack, i run a modified cold steel trail boss axe.
Stripped the paint, blued it and rehung it on a 25 inch thicker handle and made a nice leather collar, i never go in the woods without it.
The Gränfors axes are very well thought of here in the US; though there is more emphasis on kukris and machetes for bushcraft; I prefer a hatchet about the size of your belt one. I carried one hunting for many years. Currently I have a Cold Steel viking bearded axe, and a 'mouse hawk' from Cabela's. I have an old hatchet that I am going to reshape and re-haft-I like the natural look to the hafts that you made for the Cold Steel hawks. I have seen similar ones made for the Cold Steel Bearded Axe.
machete sucka for bushcraft if you want to bushcraft bring an axe or knife
but i would use a saw for shaping things
I love the information that you have provided in this post.
Thank you.
🙏🏼
Thanks Bjorn. I recently picked up a nice Rhineland hatchet, before that having a heavy carpentry hatchet and hammer. The smaller axe you have there looks quite nice as well and could be used for somewhat bigger projects like shelter building more easily. Ray Mears is one of the few British blokes I don't take issue with in the least, even if he can be a bit eccentric sometimes. Cheers.
Straight simple and to the point great video
Liked the axes you’ve shown very much.
flea markets and charity stores are good places to pick up axes, and if they need a bit of work its a great opportunity to customise them to your liking
Excellant work Bjorn!
Just placed an order for the smaller Gransfors Bruks axe with belt loop, handle protector, and sheath after watching this video. Absolutely beautiful axes. Awesome videos, thanks
The Gransfors Small Forest axe is excellent. I’ve used one for a couple of years and have really enjoyed it.
I haven't used mine for long, it is almost brand new. I am looking forward to using it in my future trips out into the woods!
@@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen you would suggest getting a smaller axe? I have the small forest axe, its not really heavy or out of hand for one hand, but kind of seems like a 13 inch axe would feel better?
Very good axes! You did a great job restoring the old axe found in the dirt.
Thanks a lot!
Your videos are easy to follow and I like your comments .Thanks keep them coming !
Thank you, Elwyn.
I thought the second smallest axe made in Sweden was the perfect all around axe. I just watched your video of your trip to Jersey with the display of ancient axes in the museum and remembered you commented on the small size economy of material. Probably also economy of repetitive movement to enable an enormous amount of work without wearing one’s self out! Thanks for the video, another excellent one, a lesson in the woods about axes. Great!
Very nice collection Bjorn. I'm a big fan of the cold steel trail boss. Its a great affordable axe for camp or home wood processing. Not really a "bushcraft axe" though, but its not too heavy to strap to your pack and take on a journey.
Beautiful collection you got there. Merry Christmas from a brother across the pond.
For vinter camping I use a Wetterlings 118. I believe it has been called backcountry axe, bushcraft axe and small forest axe. Now I think it is outdoor axe. It is a little heavier than the Gränsfors counter part. Just love it.
Has a Gränsfors wildlife hatchet when I need to go light.
Thanks for this today Bjorn and thanks so much for always getting back. I prefer a smaller long bladed axe myself as they are so packable,sharp and usable in all conditions.They are great around camp and in time will fell any tree. It is always good to see you big fella.
Thank you, and likewise! I am not sure what a long bladed axe is, though... Or did you mean a long bladed knife?
Axes are great for splitting spruce for firewood/tinder, but if you need to take down a dead standing spruce (tørrgran) or two in the winter cold you should bring a 30" bowsaw. Swedish made of cause, and Sandvik is good.
Excellent video very helpful😬👍🏻
I need to get a good light weight hatchet. I only usually carry a knife with me.. But I would like to carry a hatchet at times. I also need a sharp one, being a woman I don't have the force that a man does and I feel with a sharper edge it will help me process wood. Thank you for your review of your axes, it was very helpful.
If you want a sharp axe right out of the box, then Gränsfors is the brand for you. Also they are not too heavy, at least they tend to be lighter than Hultafors.
Learnt alot n now chosen axe got my needs thanks bjorn
Great Tools my friend, thanks for showing and explaining, wish you a great week, take care, Taro
I like one I can use as a walking stick/cane. Made one from an old shingling hatchet, looks a lot like that hammer poll Cold Steel hawk. It won't take down the mighty oak, but good enough for trimming and cutting up branches.
That is a very good option, absolutely. I tend to use my Dane axe as a walking stick as well as axe.
Really cool video. I would love to see you do a video on old viking woodworking tools and how they were used and perhaps still in use. love the channel!
I love all axes! Great vid.
Hej Bjørn. Tak for en virkelig god video, du har hjulpet en Bushcraft amatør (mig) med at afgøre mit valg af økse for sommerens kanoture. Kæmpe respekt for dig og din kanal 👍 mange gode hilsner fra 🇩🇰 og stay safe/healthy 😊 Tino
Great video. Thank you for sharing your opinion.
I bought an Øyo Viking axe today, it is wonderful in the hand. I bought it more for the tactical aspect as it just has the perfect flow and weight. It feels just right, even in the small of my back scout carry, it "fits like a glove". My GB Wildlife Hatchet does not seem to have much flow as a tactical tool but is great for bushcraft stuff. The Øyo seems great value at 499 SEK.
Nice collection you got there!
Thanks, Casper!
You have a nice collection of axes Bjorn,another great video. I have a Cold Steel ax gang hatchet,Cold Steel frontier hawk and when I lived in Canada a friend gave me an old Hudson's Bay Company ax head and I fitted a nice 20 inch hickory handle to it.
I would really like one of those Hudson Bay Company axes. A part of your history.
I love axes!!! This is now my favorite video of yours. I hope to be able to forge nice axes in the future so cross your fingers for me!
Thank you, Bjorn! So glad you like it, and I will absolutely keep my fingers crossed for your future axe smithing!
Very good and informative! Keep up the good work. :)
Thank you, Sebastjan.
Personally my favourite light axe is the american boys axe by Rinaldi. Its only a little heavier than the gransfors small forest axe but much better chopping performance. it chops even better than the Scandinavian forest axe as well. It has a similar handle to a tomahawk which seems to be the style used in Italy, which i like because its much easier to remove and replace the handle in the field, or you could change the handle size depending on what work you want to do
I’m new to your site and I’m impressed with the few videos I have watched. Keep up the good work. From Mission Viejo, California, USA. 😁👍🇺🇸
Love your videos. Mostly due to your demeanor and thoughtful presentation. Keep up the good work.
Very cool Axes, very cool guy! I have 3 Gransfors, a Wetterlings, Arvika, H&B, Fiskars, Cold Steel, Condor. It comes to: purpose, person & ecology. 🐻
You are right about having an ax that is heavy, you won't want to take it. I have had a hand ax (13 1/2" handle) for over 30 years and now the head is getting loose. The handle is curved for getting close to wood when planning without hitting my knuckles. I hope I can repair it as it is a good ax (no name on it) my dad bought. Thanks for a nicely done video.
impressive collection! I'm very jealous!
Another great video 👍🏻😉 Thanks for sharing your experience with axes, hatchets and tomahawks
Nice to see that you’ve got snow again in Norway 🇳🇴
All the best to you and your family 😊 Tom
Thank you, Tom. I should have had a short hafted axe like you do, as well. That would have made the collection more complete, perhaps. Yes, and no, to the snow... I am getting into spring mode at this time of the year...
👍🏻😉🌳🌱 I know that feeling
Hi , love the dane axe but you're right , not for woodcutting ; the handles you've done yourself are nice , really well made , and more they are perfectly fitting your hands . Great work and great vid . ;)
Thank you!
AXES! The video I've been waiting for! Great scenery too! My fav is still your Dane Axe ! ;)
Thank you, Steve. Here it is! Yes, I suspected you'd say that, haha. It is great, that axe.
Great review!!! Thumbs up sir!!!! The small forest axe for me all the way. Great tool! Much respect to you!
Thank you. Yes, I like it a lot, that one.
Very nice! TY, Bob
every single axe on the line up: very good axe, nice axe, i love this axe, good. lol.
Another very nice, informative and relaxing video Bjorn! Keep up the great content :)
Nicely done
your video is simple, straight, and great. thank you and I’m happy to find your channel
Very nice video! Thanks
Great video Bjorn. I live in Florida so I don't need a huge or heavy axe. I use a Husqvarna 23" (I think) boys axe. I also use a modified cold steel pipe tomahawk. Great video and keep making great content
Thank you. I think those two are very good options.
I like the small axe´s .... thanks for your video !!
Its been tough to find a good axe I agree with. Ive had many swords I can bond with, but not practical to carry (obviously) while hiking and camping. Same with good bushcraft knives. Odd side note, my favourite sword was used by someone without my permission (German bastard sword 15th century hand and a half) and they proceeded to use it as an axe on a firewood chunk and snapped the pommel off the tang. Luckily I was able to repair it, but had to rebuild the hilt pieces and avoid heat damage to the brass coating. Still feels off to this day when using it.
Currently use a tomahawk when camping. Is an Estwing (non traditional) but it gets the job done for what I need.
Love the axe handles you make yourself..look more comfortable to hold.. great film..
Nice information and video... greetings from indonesia
Nice collection
Very nice collection you have there Björn, a couple small axe's you might like are the council tool sport utility axe, and the husqvarna carpenters axe, both high quality, affordable and perfect size for backpacking.
Great looking axes. That reminds me, I could always use one more axe. Sees.
Thank you. Yes, everyone needs another axe!
Great talk on the Gransfors Bruk axe. The one axe I grab the most is the small forest axe. Nice log splinters as well
Yes, I like it a lot myself. I will probably be bringing that one with me more in the future.
I use my Husqvarna Forrest axe for bush crafting and my Snow and Nealey Kindling axe.
We share tastes in axes and twig stoves. I feel good about that.
I like axes too . I have I have three Gransfores Bruks axes the small forest axe the small hatchet and a carving axe.
Awesome. They are all great axes.
Really cool collection I have a collection of blades from axes to folders love em.i have a few gransfors and u can’t go wrong with the small forest axe for a camp axe.
I can see you love axes! Thank you for sharing your fine axes!
That is quite a collection!! It must be a Norwegian thing! I must say, I do like a nicely balanced axe myself - it is a living thing once it is in your hand! Great vids, cheers/skal!
Absolutely! And yes, it's a Norwegian thing, I guess...
I like how you rehafted those tomahawks. That gives me a couple ideas of what I can do with one I have.
As always, very informative. I was impressed by how each of your axes really sank into the wood. Maybe you can do a video on how you sharpen them. They must be well maintained. Keep up the great work. THX.
I love sharpening axes, so maybe I should! About them sinking into the tree, this is a dead birch, so that helps a lot. But they do sink into hard wood quite well.
5:50 I love that sheath.
On a axe or hatchet it's called a mask a sheath is for a fixed blade.
Really enjoyed this video as with others. As got my first bush axe arriving had it made from a blacksmith. He has added some Runes that I asked. But good cover it’s smaller similar to your second axe little more beard nice thick oak handle. Keep up great work. Loving the live steams looking forward to the new flint steal Video. From Australia
Thanks, Matthew. To me that sounds like a great, little axe!
very informative video bjorn. all the best from scotland
i have all but the viking axe, i should say all of those types of axe, your right i also reach for the smaller hatchet first .
I'm gunna be honest.....I saw the beard, heard your voice, and sub'd immediately. Thought, OK, this guy knows what he's talkin' about! ha
As always, really good video and explanation. As we said in my land, matizado Bjorn!
Thanks a lot, Jesú.
...Thank You Bull and Good video...I myself have just ordered a 'Hutalfors Hatchet H 006 SV' (WITH SHEATH)...seems like I might just work out for me, we shall see my Friend... ...
Very Best Regards and Stay Well...Love and Light out to you Brother...
Jigger
Thank you for the video, Bjorn! Skal!!!!!
Thank you, Ron. Skål!
A nice video on sharping your axe. Like angles and how often. Especially belt axe and carry variety. Thanks.
Thank you! I have made note about that!
Great video, beautiful background!
You're spot on about matching our hands to axe handles, I love the Hultafors Åby but I find the handle far too thin.
And my small Hultafors 009 has a great handle... but it's far too short for me!
I guess I need to learn how to fit a handle to an axe head!
Also, who's your Scottish friend who makes that gorgeous leather sheath?...
And which bird can we hear in the background at the end?...
In advance, many thanks for your time.
Best regards,
Manny
Essex, UK.
Very informative. Very good presentation.
Another great video Bjørn!
Very informative and as always Beautiful scenery!
I still think I’d take the Dane Axe camping!
I know you would!
Very helpful. I agree that when buying an ax for regular use, it is important to try it in your hand first. I ran into this problem buying online because when the product arrived, it was far too big for a comfortable grip. I tried to tough it out but, in the end, it was just too unwieldy and now it's just a wall hanger because I started to have some tendon difficulty similar to (or maybe exactly like) "tennis elbow". Again, always excellent content. :)
Sorry to hear about that! I hope you're healed now.
Glad you found the video helpful!
Some vikings back in the day would wear heavy clothing and carry heavy weapons on long hikes to build strength and endurance so that they could fight longer during a battle. Tomahawks were the best axes to use while in combat because the user would hold the tomahawk in one hand and a shield in the other.
Tusen takk, veldig nyttig
Nice collection of action is there thanks for sharing them with us another great video
Very interesting 👍💝
I use the Huskvarna big forest axe. I dont know, i like the weight. I chose it over the Hultafors because its available in my country and because its significantly cheaper. And also because i was told that its actually the same axe, just with a different label.
For delimbing, processing sawn deadfall logs into wedges and kindling, and all other things hiking, camping, bushcraft related, I prefer the Granfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe. Its much easier to use as an AXE than the small forest axe, but its not so big and heavy that I try to use it as a felling axe.
I really like the first one you showed us
Yes, it's great. I like it.
great video. I don't really use axes a lot, I only sometimes use a very small axe to split kindling an smaller wood for fire. I don't know why but I always found like an axe is too energy consuming when chopping down a dead tree and therefore I used a saw instead. But maybe I just wasn't using the right axe for me. This is a great point you made. I will definitely pay more attention to axes from now on.
I actually agree, a good saw is more effective. You can get most things done with a good folding saw and a knife. But there is something very special about a good axe.
Well I suppose it has to be. Guess I will have to start using axes more so i will find out what that is :D
I want a all purpose ax and when I go to the store I feel overwhelmed! thank you for narrowing it down for me! I guess I'll have to get american made though as I'm in the Midwest of the US.. so i can feel and try before buying.
Ben's Backwoods carries a variety of Hults Bruk axes/hatchets. As does Omaha knife. I've got a Hults Almike and its a work of art. I also just picked up a Council Tool 28" Boys Axe. Terrific axe for $44. Great handle, fairly sharp right out of the box. Made in the USA.
Weird thing i reacently found out about old viking axes. There are apparently some that are made same way as tomahawk sliding the blade through the handle, but they are more rare than the wedge construction.
Good advice Bjorn that's a great collection you have there and a bonus axe heheheh
Love your vids dude keep up the great work
Thanks a lot!
Bjorn Andreas Bull-Hansen your welcome
Love the channel by the way. The big Tomahawk is my favourite.
Nice selection there bud. Thank you for sharing.
Gransfors are Very Good but Overpriced. I use Hultafors, They are , in my opinion, just as good at a much lower price. The steel is excellent and holds a sharp edge very well. The same Iron ore with the high Nickel- Cadmium Content is used for the Steel and the forging process is about the same. They are , I think, the oldest maker and began in 1697. My Felling axe is 32 years old and still good as new. I have re- hafted it twice but the "Head" is perfect.
They are expensive, yes. The Hultafors are very good, but designed a bit differently. I also like the fact that you get a totally handmade ax from Hultafors, with the makers mark on them. You're buying a part of that craft, helping it stay alive, I guess.
The part about keeping a craft alive is a very important point in my opinion.
It is the main reason why i always make sure to find something to buy at the viking festivals in my region(northern Germany, southern Denmark), even if i don´t actually really need anything in particular at that moment.
I know that many of the prices i pay there are, well..."festival prices", but i pay them with a smile anyway, so the vendors will come back the next year because they made enough profit to make the trip and the hassle worth it.
Thank you for sharing! Hugs from Denmark :)
I like Northpoint axe. Hand forged in maine. Variety of hand made viking axes. Johnny 1.out
Good stuff there. I enjoyed your presentation.
You should take a look at Cold Steel’s Frontier Hawk it’s pattern is close to a true Viking axe in my opinion