Hultafors/ Hults Bruk Anniversary Axe - Limited Edition - 325 Years Hults Bruk - Made in Sweden

Just back from the custom shop. As beautiful as this tool is, it's going to camp to work. The red paint was a hair slippery for my gloved hand out of the box. Probably just needed to be used, but I added a tacky hockey stick shrink grip that shows off the red paint through the holes. Also some shrink wrap on the handle for aesthetics for HB.You tend to learn a few things when you produce, use and refine something for over 325 years. I believe Sven Hedin himself brought this fine tool with him in to Central Asia ( I made that up, maybe)! As basic a tool as a hatchet is, this is a functional work of art. The price isn't enough for the knowledge, experience and craftsmanship that has gone in to this hatchet. As gorgeous as it is and will remain for a bunch of generations, it is made to work hard and fast. A fan and owner of Japanese cutlery (Hitachi Blue and White Steel), this Sweedish steel is in a league of its own. It seems a Rockwell hardness rating of 52-56 is a perfect blend of durability (edge retention) and work-ability (sharpening). Higher Rockwell ratings hold and edge longer, but are harder to get sharp without proper stones and skill. Lower than mid 50's Rockwell and your edge will not last long cutting stuff, but easy to put and edge on. Tradeoffs. HB has figured out the sweet spot, after 327 years of practice and sourcing. Anyone here considering purchasing a tool of this caliber, already knows what they are getting. For those of you who haven't researched HB, the short answer is get one before they are gone. If you appreciate craftsmanship such as HB, look at Helko Werk (1844) and Granfors Bruk (1868). Although not as "experienced" as HB, they both hand pound red hot steel in to shape, and have been doing so for a while.

This hatchet is very well-built and almost too nice to use. The edge is polished very nicely to a mirror shine. The edge is also sharp for a hatchet. The paint job is a nice touch I haven't had any peel-off in use yet hopefully, it will stay for a while. The handle is everything you would expect in a quality hatchet handle. It is very well-balanced and chops nicely. It came with a leather keychain and leather sheath.

This is an excellent axe made in Sweden by hand, made of Swedish steel by a company with a LONG history in forging. Nice touch in that they also send you a leather keychain with one of their forged nails. It was cheaper than Gränsfors (of which I also have one) but just as high quality. The Anniversary model is signified by just a sticker and some red paint, but otherwise is the same exact hatchet they sell on a daily basis. What’s not to love?

I liked the quality and traditions of this company great product thanks!

I already own several of the German/Swiss-made axes and have been mostly pleased with them. I bought this axe for my grandson who's doing more camping/hiking these days. This is the first Hultafors I've purchased. The first feature that stands out is the handle quality red paint. The finish is just beautiful! It feels great in the hand, the overall balance if perfect.Upon close inspection, I could see the axe head is fit perfectly to the handle, top and bottom! Much better than my Helko Werk, which started to loosen up after about one hour of chopping firewood for camp (it's gonna need a refitting laready). The hultofors looks like someone spent the time to shape the handle just perfectly before setting the wedge and ring to finish it up.Finally, it's the first axe I've received that was "sharp" out of the box. It was clearly honed by hand to a mirror shine on the edge profile. It needed NO sharpening before the first use. And we put it to the test on Christmas day cutting up some dead tree limbs in Arizona. At this point, I can only rave about the out-of-box quality and beauty of this Anniversay axe model. I would recommend it to others without reservation (and yes, I paid full price for it).

Really well made and beautiful axe.

Very good quality and great feel in the hand.The best thing is, I orderd it with out my wife's knowledge and when it came she got the package. The only thing it said in the box was "Anniversary ax"She actually thought it was for our anniversary.

It’s a very nice piece limit edition