A specific axe but a great all rounder – lets explore why this has been in the team kit for many years

As the tarp goes up above the team camp on every Woodlore course, the kettle is swung over a freshly laid fire and a brew put on to discuss the upcoming activities or catch up on news and tales of recent adventures. One of the constants of camp is the Gransfors Bruks Small Splitting Axe leaning against a tree, quietly waiting to be put to use.

This axe, more than any other is the real workhorse of camp, rarely is it cared for or a new edge put on it – it simply doesn’t need it. Often left out in all weathers the handle never loosens in the socket and the sheath always reassuringly clips back into place covering the edge. When it is in demand, this humble tool readily takes to its task of splitting firewood or larger carving projects.

It’s short size shouldn’t deceive you – it packs a punch with a head weight of 2.0LB and because this axe is forged and ground to a concave, giving a thinner blade at the bit, this helps the axe to go fast into the wood, splitting efficiently when the thicker part hits and pushes the wood apart. Splitting axes often feature a metal collar to protect the neck of the axe when splitting wood, of course as you become proficient this is a feature rarely relied on to protect the axe.

Featuring the vegetable tanned rivetted sheath from Gransfors that has developed a wonderful patina over the years, for most beginners this is the sacrificial part of the axe. All too often we have seen eager fire wood splitters swing the axe down only to realise the sheath has taken the blow and the bit of the axe now features distinct rivet shaped damage!

Unless processing a lot of firewood in one go, a smaller axe is less tiring to use and we don’t always require a larger model to achieve daily splitting tasks. It’s compact design allows it to be discreetly portable and taken to different sites and even kept in the vehicle for overland expeditions.

When paired with a beetle or mallet this axe can be driven into logs for a more controlled split – we oft use them to split long logs to create boards on The Woodlore Campcraft Course

With circular grooves at the grip to aid the user, a metal collar to protect the throat of the axe and an overall length of just 59cm this is the perfect companion for splitting firewood effectively and quickly.

Because this axe is not tempered to be dealt blows with metal or be driven against metal wedges, we fashion wooden wedges to aid us in splitting. These are made frequently and traditionally from Holly and they are termed as ‘gluts’ . Placed in the split to avoid the axe becoming stuck or to hold a long split open as the axe is inserted to prise open the grain further along the workpiece.

This axe has been a constant in the Woodlore course kit for over 20 years and we wouldn’t be without it!

Callum Hilder – Aspirant Instructor and Marketing Manager

Available from www.raymears.com