Hultafors mini hatchet - any good?

[Janne]

Looks fantastic, but stainless steel????

Also, Masur Birch is not as strong as healthy straight grained birch.

When I see pictures of the Karesuando axe, I think Sigfried und Roy. Versace. Liberace.
Flamboyant bushcrafters all!

 

[GuestD]

I love these threads. Info on one axe request. Ends up with "40" choices . Confused ?

 

[Erbswurst]

In Germany we only have quality hatchets and axes with beech, ash or better hickory.

But perhaps the northern birch is totally different, because it's colder there.

 

[Erbswurst]

I think, that all quality axes are quiet similar. And in my opinion it's worth to watch out at flea markets too. Old stuff can be very good and often we can get it for a few €.

 

[Janne]

Masur Birch is from Karelia, Finnish-Russki border.
One area in Sweden has them too, but those are protected.

Yes, Deekin, but read the OP's last post, he is thinking outside his initial query! That is a good thing, no?

 

[Jackroadkill]

I bought a Hultafors Agdor Large Trekking Axe for under forty quid and it's a belter of an axe. It sharpens well, holds an edge well, the haft is straight, well-grained and strong. If you're prepared to work it hard you can buck pretty decent sized rounds / trunks or fell with it at a pinch. At the other end of the scale you can use it to prepare squirrels for the pot, so a great all-rounder, I think.

 

[Wildgoose]

I love these threads. Info on one axe request. Ends up with "40" choices . Confused ?

It’s ok, it’s good to get some ideas.
As I said I’ve got a Fiskars, I’ve also got a old talbot axe that I bought from Biker on here, a fantastic cutting and snedding axe.
I like the look of the gb mini axe too.

I think in truth I’d have them all...

 

[Erbswurst]

Once I have seen Hultafors hatchets in a shop. They seem to offer two quiet different qualities.

Unfortunately I couldn't take one with me, because I had to pay attention with my rucksack weight, and so I bought just the knife.
(If possible I avoid buying in the internet, because I want to support real shops in real towns.)

 

[Janne]

Yes, two qualities I have seen.
The one I have is the pro quality, not the 'handmade look' quality.
I suspect they are very, very similar, just finished differently.

 

[GuestD]

It’s ok, it’s good to get some ideas.
As I said I’ve got a Fiskars, I’ve also got a old talbot axe that I bought from Biker on here, a fantastic cutting and snedding axe.
I like the look of the gb mini axe too.

I think in truth I’d have them all...

I was "jesting", for what it's worth, the best axes I've owned and used continuously are my grandfather's Canadian "Black Prince". Over 100 years o!d now, and still good for the same again.

 

[Nice65]

I love these threads. Info on one axe request. Ends up with "40" choices . Confused ?

I am confused. If we rented a holiday cottage with a log burner in it, as we have a few times, I’d expect the firewood, kindling and firefighters to be provided. I wouldn’t be looking to buy an axe specifically for that purpose.

But, I suspect Wildgoose and I share the same affliction. Mentally justifying a purchase to feed the need, and possibly having to explain it to the good lady.

 

[Robson Valley]

If they don't have enough head mass and correct bevel angle, they are all crap for splitting.

 

[Janne]

I am confused. If we rented a holiday cottage with a log burner in it, as we have a few times, I’d expect the firewood, kindling and firefighters to be provided. I wouldn’t be looking to buy an axe specifically for that purpose.

But, I suspect Wildgoose and I share the same affliction. Mentally justifying a purchase to feed the need, and possibly having to explain it to the good lady.

In worst case a man has to do what a man has to do.
Hide the axe they provide, so you can justify a new ‘essential’ one!

 

[Wildgoose]

[QUOTE=" I’d expect the firewood, kindling and firefighters to be provided. [/QUOTE]

Not been supplied firefighters yet, but then it’s not that sort of cottage......

The last place didn’t supply an axe, which is all the justification I need for the missus (Looks around to check she hasn’t seen this)

 

[Chalkflint]

Wildgoose
My teenage son has a Hultafors forest axe (800g head). It has a longer handle at 700mm. Cost about £30 a year ago and It is a stunningly good axe for the money
Fairly light, good balance. I can use it one handed.
It will not slip discretely in a pack but the longer handle makes things much easier when splitting (and taking down the odd small tree).
The wife has a new Fiskars X7 which she loves and as everyone says is a very good axe.
But I am for ever pinching my sons Hultafors as its such a nice axe to use.
Chalkflint

 

[Barney Rubble]

Afternoon all,

I’ve been given some vouchers for my birthday and am considering getting a hultafors mini hatchet.
Having a 3 month old baby means most our future trips will be to holiday cottages, most of which feature a log burner but you seldom get an axe or similar.
I would like something compact and non offensive so it can slip in my bag.
Is the mini hatchet up to task? Any users on here?

Thanks in advance

Wildgoose.

Go on, treat yourself.....you won't be satisfied until you've scratched that itch!!! The mini hatchet does look good, similar to the GB equivalent albeit with more curvature to the blade profile. I just looked and they're about £30 cheaper than the GB equivalent though so it's a decent saving.

I was in a similar situation after Christmas whereby I had some money given to me and wanted to buy a small axe. I ended up getting the GB Small hatchet and am absolutely besotted with it. So long as you're sensible it's surprising how much you can do with a small hatchet. I've used it with a baton to split logs up to 4 inches in diameter, prep kindling, carve feathersticks and pegs. They're also ideal for finer carving jobs and I have found that it encourages confidence in the user as I feel much more compelled to spend more time on the axe when carving a spoon. In a nutshell, my GB Small Hatchet has become my go to camping axe as it can do all but the heavy duty splitting tasks.

Be interesting to hear how you get on with the mini hatchet.

 

[Wildgoose]

the GB small hatchet is about an inch longer in the handle and half the head weight which I think makes it look like a very useful axe.

The GB hand hatchet and Hultafors mini hatchet are similar and have relatively heavy heads. The balance doesn’t look right but it may handle well, tempted to get one and see.

 

[trade axe]

Very interesting thread, thank you all. I am in Canada (I haven't been here for a year or two because I got heavily into metal detecting) and I was considering a Hultafors mini hatchet. But most North Americans don't seem familiar with it. I already have many of the axes/hatchets mentioned. My one "mini" is a little Wetterlings from 10-15 years ago. I have a couple of Husqvarnas and they are quite handy, but a bit of weight for my smaller bag. After reading this thread, I am wondering if I just want the Hultafors for vanity or aesthetics, as opposed to a light weight utilitarian Fiskars. I think that I still have a couple x-7's tucked away. One for sure anyway, I just saw it. I can buy 4-5 x-7's for the price of the Hultafor. But they are kind of ugly. Time will tell how I go as I'm waiting for a new Hultafors shipment to arrive locally. I just want something small and light for a small pack with my tea boiler etc.

 

[henchy3rd]

I’ve taken a real fancy to mine, it holds the sharpness well & very comfortable in hand & on the wrist..it’s good for light work/ carving & general stuff around camp.
I generally leave the Agafors at home unless I’m off on a canoeing trip where weight isn’t an issue.
Pay around £80-90.

 

[henchy3rd]

Once I have seen Hultafors hatchets in a shop. They seem to offer two quiet different qualities.

Unfortunately I couldn't take one with me, because I had to pay attention with my rucksack weight, and so I bought just the knife.
(If possible I avoid buying in the internet, because I want to support real shops in real towns.)

I bought mine from a real shop from a real town on the internet.. there still getting my money?
Their happy, I’m happy.