Best Bushcraft Axe - Choosing & Using

I have done a lot of public speaking in my life. Your flow of information is impressive. A seamless and very informative presentation. Thank you.

Many years ago, being completely ignorant about axes and preferring the modern look of the Fiskars/Gerber black axes with the plastic handles over the traditional (old fashioned) types, I happened upon an article on Bushcraft UK about axes. That was when I first set eyes on a Gransfors Bruks axe and learned something about them and their correct usage. I then eagerly read up on and watched videos of these axes and began to appreciate them for the fine tools that they were. I was particularly taken with he Gransfors Bruks Mini Hatchet, Model 410, and after seeing what could be achieved with such a light, compact hatchet on the Old Jimbo channel, I bought myself one, crafted by the man whom had originally conceived the Mini Hatchet and had put his initials, LP, into my hatchet! I consider my Mini Hatchet to be a thing of beauty in addition to being a fine tool, and after a few years, I added the Wildlife Hatchet, Model 420, and unsurprisingly, I feel exactly the same about this hatchet as I did my original Mini. I have just bought a Small Forest Axe, and the first ime I held it was a realisation that this is an extremely competent axe, which is an order of magnitude more capable for processing wood! I also bought a Silky Big Boy 2000 Outback Saw, which is a great companion to my Small Forest Axe, even more so as it absolutely consumes wood and sawing takes less energy than chopping! I particularly liked your emphasis on safety when using these tools, and whilst everyone knows that they're shaving sharp straight out of the box, they're even sharper when swung with power, so safety is absolutely critical, especially to non professional users like myself. I'm really pleased to have found your channel and subscribed to it, it is clear that you are passionate and enthusiastic about sharing your knowledge and your video was really well presented and narrated and had excellent videography, lighting and sound. I couldn't have asked for a better tutorial on the appropriate use of these three GB gems.

Very precise hittings, Ben! Nice teaching! You are the only one i've seen so far on YT who changes the hands when change the angle left/right. That's how you do it! About the felling: i always thought that way you show us here, but i stumbled a few days ago over Owen Wilson, also a GB Vid, and he do it different, and that worked perfect! The higher stumps(?) he create you can cut of with a saw afterwards. Or maybe you cut all of them at once after. Another one, who works with a Ox Canada-Iltis, splits the round the same way as you did, but stand on the opposite side. This function also pretty well. The splitting with the SFA: i always hate this, because of you can always get your fingers caught between the handle and the wood, so i prefer really Axes instead of Hatchets. And the middle thing with +/- 50cm. I wonder really why no one in Germany know this technique you shown here. This didn't come in my mind also.. And as a ex-logger, i prefer Axes anyway! I'll try this! (But with a X10..) Greetings!

Jesus. I expected a brief demo of each axe and a bunch of flashy nonsense, like virtually every other video I've seen. This was amazing. You gave a LOT of great information that most people don't, about using axes in general. Really informative and you have a knack for keeping people engaged. I really enjoyed this and you definitely earned a sub. Top notch stuff, my dude. I wish I'd had your channel suggested sooner.

I use an old Estwing hatchet. That little beast would survive a ground zero nuclear blast and the subsequent zombie apocalypse. And it chops through all the stuff I can throw at it. Keeps a fair edge too. I’m cheap.

Great video Ben. You are certainly a craftsman

That was awesome, nice to see good safety tips and knowledge from someone who has spent years at it. I have a Gransfors Carpenters Axe, the bits quite straight on it. Man I love that axe.

Best video I’ve ever seen on using an axe and the various techniques employed.

Great video, takes me back to a Woodsmoke Axe course weekend I did many years ago and you did a similar demo for the tent peg. You can never have to many axes !!

Thanks Ben for a fantastic video. I've got an old hand-forged hatchet and want to use it for greenwood working while keeping metatarsels attached! So appreciate you sharing your excellent skills.

One of the better tutorials. Thank you

Excellent! I have the Small Forest Axe, which I love and the Wildlife Hatchet (my first Gransfors purchase at The Game Fair about twenty years ago and made by the same man as yours!) and have also just today added the 'large splitting axe/maul' to my collection. This has taken an enormous amount of effort out of processing my medium and larger firewood at home and will accompany me on truck based expeditions too. I have a very heavy duty splitting maul as well for very large stuff but it is really too large for most jobs. This Gransfors version is just perfect and so easy to use well! I am extremely tempted to add the Scandinavian Forest Axe to the collection eventually.....but I may end up sleeping in the shed if I do! Great film with loads of useful info. Thanks.

Love watching your skill with the axes 👍🏽

I really learned a lot from this video. Thank you.

Im a big fan of the axe saw knife combo, since it helps to eliminate the dangers involved with bucking a log. I always carry my Scandinavian forest axe, and plan on trying my luck with carving with it a bit later on this week .

Best axe tutorial I’ve ever seen. Thank you sir.

You've created a good video. I like the method you use to chop a downed tree. Several chops from one direction then from the other. Some strike left right left right. In my opinion this later method leads to fatigue and possibly lose of control. Nice work Best Wishes from Montana! M.H.

Your axe skills are great! Thank you so much for shairing!

Great video - very informative & well presented! Thanks

in the USA we call it choking up, strangling up is hilarious to me but fantastic video mate