How I fixed my Gransfors Bruk Axe

[@georgemoutafis4399]

I have watched probably every video you posted on this Gransfors Bruk and right of the bat I thought you experienced all these predicaments because of a phenomenon called "decarburization of the edge". This is an undesirable effect that happens during the heat treatment protocol in which the edge loses much of the désirable carbon because it's so thin and the carbon is basically burned. However, when you remove this "surface" sort to speak, then you reach the really good steel, which lays underneath. I am glad you managed to reach the true steel you've been expecting!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Definitely seems like it. Thanks for explaining that!

[@aceman1126]

Sounds like the edge got overheated when they ground it. I've had several knives over the years have the same issue and a good reprofile fixed them right up. Lucky for you it was just the edge and not a bad heat treat for the whole head.

[@ninobrn00]

My GFB Outdoor Hatchet chipped three strikes into splitting kindling. I think it was the same thing you experienced. I reground the whole thing and it’s been so much better ever since! The edge holds much longer and I’m getting better results after the reprofile.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Sounds a lot like what I had, glad you got it fixed! I’m loving my SFA now

[@Laurarium]

Over heating is one major issue in cutlery manufactures, it enbrittles and softens the steel. If you see chipping and rolling at the same time, consider overheating as the cause. It could also be due to carbide strip that sucks carbon out of the matrix, softening the region, and carbides promotes cracks, thus chipping.

[@bigvisk1125]

sounds like you are right, overheated while sharpening, glad you got it sorted :)

[@MattKeevil]

That's quite interesting. Glad it worked out in the end and it would be nice to think that at least some of the companies take the feedback seriously!

[@urbanlumberjack]

For sure! I hope they are going back to the old grind. The steel is excellent after removing the softened layers

[@townieoutdoors8121]

Ive had a wetterlings hatchet for qell over 10 years now and it has never been sharpened. I've cut down way more than over 100 trees with it (felling ,limping and splitting) . The edge is still keen .not paper cut keen but still very usable. And the fit the head has on the handle is beyond excellent.

[@urbanlumberjack]

That’s awesome! The hang on the Swedish axes is always excellent. Since they use a press forge instead of a drop forge, they can take the time to double drift their axes. I’ve never seen a Swedish axe hung on a shelf.

[@ronkay1573]

Very good job. No issues with my GB’s but good info.

[@ethicalaxe]

I personally think Above 55 HRC is too high. I like filing axes that aren't too difficult. Because of this uneven temper I'm skeptical if this won't now be brittle. Only time will tell. I believe the last edge rolled? If it was chipping while being soft that doesn't seem like a good sign.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Before it would roll and chip. Fortunately I don’t think it was poorly tempered, just ground too thin and too hot! Holding up well now. I really like high 50s axes, they hold an edge absolutely forever, but dang when they get some damage they can be a pain to get back in shape for sure. It can also be a challenge to get them profiled to chop well.

[@ethicalaxe]

@@urbanlumberjack interested to see you revist this steel once you use it thoroughly. Which won't be difficult for you since you're blessed with hardwoods.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I need to get another load of hardwood! Running really low right now. I’m excited to put the ax through its paces, I expect it will hold up much better. If it doesn’t, I’m going to be real bummed

[@erikfogelmark4476]

I had more questions, so an experienced grinder (18 years at Gränsfors) called me up. Spoke för over 30 minutes. He had a lot to tell: 57-59 HRC (I was told 56-57 earlier, it was wrong), often 58 HRC. 35 degrees bit ange for SFA and 33-35 for the Scandinavian Forest Axe. But - since the bit is convex it cannot be measured at the edge. It is an approximate angle at the "swell" (correct word?), which I understand as a few mm inside of the edge. At the "curve" of the bit. Approximate angle. The bit is convex to not be "sucked into" the wood when you cut branches, and to make the edge stronger. He actually said that the bigger angle and not razor sharp edge is supposed to somewhat more bounce back when you are limbing trees, so you can strike again, and not get stuck. Note this: The forest axes are NOT supposed to be razor sharp, i.e. you are not supposed to be able to cut paper or armhair with it. If you can, the angle may be to low/sharp and the edge too thin = it will fold over easily when you cut branches and trees. SFA is made for limbing branches off trees, and cutting down smaller trees. Scandinavian Forest Axe (or Large Forest Axe, which it is named in Swedish), is made also for cutting down larger trees. Of course cutting in V-angle. So folding edges may be because of too small an angle and too sharp an edge. Since it is made from carbon steel which is softer, this may occur, hence bigger bit angle, convex bit and not razor sharp. He also told me that Hults Bruk (Hultafors group) use the same Ovako steel as Gränsfors Bruk, and Wetterlings (who now produce axes for Gränsfors Bruk).

[@rickmoss7040]

Thanks for the video. I have their Splitting axe and their Wildlife hatchet and they are both amazing. Razor sharp and both hold an edge unbelievably well. I plan on buying either the small Scandinavian axe or the Scandinavian forest axe….i think either would complement the set pretty well, and compliment each other.

[@rickmoss7040]

Glad to keep an eye out for this though…again, thanks for the video.

[@urbanlumberjack]

That’s a great set! I’ve heard from a number of people about a huge variation in grinds from the factory for the SFA. Some say it’s almost 30 and others very much sub 20. It seems to vary based on the smith too. Since I fixed mine in VERY happy with it. Thanks for the kind words!

[@Joey-L]

Great detective work ! I probably would have overreacting and send it back straight away. Glad you got it sorted out. I'm excited to see the GB videos you have planned, even at the risk of sounding like GB fanboy. Never understood why this one axe brand is so polarizing in opinion.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you! Gransfors really does do some things as good or better than anybody else. Hangs are always excellent, and they double drift the axes so there’s basically a zero chance of a shelf. The designs are great too, they really nailed the carving axe, broad axe, and this forest axe.

[@swentworth]

Love your videos. Have learned a ton about woodwork and the best tools to use. Could you tell me which grobet file you use for filing back the old edge and giving it a new one?

[@Littleman_Tigger]

Can’t wait to see a test of this new edge on chopping some wood.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Hoping to do one soon! I’m low on chopping logs, have saw logs and not much else at the moment.

[@JoshuaLeeCrawford]

I’m testing my luck and just ordered one of these. I’ll admit I’m a sucker for good looks 😆 She’ll be a good addition to the axe lineup I’ve got, especially paired up with a proper splitter. Wish me luck!! 😊

[@urbanlumberjack]

Any issues so far? I love mine all fixed up. Great axe.

[@brettbrown9814]

Glad you got it sorted out. 👍 I look forward to your future video on the manufacturing process.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you! I’m excited to make those

[@giodavid991]

Yeah, I guess the steel overheated while grinding the edge, or maybe a thick decarburized layer that grew during heating before quenching. Not something that should happen on such expensive axes, expecially if it's due to overheating. However, over 60 HRC seems way too much for an axe of that kind

[@axemanmike4390]

Great detective work and VERY informative! It's amazing, with a little trouble shooting & ingenuity, what you can accomplish! Thanks for sharing!! Just picked up the Northmen Guild forest axe & carving hatchet! They are such functional works of hand-crafted ART, it's going to be painful to actually put them to work, lol! Greetings from the PNW! 🪓🌲🪓🌲🇺🇸

[@urbanlumberjack]

Wow that is a beautiful axe. They make incredible tools, thanks for sharing! Would love to use one of their axes some day

[@erikfogelmark4476]

I spoke to Gränsfors factory today, and earlier. This is what goes for the Small Forest axe: 57-59 HRC 35 degrees bit angle I got chipping on my bit. Sent the axe back. They regrinded the bit. The customer care person said the bit might have been too thin. Should be 35 degrees now.

[@urbanlumberjack]

This is super helpful thank you so much!

[@BombproofCraftsman]

Pain in the rear, but glad it’s not a paperweight!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Me too! It’s holding up well.

[@clintonroberts7215]

Great content, thanks for sharing. What size grobet file and number did you use?

[@urbanlumberjack]

I believe it’s the 8 inch or maybe the 10 inch bastard file

[@kurtmanshardt9825]

Hello sir thank you for your level-headed video on this subject another guy did a video on the Scandinavian axes that sounded just like a hit job yours is a lot more level-headed wondering are you in America and do you have a contact number also would you recommend the Helks werk axes made in Germany?

[@urbanlumberjack]

For sure! I try to stick to the facts as much as possible and not be sensational. My email is [e-mail] looking forward to hearing from you! I do like Hello Werk, German axes are excellent.

[@Frontline-K9]

I have the scandi forest axe by GBA and love it for trekking and bushcraft. I have chipped the blade a couple times right after buying it. I think I will try this out to get back to the hardened bit. I also need a new handle I have a crack from and over strike going up into the eye it hasn’t been a problem yet but I do think it eventually will be. I have seen they sell replacement made specifically for each model axe have you used a replacement yet? Is the eye pretty much already sized to fit? It seems to me that it is.

[@urbanlumberjack]

If you feel like it chips when it shouldn’t I’d absolutely recommend trying this out. Also for a period of time they ground those bits far too thin. Mine was ~15 degrees. I haven’t had to replace a Gransfors handle yet but I would imagine they tap right in.

[@jamesnelson1443]

Hi love your reviews!!! Outstanding information!!!

[@ericlefebvre4288]

I find this hardness testing very interesting and informative. I'm curious if you have any cold steel axes such as the trail boss and if so have you ever tested their hardness or the hardness of some of your council tool axes?

[@urbanlumberjack]

I still need to do a council tool video! I’ve fallen off a bit on uploading it’s a crazy time of year for me. I’ve never used a trail boss but I’ve seen a lot of videos on them. Maybe I’ll pick one up to check them out.

[@ericlefebvre4288]

@@urbanlumberjack Right on! I'll look out for those videos! I get it, it's been a busy time for my family and I also.

[@robthompson8285]

Lol lil man photo bombed you 😅

[@urbanlumberjack]

Haha he does that. All three of them love to pop in while I’m doing stuff and I’ll just see the tops of their heads on the bottom of the screen. It’s hilarious

[@antoniskesidis1543]

So with just a bastard cut file, I can do that reprofiling? How am I to find out how much steel must be removed? If it's that much steel, it will be too much work. I should then take it to someone who has experience and power tools. What is your reprofiling degree? (20 toe and hill, and a bit more to the center?) What is the new effectiveness in choping? Either way, reprofiling it, should be for sure worth it.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I re profiled to 20 degrees. This axe doesn’t have a high centerline so it’s fairly even across the bit, but is slightly thinner at the heel and toe. I re profiled with a mill file, it’s definitely doable. Took me maybe 30 minutes. I would say if somebody has sharpened an axe with a file this is absolutely a doable project. It chops very well. Doesn’t bite as deep as before, but that’s expected since it’s a much thicker bit now. Edge is holding up very well but I haven’t pushed it hard yet.

[@PlanCthruZ]

Great work my dude! Subbed

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you! Glad to have you on board!

[@johnclarke6647]

Nicholson files are the best if you can find them. That is a smooth file. There are three types of files - smooth, bastard and vixen.

[@TheWendelj]

Impulse bought a hultafors felling axe while watching this lol, it will be my 2nd hultafors axe for me

[@urbanlumberjack]

Nice! Great axes

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

This is why I won't get any GB axes. I've heard a lot of hype, but also a lot of actual bad field use reviews. When you consider the quality of less expensive axes from the likes of CT, you can pay less and get more. You can also pay similar amounts for HB and Helko products as an alternative. I even like Hultafors/Husqvarna, tho many folks don't for whatever reason. But yea, there is a growing "drinking the Koolaid" crowd full of fan boys and wall hanger collectors that swear by GB, but I don't think I'll ever be one of them.

[@elim7228]

Depends on the model. GB Large carving axe is a King. Others - I will just reprofile as in this video. No big deal. The handle on my "premium" Council tool was crap. I have replaced it with a much longer one from them. So, just do what needs to be done. These are tools, not conversational 'heirloom' peices.

[@Gigafactory]

4:32 Best part... 😝 Hi dewd.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Haha he’s a ham

[@Andy-x3i8y]

Who is the maker?

[@urbanlumberjack]

BK

[@magnuslarsson2993]

GB Axe heads come with a 20 year warranty so you could just get it replaced.

[@shrubbber_8]

Oh my god

[@urbanlumberjack]

Loves you!

[@chris5957]

They don't use quality steel, it's all recycled scrap steel.

[@Laurarium]

I would like to know the resource of this statement. By the way metal does not degrade no matter how many times it is recycled, unlike polymers, papers, as long as the steel is pure, well annealed, normalized before use, no problem.

[@chris5957]

Research ​@@Laurarium

[@elim7228]

It's actually true, but definitely not just for them. The automotive industry is doing just that LoL.

[@elim7228]

Who cares? Deal with it LoL

[@thepiratetemplar]

The the amount of money your Dad paid for that axe u shouldnt have to be fixing it.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Totally agree. I hope the company makes some changes, I contacted them and didn’t get a response. I fixed it though and it works GREAT! For the money shouldn’t have had to do that though for sure

[@thepiratetemplar]

@urbanlumberjack I had a GB sometime back, didn't fussy it at all. I sold it and bought a Hultafors. I also got a few husqvarna's and a beavercraft. No complaints at all

[@urbanlumberjack]

@thecelticwolf8642 how’d you like that Beavercraft? I have one of their hook knives and curved gouges. Love them both.

[@thepiratetemplar]

@urbanlumberjack To be honest, When I bought it, I found it short. I was going to send it back. I took it too the cabin, loved it! I ordered another one. I carry it with a knife it's awesome in the bush. U can't go wrong.

[@elim7228]

Try making an axe yourself, see how much you'd pay you to have the job done. While you grab the cold one to watch the football.

[@kurts64]

You found its inner Swede! Just watched your test of the new grind on this GB, i must have missed this vid when it came out. Definitely seemed like a manufacture error in the prior vids, shame it left the factory like that but cool you redeemed it. Lookin forward to the manufacturing vid, HB and GB do have a pretty interesting approach. 👍👍🪓

[@urbanlumberjack]

I love that way of putting it, it’s so true! Axe is great now. When do we get to see more of your chopping!?

[@kurts64]

@@urbanlumberjack oh man I've got 4 vids shot and more happening but just not finding the editing time! The computers maxed out so had to go and buy more storage cards...I don't like computers haha

[@urbanlumberjack]

Can’t wait! I have really been avoiding upgrading equipment too. Stuff gets so complicated so quick!