A hand-forged camping axe that packs a punch (and looks gorgeous too!)
There’s no getting away from it, the Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet is one stunning looking axe that you’ll be wanting to keep in the family for generations. And because of its hand-forged durability and high quality, it’s the sort of heirloom that certainly won’t be getting dusty on the mantelpiece (although it should most certainly be stored there when not in use!). This bad boy is superb at tackling small chopping jobs with ease and power, and it’s razor sharp edge provides excellent accuracy for splitting logs and making kindling at camp.
Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet: the stats
| Overall weight: | 1.75lbs / 790g |
| Head weight: | 1lb / 450g |
| Head metal: | Swedish steel |
| Handle length: | 16in / 40.5cm |
| Handle wood: | American Hickory |
Features of the Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet
Steel head
The solid Swedish steel head of the axe is hand forged in a foundry that has been going since 1697. And because it is struck so many times in its production, it is super dense and highly durable.Handle
The 16in long handle is made with American Hickory which is a dense, stiff and shock resistant wood. It is shaped to fit superbly in one hand (or two if you have little hands!). The handle is also replaceable should it become damaged.
Leather sheath
The replaceable leather sheath protects the axe head (and you) nicely. It has a belt loop on one side and a leather cord that ties the neck of the axe into place inside the sheath.
Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet review
A good camping axe or hatchet should be small and light enough to carry, but strong and heavy enough to do the job properly. Getting the balance right between size and usefulness is a fine art. One which Hults Bruk has totally nailed with the Almike. It is just small enough to carry on a belt or slip inside a backpack. And although it’s a little on the heavy side to come along on extended backpacking forays, the weight is what makes it such an effective and powerful small tool.
The relatively short (16in) handle is designed to be held in one hand. This thing is not made for heavy duty tree felling! So, for those with large man-sized hands, you’ll have to generate all your power from one arm. Not that you really need to contribute much power: the well-balanced weight of the head does all the work for you. Get your accuracy right and slicing through small logs and kindling requires minimum effort with a very satisfying outcome.
I have little lady-sized hands, which means I can fit both of them around the handle and really swing that bad boy! It is super efficient, and even hacking at tough wood with powerful blows behind it, the naturally shock resistant hickory handle means that I feel little impact through my arms.
The edge of the head is also super sharp and has held its edge well after several uses. If I had some skill, I’d like to think it would be useful for a spot of whittling and wood carving. Alas, my inner whittler is constantly outdone by the instant satisfaction that comes with the less refined skills of wood splitting!
What I love the most about the Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet
I can’t deny it… I really love the way this beaut of an axe looks! It oozes hipster woodsman, quality and class. But it also feels all of those things too — not just ridiculously nice to look at! And yes, it is also wonderfully easy and efficient to use.
What I don’t love so much about the Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet
If you don’t take care of it the head can rust easily. This is not unusual. So be sure to dry it off after each use, and store it in a dry place if possible… your mantelpiece, perhaps?!
Verdict
With a fairly hefty price tag attached to it, the Hults Bruk Almike Hatchet is not the sort of axe you buy only to replace in a couple of years. This is a forever tool that will accompany you and your family on many, many outings into the wild woods (or maybe just your backyard!). Either way, its hand-forged quality and durability will see many a splitting and chopping job done and dusted with ease and satisfaction. It looks wonderful, but its performance is what really turns heads.
Find the latest price at:
Hults Bruk | Amazon
Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.
