035 Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet vs Outdoor Axe

I was challenged recently to do a comparison/shootout between these two axes by RobEvans Woodsman. I perform various tests to see which one I think is the best. They are both excellent quality axes, but one of them have to come out on top. Watch until the end to find out my verdict.
link to Robs' video of the challenge
• 2 Gransfors Bruks, wil...
Music from bensound.com

[@user-ue6hd4qj7g]

I am Japanese. I watched your video. I don't understand all the words. But I understand that he recommended wildlife. I want to thank you. thank you. I will buy the wildlife you recommended. The worries have been resolved.

[@tituspullo9210]

Don't worry, he is Welsh....nobody understands him 😁 Just joshing with you WWO 😋

[@vanemaster4345]

i don understen yu

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

​@@tituspullo9210😂😂

[@michalurbanful]

​@@vanemaster4345 He is Mi and I am Yu.

[@johnhelms8226]

I am from the USA. I don’t understand any of the words.

[@koalafudge]

I've never realized before just how much a Welsh accent sounds like a stereotypical Swedish accent :D

[@martint5340]

It really doesn’t though

[@davve54321]

It does lol

[@dyvel]

That is exactly what I was thinking! A Swede speaking Scottish, nailing the pronunciation but refuses to change the melody. Love it!

[@darrenjones2933]

@@dyvel I'm an American with a Brother in law from Denmark. The Dane has very similar pronunciation without the Swedish sing-song. I was at a dinner with his family and all the Danes started speaking in sing-song and then laughed. Turned out is a was joke about Swedes. To me listening to this, I hear an English accent mixed with Swedish accent. It's very nice to listen to. I just bought a Granfors small forest axe so I'm watching a lot of videos on techniques. I'll have to watch more of this Welshman.

[@michalurbanful]

Swedish? Nope, I'd say Italian. :)

[@eamonkilkie6216]

Great comparison of these two axes..... thanks for putting in the effort, it is appreciated. Cheers

[@robertkeaney7047]

Enjoyed the video. Not rushed, calmly narrated, and clearly shot. Very well done. Now I need a Gransfors.

[@jurgenkrebbekx4329]

Thanks for taking the effort to shoot this vid, fair verdict Scott, you both know what you're talking about using your tools

[@dyvel]

Best explanation I've seen so far to why I would choose one or the other. Thanks!

[@DevilDog68]

I'm new to using a hatchet so I sure appreciate the safety tips. Great video!

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Excellent video mate, glad we're on the same page with these.

[@goHaenchen]

The moment you said „it could be my bias because i am used to it“ when splitting wood, i hit the subscribe button. That is a really honest and humble way to review two good axes. Many youtubers would not say it like that. I‘m peekin for a while now towards the wildlife axe, i‘m really close to buying it now.

[@herniedog4641]

What a beautiful area and the natural work benches are abundant. Love your style. Thanks

[@kathyreese7031]

Great safety advice! I'm inspired to carve a spoon after your demonstration. Your explanation helps me appreciate the value in a well made axe.

[@GentlemansJourney]

Thanks for putting this very educational video together mate, cheers.

[@tshansen]

I was going alot back and forth between these two axes, and your video made it easy for me to decide mate. The way you show of how you use it in this video is key! Great stuff and really liked the summary at the end. Thank you so much. Cheers from Norway

[@welshwoodsman]

Many thanks 👍

[@t19dal]

Thanks for taking the time to review both axes. I like you have the wildlife hatchet and have been using it for all uses for years now. I think the smaller axe will be on the list for smaller jobs and for teaching the girlfriend. You covered all aspects of safety and benefits of both axes . Battoning is a great idea it has to be said. not all axes are the same also but there is always a use for a small axe.

[@michalurbanful]

This is a really great comparison! Thank you!

[@wchunko]

Very good job! I enjoyed the video. I liked the safety tips. Thanks!

[@MACV-Justice]

Just came across your channel after seeing the review on Rob’s channel (which I also just came across). Great review! 👍 Thanks for sharing. I also subscribed.

[@biglemms]

Nice video and I appreciate the skill involved...thank you

[@dallasdunn4212]

Very much enjoyed the video. I appreciate the safety tips, always a good reminder. I have the Wildlife and Scandinavian axes, treasure them both. Thank you. Subscribed

[@bkipme3766]

Thank you for the video. I enjoyed the content and just as much, I enjoyed listening to your accent.

[@josephmartin1540]

Also loved that you batoned the hatchet… didn’t know other people did that! Found it helpful, I have.

[@HRH_Diana_Princess_of_Wales]

I picked up a nice new skill from your video of using a baton with the outdoor axe, thats a wonderful application!

[@jmartin9059]

*Thank you for sharing your opinion with long experience on these hatchets.*

[@AdventureSworn]

This was an excellent video, I found myself unexpectedly watching the entire thing at midnight. 😆 Thank you. Very informative. You know your way around edged tools.

[@welshwoodsman]

Many thanks

[@DanDannyDanielleBob]

Appreciate your tips. In this size range i am mostly concerned with packed weight. So for me I would be comparing these to a tomahawk and leaning towards the outdoor axe for nothing other than weight

[@whateman12408]

Been waiting for this thank you 👍

[@beardannyboy]

Glad this vid was in my recommends, I was just looking at these two axes last night. The algorithms know!

[@erichan6985]

That’s a hell of a camp you got there big bro. It’s quite nice .

[@100robinjones]

Just purchased the wildlife for exactly those reasons .... great axe great review thanks

[@Tiggs004]

Very interesting review, thoroughly enjoyed it, (Just a note:- I use a small piece of plastic milk bottle in the Mask where the axe tends to slice the leather on insertion)

[@8419Rich]

Good points. I have the outdoor axe and have also come to the conclusion that the handle really holds it back.

[@bubba7626]

I Really love my GB Wildlife hatchet, my daughter bought it for me years ago when I was just getting started in bushcraft stuff. Great comparison and well comunicated!

[@welshwoodsman]

It is an awesome axe. Many thanks

[@danielunderwood4634]

great video! youve helped me a lot in my decision to not go for the outdoor axe, definately gonna go for the wildlife hatchet now. diolch!!!!!

[@MCapo-kb9bx]

Swedish axes have something special not many people understand I have an old Säter Banko carpenters axe and the quality on that head is beyond this world. The edge retention is outstanding. Love your accent!!

[@ivarwb4115]

Very good in-depth review! Two first class axes so it's not easy to make a choice, but I think I prefer the wildlife...

[@rlav2000]

Excellent video!

[@benwilson7034]

Great video, really useful stuff in here

[@welshwoodsman]

Thanks 👍

[@michaelmacdonald5792]

Thanks Dude, love the content

[@dominicverhulst9025]

Fantastic video. Thank you. Love the accent ;-)

[@jonathonwerner5968]

Wow, very informative. subscribed and thumbs up.

[@richardoldham6756]

Really good review. I've got both and yes you're right, for me it comes down to the handle profile.

[@welshwoodsman]

Granted, the outdoor axe is very pretty but for prolonged use the wildlife hatchet handle winds every time.

[@woodlandreconjoshdrakes5509]

Great video, I'm now a subscriber.

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

Loved the video👍, I've learned a lot from watching you use the two axes. I own the wildlife and the small hatchet. I find that for my summer bushcraft outings here in Switzerland (lots of pine & windfall) I prefer the small hatchet. Weight & size is the main reason. For my purposes, feeding the bushbox, the saw is more important. I could just bring a large knife and chop & baton that, but those large knives create more nervousness in public transport than an axe, go figure! In the winter I used to bring a 1.6kg ~50cm Axe I bought used, but have recently treated myself to the small forrest axe 🤗. Let it snow! Apropos lanyard: thanks for the tip!

[@oilburner8548]

Ha yes I recently bought a large felling axe at car boot sale and carried it around- no one was bothered- if did the same with a big knife people would be scared !

[@conniewaite1996]

Good review!

[@glenngonzalez2647]

Just watching this video helped me learn some wonderful splitting safety skills. Thank you!

[@barbelfer7874]

Love your videos and love your knowledge. We'd love to meet "the boys"

[@locoraindrops7653]

The GB Outdoor Axe does everything I need it to as a part of a system that includes my LT Wright 3v Outback in a saber grind, and my Silky Ultra Accel 240 curved or one of my Agawa Boreals(I have both sizes.) This is where it excels. It doesn't as a stand alone tool for long term endeavors. One has to understand the limitations of the tool b4 they blast it. I was a gear tester & did some r&d work with a few well known/well respected outdoor brands. Some who bash the Outdoor Axe remind me of those who take a 3 season tent out in mid February in the northeast US then complain because they are eating spindrift sandwiches the whole time.

[@sifusasdo2314]

Cool Video 👍 Thank U for the Info and the testing 👍 U got a new subscriber...

[@welshwoodsman]

Thank you and welcome to my channel.

[@johnclifford1911]

I have, and love, the GB Outdoor Axe. It is a tree processing machine... I can limb, buck, and split a 4" tree very quickly. You are right, the Outdoor Axe profile is a fantastic splitter. The phrase you're looking for is 'performs well above its weight.' I carry it with a 7" folding saw, use the saw for cutting just more than halfway through for felling and bucking, then a couple of whacks with the Outdoor Axe chops the rest of the way through. I am not much of a carver and the little I do is done with a knife. I can see how the head profile of the Wildlife Axe with its thinner profile and handle shape may make it better for carving. This video makes me want to look at the Wildlife Axe, and the Hults Bruk Almike. Every axe is a compromise... larger axe heads cut deeper, lighter axe heads carry better. I carry a big axe when car camping but throw the Outdoor Axe on my pack when I'm hiking.

[@johnclarke6647]

I am of Welch descent. I have the Gran Fors Bruk Small Forest Axe. The Small Forest Axe will do everything a hatchet will . You are right a chainsaw will cut wood faster than any axe. My personal preference is Stihl and my favorite toting one is my 021 Stihl. It is not quite as light as my MS 170 but it has an 18” bar and .325 chain and not that 3/8 LP butter chain. My Small Forest axe makes a good wedge banger for felling wedges, but I also usually carry my 40 year old True Temper Boys axe for those time that I need a big banger to help move a leaning tree in the right direction.

[@bdc1319]

My Grandmothers maiden name was Welsh! Great video. Newfoundland Canada

[@MattieXMoto]

Great safety tips as I am a new Axe owner. No more using knives for the work axes were invented for

[@johntucker9782]

Good video. Thanks. One safety tip, when feathering, avoid pointing your finger downward toward the wood. Bend it or point to the side. No fun getting a large splinter jammed under you fingernail.

[@AverageNiceGuy]

Thank you 😎

[@davidgibbings6085]

I have the wildlife one and I love it👍

[@rickytown1048]

I bought the whole collection as an investment as they hold there value and I always planned to build my own log cabin one day, but out of these two I find the outdoor axe my favourite as I have small hands and it works with me much better, but I love them both, I could modify the handle but I’m not brave enough. So I guess it is all down to personal preference, forgive me for not using the right terminology I’m a self-taught amateur, but I did use the wilderness axe as a project in my house, I have beams everywhere on the walls and ceiling and the axe was perfect to strip all the black stain and varnish off all off it, with the help from some chisels, it didn’t need to be perfect because it was very rustic anyway but I got the job done nicely I hope to have the carpenters axe one day. But because I have the whole bush craft collection if anybody needs a leather over strike I enjoy making mine so I would be more than happy to hook you up, ruff times at the moment and I’m stuck inside a lot so i would only charge for the Materials used ❤️ messages me here and I’ll lead you to my face book or something, give me something to do. Great video x

[@HRH_Diana_Princess_of_Wales]

Those are both nice. I really like your detailed explanations of the two axes. I like the skinny handle one for in camp around the kitchen and butchering deer, pototoes, parsnips, and chopping in camp and I even use mine at home. I carrey the skinny handle one in my pickup truck, as well. I use my Wildlife handle for in the campfire wood chopping and cutting and processing woods for burning and I carry that one on my hip to when in the woods and when hunting in my pack or sometimes on my hip. I agree with you the Wildlife fits way better in the hand for processing wood, where the Outdoor is more of a detailed tool and I like it for PERSONAL DEFENSE as well. Both have thier place in my arsenal. I really enjoyed your video and watch it alot. I am hooked on listenting to your Wesch accent.❤

[@refaiabdeen5943]

Cheers Mate!

[@josephmartin1540]

Love it!!

[@dukehanwell]

Nice one.

[@TheOffGridHunter]

I’m grad you made this video. I was interested in the outdoors axe because of the collar for over strike and the slightly longer handle but I think the head is too small for what I am looking for

[@HRH_Diana_Princess_of_Wales]

Baton the wood with the hatchet is so wise. It is way better than taking several wacks to get nothing where with the baton your into the round right away. Very smart Mr. Welsh Woodsman.

[@woodlandreconjoshdrakes5509]

Really like your field watche

[@getsmart3701]

Good video mate. I do love my Small Forest Axe very much and I find the extra weight is well worth it. The axe is the tool of tools in my opinion and if you "go heavy" on anything it's okay in my book to do it on an axe. These both look the goods but I'll stick with mine. * That said, I'm a all-year round cycle tourer, not a long hiker, that might influence my opinion as I don't really carry the thing.

[@welshwoodsman]

I've done plenty of cycle touring years ago. It's handy being able to take heavier 'luxuries', carried on the bike.

[@getsmart3701]

That it is mate. Biking is a lovely way to get outdoors with your luxuries😁

[@tollan23]

Very good video. Do you still feel the same about the outdoor axe after using it for longer now?

[@TheTrailDancer]

Hej, great vid... Question, if I wanted one axe to take bushcrafting with me (backpacking, camping, trekking.) which would you chose between the Outdoor, Wildlife, and the Small Forrest Axe? If you had to pick one? Thanks!

[@welshwoodsman]

It depends on what size of wood you want to work on, terrain, climate etc. Plus how much weight you're willing to carry? I'd go for the small forest axe.

[@wisperingbeard]

The splitting shootout was fantastic. Nice selection of relatively equal segments from an unknotted section of a single log. The GB wildlife hatchet split its larger more substantial piece in half as many blows as the GB OD Axe. This decided me on the hatchet.

[@22busy43]

Great review. The spoon carving was a pleasant surprise. Sounds like I need to get both:) Is that a wool shirt? What is the brand?

[@welshwoodsman]

Yes it's a wool shirt, from Bison Bushcraft.

[@DozeyDragoN]

Great Review! WH for purpose, OA for splitting ... My 2 Cent 😉

[@dustoff499]

A great choice either way. For light camp work, the Outdoor Axe would fit the bill nicely. IMO these tests are really expecting too much from the Outdoor Axe and its intended purpose.

[@neemancallender9092]

Good vid Have you tried the Gransfors Small Hatchet for carving The handle is shaped the same as the Wildlife, but smaller very comfortable to use It is lighter to hold so has superb control and balance

[@welshwoodsman]

No I haven't. I use a Hans Karlsson sloyd axe for most of my carving now.

[@joecool1875]

great review of the axes! Q: did you sharpen them before use or were they factory sharpness for the testing?

[@welshwoodsman]

I sharpen all my own tools. The wildlife hatchet I've had for probably 12 years

[@mikecurtis1111]

I have the small forest axe, and am considering one of these to add. Starting to think the hatchet is the better choice since I already have the Small Forest.

[@funkydozer]

The outdoor axe is a multi use combo axe / knife for finer work and splitting, best used in combination with a silky saw. The hatchet is better for mainly chopping timber work as it is heavier and a saw isnt necessarily needed. Swings and roundabouts depending on how you like to load out.

[@MylesDavid]

Hey there! Great video! If you had to pick one of these to use as a survival axe, which would it be? Or would you pick something else entirely? Thanks much from Phoenix Arizona! 👍🏼

[@welshwoodsman]

Thank you. If I was in a survival situation then I'd want something bigger than these two axes. Possibly scandinavian forest axe or felling axe. Carving would be the last thing on my mind if I needed to process a load of firewood or shelter building. Hope that helps? Scott.

[@MylesDavid]

@@welshwoodsman Gotcha! Do you think the Gransfors Small Forest Axe would be too small?

[@welshwoodsman]

@@MylesDavid not necessarily. It depends on what terrain/climate etc.

[@MylesDavid]

@@welshwoodsman Ok Gotcha, and thanks for your advice!! ✨

[@lynella6073]

Rob told me to ask your opinion on a budget camp hatchet until they are back in stock:) they are both hard to find stateside!

[@randybennett204]

Great review. ¡'ll be back. ¡'Ve subscribed.

[@bigmarkymark9669]

This answered my huge problem I was having.. thx. Now that pullover you're wearing I love it.. homemade? Brand?

[@welshwoodsman]

It’s from Bison Bushcraft in the uk.

[@BabakPA]

Brilliant video, just subscribed! Also you remind me of Robert Deniro. Be safe and thank you for the video.

[@zerotolerance8909]

What’s the number of the wildlife hatchet please?

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Great Video 👍🏻💪🏻 Good Review Nice shirt, is it a wool one? Make it yourself.

[@welshwoodsman]

Thanks, no its a Bison bushcraft one.

[@rolandzelder8983]

👍👍👍

[@danielkutcher5704]

First thing I noticed was bare hands. Banging your knuckles is a much more likely occurrence when using a hatchet for chopping than when using an axe. I use light leather gloves except when making feather sticks or carving.

[@welshwoodsman]

I can’t use gloves with an axe, no feel or control. Gloves can be dangerous. Each to their own I suppose

[@RFabs89]

Great video. Interesting accent :o Almost sounds like there is some norwegian mixed in with the welsh(?)

[@welshwoodsman]

No Norwegian sorry. Pure Welsh accent 😊

[@MrExade]

haha it's truly a strange accent for us, souds like scandinavian talking ''cheap'' english indeed

[@RFabs89]

@@MrExade Exactly what I thought, haha

[@RFabs89]

@@welshwoodsman Don't be sry, it sounds interesting :D

[@TylerMarsh87]

Have your opinions changed at all on these two axes over the last couple years now that you have had more time to spend with the outdoor axe?

[@rnilazarev2553]

👍👍👍🤝

[@hypo345]

I have a lanyard but it’s always wrapped around my wrist.

[@johnmutton799]

If you have a lanyard it is usually wraped over wrist. Best way put thumb through lanyard, then over the back of the hand, 2rap around the hand and grip axe. 5his way it locks your hand in. Just adjust the length to fit. If you let go of axe it will drop straight down. If it is around the wrist putting the hand through the lanyard and you let go it swings everywhere, and is dangerous to you.

[@Keepmelevel]

The lanyard is to wrap around your thumb and back over your hand to keep the axe from slipping out of your hand. Keeps the hand tight around the axe handle.

[@welshwoodsman]

Sorry, but I’d never want to almost tie it to my hand. My grip changes constantly as I work. That would make it impossible.

[@nickwinters3657]

If you could only have the one witch one would you have for camping and woodcraft

[@welshwoodsman]

Wildlife hatchet.

[@nickwinters3657]

@@welshwoodsman thanks love your video i thought that aswell but i didn't wont loads of axes around me just one good handy one wildlife one it is is enywere ud recommend getting it

[@welshwoodsman]

@@nickwinters3657 I think woodlore have them in stock.

[@ShelleyRaskin]

Never tried carving with an axe, must get a small one and give it a whirl one day.

[@wtfmrb293]

Btw love that shirt

[@johnrush7699]

Please sir, I live in the United States in the state of North Carolina, and if you or anyone out there can tell me where I can purchase one of these axes, if possible in the state of North Carolina or close by. I have several hand axes but none that perform the way that I would like and none will stay sharp for very long, any help would be greatly appreciated, thankyou

[@redpepper876]

Order off of boundry waters catalog

[@snuffying]

wow, i had to adjust a bit in the beginning with the accent, i was thinking why the english title for a norwegian video? crazy how similar the acccent is.

[@TheTrailDancer]

Great vid!!!! Of the three axes, including the small forest axe, which would you prefer for an overall ace I can use while processing firewood while backpacking, pegs, etc.. Trying to decide between the three for my first Gransfors. Thanks!!!!

[@welshwoodsman]

If I was to take an axe backpacking, I'd take the wildlife hatchet. Weight will become an issue over a long distance, so a light folding saw and a knife may be more versatile if that's the case. Hope that helps.

[@TheTrailDancer]

@@welshwoodsman Thanks! Ive been trying to decide between the SFA and Wildlife....

[@robgibson2791]

Which did you go for? Currently trying the exact same question! Ahh

[@TheOffGridHunter]

The outdoor axe seems like a mini forest axe

[@helder4u]

To me it seems, the axes are easier then an knife to feather splinters.

[@adaml7964]

I'm assuming there's a polarization of viewpoints here but I'll risk it: Why choose an axe to carve over a knife? Splitting wood I can see the obvious answer, but carving? The only thing I can see is hatchet for meat, (bulk of wood) and knife for fine details.

[@welshwoodsman]

When I started spoon carving, I did pretty much all the work with a knife. It would take me many hours just to carve the one spoon. Over the years, I've learnt to utilise the axe more and more, so I suppose it's just economy of effort. It takes minutes now to prepare a spoon blank ready for the knife. The skills then cross over to carving other projects.

[@adaml7964]

@@welshwoodsman That makes sense, thanks for taking the time to answer.

[@ZgNavigator]

Nice video. I had both axes and Wildlife is far better mini axe

[@Tintara369]

A brate dragi ja svaki put kada istražujem neku oštricu naiđem na tebe 🤗 zadnji put u tvome videu mora 120 za rezbarenje. A znamo se još sa survival forum free😁a je si me razveselija sa ovim postom.. planiram kupiti wildlife za sitno rezbarenje i malo za po prirodi da je uvik pri ruci onako spretna i lagana.. reci mi kada si je već posjedovao hoće li mi to zadovoljiti moje preferencije? Imaš li šta lipo reći o tome predivnom komadu? Samo da znaš tvoje sam mišljenje jako cijenio još iz dana kada sam kupio buck vantage🤩 Nadan se da si dobro i da uživaš još više u svojim oštricama🙏 Frane

[@ZgNavigator]

@@Tintara369 Frane bok. Drago mi te ćuti, kako te se ne bi sjećao sa survival foruma. Ja od kada sam kupio wildlife hacket od tada small forest axe gotovo da više ni ne koristim. Sad 420 SFA koristim jedino u kombiju kamoeru koji sam prošle godine kupio. Za sve ostale šetaćko-hodačke ture iz ruksaka koristim samo wildlife i sebenzu u džepu. Genijalna je to mala sjekirica vrlo svestrana i upotrebljiva. Mislim da će ti za ono što si naveo biti idealna. Ostaj mi zdravo i sretno👍

[@netei]

Great video. May i ask how tall are you? The axes look like pocket knives on you :-)

[@welshwoodsman]

I'm only 5'8" (173cm)

[@netei]

@@welshwoodsman thank you. You look actually very tall. It helps me to understand the size of the axes.