Frosty Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Hey guys. A friend of mine is from a logging family and wants a recommendation from me about commercial axes. He's looking for something he can leave his children so he wants top drawer. What he's looking for as a general purpose forged Swedish axe. A felling axe is fine but he really wants to know who makes the best and I'd like to be able to help him out. So, what say guys who makes the best forged Swedish axes? Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I don't own one but have heard Gransfors Bruks is one of the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I'll second what Mr Wooldridge said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Look at >AUTINE by John Neeman Hint Look under Axes on IFI, Page 6 (may change with new posts) New video about an axe making. A interesting link I found on Axe Making while looking for Autine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry p. Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Wetterlings ax's are top of the line. If you go to youtube you can find reviews of the Wetterlings and Gransfors Burks ax's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRS Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 +1 for the gränsfors - with umlaut :) http://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Mit umlaut, :) no way these axes can't be left to you descendants, you could even choose to frame them as they are bits of art! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 Thanks guys, I'll pass the links to Jeff. The E-mail address he gave me is a bouncer so it'll be Monday before he's in his office and can get back. I'm thinking the videos will give him a taste of whats involved in forging an axe head the old way. I know I enjoyed them. Jeff can research things in depth and might like an Autine if John is still able to work. I don't know, he was looking for a quality check and I can't find fault with anything so far. I'm thinking I'd probably go with the Gransforsbruk myself if I didn't already have half a dozen axes. Thanks again and please chip in if we missed a maker. Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momatt Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I have two gransfors and a john neeman axe. Gransfors are drop forged in large presses, neeman is Hand forged though they do have a power hammer. Frosty step up to the plate and make him one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Frosty step up to the plate and make him one. I don't know why my text didn't post but the quote did ... I was just thinking that if he's looking for something to leave as an heirloom, a nice pattern welded axe might be more thought provoking vs a real nice commercial axe that may be more efficient. I know a lot of "heirloom" tools are still here because they were the favorite tool of their owner, and in many cases in the past may have been specially saved for because of what it cost to get an item of that quality. The tools however weren't really bought to be passed down. They just got passed down because they survived because of how high quality they were. In contrast today many people who are buying an item to hand down are looking for something "special" that sets itself apart from the rest. That's why I'm thinking of a tool that is not just a tool, but also a work of art, even if there are better tools out there. I'm not conveying my thoughts as well as I wish. I'm hoping someone understands and can possibly word what I'm thinking better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I have two gransfors and a john neeman axe. Gransfors are drop forged in large presses, neeman is Hand forged though they do have a power hammer. Frosty step up to the plate and make him one. <script type="text/javascript"> // Funny, I saw footage of a Gransfors Brux axe being forged in the shop with open die presses by hand. Could you specify where you heard/ saw this info? (Not saying you are wrong, just curious). I have personally used a Gransfors to split a few dozen chords of wood and would also recommend them to the OP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momatt Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Ivan I think I used wrong terminology. I saw the same video tour, a huge fast press in stations forges it out in several steps. There is no hand work except in the final clean up though the smiths do initial their work. My carving axe and mini hatchet both have L.P. On them. I carve spoons and love the Swedish carving axe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 AUTINE all the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmarginalo Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 AUTINE all the way! I'll second that. Lifetime guarantee on any defects, so he'll be sure to pass it on to his kids: http://www.autinetools.com/en/warranty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 OK, I am late to the party, but I will put my vote for a commercial axe behind Council Tool. They are a fourth generation family business here in NC, and have a premium line of axes with 5160 heads on select grade handles. I love mine, and not just because my wife bought it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy.Travis Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Hey Frosty! I may not be an axe expert (nor would I try to be) but, I've heard through the grapevine. That Autine and Granfor Bruks are the top of the line. ~Travis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalmangeler Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Mostly I use my Alaska Forge made boys axe. I agree that YOU should make him an axe, I could help if you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Mostly I use my Alaska Forge made boys axe. I agree that YOU should make him an axe, I could help if you want. I may take you up on that Mark, if he didn't like it I can use it myself. Of course once you find out what we volunteered you for next meeting you might not feel so helpful. <grin> Right now Gransfors Bruks and Autine are probably what he'll go for. Unfortunately he hasn't replied or even acknowledged an e-mail or two phone calls. He's a good guy so something may be up. I'll find out at our next appointment. Thanks again, Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 From what I've read/heard on a few ax groups and forums, Gransfors has cut back on their distribution of their axes. Evidently one of their head smiths is very ill and now there will only be a handful of distributors in EU that will sell them, and I don't know about US. I hope Duluth Pack still carries them! But I just like the designs of AUTINE myself. I wish we could get John Neeman on this forum and have him share some ax knowledge. That'd be awesome! Best of lucky, Mr. Frosty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawnJockey Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I have a couple of Wetterlings, one is a forestry axe (or something like that) and the other is a carpenter's hatchet. The axe got a little screwed up by some drunkards on a fishing trip but the hatchet I use all the time. I don't leave it out at night in camp any more. I have been very happy with them. They are a very good mix of price and quality. I have used the Gransfors hunter's axe and in my experience they are no better than the Wetterlings but they are more spendy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 There are a lot of high quality axes available including my old unknown make ones. The fellow I'm asking for was specific about wanting a forged Swedish axe, it's a family tradition for him I think. I'm copying the info, a sampling of testimony and the links and let him decide. Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalmangeler Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 They have some in stock at Northern knives in Anc. if they will be harder to get you might want to check that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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