Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe

Outdoors writer and survival expert John Fenna reviews the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe. This article first appeared in Gun Mart.

When I heard, from more than one source, that Gransfors Bruks’ axes were “the axes that all other are measured by”, “the top axes available”, “the only axes worth buying”, I became curious and decided to invest in one to see if they are as good as their reputation.

I chose the Small Forest Axes, an axe designed for splitting small sticks, cutting small diameter limb wood and general field work.

Of a traditional design with a 1.5lb head that has a 3.5” face and a 19” top quality hickory handle, the Small Forest Axe can be used one- or double-handed giving both control for fine cuts (such as starting a carving project) or powerful chopping (such as dropping small trees) and is small enough to fit in a rucksack, or even clipped to your belt using the strap on the grain leather mask that it comes with.

The quality of the axe is undeniable, the wood being oil-finished, not crudely varnished, and has a lanyard hole in the end knots. The head is forged from a special Swedish axe steel, forged by one smith who stamps his initials into the axe head (mine is by Mattias Mattson), and properly fitted and wedged onto the handle (no glue or resin used).

With no gluing, painting, grinding or other cosmetic work the craftsmanship in the construction of the axe can be seen, and the manufacturers are obviously proud of their products.

Each axe comes with a copy of “The Axe Book” which not only gives care and maintenance information, but a history of the Gransfors Bruks company (from 1910), a guide to cutting and storing firewood, limbing logs, making a fire (indoors and in the field), axe throwing, making log cabin logs, and the company philosophy (make it well, make it to last so as to reduce impact on the environment) as well as a 20-year guarantee.

Having tried the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe, is it as good as I was led to believe? It certainly is! The weight, heft, balance, shape – everything is just how a good axe should be and the blade cuts deep, clean and accurately every time. As close to perfection as you can get!

I think he likes it! In fact John still uses his Small Forest Axe, and given how many axes John has tried I think that says something.

John Fenna Reviews the Karrimor SF Sabre 75

Another review by John Fenna, this time the Karrimor SF Sabre 75 and side pockets.
This article first appeared in GunMart.

The Karrimor SF Sabre 75 is a rucksack packed with useful features, making it one of the most versatile load carriers that I have tried out in a long time.

The fixed-length back incorporates a removable F-format internal frame of closed cell foam and mouldable alloy struts that can be shaped to the user’s back, padded Coolmesh back sections around ventilation channels, S-shaped Coolmesh padded, fully adjustable shoulder straps with top tensioning straps, chest strap, D-rings and a haul loop, while the fully-adjustable stiffened hip belt incorporates side tensioners, accessory loops, Coolmesh padding and a generous Coolmesh padded lumbar pad.

This all adds up to a very comfortable and stable carry of your load, even in warmer conditions.

The main body of the rucksack is a single compartment with a drawcord closure and with a drawcord closed lighter weight nylon “snowlock” extension. Inside the rucksack there is a large elasticated topped pocket for a hydration bladder and there are ports for the hose either side of the sack and a clip on the left shoulder strap to hold the drinking valve conveniently. The top of the main compartment also has a fully adjustable quick release buckled strap for holding ropes or other items securely under the lid.

The lid itself has elasticated side hems for a close fit on the main body of the rucksack, closes with two adjustable quick release buckles and has 3 adjuster straps to allow it to expand with the load as needed. On the outside of the lid there is a sizeable zip-closed pocket with straps on top of this for external loads, while inside the lid there is a smaller, zip-closed mesh pocket for storing small items.

The front of the sack has “daisy chain” webbing loops and fully adjustable “ice axe loops” (also great for carrying other items) and a pair of “wings” that form the take-off points for the 3 pairs of side compression straps, as well as tube type holders for ski poles etc AND one forms the lid of a large, vertically zipped front pocket!

The sides of the sack have elastic topped quick release buckle secured pockets that will take two one-litre water bottles with room to spare, and the fittings to take the PLCE type side pockets (available separately) should you need to enlarge your carrying capacity to a full 100 litres! The side compression straps can also secure extra kit to the side of the sack or help attach the side pockets.

These simple zip-on pockets fit onto the sack with 4 side release buckles and 2 zips for secure attachment, have a simple zip closure and a bottom drain eyelet and can zip together and attach to a PLCE yoke to make a 25 litre day sack.

The Sabre 75 is very strongly made from 1000 denier nylon with rot-proof thread and all stress areas of stitching are bar tacked for strength, while the whole bag has a durable water-repellent finish.

You would be hard put to find a better made, more durable, rugged, versatile and comfortable rucksack, though all its various features do mean that it is no lightweight – weighing about 2.8kg empty, without the PLCE pockets which weigh another 0.5kg.

I have used the Karrimor SF Sabre 75 both with and without the PLCE side pockets, and the pockets alone as a day pack, in the British hills, the African bush and in the high mountains of South Africa. It has seen parched grasslands, thorn scrub and rocky scrambling, bog and briar, been thrown and bounced around in pick-ups and aircraft holds and it still looks immaculate!

The Karrimor Sabre 75 and PLCE side pockets come in Olive, Black or British DPM, the Sabre 75 costing around £119.95, the PLCE pockets around £27.50. A yoke for turning the pockets into a daysack costs around £15.95.

This is quality kit that is proving well worth its price and which will surely last a long long time of hard usage.

My thanks go out to Mark of Lakeland Bushcraft Trading Ltd (lakelandbushcraft.co.uk) who supplied the review samples and who sells a huge range of top quality equipment from various manufacturers.

John Fenna Reviews the Kelly Kettle

This review was first published in Sporting Shooter magazine and appears here courtesy of John Fenna.

KELLY KETTLE COMPANY

The Kelly Kettle has a long and glorious history of boiling water quickly and efficiently in the outdoors, in practically any weather, and is the “traditional kettle of West of Ireland fishermen”.

The kettle is basically a double-walled chimney of aluminium with water held between the walls. A small fire lit in the base and fed from down the chimney will boil the water in about 3-5 minutes (depending on the fuel used), the conical internal shape of the kettle giving a large surface area for efficient heat transfer and almost blast furnace efficiency in the burning of twigs, paper, leaves etc.

Once the water boils, carefully lift and pour, using the spout’s cork (for transport use
only) on its chain to tilt the kettle.
Kelly Kettles come in 2.5 pint capacity at around £42, and 1 pint capacity at around £37, and each comes with a drawstring bag and full instructions.

Also available is an accessory pack for the larger model, comprising a 2-piece grill, saucepan, frying pan and handle (which fit into the base of the kettle for storage) and
allowing you to do some more adventurous cooking with your Kelly Kettle.

The latest addition to the Kelly Kettle Range is a 2-part fold-flat cruciform pot stand that sits in the top of the kettle’s chimney (without over obstructing the feeding of fuel into the kettle) and allows you to cook as the kettle boils. The pot stand costs around £5.00 and is great for making (amongst other things) toast – if you use non-smoky fuel!

Stunningly simple, tough and efficient, these iconic pieces of outdoor kit are used worldwide to great effect. My advice is to go for the big kettle – everyone will want a brew!

My thanks to Mark Richardson of Lakeland Bushcraft Trading Ltd (http://www.lakelandbushcraft.co.uk/) for facilitating this review.

John Fenna Reviews the WebTex Compact Stove

Previously I mentioned that John Fenna had reviewed the WebTex Warrior Stove (it was the Compact, not the Field Stove that I thought). John has been kind enough to give permission for me to reproduce his review here. This article first appeared in Sporting Shooter.

The ideal stove for a quick brew-up in the field (and fresh made tea always tastes better than flask tea) needs to be small, lightweight and fast!

The Warrior Compact Stove from Web-Tex fits the bill nicely as it weighs only about 90gm, folds down into its plastic storage box to measure only about 5 x 5 x 11.5cm and yet is rated at 3000w – high powered and efficient heat!

Made from aluminium alloy and stainless steel, this compact stove has folding pot supports that fold out to 13cm diameter to support even biggish pans safely, a folding regulator handle, an integral (if rather small) wind shield on the burner and a screw fitting to attach the burner to almost any screw valve camping gas canister.

Fitted to a small butane/propane mix canister, the Compact Stove boiled 0.5litre of water from cold in a closed pot in just 3 minutes! Admittedly this was in dead calm conditions, but this is still good going.

Small, lightweight and fast, the Web-Tex Warrior Compact Stove fits into a pocket easily, makes a quick cuppa or hot snack in the field with minimum fuss, costs only around £15.95 and comes with full instructions.

You'll notice that we are a wee bit cheaper than that!