The Best Survival Hatchet – Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet

The Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet is designed from the ground up as a traditional scouting and camping axe. It’s the perfect size to throw in your pack or tie to the outside.

The Gränsfors Wildlife Hatchet is a traditional scouting and camping axe with a slightly longer handle than other hatchets in this line. Practical for carrying in your rucksack when you need a small axe with plenty of power. The leather sheath covers the edge and the top part of the poll.

  • Length: 13.5″
  • Weight: 1.3 lbs.

If you don’t read more of this review, know that this hatchet is a quality handmade tool that functions exceptionally well, and I believe it’s the best survival hatchet on the market.

Who Should be Interested in the Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet?

If you’re looking for a survival hatchet, look no further; you’ve found what you’re looking for.

Anyone looking for a hatchet that will stand the test of time is made with quality in mind and has a great warranty should also consider the Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet.

Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet 13.50 Inch, Axe, 415
  • Length with handle: 13.50 inch, Item-ID: 415
  • Weight: 1.3 lbs
  • Sheath in vegetable-tanned leather
  • Traditional scouting and camping axe
  • The Axe Book comes with every axe purchased from Gransfors Bruk, Made in Sweden.

Features

The overall length is 13.5″, and it weighs 1.3 lbs.

It features a hand-forged steel blade with the craftsman’s initials stamped on the side and a wooden handle that carries the Gränsfors Bruk logo.

The entire hatchet is handmade in Sweden.

Each hatchet has a leather sheath to protect your pack from sharp edges and a small booklet that covers maintenance and proper cutting techniques.

Gränsfors Bruk recommends using their sharpening stone when doing maintenance on the blade. The leather sheath is also designed to hang your hatchet from your belt.

About the Company

I usually don’t need to talk about the company of a product I’m reviewing. In this case, I felt it was interesting enough to include it in the review.

Gränsfors Bruks is a small Swedish company that employs 32 people and has been around for over 100 years. Every axe is handmade and has the craftsman’s initials stamped into the blade to show the maker’s pride in his work. This gives each axe a cool, old-world feel.

Check out our article, The Survival Axe – The Piece of Gear You May Have Overlooked, for more ideas on survival axe uses.

Competition

Product
Best Option
Granfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet
Best Value
Fiskars X7 Hatchet
Preview
Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet 13.50 Inch, Axe, 415
Fiskars X7 Hatchet - Wood Splitter for Small to Medium Size Kindling with Proprietary Blade-Grinding Technique - Lawn and Garden - Orange/Black
Length
13.5 inches
14 inches
Weight
1.3 lbs
1.38 lbs
Handle Material
Wood
Fiberglass Composite
Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Best Option
Product
Granfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet
Preview
Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet 13.50 Inch, Axe, 415
Length
13.5 inches
Weight
1.3 lbs
Handle Material
Wood
Prime
Amazon Prime
Best Value
Product
Fiskars X7 Hatchet
Preview
Fiskars X7 Hatchet - Wood Splitter for Small to Medium Size Kindling with Proprietary Blade-Grinding Technique - Lawn and Garden - Orange/Black
Length
14 inches
Weight
1.38 lbs
Handle Material
Fiberglass Composite
Prime
Amazon Prime

Pros

Quality is the first thing you think of when seeing a Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet for the first time. The blades are razor-sharp and show obvious signs of being hand forged. For some, this may appear ugly, but to me, it’s a thing of beauty and the best survival hatchet.

The handle is smooth and comfortable when you pick it up, and the axe feels well-balanced.

Of course, if we’re calling this the best survival hatchet out there, it must chop well. The Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet does just that! This thing is a joy to use and makes processing wood easy compared to other so-called survival hatchets.

Cons

As with anything, every axe is not perfect. There have been reports of some finishing problems with the handles, and some people have said they’ve received axes with nicked blades. I haven’t personally seen that in any of the Gränsfors Bruk axes I’ve ever handled, but it’s something to note if you’re going to buy one.

The good thing is that the 20-year manufacturer’s warranty would cover it, but it isn’t something you should have to deal with from an expensive product.

Conclusion

I own two Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchets. One is strapped to my wife’s bug-out bag, and I take the other with me when I’m camping or doing something that may require an axe.

I strongly believe in the idea of a survival axe, and this hatchet perfectly fits that role.

Chopping and splitting wood can seem like a chore most of the time. When I’m processing wood for a fire with this hatchet, it’s more fun than anything else. Any hatchet can chop wood. A good hatchet makes it fun!

We think the Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet is the best survival hatchet on the market.

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