Gransfors trade ax

[dyemaker]

Just wondering how historically correct the English and French trade axes that they offer are. Any comments?

 

[KentuckyBlacksmith]

gransfors makes a fine axe but it really depends on how loose the definition of "historically accurate " is..Gransfors forges all of their axes but they are forged on a huge multi-die hammer. Moved back and forth by the smith across multiple dies to forge the shape. I saw this on a gransfors factory tour video anyway. Also most gransfors axes I know of are made using what hawk/axe makers call the "Slit & drift" method of construction. Meaning a solid piece of metal is "slit" to accept a "drift" or mandrel that forms the handle eye..
Now some historical hawks and axes were made this way but not many. The trade axes were almost always made by using the "wrap & weld" method of construction. This involes takeing a strip or piece of lower carbon steel (real wrought iron to be really historically accurate" then forging it around a drift to form the eye..Then using a sperate piece of higher carbon steel for the cutting bit. The HC steel was sandwiched between the two layers of wrought and forge welded together..
Hope this helps..

 

[KentuckyBlacksmith]

I have to add that some of gransfor bruks axes are most likely not made on a multi-die hammer just because of the blade shape. They would be forged out on a regular power hammer most likely.
Here is a video of a log home construction and a gransfor bruks axe being forged. the forging starts about 1 1/2 minutes in..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un_4haJWyGU

 

[Greenmtnboy]

You can't get a better ax IMHO, I trekk with a Joe Delorond pole ax and boat ax but when it comes to cleaving elk bone nothing is stronger.
I know my hunters ax isen't P.C. but I have yet to find a ax that can hold up to the abuse and still hold a razor edge.
:hatsoff:

 

[zampilot]

Did you peel back the hide with the axe also? Nice knives too, look like a KABAR of my Dad's that I now carry and hope to blood tomorrow.

 

[sbhg]

+1 on the Gransfors Bruks.
The one I have is a size down from yours, used it a few years ago field dressing 2 Pronghorn and it was still razor sharp after.
I don't even carry a knife anymore, slip it under my belt or in the back pouch of my Mackinaw cruiser and i'm good to go.

 

[KentuckyBlacksmith]

If anyones curious gransfors uses a simple carbon steel. Its 0.54 carbon with other varying elements. Regardless its close to 1055. They water quench at 1500* and temper at 385*.Advertised 57rc. Edge retaining ability is all in the steel and heat treat.

 

[Greenmtnboy]

Did you peel back the hide with the axe also? Nice knives too, look like a KABAR of my Dad's that I now carry and hope to blood tomorrow.

They are Marble knifes,Woods craft and field craft.
:thumbsup:

I don't use the flay pole, I tried it once on a elk and another time on a moose I called in to a buddy but I perfer using a skinner to pulll my hides instead of beating the hide off the critter.
I'm going to sent the ax back to have them mill the back into a simple pole ax so I can pound stakes to tie the legs off on elk and moose wile I field butcher them.
:hatsoff: