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Some tools are bought once and kept for life. The Gränsfors Small Forest Axe is one of them. Hand forged in a small Swedish village by a company that has made axes since 1902, it is built for anyone who wants a serious axe that still fits in a pack. Here is what the Small Forest Axe is, how it is made, what it is good for and where to buy one.
What it is
The Small Forest Axe is a compact felling and limbing axe from Gränsfors Bruk in Sweden, sold under SKU 420. It sits in the middle of the company's lineup. Gränsfors says it has a larger head and a longer handle than its Wildlife Hatchet, so it delivers more chopping power, yet it is still small enough to fit into a rucksack.
The specs are simple:
- Length: 50 centimeters, about 19.7 inches
- Weight: 1 kilogram, about 2.2 pounds
- Head: Swedish recycled high carbon steel
- Handle: hickory
- Sheath: vegetable tanned leather
- Intended use: felling, limbing and outdoor work
How it is made
Gränsfors Bruk describes itself as making hand forged axes since 1902, responsibly made in Sweden. Each head is forged by a blacksmith, and Gränsfors marks its axes with the smith's initials, so you can look up who forged yours. That small detail says a lot about the company. Every axe is treated as the work of a person, not just a product off a line.
The company says each of its axes is designed to fulfill a specific function, with quality and range of use always in focus. The Small Forest Axe's function is clear: chopping and limbing in the woods without hauling a full size felling axe.
What comes with it
Every Small Forest Axe ships with a vegetable tanned leather sheath to protect the edge and The Axe Book, Gränsfors' own guide to axes, how they are used and how to care for them. Gränsfors also backs its axes with a 20 year warranty, which tells you how long it expects them to last.
What it is good for
Gränsfors calls the Small Forest Axe excellent for felling trees and limbing, which means removing branches from a downed trunk. Its size makes it a natural fit for:
- Camping and backpacking, when you want more than a hatchet but cannot carry a full axe.
- Bushcraft and outdoor skills, where one versatile tool beats several specialized ones.
- Processing firewood at camp, for limbing and light chopping.
- Property work, like clearing small trees and branches.
It is not a splitting axe. If your main job is splitting rounds of firewood at home, a heavier splitting axe or maul will do that better. For a full breakdown, see our guide to types of axes.
Taking care of it
A hand forged axe rewards a little care, starting with keeping the edge in its sheath when you are not using it. Gränsfors sells its own care kit, natural whetstone and replacement handles, and The Axe Book that comes with the axe covers its care in more depth.
Why it is cool
This axe is a beautiful object, with a dark forged head, a pale hickory handle and a leather sheath that ages with use. It is also a working tool with real purpose, made by a company that has done one thing well for more than a century. Knowing which blacksmith made yours makes it feel personal in a way few things you buy do.
Who should buy it
Buy the Small Forest Axe if you camp, hike or work outdoors and want one axe that is light enough to carry and strong enough for real chopping. It also makes a great gift for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Because The Axe Book comes in the box, it is also a sensible first axe for someone still learning the basics.
Building a camp kit? Pair it with the Morakniv Companion, read our guide to Snow Peak camping gear and add a Kelty Low Loveseat for the fire.
Where to buy
Small Forest Axe at Gränsfors Bruk
Gränsfors Bruk Small Forest Axe 420
Gränsfors Bruk Small Forest Axe 420, another listing
For more gear and gift picks, browse our buying guides.
