Hultafors Axes Review

In over 125 years of trading, Hultafors, built up a reputation for selling quality craftsman tools. Along the journey, a journey that began in 1883, they acquired various specialist companies to add to their portfolio and became the Hultafors Tool Group. One of their more recent acquisitions was Hults Bruk.

Hults Bruk, is a Swedish company that are re-known and respected the world over as axe manufacturers, with a history spanning back for centuries. This partnership is forged on a good foundation, literally, as on the head of each axe produced you will see the stamp for both Hultafors and Hults Bruk.

So why buy a Hultafors axe? Well apart from the obvious wanting to chop up wood, I would say for its quality and simplistic classic styling. Quality in the materials used and quality in manufacturing technique exacted. The axe head itself is forged from the best quality Swedish axe steel that is struck many times with a hammer (a technique not used with mass produced axes). This gives the axe its shape but also crucially increases the density of the steel which in turn improves the axes durability.

The axes cutting edges are razor sharp and this is achieved by the hardening method that leaves a clear hardened zone which enables the axe to be re-sharpened without compromising its edge. The whole technique is time consuming and hence costly but as in life most good things are worth the wait!

The axe shaft is made from hickory. This is a very hard, stiff, dense and shock resistant timber. Certain woods are stronger than hickory and some harder but it’s the combination of strength, toughness and stiffness that make it the perfect choice. Each shaft is drilled with a lanyard hole.

The shaft is attached to the head using a wooden wedge and a round metal pin. This creates a solid attachment – no danger of it flying off when in full swing! A soft leather studded sheath is supplied to protect the edge and your fingers.

Hultafors / Hults Bruk produce a compact range of axes to suit all. Their smallest is the classic mini trekking axe with a weight of 500g and handle length of 235mm. This is perfect for backpacking but can also be attached to your belt. There’s the classic trekking axe – a practical and small axe (500g weight – 375mm handle) that’s ideal for outdoor life in forests suitable for most tasks. The classic hunting axe is slightly more powerful with a rounded neck making it suitable for hunting and light forest work (weight 850g – 500mm handle). Then there’s the classic carpenters axe. This has a thin long and straight sharpened edge and has a recess in the axe head by the handle which enables you to hold your hand directly above the edge when cutting.

As well as chopping and splitting axes they also produce a throwing axe. It’s the classic double bladed axe head, which conjures up images of marauding Vikings. Although originally used as a forest axe they are now used mainly in axe throwing competitions. The world championships are held in Hayward Wisconson. So why not dust down your lumberjack shirt treat yourself to a Hultafors axe and give it a go!