Lost my axe

Shadowscape

Been here a while
Location
far north
Spent 13 hours straight in the rain, wind, lightening and dark clearing power lines last night and early this morning. Sometime during the night I managed to lose my custom made Gransfors Bruks Forest axe. I didn't have time to hunt for it until late this morning, which was just as well because I couldn't see much at night anyway, but so far I have been unable to locate it. I'll check with the REA boys tomorrow and see if one of them might have picked it up. It is not the cost, which was considerable, but the fact that that axe and I have been partners for a lot of years and felt comfortable together.
I guess if that was the worst thing that happened last night life isn't so bad.
 
That’s a sad day! Losing your personal axe is sad, and especially so when it’s a Gransfors!
It was also a custom built one that was given to me by a group I had worked with for a few years. I don't think they do custom work anymore. I feel like my best friend is lost out in the woods. But I will live if she (it's a she) is not found.
 
That sucks. I once spent hours setting up a Stro ax on a fiberglass handle. Thinking I’ll never break a handle again. Took it out to the logging job the next day and promptly lost it. Then 10 years later I was cutting timber and started looking around thinking the place looked familiar, and boom. Found my ax. It now resides in a safe when I’m not using it and I’m super careful when I am using it. A man develops a strong attachment to good tools sometimes.
 
a metal locator might help if it is covered in debris.
I have one of those, but the area I was working in when she disappeared was thick with 3' aspen trees. I mean growing 5 inches apart. It is what we get here when the power companies clear cut the right of ways. A thick aspen forest nursery. Can't swing the locator in that. Have gone out twice now looking. Will head to the REA today and see if they have it, but I have pretty much come to terms with her being gone.
 
I managed to lose my custom made Gransfors Bruks Forest axe.
1. Curious ? . . . . What made it Custom ?
2. Stupid Question ? . . . . . What do you use it for ?

I have 3 axes, 1 Pulaski, 2 splitting mauls, 1 wood hatchet, 1 garden hatchet, 1 long handle ag wood sickel machette (forgot the technical name).
I haven't used any of them in 30 years !

The Pulaski I bought for potential fire protection.
I have 10 acres designated as forestry; and neighbor to burns unattended brush fires for several days continuously !
 
Last edited:
1. Curious . . . . What made it Custom ?
2. What do you use it for ?

I have 3 axes, 1 Pulaski, 2 splitting mauls, 1 wood hatchet, 1 garden hatchet, 1 long handle ag wood sickel machette (forgot the technical name).
I haven't used any of them in 30 years !

The Pulaski I bought for potential fire protection. I have 10 acres designated as forestry; and neighbor to burns unattended brush fires for several days continuously !
The handle was made special to my specs, and the head was created by a specific builder. I believe you can still request a specific builder at Gransfors, but I don't think they make custom handles anymore.
It has pounded many a wedge over the years, and as a short handled axe it has done many limbing jobs on fallen trees. Also is responsible for a scar on my right calf. We have a history.
 
The handle was made special to my specs, and the head was created by a specific builder. I believe you can still request a specific builder at Gransfors, but I don't think they make custom handles anymore.
It has pounded many a wedge over the years, and as a short handled axe it has done many limbing jobs on fallen trees. Also is responsible for a scar on my right calf. We have a history.
Limbing w/ your axe is more efficient than w/ a chainsaw ?

I completely understand that your Gransfors is a very "classy" tool (I'd like to have one.); & that you like to use it.
 
Last edited:
Limbing w/ your axe is more efficient than w/ a chainsaw ?

I completely understand that your Gransfors is a very "classy" tool (I'd like to have one.); & that you like to use it.
I carry the axe most of the time unless I am climbing. I can limb most branches less than an inch and a quarter much faster with the axe than with a chainsaw. Also depends on what kind of tree it is, of course. Oaks and Maples, not so much, but I don't work with those too often. But what I use usually depends on what I have in my hands at the time.
 
What is the correct / technical name of this chopping implement ? (I have forgotten :( )
I got it in Mobile, AL ~ 30+ years ago; and used it to help clear brush on ~600 ft of treelawn in Ohio.
Yard stick for reference.

View attachment 88424

Double Edge Ditch Bank Blade
At least that is what I have always been calling them. Some people just refer to them as ditch brush cutters.
There may be a different name that I am unaware of. But I know that if you want one you can just type in Ditch Bank Blade in your computer and they will show up.
 
Last edited:
I found it! I found Roxanne! It was in amongst 1/2" diameter aspen growth that I had walk earlier and must have been within a few feet of and didn't see it. Poor girl must have about given up hope of being found. I think I will treat her handle to a new coat of oil tonight. All is right with the world. :)
 
I found it! I found Roxanne! It was in amongst 1/2" diameter aspen growth that I had walk earlier and must have been within a few feet of and didn't see it. Poor girl must have about given up hope of being found. I think I will treat her handle to a new coat of oil tonight. All is right with the world. :)
And maybe tie on some pink flagging tape
 

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom