I also bought the GB waterstone from Cutsforth on my last order. Have not used it yet. I too would probably not carry it on a trip where normal firebuilding was the plan. I would carry it and a file on a major trip (say a dream 2+ month canoe trip) or in the truck though. For my normal short trips I have not had to sharpen.

I have used sandpaper on a mouse pad for my edge work so far on all my axes.

Thanks- I think "choking up" on a hatchet is an often-overlooked point, not just for fine work with wood, but as a skinner (I'm told), as a food chopper ("ulu" style) and even for slicing.. and I'm beginning to think that's partly behind the surprise popularity of the Gransfors Mini. It's amazing how many "knife" tasks it does very well, even food prep... and it chops wood much better than any knife it's weight I've tried... and it doesn't seem to alarm some people at all the way a large knife does... or, sometimes, any knife does. It's versatility makes it hard to beat for the size and weight.

The Estwing sort of reminds me of the old Dodge in-line six-cylinder cars, like the "Valiant". They were utterly reliable, and lasted forever with minimal care, but after a few years of driving one, you were looking for any excuse to get rid of it. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've been meaning to try the mouse-pad/sandpaper thing, but the only knives I had with full-convex grinds were a BRK&T Mini-Canadian and Highland, and I ended up trading them both away. Nice knives, very sharp, but much smaller than they look in pictures, heavy for their size, and the full untapered tangs made even the Highland a little handle-heavy... and the Mini weighed more than some useful knives I have that are twice it's size. Also not quite enough point for my taste (I think Mike said they're changing the point on the Highland after the first production run), but, mostly, the handles were just a bit small for my hand.

I still have high hopes for the North Star, though. We'll see.

Has anyone tried that little Smith & Wesson axe?

I saw one at the local gun store, and it is as cute as all get-out, but I wonder if it is practical?

Now that I have read about "choking up" for some uses, I am going to try it out the next time I get to the gun shop. The price tag on it was $37.50 USD I think.

Bountyhunter

I did'nt looking for an in expensive sharpener may have to buy it though.

Leemann

Randy,

I have long lusted after the GB axes, and I plan on buying a few as the funds become available, but I have never considered getting one of their mauls or their wedges. I just can't see spending that much money on a sharpened sledge hammer and then pounding on a $50+ wedge with it. My $25 hardware store go-devil and $7 wedges work fine. Is their a difference in the performance that justifies the additional expense?

Thanks,

Andy

Chris, I couldn't find the axes on Ragnar's site. I did see the throwing axes, but that would only work if I'm splitting wood from the far side of the campsite! <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ade,

If sledge and wedge is your normal proceedure than I would not get the GB maul. If maul splitting is your norm than yes the maul is worth it. I no longer live in a house heated with wood, but for 16 years I did heat 25-50% with wood. I have an Oregon maul, sledge, several wedges, and the GB maul. Only the last 2 years of my wood burning did I have the GB maul. But it is much sharper in profile than my Oregon maul and would split some woods much better and easier than the heavier and more wedgy Oregon.

So depending on your wood and desired splitting operation the maul may or may not be worth the money. I can only say that for maple, alder, fir, and cedar the GB maul was many times superior to the Oregon maul.

I never invested in a GB wedge, my Oregon Grenades and normal wedges always did the trick.

When I split with sledge and wedge I did not use the GB poll but another Oregon sledge. Nothing wrong with it but my Oregon sledge was heavier and that fiber/plastic handle worked very well, and could be easily and cheaply replaced should I miss the wedge.

For smaller hand axes or Hudson Bay axes though the Gransfors are vastly superior to ANY domestic hardware store ax I have ever used.

Remember the price increase is coming and it will be ~40%, so if you can now is the time to buy.

Billvann. The wetterling axes are on the axes throwing axe and knives section. Look there for wetterling. They do not sell gransfors tho. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Leemann

Randy,

Thats what I thought. Thanks for confirming it, though.

Thanks and take care,

Andy