Gransfors Wildlife Hatchet Review - 10 Years & Still Going! Best Bushcraft Hatchet?

Today, a quick review of the outstanding Wildlife Hatchet from Gransfors Bruk, Sweden. Best bushcraft hatchet? We have two of these hatchets -- one brand new & one that's been banged on for 10 years and still going. Stay tuned while I share the reasons this is still my #1 go-to hatchet for backcountry & everyday use!
#gransforsbruk #wildlifehatchet #axes
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Our best wishes,
Kevin & Sarah and the Yellow Dog, Tig
West Fork Homestead
If you are interested in finding Gransfors Bruks products, give our friends at WesSpur a call in Bellingham, WA . Always great service with these guys. Reasonable prices, and fast shipping, too!
www.wesspur.com
www.gransforsbruk.com/

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you so much, friends, for stopping by for this video. If you enjoy this type of stuff, please support the West Fork Woodsman channel by giving us a "like" and hitting the SUBSCRIBE button. There is still so much to discover in nature, and it gives us great pleasure to share. Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/westforkwoodsman/ God's blessings to you all. Until next time, peace, health and happy trails! -West Fork

[@andvil01]

I live in Sweden, not that far from Gränsfors bruk. They are not quit making them any time soon. The company seems to go well. I can sure recomend a quality axe or hatchet from them. I have the hatchet and a carpenters axe, but the one I use most is the small forest axe. Bought it almost 30 years ago. Hanged it with a new handle once and cleaned it up. Will go for the next 30 years, at least. Divided by years lasting, they are cheap.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Good news from Sweden! A small forest axe is sure a handy tool. I have never used a Gransfors that size, but it seems ideal for backcountry trips. Great to hear from you. Happy trails!

[@PINEPUPPY]

Nice video of a really great tool. A lifetime of use from such a quality hand made hatchet. Interesting content with a really nice outro.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Pinepuppy, if anyone knows a good tool, I bet it would be you. With the ol' vortex headed our way, I bet this hatchet will get a good workout! 😎

[@icebear4258]

Straight up man's man. Well-spoken. Good review. Good video quality. I'm getting one. Thank you. Liked and subscribed.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you, my friend. You will love that new tool. We should have a talk about axes on here again, soon!

[@unitytira4954]

Good day 😊 Thank you so much for sharing your story and experience with your GBWildlifeHatchet. What amazes me is we both have the same name of the axe maker. I have mine for 5 years now and it serve well, it developed in me a deep respect for my GBWildlifeHatchet. I live in a mountainous region of our country. This tool is worth having. Blessings from the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@WestForkWoodsman]

I agree, it is a good tool, indeed. Thank you for watching, my friend. Come again to my channel, any time!

[@unitytira4954]

Sure my friend, blessings.

[@Langersport]

Just found your channel. What a superb review of this great hatchet. I’ve had mine for some 15yrs or so and was made by MM also. It is truly one of my prized possessions even though I now rarely use it, it will stay with me forever.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Most certainly a prized possession! Mine has really earned her keep, and I've gotten more familiar with its capabilities. Thinking I should update with another review soon. Probably the last piece of kit I would part with! Welcome to West Fork, my friend.

[@user-nw2si7hu3u]

I live in a large city and have absolutely no need or excuses to buy one of these but I want one so badly I love the heritage and craftsmanship ! Enjoy your videos anyway 😊

[@theneighborhoodhandyman7564]

Thank you for your review. What a video! I hope you keep up your channel. I will be watching

[@WestForkWoodsman]

You're quite welcome, Handyman! Glad you enjoyed. We have a lot of videos planned including some more axe vids. Also, when the snow clears out this spring I hope to record a few trips in the back country. Thanks for watching. Come again, any time!

[@michalurbanful]

Great description and review. I love this hatchet as well. It was nice to see a decade old piece still going strong! :)

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you much! You can't go wrong with a GB!

[@ruleroftheundersky570]

I'm going to get one here very soon after a very long wait. Thanks for the video.

[@keenobservations3050]

I’ve been eying this little guy for a few years now. Great video you definitely have given me a few more reasons to add one to my collection.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Hey, thanks for stopping by, KO. I split some fatwood with mine in my recent "All About Fatwood" video. I explained another reason I really love it. I haven't tried it for carving yet, but plan to. My wife also has one, and she cherishes it. Thanks for watching. Take care.

[@felixcat9318]

I have a GB Mini Hatchet, a Wildlife Hatchet and a Small Forest Axe, and my absolute favourite is my Mini Hatchet. Paired with a Silky Saw (either an F-180, a Gomboy Outback or a Bigboy Outback) they're perfect for feeding my tent stove and camp fire. I prefer easy and quick sawing to chopping. They look beautiful and feel perfect in the hand and are lovely to own. Given their 20 year warranty, it works out quite inexpensive on an annual basis, and they'll obviously outlast their warranty period.

[@Macovic]

Great review :) I also have had on for years. Problaby my favorite tool. The wood handle keeps hand warmer than most big full tang knives. In the summer I more often use a large knife och midsize knife. The wonderfull convex and idea behond the axe makes life a lot more easier.

[@markluke8447]

Thanks for sharing this video. Beautiful scenery and yes GB axes are a good buy and if taken care of properly will last a lifetime.

[@marcmaclellan3503]

Lovely informative made my mind up thanks

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you. Come again, any time!

[@lampshade8969]

A good video on this little handy tool. I've also had a MM stamped one for the last six years. I did thin the edge a bit to make it even better for carving, but frankly I didn't need to. It's great as it comes from the factory. The swell at the end of the handle is perfect. I've never felt like it would fly out of my hand, even when swinging it quite hard.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

You aren't woofing at all, Lampshade. It's a fine tool. Pound for pound it gets more work done around my cap. Take care and thanks for checking in!

[@ConnectFork]

You just sealed the deal for me, mate. Great video and greetings from Australia. Thank you

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Enjoy!

[@nonya5475]

Thank you.

[@johnconklin5180]

I just ordered one. Looking forward to taking it out on my next hike through the woods with me. Also glad to hear it holds the edge like you said. Thanks for the review. Oh the price I paid is 175. So they aren’t getting cheaper.

[@dizzydeckdog6688]

This is a great video my man. I brought the small splitting axe a while ago and it's a thing of beauty. I want this one as well they would make a nice pair. Cheers from the UK

[@drajadchannel9284]

Awesome..gransfors bruks wildlife hatchet i like. Great videos👍

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you so much. Come again, any time!

[@luizfishing7438]

Great guy and video! Thank you

[@TheNessmuk]

Great review and fine axe ! I’m getting one sir.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

You will enjoy having one. Thanks for watching!

[@PinoyBladeHunter]

Thanks for the video. Now i want a gransforsbruk

[@WestForkWoodsman]

An axe to be cherished, for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@solitudeinthewild82]

Pretty nice hatchet! I like the shape of the handle and the blade as well! Definitely a good one!

[@WestForkWoodsman]

My favorite for carving wood!

[@BabakPA]

Very nice video! Thanks for sharing

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thanks Babak. Glad you enjoyed. Come again, any time!

[@BabakPA]

@@WestForkWoodsman I will for sure. Be safe🙏🏻

[@dougt7523]

Loved your video on the wildlife hatchet that I’ve been eyeing for a couple of years. I’ve enjoyed their Small Forest axe for years and wasn’t sure I could use both. Wesspur had the Wildlife hatchet in stock so I ordered it. We don’t get the wintery conditions you enjoy, but look forward to the occasional woodcraft and fire pit burns with the little hatchet.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Glad to hear you got your hands on one! How do you like it?

[@RSLtreecare]

Hi, a very nice review.i just stumbled across your review. I like these axes. There small enough to carry in the bush, i am based in the UK. I use a mix of silky saws a knife plus a wildlife hatch. Take care

[@davew5583]

God bless son, keep the t good.

[@landonwilkins3953]

Mine was made by MM as well, bought at a diamond brand outdoor store in Asheville North Carolina many many years ago

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Well you are a lucky guy to own one from MM. Yours is probably just getting broken in about now. Good wishes to the great state of North Carolina!

[@ronniealley5136]

great video i love my wildlife

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Me too. My favorite little axe!

[@bruce-qm5fl]

Very good video. 👍🪓

[@unitytira4954]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience of your GBA Wildlife hatchets. May I know what type of oil you’ll use in the hickory handle? Thank you so much for your response.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Howdy. I use boiled linseed oil on all my hickory handles. A quart goes a long ways, and is the traditional Swedish handle treatment.

[@sigmundjahn3122]

Some people *complain* about the axe head scraping the inside of the sheath when putting the head in the sheath, regarding the forest axe and other larger axes. What I did, is take a scouring tool and modify the axe head. I took a little off of the top, so the axe head slides in smoothly

[@sigmundjahn3122]

What I meant was, I bought a GFB 420, and modified the head into a 415 head. I like the shape much better and it doesn't damage the sheath.

[@RaduMichael]

Thanks 🙏 Could they ever quit making them you say ? Why ? 😮 I just bought mine, it's a thing of beaut. ❤

[@alexanderfenning8648]

I would like to know why is Gransfors axes so good i use the husqvarna hand forged axes and they are the same pattern and made in Sweden is it a brand thing or is the steel on the axes that good?

[@Josji22]

You just sold me one of those. ✌️

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Great tool. I will have a new video featuring the wildlife hatchet coming out Thursday. I use it to help establish a remote camp - chopping, splitting, and carving.

[@MisterBurtonshaw]

I have a Wildlife Hatchet that I bought ten years or so ago. It also has the MM maker's mark. It looks absolutely perfect, unfortunately it wasn't very keen on arrival, new from a shop I can't remember the name of now. I tried to hone the axe shortly after arrival, but It just would not take a sharp edge. I'm no newbie at honing any edged tool and have the proper gear to do so. I dug the axe out from my tools recently and gave it another go, it still will not take an edge. I contacted Gransfors and a very nice lady said to send it back to them as I had no receipt and was unsure of which UK retailer I bought it from, so couldn't do a simple warranty claim. The axe is with them in Sweden now and I was told 'once staff are back off holiday (vacation -US) in mid August, they will examine the axe and hopefully remedy the situation'. I suspect the heat treatment at manufacture was done wrong. I'll report back what they say. Thanks for taking the time to make the video.

[@MrBurtonshaw]

update. GB sharpened it... it is fairly sharp on return... better than I'd managed to achieve.

[@1984serega]

Hi, what do you say about GB Outdoor axe in comparison to this hatchet?

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Hi. I have wielded the Outdoor Axe a few times, but not owned one. I prefer the wildlife hatchet over the outdoor axe. The shape of the handle is easier for me to grip, and it is very packable. The outdoor axe is neither hatchet or axe, IMHO. It's sort of in between. If I need something bigger than a hatchet, I'd rather step up to a Hudson Bay size axe or my GB Scandinavian Forest Axe. The design style of the Outdoor Axe makes it vulnerable to handle breakage, and it's in-between size could be awkward in the hands of less experienced campers. Safety is always #1 in the backcountry.

[@1984serega]

@@WestForkWoodsman Thanks! I am leaning to a more traditional GB hatchet too.

[@ronniealley5136]

do you have the mini belt axe i like my

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Handy tool. Wish I owned one!

[@someonebartender]

how did you darken the handle sir? :)

[@WestForkWoodsman]

The newer hatchet came with a darker hickory handle. The old one has had lots of boiled linseed oil coatings over the years, which darkens the wood quite a bit. Thanks for watching!

[@monkoko6441]

I have the same axe made by the same man

[@Frdtsl]

Which is better this or hults brook almike?

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Hi. They are both quality hatchets. The Wildlife Hatchet is by far more versatile for bushcraft, camping, carving, etc. It has superior ergonomics and the steel holds up for many years. See my recent video where I carve a spoon with the Wildlife Hatchet. I have carved many with the axe in this video. Thank you for watching!

[@TheRickStarZ]

I just ordered the hand hatchet from GB. Its actually the warranty is 20yrs, not life time.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Hey thanks for the correction on the warranty. It is indeed 20 years! Congratulations on that new hatchet!

[@Gen-X.Adventures]

Is that a Filson coat?

[@WestForkWoodsman]

No, it's a Woolrich - but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Filson, if I had the money.

[@grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic4061]

I wan't to buy it, is it worth it?

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Yes!

[@grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic4061]

@@WestForkWoodsman thanks 😃

[@thedingoman]

is this the 410?

[@WestForkWoodsman]

No, it is the 415, which I much prefer. Thank you for watching!

[@thedingoman]

@@WestForkWoodsmanI am 167cm, you seem to be around 197cm. So based on that 410 would sit in my hand like the 415 does in yours😅

[@thedingoman]

@@WestForkWoodsman Update, the 410 was definitely too small and too light even for me. So I had to return it. I am getting a scandi grind carving axe from Etsy instead.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

@@thedingoman Good choice. I have done a lot of carving with my Wildlife Hatchet, but always want something a tad heavier. I have my eyes on a carving hatchet as well. Let me know how yours from Etsy works out.

[@Hapharzardly]

Dang. Watching this video will cost me the price of a nice hatchet. I do have their excellent small forest axe and a hatchet would be a handy addition. How is the snow this year? I haven't been over to our place (Tunk) since October but the pictures the neighbors have sent has me thinking the deer will be elbow deep on the trail cameras.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Yonderosa, there's plenty of snow up high, but in our valley near Dugout, we have only and inch. Had lots of wet snows, but then warm rains. That small forest axe is getting hard to find. I'd love to see your review of it, if you put up any more videos. I also have a nice Scandinavian Forest Axe that mostly rides in my truck with me. One of these days there will be a tree across the road, and I'll get to try it out! P.s. - We used to live on Camano out by Cama Beach. Small world, eh?

[@Hapharzardly]

@@WestForkWoodsman Small indeed. Elger Bay. Wishing we could get over to the dry side of the hill but it isn't in the cards for us just yet. We sure enjoy it when we can. Lots of good folks in that area. The windstorm we had last month would have been the perfect time to get some video of it in action. It got plenty of use. I think I know how I'd end it... "If I could only have one axe, this would be it."

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Elger Bay was one of our favorite spots. We miss the sea. Might boat out to Cypress Island this summer for some sea time!

[@Hapharzardly]

@@WestForkWoodsman Another beautiful area. How's the crabbing there?

[@lukasking2573]

Why should they stop making them?

[@walden6272]

Imagine how much the Gransfors Bruk axes would be worth if the company stops making them. My Small Forest Axe would be a priceless treasure. :)

[@lukasking2573]

That is not a answer to my previous question, I kow that, I own all gränsfors axes from the forrest line. That would be a lot of money

[@redpepper876]

He didnt say they should

[@user-nw2si7hu3u]

Would you recommend this over a holts brul almike? Seem very similar any advice? Thanks !

[@WestForkWoodsman]

If I had only one hatchet, it would be the GB Wildlife. My Almike is great for splitting, but the Wildlife hatchet has been far more versatile as a camp hatchet. I would never part with mine. I use the Almike specifically for splitting kindling in our shop, and it works great for that.

[@user-nw2si7hu3u]

@@WestForkWoodsman that’s pretty strong loyalty! My useage would be pretty limited to splitting kindling for a fire pit probably at this stage given where I live so maybe start w the GB ? I checked your link there’s one left….