Gransfors Bruks Ray Mears Wilderness Axe

  1 of 61

  Fantastic bit of kit! Used extensively in the North Woods of Minnesota, for both larger limbing work and smaller woodworking projects. Perfectly sharp and the quality that one would expect from Gransfors Bruks. Excellent service and delivery to the US by the Woodlore team; thank you.  

  Paddy Cullen

  2 of 61

  This axe is a true all-rounder and lives up to the quality that you expect from Gransfors Bruks. I have used this axe for a while now and it is still my go-to axe to cover all needs when outside working with green wood. The long handle allows two handed chopping to fell small trees with ease, slight curving of the handle means that your grip never feels like it is going to fail you when you are swinging the axe. The heavier head allows good penetration into the tree and a good keen edge on the blade makes easy work of trees up to 6 inches in diameter. The weighting of the head allows you to also work this axe with one hand closer to the head without it taking too much effort to chop smaller pieces of wood for kindling or cleaning up of smaller branches of trees. Where the handle length and extra head weight does stand it apart from other Gransfors axes is when you are limping a log, it simply does it with ease. The sheath is basic but it does the job. Overall I am impressed with the performance of this axe over others, keep it sharp and look after it, the handle and the sheath and it will become a faithful partner to most people working in forests or with green wood regularly.  

  Michael Windsor

  3 of 61

  Superb axe designed by the master. I have a Small Forest Axe as my main pack axe. But the heavier head and length of the handle gives the Wilderness Axe the edge. If you don't own a GFB axe and are looking for your first, then of the two, this is the one I would choose. I just wish it had been available when I bought the Small Forest Axe! It comes packaged extremely well and there were no marks on the handle, however I do think that some of the blacking to the face of the axe has been rubbed off from storage with other axes. A minor point, but I am quite picky. The 'bit' is bigger and deeper than the SFA and makes splitting a cinch. It was near shaving sharp when unboxed, but I stropped it before use and the edge (as with all GFB axes) took a mirror shine. I'd recommend making a leather axe collar, and sealing any place where the wood and metal meet with beeswax to stop moisture getting in, but even without this, this axe will give you years of service in the toughest environments. I also stained the handle with gun stock oil, as the unfinished (well it's dipped in boiled linseed) looks nicer darkened down in my opinion). As does the leather sheath, just brush in black boot polish to make yours less shiny. Of course you don't need to do any of this, it's a top piece of kit right out of the bag. Thanks Woodlore and Ray Mears. You did it again 9.5 out of 10.  

  Rob Crombie

  4 of 61

  Outstanding product. The Wilderness axe is the perfect compromise between the Small Forest Axe and the Scandinavian Forest Axe. Razor sharp!  

  Hugh Bailey

  5 of 61

  A beautifully crafted axe, not too big, not too small - easy to use even single handed. Perfect for general work in our woods.  

  Brian Peacock

  6 of 61

  Great axe! Not too big, not too small. Took it with on a backpacking trip and it made quick work of branches. It arrived to my house and it was super sharp! I was very impressed. Seems like a solid tool. Very happy with it.  

  Stephen Pappas

  7 of 61

  For its size this axe is an absolute beast! Head weight and handle length work together, allowing the axe to chop with a bare minimum of exertion from the user. Choking up on the handle allows one to handle finer tasks. A must have for the serious bush crafter.  

  Darrell Smith

  8 of 61

  Excellent piece of kit, razor sharp out if the box. Looking forward to giving it some serious use.  

  Nigel

  9 of 61

  I ordered this axe and only had it a week when a buddy borrowed and refused to return it he liked it so much. He placed a Benchmade knife in front of me in trade and said 'I'm keeping the axe' Shortly after, I ordered another for myself then other coworkers began ordering this axe for themselves. Mr. Mears obviously knows that a light axe is more work to use and that a heavy axe is less work to use but harder to carry. With this in mind he found the sweet spot (for a bushcraft axe) when he designed this axe. This axe isn't specific to doing any one thing quite well, it actually does many things well for its size. It is a very handy and well-made axe. Splitting rounds of firewood will take a few more strokes but nonetheless it will get the job done while still being light and maneuverable enough for fine one handed work yet still being easy to carry. This axe fits the bill perfectly between a felling axe and a hatchet. As always the service at Woodlore is top notch and their people were very patient with me when I mistakenly thought my order was lost. (don't panic folks, it takes time to ship items overseas and through customs) these folks are honest and reputable.  

  Nowhereman

  10 of 61

  Great product, great service! Will recommend this company to all of my friends.  

  Kevin R Burroughs