Great video Ben, I bought my left hand grind Swedish carver from you about 5 years ago now, by far my favourite axe, when I got married 3 years ago we had a handfasting ceremony and the marriage was blessed with that same axe, my wife and I also had it tattooed onto our arms
@@BenOrford I don’t understand why on the website it instructs you to hold the axe with the blade upward. It’s like saying if you turn a car upside down the wheels closet to you are the back wheels.
Good morning from Portland, Oregon. Thankfully I have a Gransfors Bruk dealer not far from me. Just received my wilderness ax after my other one was recently stolen from my truck. Big fan here.
I hate to add confusion to this always confusing topic, but I beg to differ (and have discussed this with Gransfors rep. some time ago). A right handed person can find a left ground GB Carving Axe to be the correct choice on things like bowls (sloping down and to the right). Why, because a right ground head will be far to aggressive and cut into the bowls side, while a left ground head will 'skim' off smaller 'carving' sized pieces. I personally use a (non GB) symmetrical grind axe to rough out, and then switch to left ground GB for *carving*. (I'm right handed)
Great video, but I have to agree with mylesau. The confusion is in what it's called (see 3.00), not the description of the axe shape for aggressive work. Gransfors calls that 'standard' axe for the right-hander a 'left side grind'. A left side grind means the left side is ground flatter with a longer bevel and right side has a shorter, more angled convex bevel.
Ben! I sure wish I had subscribed to your channel before I purchased my garnsfors axe off amazon. I payed just over two bills for that beautiful thing and didn't get a kiss. ;-)
Great explanation, GB's description of the grinds is definitely a bit confusing - language barriers I assume. While I don't really NEED their Carving Axe I want one badly. Those Carvers are simply beautiful and, while I don't do a ton of carving, I do enough that it'd be a useful tool to have available. These Swedes are so addictive.
Hi Ben, Good presentation. I found this on the Gransfors site with their 475 listing. Is their suggestion and yours the same? "Right-handed persons normally use Large Carving Axe, Grinded left side, and Left-handed persons normally use Large Carving Axe, Grinded right side, while the longer slightly concave bevel face come near the wood and therefore provides excellent support when carving."
Basically the gransfors website makes it confusing if ordering. The main thing to make sure is if you want a handed axe, then choose your hand. If your right handed choose a right hand grind. There description and there labels don’t quite tie up. Hope that helps cheers Ben
That’s what I bought also, I am a right handed carver and they advised me a left grinded axe. The convex side need to touch the wood side to not get stuck in the wood. So you say the opposite in the video… I’m abit confused now 😅
@@sc00zy flatter side to the wood, beveled side opposite from the wood. The bevel takes those chips out. The flat portion allows you to be... well, flat with your piece. So bevel will be on the right side for a righty person. It makes no sense otherwise. You can draw on paper to compare. Basic geometry, really.
Just saw the video, Question: on the Gränsfors website they say Right-handed persons normally use a Large Carving Axe, Grinded left side, and Left-handed persons normally use a Large Carving Axe, Grinded right side, is this what you're saying, or the opposite?
I'm right-handed and I need the axe to hew a log sauna here in Scandinavia. The logs are in need of a fresh hewing to clean them up. Which Gränsfors do you suggest? I was thinking of the Large Carving axe 37cm 1.0kg 475
Ciao volevo chiederti io sono mancino volevo acquistare l'ascia per scultori però sui siti internet granfors non la trovo posso usare lo stesso la mano sinistra con anche se l'ascia non specifica per Mancini grazie mille
What you’re saying makes sense but on the Granfors Bruks website the advice is the opposite: “Right-handed persons normally use Large Carving Axe, Grinded left side, and Left-handed persons normally use Large Carving Axe, Grinded right side”
But in saying that the website makes sense because they will be starting with the symmetrical version and grinding off the left hand side to make it flat for the right handed person
Unfortunately I think the Gransfors website makes it very confusing and makes people order the wrong axe. If you want a right handed axe make sure you get what they call the right hand grinded Or symmetrical Hope that helps cheers Ben
Would absoluttely love to have one of thoose pretty axes 😁 i have knives but am missing a good axe on my channel 😁 Lefty myself here like axes that are similary ground on both sides myself
Hello, found you through Simon, a bloke in the woods, tried to visit your website but there was an authentication issue which Google advised you should be informed of, so...
Sure the prices have gone up a lot. Unfortunately the energy costs and also the taxes in Sweden are really high so that has to be factored in. I still think they are great value for money in what you get but yes they aren’t a cheap option. Having said that my 20+ year old small forest is still like new 👍
@@BenOrford Hey thanks for the quick answer! I meant the one on the left in the first minute, but I guess it is a carving axe with a carved handle and the angle of the camera or how it sits there let me believe that the sheath shape looks different compared to the others... have a good one! How does a symmetrically shaped carving axe perform as a bushcraft axe?
@@benotyourboss sure I think that’s my carving axe that I carved the handle on to a faceted shape. Well the symmetric grind would work for all tasks and has a great weight. You can split with it and do many Bushcraft tasks but I would say the handle is probably a bit short for felling etc but depends on what you prefer. Hope that helps cheers Ben
Never knew that axes came with asymmetric grinds! Learned something, thank you👍 Do you suppose a similar blade geometry would work on a knife? Not as aggressive as a chisel or a single bevel grind, but maybe a combination of convex and flat or even hollow? Thanks for the brain teaser!
If you choose the handed grinds the flat side will be closer to the wood and make a more aggressive cutting tool. The symmetric grind is better for cutting curves and spoons etc. hope that helps cheers Ben
I reprofiled my HB just to compare with symmetric grind. Flat grind to the work piece is unbeatable. For spoons or or anything else. I'm purchasing the ground GB carver next.
I was on the fence but you helped be decide on the standard double grind! Thanks!
Ditto.
Great video Ben, I bought my left hand grind Swedish carver from you about 5 years ago now, by far my favourite axe, when I got married 3 years ago we had a handfasting ceremony and the marriage was blessed with that same axe, my wife and I also had it tattooed onto our arms
These axes easily outlive current marriages 😂😂😂. And much cheaper in the long run too😂
I’ve been wondering about the grinds of these axes for years. Thank you!
i'm slowly building my collection. also just purchased their draw knife.
Ben thank you so much for explaining the difference and function of each grind. It enlightened me. Blessings
Ben the dough bowl was beyond description, craftsmanship is all one can say......ATB
damn I know. Because of covid I've started making bread. Need one of those.
Thanks for the video, Ben!!! Lovely forged axes you got there! RIP Wille Sundqvist- he really was a true master and we will never forget his talents!
You are the only person who explained this right left or symmetrical grind with GFB carving axe well.
Fantastic so pleased we helped explain this. Crazy how it’s so confusing on the gransfors website 👍
@@BenOrford I don’t understand why on the website it instructs you to hold the axe with the blade upward. It’s like saying if you turn a car upside down the wheels closet to you are the back wheels.
Good morning from Portland, Oregon. Thankfully I have a Gransfors Bruk dealer not far from me. Just received my wilderness ax after my other one was recently stolen from my truck. Big fan here.
I showed this video to my wife last night. Very early THis morning she ordered my Christmas present :-D
can you talk to my wife about this? xD
@@joseramos9505😂 that's exactly what you don't talk to your wife about.
Awesome review, man! You got me worried a couple of times, as you swiped the axe close to your fingers.😂
Keep it up 💯!
I hate to add confusion to this always confusing topic, but I beg to differ (and have discussed this with Gransfors rep. some time ago). A right handed person can find a left ground GB Carving Axe to be the correct choice on things like bowls (sloping down and to the right). Why, because a right ground head will be far to aggressive and cut into the bowls side, while a left ground head will 'skim' off smaller 'carving' sized pieces.
I personally use a (non GB) symmetrical grind axe to rough out, and then switch to left ground GB for *carving*. (I'm right handed)
Agree with you
Great video, but I have to agree with mylesau. The confusion is in what it's called (see 3.00), not the description of the axe shape for aggressive work. Gransfors calls that 'standard' axe for the right-hander a 'left side grind'. A left side grind means the left side is ground flatter with a longer bevel and right side has a shorter, more angled convex bevel.
Thank you for explaining this!
That's really handy explanations of the uses Ben, thank you. Symetrical grind for me next year. ;)
Good explenation of the different grinds.
Ben, what do you use to treat your spoons once finished. Also what wood species should you avoid if wanting to make cooking utensils?
Ben!
I sure wish I had subscribed to your channel before I purchased my garnsfors axe off amazon.
I payed just over two bills for that beautiful thing and didn't get a kiss. ;-)
Great explanation, GB's description of the grinds is definitely a bit confusing - language barriers I assume.
While I don't really NEED their Carving Axe I want one badly. Those Carvers are simply beautiful and, while I don't do a ton of carving, I do enough that it'd be a useful tool to have available. These Swedes are so addictive.
What about the shaft angle options? Again is is righ-angled for right-handed people?
Hi Ben, Good presentation. I found this on the Gransfors site with their 475 listing. Is their suggestion and yours the same? "Right-handed persons normally use Large Carving Axe, Grinded left side, and Left-handed persons normally use Large Carving Axe, Grinded right side, while the longer slightly concave bevel face come near the wood and therefore provides excellent support when carving."
Basically the gransfors website makes it confusing if ordering. The main thing to make sure is if you want a handed axe, then choose your hand. If your right handed choose a right hand grind. There description and there labels don’t quite tie up. Hope that helps cheers Ben
@@BenOrford Thanks. That makes sense. Cheers.
Correct, right hander should be using a grinded left side axe.
That’s what I bought also, I am a right handed carver and they advised me a left grinded axe. The convex side need to touch the wood side to not get stuck in the wood. So you say the opposite in the video… I’m abit confused now 😅
@@sc00zy flatter side to the wood, beveled side opposite from the wood. The bevel takes those chips out. The flat portion allows you to be... well, flat with your piece. So bevel will be on the right side for a righty person. It makes no sense otherwise. You can draw on paper to compare. Basic geometry, really.
Do you have any advice on the The Gränsfors Broad Axe model 1900? I'd really like to understand the options for that Gränsfors Bruks axe if you know?
Just saw the video, Question: on the Gränsfors website they say Right-handed persons normally use a Large Carving Axe, Grinded left side, and Left-handed persons normally use a Large Carving Axe, Grinded right side, is this what you're saying, or the opposite?
We sell these at the knife shop I work at. They are awesome.
Great stuff sure they are awesome axes 👍
Are those axes Standard handle or Carved handles? Do you know the difference?
Very informative video! Thanks lots!
I'm right-handed and I need the axe to hew a log sauna here in Scandinavia. The logs are in need of a fresh hewing to clean them up. Which Gränsfors do you suggest? I was thinking of the Large Carving axe 37cm 1.0kg 475
Ciao volevo chiederti io sono mancino volevo acquistare l'ascia per scultori però sui siti internet granfors non la trovo posso usare lo stesso la mano sinistra con anche se l'ascia non specifica per Mancini grazie mille
Como eu faço para comprar uma machadinha dessas
What you’re saying makes sense but on the Granfors Bruks website the advice is the opposite: “Right-handed persons normally use Large Carving Axe, Grinded left side, and Left-handed persons normally use Large Carving Axe, Grinded right side”
But in saying that the website makes sense because they will be starting with the symmetrical version and grinding off the left hand side to make it flat for the right handed person
Unfortunately I think the Gransfors website makes it very confusing and makes people order the wrong axe.
If you want a right handed axe make sure you get what they call the right hand grinded
Or symmetrical
Hope that helps
cheers Ben
Would absoluttely love to have one of thoose pretty axes 😁 i have knives but am missing a good axe on my channel 😁
Lefty myself here like axes that are similary ground on both sides myself
Hello, found you through Simon, a bloke in the woods, tried to visit your website but there was an authentication issue which Google advised you should be informed of, so...
Is there a reason that GFB axes have almost doubled in price during the past two years?
Sure the prices have gone up a lot. Unfortunately the energy costs and also the taxes in Sweden are really high so that has to be factored in.
I still think they are great value for money in what you get but yes they aren’t a cheap option.
Having said that my 20+ year old small forest is still like new 👍
which axe is on the very left the one that has a longer handle and a different shaped head?
Hi thanks for the comment. Not quite sure which one you mean. Is it the one hanging on the wall when I am chopping?? If so that’s a bearded axe 👍
@@BenOrford Hey thanks for the quick answer! I meant the one on the left in the first minute, but I guess it is a carving axe with a carved handle and the angle of the camera or how it sits there let me believe that the sheath shape looks different compared to the others... have a good one! How does a symmetrically shaped carving axe perform as a bushcraft axe?
@@benotyourboss sure I think that’s my carving axe that I carved the handle on to a faceted shape.
Well the symmetric grind would work for all tasks and has a great weight.
You can split with it and do many Bushcraft tasks but I would say the handle is probably a bit short for felling etc but depends on what you prefer.
Hope that helps
cheers Ben
Lindos machados 👏💪👍
Never knew that axes came with asymmetric grinds! Learned something, thank you👍
Do you suppose a similar blade geometry would work on a knife?
Not as aggressive as a chisel or a single bevel grind, but maybe a combination of convex and flat or even hollow?
Thanks for the brain teaser!
The “Yakut” knife is the perfect example of a knife with an asymmetrical grind.
@@superbalaur1297 Thanks! Didn't know that one!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakutian_knife
Late to this, but (traditional) Japanese kitchen knives have single-bevel edges. The deba-hocho, for instance. Great knives!
J
Yakut, as was pointed out above. Or any straight chisel lol
If i am a left handed why not to choose the simetrical bevel? I see no reason!
If you choose the handed grinds the flat side will be closer to the wood and make a more aggressive cutting tool. The symmetric grind is better for cutting curves and spoons etc.
hope that helps
cheers Ben
I reprofiled my HB just to compare with symmetric grind. Flat grind to the work piece is unbeatable. For spoons or or anything else. I'm purchasing the ground GB carver next.