MVP,
No doubt about it, Gransfors makes a range of very good axes that have served many well for a very long time.
Mel Lentz just left the shop and I remembered this thread. Mel gave me an update on what Tuatahi is doing, check out the you tube here of a Tuatahi being tested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHadyZiXifc
Edited to add: check out the safety shoes.