Husqvarna596271201 20 in. Wooden Curved Carpenter Axe, Orange/Gray

Don't lie. If you just wanted an axe to chop some wood, you wouldn't be looking at this bad boy. This axe? It is destined for mobility and compact; you're an adventurer. A wanna-be-bush-craft-maniac. Maybe you daydream of crafting your own 2x4s and getting wood shavings stuck in your beard. But you don't want to spend the $150-300 for an axe you'll probably ruin from neglect... but you want the quality. This, my friends, is your axe.The axe head is clearly made by Hultafors/Hulks Bruk. It has the same exact shape and even the logo stamp area is the same. So you know Husqvarna just got a sweet deal on axe head forging from them and slaps an American wood handle into these things. Who can complain about an amazingly forged Swedish steel axe head and American hilt for a fraction of the price? You're buying this axe because you want something that is a little good at everything but is not limited to one expert function (such as a splitting maul or a little hatchet).My only warning about this axe is that the head is heavy for the handle length. You will tire faster using this axe than say a hatchet with only a 1lb head or so. Trust me. The bonus is that if you are talented and practice how to properly chop wood in whatever manner you have... you'll find this thick bad boy axe head will cleave along grain like a hot knife through butter. Seriously. I cut up a fallen ash tree like it was made out playdough with this thing.Most axes come pretty dull except for Hulks Bruk and Gransfors Bruk, but this one came pretty sharp for me. Not razor sharp but definitely field ready. The handle is nice and has clearly been sanded, but there is the slight twinge of natural grit to it. If you want your handle to be smooth... save yourself $100 by not buying a Hulks Bruk equivalent. Buy $2 worth of sandpaper and after ten minutes you'll have a perfectly great handle. This is a great axe. Just inspect it when you get it --- mine had perfect grain orientation and no nicks or damages to the axe head.

I ordered this axe with slight trepidation because of some of the reviews. I even ordered a file in case I needed to work the blade. But I was impressed enough by the good reviews, the length, by the excellent value, and quality of the steel to give it a shot. I couldn’t be happier. It came very sharp, and after I gave it a few strokes with my strop, I was able to shave the hair on my arm with it. I am also pleased with its heft and balance. I plan to do some fine work with it, and found the girth of the handle at the head to fit me well. But I also intend to do some chopping, and I have ordered a leather sleeve to protect the handle. If the sleeve affects my grip at the head, it will be easy enough to modify the handle at that point. I will sand the handle and apply boiled linseed oil. The only criticisms I have are of the handle. The grain runs at 75 degrees, instead of the ideal 90. Additionally, one side of the handle is cream colored sapwood, and the other is honey-colored heartwood. The heartwood side, though, has a beautiful grain and will stand out with an application of the linseed oil. From everything I’ve read, my understanding of these two aspects of the handle would tend to weaken the handle. I can live with that. That’s why I knocked off one of the stars in the sub-category. Were I a younger man with many more years of use in front of me, I probably would have gone with the Gransfors Bruks. But I don’t think I would be one whit happier with a Gransfors Brooks Thani am with this Husqvarner carpenter’s axe

my best axe. needed to be sharpened. this thing takes a licking and keeps on ticking. ultra heavy usage during the northeastern winters. razor blade sharp; great for rough carving. VERY heavy head. makes quick work of splitting frozen logs. i can see people misusing this tool and breaking the handle or something, but as with anything, you treat it right and it'll take care of you for a long time. this is pure quality in my opinion. i can't compare to a $200 axe because i don't own one, but this is just perfect for me and worth the price. small forest axe size. the steel hardness dulled my "new"est nicholson axe file in 5 minutes. i would recommend. it's been sharp ever since. keep it oiled and honed and you'll be fine. don't hit rocks or dirt and you won't have a problem. this is for wood but sometimes the obvious isn't very obvious.

Received the Husqvarna Carpenters axe today. Well packaged and arrived a day earlier than expected, nice...Just a quick overview, for the monies, its very nice, and it comes with a quality axe guard-sheath. While it comes with a very basic grind, I would have to say, most axes do and require a proper sharpening according to how you will use it. It comes with a course about 45 degree grind, which is ok if your just going to chop up some campfire wood, but, if you are going to use it for carving or carpentry wook, it will take a little filing and stoning to change the angle and sharpness. The edge does end up taking a good sharp edge for finer work. The handle of mine is straight and has appropriate grain alignment. The sheath is much better than expected and has a nice thick welt to protect the edge. My only complaint is that the cutting edge does not line up with the handle. That being said I have purchased more expensive axes that don't either. But, for an axe sold as a carpenters axe, it should perhaps line up better. But, for the moines, with some sharpening, its a really nice woodworking axe and an excellent value. I would buy again...