Thread: Quality axes

G'day Chris,

I know that Gransfors axes are available in Melbourne since the importer in located here, Dahlgren Trading - Import & Export - Australia & Scandinavia

I have held the "Wildlife Hatchet" at the Berwick Show in 2009 and I think it is very suitable for camping, Gransfors Bruks Sweden - The best AXES in the world

Not sure how well it will perform for splitting though.

Hope this helps.

Gunn

NeilS is knowledgeable about axes Chris; maybe send him a personal msg. He was doubtful about Gransfors steel with Australian woods in a recent thread.

I use a Kelly axe and a Plumb hatchet.

In the past I've also done some firewood cutting with a bow saw. As long as you have a young blade and are fairly fit, you can accomplish quite a lot.

thanks for the leads all. the Gransfors axes are nice but i'm a bit wary on using an axe designed for european timber on aussie hardwoods. i have contacted Sneddons rural fencing regarding one of their knockabout axes, seem like a pretty good thing. Spotted gum handle, decent edge etc.

thoughts??
cheers, chris

Hi Chris,

Would give the Gransfors a miss too. The Sneddon's axes are beautiful, nice profile and top steel alloy.

For firewood and bush work I am very happy with my Kelly - Tasmanian Pattern and 3 Plumb axes, plus 2 Plumb hatchets. All except the Kelly and one Plumb hatchet are second hand. I do have a Keesteel but that is for very clean timber, my best axe.

Where there could be dirt and sand on the wood then the oldest Plumb gets the job. I did think about the Sneddon's Knockabout axe, I liked the size head but for bush work I was not going to ruin a $270 odd axe on firewood or clearing. The old Plumbs are great I reckon, tough as. My father would use nothing else, as a woodcutter before the war.

I think you could do very well with a second hand Plumb from auction sites or markets, for less than $50 and have a very durable axe. I still like the Sneddon and the Tuatahi axes though, very nice but a bit unnessary for the work I do.

Post us some pictures of your final purchase.

Cheers
Pops

Originally Posted by mk2grimace

Gransfors axes are nice but i'm a bit wary on using an axe designed for european timber on aussie hardwoods.

G'day Chris,

You've got a very good point there. I've never personally use the Gransfors, but from the sounds of it, I'm better off without it.

I'll be sure to lookout for a used Plumb from the Berwick Sunday market.

Cheers mates

Gunn