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Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 12:13 am
by ronnie_suburban
Looking for guidance on a reliable, durable, easy-to-sharpen unit that I can mainly use to chop and split apple, oak and hickory logs into smaller pieces for use in my smokers. I have a maul and a splitter rig but would really like more flexibility. Would like to keep it under $200 but after surfing around a bit, it appears I can probably keep it well under that. It seems that a few folks here have vast outdoors experience, so any guidance would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 12:36 am
by gladius
Hults Bruk Tarnaby...highly recommended. I bought it for the same purposes and it has performed well with very good Swedish axe steel that is easily sharpened. Good balance and easy to use.

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 6:53 am
by Kalaeb
Yes please. My son is getting into scouting and we have been doing a lot more camping.

Been looking at the IG, Paul Kryzowski comes up slot and makes some cool looking stuff. I just don't really know what I am looking for or what qualifies as a good hatchet.

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 1:49 pm
by jmcnelly85
I’ve been using a knife for this purpose. I split with an 8lb maul and once it’s smaller I’ll switch to a Becker bk-22 camp knife or a large nameless machete and fwack the spine and tip with other logs to force the split. I’m more familiar with knives than hatchets so this technique seems safer for me, but ymmv. I’ve heard husqvarna has been putting out quality axes and hatchets intended to compete with other Swedish axes at lower costs but I can’t vouch for them personally.

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 2:17 pm
by gladius
jmcnelly85 wrote: Tue Aug 20, 2019 1:49 pm I’ve heard husqvarna has been putting out quality axes and hatchets intended to compete with other Swedish axes at lower costs but I can’t vouch for them personally.
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I believe Hults Bruk makes one or more for them for Husqvarna...
https://www.husqvarna.com/us/accessories/axes/
https://bushcraftusa.com/forum/threads/ ... es.222342/

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 3:29 pm
by ChefKnivesToGo
Does it wedge? ;)

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 4:53 pm
by gladius
ChefKnivesToGo wrote: Tue Aug 20, 2019 3:29 pm Does it wedge? ;)
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Haha...it definitely makes large carrots go CRACK !@#$^%

Here is a choil shot:
Image

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 11:22 pm
by Ut_ron
Being a Hults, I certainly recommend the Hults Burk axes. I have three of them 😀

No, not related but just had to have them and you can get them damn sharp.

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 11:44 pm
by nakneker
Gransfor Bruk small forest is a great option, I’ve owned a few of their axes, hand forged, lots of history, great product. They make several sizes and you can take a look at what they offer.


https://www.atkenco.com/gransfors-bruks ... ls-Premium



Fiskers makes a modern axe that is indestructible. I grew up splitting wood with an old 6lb and 8lb splitting maul. When I had my boys help me continue to cut wood they came out with these, they are light and split wood great and I’ve never replaced the handle on one. We have four sizes at the house. They don’t have the charm a hand forged wooden handle axe but they work great and cost very little. Best value in axes IMO.


Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:41 am
by ronnie_suburban
It was a brief case of paralysis by (over) analysis but I ended up ordering a Hults Bruk 20-inch Aneby Hunting Axe. It should arrive in a few days. The weight and length seemed right for me. Looking forward to checking it out.

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:42 am
by nakneker
ronnie_suburban wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:41 am It was a brief case of paralysis by (over) analysis but I ended up ordering a Hults Bruk 20-inch Aneby Hunting Axe. It should arrive in a few days. The weight and length seemed right for me. Looking forward to checking it out.
Great choice! Enjoy!

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:12 pm
by noobknife
for any future people that might find this thread. I was going to suggest the OKC Kukri.



I've used mine to open about 128 coconuts so far and split some wood : )

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:32 pm
by Vouston
Sorry a bit late to the party on this post. You will quickly fall in love with your hults bruk, it's a good choice. I have a Grandfors Bruks Small Forest Axe and a Hultsbruk Kisa, (also gransfors splitting maul but not nesscerily worried about wood splitting here). They are the absolute bomb diggity!!! Anything in the 18-19" range makes a great pack Axe and the 24-26" range is a great do all range. I carry my small forest in my hunting pack for branch trimming and blind building, etc. to popping open a deer pelvis. I can chop through about anything with the hults bruk up to thigh length but the Stihl 260 or bigger at a certain point becomes the go to. Good luck with the hults bruk, keep eye on the head and keep it oiled, I also Danish oiled the handle, but that's up to you.

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:10 am
by ronnie_suburban
Vouston wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:32 pm Sorry a bit late to the party on this post. You will quickly fall in love with your hults bruk, it's a good choice. I have a Grandfors Bruks Small Forest Axe and a Hultsbruk Kisa, (also gransfors splitting maul but not nesscerily worried about wood splitting here). They are the absolute bomb diggity!!! Anything in the 18-19" range makes a great pack Axe and the 24-26" range is a great do all range. I carry my small forest in my hunting pack for branch trimming and blind building, etc. to popping open a deer pelvis. I can chop through about anything with the hults bruk up to thigh length but the Stihl 260 or bigger at a certain point becomes the go to. Good luck with the hults bruk, keep eye on the head and keep it oiled, I also Danish oiled the handle, but that's up to you.
Thanks, for the tips. I've really been enjoying my HB so far. I'm mainly using it to divide already-cut logs of apple wood into smaller pieces and splits for cooking/smoking. Living in the burbs as I do, there aren't many other opportunities for axe use. If a tree ever falls across my driveway, though, I'll be ready! :)

Re: Hatchets, small axes, anyone?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 8:42 am
by Vouston
ronnie_suburban wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:10 am
Vouston wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:32 pm Sorry a bit late to the party on this post. You will quickly fall in love with your hults bruk, it's a good choice. I have a Grandfors Bruks Small Forest Axe and a Hultsbruk Kisa, (also gransfors splitting maul but not nesscerily worried about wood splitting here). They are the absolute bomb diggity!!! Anything in the 18-19" range makes a great pack Axe and the 24-26" range is a great do all range. I carry my small forest in my hunting pack for branch trimming and blind building, etc. to popping open a deer pelvis. I can chop through about anything with the hults bruk up to thigh length but the Stihl 260 or bigger at a certain point becomes the go to. Good luck with the hults bruk, keep eye on the head and keep it oiled, I also Danish oiled the handle, but that's up to you.
Thanks, for the tips. I've really been enjoying my HB so far. I'm mainly using it to divide already-cut logs of apple wood into smaller pieces and splits for cooking/smoking. Living in the burbs as I do, there aren't many other opportunities for axe use. If a tree ever falls across my driveway, though, I'll be ready! :)

Oh yes I love the smaller swedish forest for all things like your using; campfire works, and breaking down or limbing stuff. I would say as long as I keep it sharp, anything that's under wrist size that's really 1 swing-able it's actually even faster than getting the chainsaw out.
I'm also wary of letting anyone use them because they are so sharp, people arent ready for an axe that's shaving sharp(taken to another level thanks to shapton pros and cktg strops).
Did you get the HB or an GF axe puck to go with it? Super handy to have in your pack or pocket to just put a sprinkle of water or spit on it and hit the head for quick touch up, would tell ya to get one if you didn't already. Glad your enjoying it, swedish stuff will ruin/spoil you from now on vs anything else, hahahaa.