An axe may look uncomplicated, but there is good reason why overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts treat their tools with reverence. A year ago, I ran into Hultafors and have since learned to appreciate my Hultån hatchet.
BACKGROUND
Hults Bruk axes—sold under the Hultafors brand in Europe, after the Hultafors Group bought the company in 1992—are still made just as they were when the company was founded in 1697…by hand.
The Hults Bruk company settled at the end of a valley north of Norrkoping and beside a stream, the Hultån, which drove the hammers that forged the steel. In 1887, Gunnar Ekelund, who was the owner at the time, travelled to America to learn the industrial methods employed by axe makers, and to open up new sales channels for his company. At the same time, extremely strong Hickory handles were introduced to the manufacturing in Sweden.
Today the same premises are occupied by 20 craftsmen who continue the tradition, but without having to rely upon water to power the hammers.
A LEAP OF GOOD FAITH
What makes the Hultån so interesting? Well, I ordered the hatchet at the beginning of the pandemic when my original idea to visit the factory in Sweden was thwarted along with any misconception that I could drive to the German distributor. Consequently, I eagerly awaited delivery via the parcel service.
At this point, I should say that prior to this decision of mine to try something new, I had been using the same axes and hatchets for a good number of years, and I thought I was in a good place with them—there was no reason for the change other than an urge to have something borne of tradition and which may become a victim of modernisation. Unwrapping the parcel from Hultafors was about to change everything. Holding the Hultån for the first time, there was no mistaking this is a masterpiece.
THE HANDLE
There is a reason why so many manufacturers choose hickory for the handles of axes and hammers. It’s strong, hard-wearing, and, treated with some linseed oil occasionally, it will provide years of service.
The handle’s gentle curve allows for a reassuring grip and reduces the risk of slipping. It also means that you don’t have to grasp it quite so rigorously, which in turn improves control and accuracy of each blow.
Just below the head, the handle is marginally slimmer, making it easier to use for tasks such as whittling feather sticks. In fact, the action is so comfortable that Hultån has made one of my knives almost redundant.
THE HEAD
The head is not accurately machined and perfectly ground, it carries the scars of being forged and finished by hand. Made from Swedish carbon steel, the stamp on the side confirms it weighs 500 g.
The edge is highly polished and sharp enough to shave the hairs off of my arm. Again, attention to detail during manufacture (resulting from centuries of experience) means, the edge, when used correctly, will hold its sharpness for a considerable amount of time.
THE SHEATH
The sheath is made from thick brown leather, with a leather lace to secure it in place. A loop implies you could theoretically put this on your belt. In practice, Hultån resides in its own place in the car, or is carried in a bag or a Zarges box along with other camp kitchen equipment.
Even so, the feel and workmanship invested in the sheath is testament to the passion that drives the person who made it. Inside is a label with the inspection number 14.
IN PRACTICE
This is more than just an extension of my arm. I use my Hultån mostly for preparing firewood, and I’ll never forget making my initial comparison: I put down its predecessor whilst splitting some small logs to start a fire and tried the newcomer for the first time. I wielded Hultån just as I had moments before and the log sprang in two astoundingly easily. The design of the head (and I am not talking about how sharp the edge is) and the length of the handle vastly increase the effort put in by the user, despite its overall length of just 38.5 cm and total weight slightly north of 800 g.
As mentioned above, the shape of the handle reduces fatigue which in turn improves accuracy and safety.
CONCLUSION
Produced in Sweden’s oldest axe factory, Hultån represents heritage and tradition to its core. Each of the three components that combine to make this hatchet are beautifully manufactured. The cutting edge is designed to maintain its sharpness. The tool is well balanced and highly effective to use without much exertion on the part of the wielder.
This contemporary artefact genuinely puts a smile on my face every time I use it.
€107 | hultaforsoutdoor.com
This article first appeared in the 2021 Gear Guide edition of Overland Journal.
