Gransfors Bruks Hand Hatchet

I couldn't decide which one I wanted to splash out on, so I decided to get them both and send back one of them. They are both beautiful, quality tools, and it's easy to see that they have been produced by companies and craftspeople with generations of experience. I have no doubt that they will both outlast me. I figured I'd post a couple pictures of side-by-side comparisons.They both weigh the same, half a kilo which is 1.1 pound. I did the dimensional measurements in inches, although I'm sure, as they're both from Sweden, they were made with centimetres in mind.The face of the Hultafors is 5 1/2" x 3", and the Gransfors is 5" x 3 1/8" - so the face of the Hult is a little longer. It's also thicker on the business end before it tapers to the cutting edge. The Grans has a longer, slightly thinner taper to the edge. How this will translate into cutting I don't know yet. The cheeks are about the same thickness and shape, but the eye opening for the handle is noticeably different in each, with the Hult being 1 3/4 x 3/4, and the Grans 1 1/2 x 3/4. Hultafors is using the two wedge system, and Gransfors just has the one, but both are well seated and very solid.The eye opening being different naturally means a different profile to the handles. The Hultafors has a narrower, smoother grip, which may give slightly less resistance in the hand when hewing, where you're trying to cut down a piece of greenwood and using mainly the weight of the head to ladder the chips. The Gransfors has the thicker, and actually about a quarter inch shorter, handle, and it has a rougher feel. I believe they leave the light turning marks from the lathe intentionally to improve grip. Both are really nice, and both could easily be shaped however best fits your hand.The Gransfors comes with the initials of the craftsman stamped in it, which is nice, and both have the seals of the forges on the heads and handles. The cases - the Hultafors has a thicker, more rugged case. The leather is thicker by at least a millimetre, with a tie closure. The Gransfors has the snap closure mask. Both work.Overall, I think the Hultafors has the more rugged feel and appearance, and the Gransfors is more shapely and fine. Both have their own elegance about them, so it's just a matter of preference - particularly with the shape of the cutting edge. Both will easily slice your finger for you when you unbox though, so take care!

Love gransfors bruks. This is my second axe from then. It is such a cute little size while still being practical. Planning to use it for backpacking and hunting. The handle is rough, but after doing some research I discovered that the rough ness is from little grib groves carved into the axe. Given its size its good to have if you are using it one handed. I think I will smooth mine up a bit but this is intentional.

This is a great tool, it was razor sharp right out of the box, is well balanced. Just what I was looking for. When you pay a hefty price it is really good when you get the quality you expected

I am so in love with this tool. These people are passionate about the tools that they make and it's so obvious when you pay attention to every detail of it's construction. If you've never held a Gransfors Bruk product in your hands, You have no clue what you're missing. This is the real deal.

Don’t use on bones. I’ve tried it to chop some lamb bones, seems like the steel not strong enough

(Updated)I am very concerned about this hatchet and I have contacted Gransfors about the issues I have found.1. The handle is very rough and looks unfinished in comparison to the small forest axe also picturedAfter research and reaching out to the seller it does appear the hatch handle is machined a different way and that is the finished product... apparently better grip for one hand use.2. The hatchet came dullLet me make this clear, make no mistake the hatchet is plenty sharp from the get go, however it is not hair shaving sharp3. The hatch came in a bag instead of the Gransfors standard box.It also appears there are only a couple of axes get the boxI am very concerned with this hatchet’s quality and does not compare to the small forest axe at all.So after research and talking with the seller I am going to keep the hatchet and put it to use, I am taking one star off because I do feel it should come sharper, but that is just my opinion.

It is a very good quality hatchet. It is an excellent steel and comes sharpened well. I personally use it for shaping wood working projects. While whittling. Making spoons, bowls cups and various hand whittles. Great product and was delivered very quickly.

This was my third gainsfors burks axe. The first two were great. The quality on this hatchet’s handle was very, very poor. I normally, fix this type of thing myself but this one was so bad (and expensive) that I am sending it back. No quality control: it should not have left the factory in this condition.