LL Bean this year began selling a few of the Gransfors Bruks axes. I just got an e-mail that Bean is having a 20% off sale on sporting gear and their GB axes are in the sale.

Can't remember the last time I saw a GB product for under $100

Small Forest Axe: $96

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/513347?qe...amp;thumbType=0


Wildlife Hatchet: $89.60

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/513347?qe...amp;thumbType=0


Large Splitting Axe: $126.40

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/77509?feat=77513-ppxs&dds=y


Also their ceramic sharpening stone:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/77506?fea...harpening-stone

Thanks Dagny. I've got the Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet and it is a great tool. I'm not too fond of the GB small forest axe, the 19" length is too short for a full two hand swing and too big for one hand. GB has both small and larger that work better for me -- YMMV.

To me these prices looks like a typical rip-off even with current discounts. Unless you really love the L.L.Bean logo on your gear...

I don't want to make this political, but L.L. Bean is one of the most socially responsible companies out there. Pretty much the anti-Wal-Mart. They don't have the best prices on everything but the prices on those GB axes aren't out of line with what you'll find that brand sold for elsewhere.

For those who are not so well-informed, what's so great about the Gränsfor Bruks? How can you tell a good axe/hatchet from a bad one?

GBs are all handmade by guys that really know what they're doing. The smith initials his work so you know who built it. They're very well designed. The heat treat is outstanding, and you can put an edge that will shave your face yet still stand up to felling trees. Well, at least is you do them in that order. Ray Mears has carried one for years (and I don't think he has any financial interest in them). I think a Gränsfor Bruks is a little better than a Wetterling (although I think the former may have acquired the latter a few years back). You'd probably have to go the full on custom route to get anything better. One last thing to note is that generally GB uses extremely high quality handles, with none of the flaws you often see in cheaper axes.

I'm not saying the average camper would be better served with a Gränsfor Bruks hand a cheaper axe, especially if they're 1) not an expert and/or 2) don't use it all the time. But if you do a lot of work with an axe it may be worth your money.

Disclosure: I'm a major blade geek! My most expensive kitchen knife costs over $800 and I have a couple Busses in my collection. To me the cost of a really nice knife is often worth it. I don't buy based on looks (although I like pretty) but rather performance. You can't always see superior heat treat or uber high quality steel but you notice them under hard use.

Not at all necessarily political, and thank you for the info. I have started really paying attention to social responsibility since the recent horror in Bangladesh - 1000 workers killed in a building collapse. If you ask me, it is worth paying a bit more if the workers stitching your threads don't have to die in the workplace.

Google "Gransfors Bruks" and you will find a tremendous amount of information and personal testimonials about why they are coveted by many. Even at full price they are reasonable for what are widely regarded as the best available axes. I was so impressed with my first one that I ended up with a collection.

Have had a couple of occasions to use the American Felling Axe (tree fall from derecho last year) and the Scandinavian Forest Axe (to knock down some small oaks at a weekend home). I also have some Wetterlings - they look the same but the GB's seem a bit finer and sharper (which you can rectify by sharpening the edge yourself).

I cannot recall ever seeing GBs on sale anywhere, ever. So was surprised and delighted to see Bean including the three models they carry in their annual fall sporting sale. Google right now and you won't find better deals anywhere.

Factor in Bean's free shipping and the integrity of their guarantee and this is a fabulous deal for those who seek to own Gransfors Bruks tools.

As for LL Bean, I've been a loyal customer for over a quarter-century. Whatever panache the Bean brand may denote they have earned through a century of quality and excellent customer service (they once saved my 4th of July vacation... long story).

Bean remains 100% family-owned and American-based. These are just some of the reasons I am an unabashed Beaniac.

P.S. I just ordered the GB sharpening stone. Plan on keeping my GBs forever and handing them down to my nieces (at least one is an outdoors enthusiast).

On the subject of axes, a worthy read:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/07/17/how-to-restore-an-heirloom-axe/

How to Restore an Heirloom Axe



.

Good article, thanks. I have a few old bits without wood that need to be restored, the article is good motivation.

You know, that same incident really hit home with me, too. I'm not sure- do I avoid buying from Bangladesh or does that make matters worse? If I may once more skirt the edge of politics I'd like to see a law passed whereby nothing can be sold in the US if it was produced under conditions that don't meet at least American OSHA standards. This would seem to me to be a win/win for everyone. Foreign workers would get safer working conditions, and there'd be no incentive for non-compliance since the US is a big market. Undoubtedly this would make foreign goods slightly more expensive which would serve a similar function as a tariff, making US goods slightly more cost competitive. It infuriates me to see an American company raking in billions off of workers toiling in appalling conditions (looking right at you, Apple!).

This kind of pressure from consumers and corporations have resulted in some good, actually. Weird things you learn from college distribution courses: Chinese law was seriously revamped in the 90s to attract American and European investors and corporations who were used to more rational business practices. One of the many results was that beneficial labor laws were passed, since these corporations, as a matter of their internal policy, had to abide by a certain standard of labor and safety practices. China is by no means a labor paradise, but it could have been worse.

Anyway, thanks for the information on the Gransfors axes. I value craftsmanship, and I'm glad that quality still matters to some. Regrettably, I'm not enough of a woodsman to appreciate the difference in all likelihood. At some point I guess I should learn some serious deep woods skills. I do like the Viking axes, though.

I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK,
I sleep all night and work all day...

On the subject of wood processing, I'll confess that I use saws more than axes, no matter how nice. I have a couple of really beautiful Silky saws and IMOHO they're unmatched for cutting wood. I especially love my Silky Bigboy- it cuts like a light saber!

An axe certainly has it's place. For one it's simple to sharpen an axe vs sharpening a saw. I might have to pick up the Small Forest Axe while it's on sale.

Nice article! Council Tool axes are pretty nice for the money and are pretty cheap. The local ACE Hardware used to have them but recently switched to a cheaper and junkier make.

Being a geek and somewhat lazy, I sharpen and refurb axes on my Kalamazoo 1SM 42" x 1" belt grinder. You get spoiled once you try a nice machine like this, and I can only imagine how nice a Burr King must be!

Council Tools rock! (or more precisely, cut). I have had a thing for Pulaskis ever since my fire fighting days -nice and versatile... holds an edge too. I notice their price is right up there in the GB range, especially if the tool meets gov't specs.

The new Macs will be made in the U.S.A.

Jeanette Isabelle

I hadn't heard that Jeanette, but it's a step in the right direction. Especially if that includes iPhones- that's their main cash cow and the item being produced under the worst working conditions.

For your enjoyment folks..... Axes

Lee

Sweet! Watching now...

Great video. It would be fun to take that tour! It's a shame though that we didn't get to see the final polishing and sharpening. That would have been neat to see.

No. For now, at least, it will just be Macs. The first American made Macs will hit the stores later this year.

Jeanette Isabelle

What? No Computers???? Maybe in Admin and Payroll.....