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Hey there, fellow blade enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the world of axes with a Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet review–or as I like to call them, "Heretical Hatchets" and "The Devil's Wicked Wood Whacker."
Now, if you're a regular reader, you know I'm not exactly an axe enthusiast. Give me a case of Busch Light and a good slip joint any day, and I'll baton through wood like my grandfather and his stupid grandfather before him. But here we are; how did this happen? Well, buckle up for a tale of trade, tradition, and grudging acceptance.
A fellow knife nut reached out and offered to trade a blade I've used for this Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet. Knowing these are expensive axe-cidents and that I haven't tried any before, I did the sign of the cross, accepted the offer, guzzled another beer, and threw on my Cold Steel hat for an extra layer of protection against the heretical. (And before you mention that Cold Steel makes axes, too—no one ever said religion had to make sense.)
In This Article
- Pros and Cons
- Dimensions and Specs
- Design and Materials
- Handle and Ergonomics
- Sheath
- Comparison
- Chopping Performance
- Video Review
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet is a reluctant addition to this knife enthusiast's collection.
- It's made from 100% recycled Swedish steel and has a hickory handle soaked in "hot and sexy linseed oil."
- The axe is lighter and less fatiguing than the Estwing Sportsman but tends to get stuck in wood more.
- The sheath is decent but lacks a belt loop, so no badass axe-on-belt action for you.
- Despite initial skepticism, the axe has its merits, and I will likely use it more than the Estwing.
- It holds an edge during chopping but may not replace larger choppers for all tasks.
Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
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Dimensions and Specs
Alright, let's talk dimensions. Full disclosure: I'm winging the specs for this Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet review because I don't really know what to measure on an axe. But here goes:
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 13.5 inches |
| Weight (with sheath) | 1.3 lbs |
| Weight (without sheath) | 1.1 lbs |
| Cutting Edge Length | 3.25 inches |
| Head Width | 4 inches |
| Handle Length | 13.5 inches |
| Handle Thickness at Grip | 1 inch |
| Handle Thickness at End | 1.25 inches |
Design and Materials
Gransfors Bruks uses its own steel for these axes, which it claims is 100% recycled from a Swedish company called Ovako. Now, I found a forum post from a while back that says it's similar to EN9 or 1055 with a 0.55% carbon content. Is this 100% accurate? Who knows, but people don't just make things up on the internet, right?
The Wildlife Hatchet is basically their Hand Hatchet but with a longer handle. Interestingly, the smaller Hand Hatchet is actually more expensive. I guess sometimes less really is more.
Handle and Ergonomics
The handle is made from hickory and, according to Gransfors Bruks, soaked in hot, sexy linseed oil. It's not super thick in the grip area but has a nice swell at the bottom. This prevents the axe from flying out of my hand and into my computer—because then you wouldn't get these great reviews. (Though let's be honest, when one shitty outdoor writer stops posting, 15 more pop up in their place.)
The previous owner wrapped the handle with some paracord to prevent damage from overstrikes. I'm keeping it because, let's face it, I'm an idiot with terrible aim. As real outdoor expert internet trolls love to point out from time to time.
There must be some sort of thrill in yammering on about how much better you are at whatever than the person's doing in the review. Ok, you're better at hitting wood with sharp things, but not everyone who meets me wants to instantly punch me. I have a decent 10:3 ratio.
Sheath
The sheath is alright. It mainly protects your stuff from the blade if you carry it in your purse, diaper bag, or briefcase. It's rough on the inside, smooth on the outside, and has a piece of leather where the edge sits to prevent dings. No belt loop, though, which is a shame. Who doesn't like carrying an axe on their belt? Oh, I see a lot of hands.
Comparisons
Estwing
Compared to my Estwing Sportsman axe, I actually prefer the feel of the Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet. It's about 200 grams lighter and feels less fatiguing. The Gransfors does tend to get stuck in the wood a bit more, while the Estwing has a slightly fatter convex edge.
Hults Bruk and Council Tools
See Hults Bruk @ AmazonSee Council Tools @ Amazon
I also have a Hults Bruk and a Council Tools axe with 2 1/4-pound heads. The Council Tools is more budget-friendly but doesn't come with a sheath and is very dull out of the box. The Hults had a nice sheath and was sharp out of the box with a treated handle.
Chopping Performance
I've done a fair bit of chopping with this axe, though I haven't felled any trees. (I don't have many appropriate trees to fell unless I want to start working on the neighbor's yard.) The Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet seemed to hold an edge well throughout my chopping adventures.
I actually prefer larger choppers to my hand axes. They have a longer edge, so if I suck at targeting because I'm not a real man, it's more forgiving. Honestly, I think I'll end up using the Gransfors more than my Estwing, but not as much as my choppers. I've gotten so used to batoning for kindling that hand axes aren't my go-to for chopping up limbs anymore.
Video Review
Conclusion
So, there you have it—my reluctant Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet review. Is it for hipsters who don't do real work, as some forum bros suggest? Maybe. But the 201 reviews from the “Betas Bragade” on Amazon, with an average of 4.5 stars, seem to love it.
As for me? Well, I still prefer a good slip joint and a case of beer, but I'll grudgingly admit this axe has its merits. It's sharp, well-made, and doesn't make me want to immediately go back to batoning.
Remember: just because I reviewed an axe doesn't mean I've gone full lumberjack. I'm still the same old knife nut you know and tolerate. Stay sharp, folks!
