Gransfors Bruks Ray Mears Wilderness Axe

  1 of 88

  Hello from Canada. I have been using this axe for about 3 months and I like it quite a bit. The description is serious when it describes how the extra head weight helps get a lot of work done with less effort. I am constantly surprised by how well I can chop through logs, even fairly large ones about 12 inches in diameter. During a recent storm I cleared a tree off the road and couldn’t believe how quickly I chopped through the 10 inch butt. Two and even three inch branches were coming off with single swings. I looked like a pro even though I’m certainly not! I wish I could give 4.5 stars because my only complaint thus far has to do with the handle grip. I find it a little diminutive (too small) and often wish that it extended a little farther out in a more traditional fawn’s foot shape with a bit more flair as well. I feel that a little extra wood right at the end of the grip would make contact with the side/back edge of my palm and would mean I could grip slightly less tight without fear of losing control or losing my grip on the handle. As it stands now I find myself gripping pretty tight and this has led to hot spots and blisters in two spots on my hand. This only happens when I use the axe for long periods of time. Now, everyone is shaped slightly different and you may have no such problems, but for me it’s the only slight downside to this axe... that and the fact that it has a lanyard hole. It’s quite a large axe to use a lanyard with in my opinion and this hole makes for more potential hot spots on your hand when gripping it. I tried to fill the hole in with a Chicago screw with decent results. I just wish all these Gransfors Bruks axes would come without the hole and individual users could add them if desired. As you’ve read in many other reviews here, it comes extremely sharp, workmanship and materials are excellent, and the Woodlore customer service is exceptional (thank you Diana!). I was very pleased with all of this. It’s certainly not an inexpensive axe, but for me, with this being my only 'big' axe, and wanting a quality product that may last a lifetime, it was well worth it!  

  Dan

  2 of 88

  The best axe from the greatest axe maker! It’s big enough to do the task, but not so big it’s too heavy to carry.  

  Matt

  3 of 88

  It's a beauty. The head profile and weight actually allow you to do some axe work. It will split wood easily, which I think the small forest axe isn't as good at. The balance in the hand is wonderful too. I like it a great deal.  

  Dave Mccrea

  4 of 88

  Greetings from Alaska. The Wilderness Axe was just the axe I have been looking for. Very hard to find in the U.S. The extra weight gives this axe extra splitting power while maintaining its compact dimensions. Beautifully made, beautiful form and beautiful function. A pleasure doing business with you!  

  Lee Wilkins

  5 of 88

  I was on the waiting list for this axe, and it does not disappoint. It has a heavier head and slightly longer handle than the GB small forest axe making it good for a wider variety of jobs around camp. As a bonus, it fits perfectly in my Ray Mears saw pouch for easy carry. Ray Mears designed bushcraft tools are above all thoughtfully designed and made for the tasks at hand and totally worth the investment. They will last a lifetime if properly maintained. JK - USA  

  Jk Grooms

  6 of 88

  There’s a bit of a back story with this, my father who has now sadly passed away gave me some money years ago for a birthday present saying I should buy this axe, I’ve kept my eye out waiting for them to come back in stock and was very happy when I got the email notification that they had been made, I instantly ordered one. It’s even better than I expected when it arrived, the postage was prompt, packaging all good and the axe is in great condition. It’s going to be a treasured item that I can pass down to my son. Brilliant service.  

  Alex

  7 of 88

  What an amazing piece of craftsmanship. I waited four months and checked the RM website every day for the axe to be in stock. It was truly worth the wait. I like the extra weight and longer handle. It's not too big or heavy to carry on your backpack. Thank you for many years of use. I think I just found the perfect gift for my sons for Christmas.  

  Ron C

  8 of 88

  The item arrived in great shape and came razor sharp. It shaved my arm right out of the box. The weight seemed a little light before use and it balanced quite well in the hand. The hickory handle was hafted perfectly and the grain was straight as an arrow, oriented the way it should be. In fact, I would consider the haft a super premium handle. The length of the haft appears short out of the box but after using it to cut saplings, I feel the length is perfect. The handle never got in the way trimming the finger sized saplings while clearing a path to my sons deer hunting tree stand. Grabbing the saplings a foot off the ground and choking up close to the axe head, it sliced through the saplings with no effort. There was no need to swing the axe to sever the saplings as the sharpness rivaled a good strong knife. We had high winds last week and as a result, I had a rather large willow limb on the ground in the yard. I grabbed the wilderness axe and thought I'd try it out on some larger limbs about the size of a large man's arm. Swinging the axe onto the willow limb was a surprise. I swung too hard and it blew right through the limb effortlessly. A lighter controlled swing sliced through with better results. With my limited exposure to this axe, I think it's a winner. I like the length, weight, sharpness, and the choice handle. I feel that the leather sheath could be more robust.  

  Steve J Drake

  9 of 88

  What an outstanding bit of kit, this axe hits the sweet spot perfectly between the Small Forest Axe and the Scandinavian Forest Axe. Also the head is different to any other Gransfors I've used or owned, it's a stand-alone profile all on its own, the more pronounced wedge shape is great for splitting but not so much that it doesn't bite into the wood when felling or bucking, the perfect all-rounder. The only down side is the mask it is too flimsy for such a beast and split through after a week, the customer service from Woodlore is second to none.  

  Ken Ferguson

  10 of 88

  What an upgrade from the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe! I even prefer it over the Scandinavian Axe. I have owned Gransfors Bruks Axes for years and have always thought something was missing. Don't get me wrong, they are wonderfully crafted and I enjoy using them. Come to find out 'it is all about the right balance of head weight and handle length' as you describe. I immediately felt the heavier weight and when I first used it I was sold. Now I could use all of my efforts into accuracy because the added mass of the head did all of the work. In my humble opinion a safer design, at least for me. On a side note, your soft packaging is not adequate. The leather cover was cut through at the toe, but no damage to the bit that I could see. I like your partnership with Gransfors Bruks enough that I ordered another one of your axes. We'll see how this one survives the skip over the pond. Keep up the good work!  

  Liffy