What Gransfors Bruks would you recommend for camp use, e.g, firewood, splitting kindling, battoning etc.?

Hello JLC, That is a very good question and there are a number of factors you must take into consideration as a couple of these activities you mention will probably require a couple of different tools.Firewood and kindling can be processed best with the same tool and preferably an axe.Machete's may also be used but I much prefer a small axe which IMHO works so much better and easier (been there done that). Can't really pound tent stakes with a machete or anything else.You probably wont be battoning an axe although you probably could I suppose. So, you will probably be using a good knife or machete possibly for that task of processing wood into small kindling. Which certainly can also be done with a good sharp axe. OK! First and foremost is I think about how far are you going to have to be carrying that axe and how much weight can you carry comfortably under various outdoor conditions with all your loadout. Weight will be a big factor in choosing the right size of axe you can carry. The bigger the axe the heavier it is but processing firewood will process much quicker. However, a smaller lighter axe is easier and more comfortable to carry but just takes a bit longer to process your firewood.IMHO, I prefer my Gransfors Bruks, Small Forest Axe or my Wetterlings bushman-axe-by-les-stroud. Both are excellent, light weight, sharp, hold a good edge and I love to use them and I think they cost about the same.Both can be purchased on Amazon. But, do some more research first as I mention below.However, if you eventually purchase a Gransfors Bruks, Small Forest Axe be careful where you purchase it from. When I purchased it through Amazon I didn't pay attention to where the seller was located and it was in Gemany so it took a long time to get the order and when I did it was wrapped horribly and the sheath had been damaged by the blade cutting through totally. Also, it comes with an excellent little axe book but it was in German. They didn'y replace the book but they did finally replace the sheath. However, it took about 3 weeks or more. So, check where the seller is from USA only. There are numerous excellent quality axes and the best IMHO are Gransfors Bruks, S.A. Wetterling Axes, Council Tools, among many others that will get the job done.I have numerous axes and styles like Gransfors Bruks, S.A. Wetterling Axes, Council, Norlund, all very good axes. There are many others a bit cheaper but are very functional like some Husquvarna axes, etc!Wetterlings puts out a very nice little axe called the Bushman Axe by Les Stroud #178 I have used this axe and find it to be very good. It is light and Packs well and holds a good edgehttp://www.wetterlings.com/bushman-axe-by-les-stroud/Amazon.com - $130.00 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bushman-axe-by-les-stroud%2FCost is a big factor and not always is the most expensive determined to be the best in actual performance I also recommend that before purchasing a tool that you do some searching on you tube for video reviews of the tools you are interested in to get an actual hands on live review before buying. I recommend looking up the wranglerstar channel (just go on you tube and search for wranglerstar axe videos) who has great reviews and instruction on axes, maintenance and so much more. A very good channel I highly recommend among so many others. Do some research first. There are many more axe reviews just search you tube.Here is a search link to wranglerstarhttps://duckduckgo.com/?q=wranglerstar+axe+videos&ia=videosGood luck and I hope this information has been informative and helpful

What is the difference between this and the Hunter's Axe?

Jollyman stated it best! The hunters axe is a smaller and straighter profiled axe. The Hunter is more suited for dressing out game than limbing a tree. still a great product, but if you want more versatility go with the Small Forest model.

how often do you need to sharpen it- what do you use to sharpen it?

It all depends on how you treat it. If your nice to it at least once every six months. I use Japanese water stones. 1500 and 6000 grit and then finish up with a leather strop. If you chip the edge then you might want to sharpen it more often but the dings and dents come out over time and you don't even need to sharpen it. I don't sharpen mine that often, only when I want a really sharp edge to show off to my friends.

Is this better than Wetterlings axe ?

i have both. the Gransfor products are nicer only in fit and finish..but they're axe tools..you are (should?) be using it to hack stuff apart..that use kinda evens the playing field in aesthetics. after awhile, they all start to look the same once the patina develops. Wetterlings; i like the sheath better.

Action	add
Blade Edge	Convex
Blade Length	80 Millimeters
Blade Material	Stainless Steel
Color	Brown / Black
Style	Splitting Maul
Length	50 centimeters
Weight	1.5 Kilograms
Material Type	wood
Number of Items	1
Included Components	See description
Batteries Included?	No
Brand	Gränsfors Bruks
Manufacturer	Gransfors Bruks
Item model number	33000-PE
ASIN	B000WIROX6

Gränsfors Bruks Small Forest Axe 19 Inch, 420

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