Hultafors Axe & Knife

Hultafors have been making axes for over a 100-years and they’ve certainly got the knack of doing it right. Their axes are hand forged from quality Swedish steel and they produce an extremely durable head by striking it up to sixty times to increase the density of the material. The axe heads carry a lifetime warranty; now, that shows confidence in their product!

The hunting axe on test, the Ekelund, is one of Hultafors new range of axes and, with so many years of tool making, you know that they have put a lot of thought and expertise into the latest designs. The Ekelund carries convex grind and is delivered with a razorsharp edge. From the outset, the axe should be handled with care, as it is just so sharp.

It comes with a very good quality axe sheath, to protect the edge when not in use, and protect the user when it is being carried. At 850g, the axe head is not heavy but with such a good edge, combined with the convex grind, it falls through firewood like the proverbial hot knife through butter. When chopping firewood, you need to make sure that you do it on a timber block, otherwise you will find the axe embedding into something you do not want it to. The poll has been nicely shaped and finished, so that it sits very comfortably in the hand, allowing you to do finer cutting work, skinning or even jointing meat.

Oil finish

The handle is made from American hickory, a fantastic choice, as it is strong and durable. An oil finish has been applied at the factory and a regular re-application will keep it in top condition. Using a product that is suitable for application to the metal head, wooden handle and leather sheath makes life much easier and I use Clenzoil for this reason. The handle is curved, to ensure that your fingers are always behind the cutting edge and the head strikes at the correct angle. It is also well shaped for a good grip and thickens towards the bottom, to prevent it slipping out of the hand. The handle is secured to the head using both a circular steel wedge and a wooden wedge and the wood to metal fit is very close; so, water is unlikely to find its way in there.

Sharpening the edge is relatively easy and Hultafors make a high -quality sharpening puck, with two grades of grit and a superb, ergonomic shape, which make the job a dream. It comes in its own leather case, to prevent it being damaged and that too is great quality.

Conclusion

This is a very high-quality axe, ideal for a range of jobs, from cutting up meat to felling medium sized trees. Its size and weight makes it ideal for carrying in your backpack and its quality means that it will last for years. The sharpness of the blade does take some getting used to, and for that reason this axe should be treated with respect. It is a serious piece of kit and; properly looked after, it will serve you well.

Hultafors OK4 Outdoor Knife

The OK4 is a general-purpose outdoor knife with a short, thick blade of Japanese knife steel that is hardened to 58-60 HRC. The plastic handle is coated with a ‘Santoprene friction grip’ and it does provide a very good hold, even when filleting mackerel and covered in fish oil. The blade has a protective black coating, to resist corrosion and while the coating does of course get damaged when the knife is being used or sharpened, the area of protection that does remain in place is a bonus. The knife comes with a good quality rigid plastic sheath, with a small loop to hold the optional fire steel, which, combined with the special grind on the spine of the knife, works exceptionally well and produces very large and effective sparks. The cutting edge carries a Scandi grind, which is very sharp straight out of the box and is also very easy to re-sharpen. This is a very durable knife, strong, easy to use and with a very ‘grippy’ handle; Ideal for wet and cold conditions, where a good hold is vital for safety and function. A great choice for dirty jobs, and an absolute bargain.