1844 Helko Werk GermanyTraditional Rheinland Pack Axe - Made in Germany Compact Lightweight Axe for Backpacking Camping Long Hatchet - Head 1.5 lbs, Handle 20 in. (Rheinland Pack Axe) #11327

This axe is is awesome. Cuts wood like paper. Very nice

Great intermediate size axe design, hits the sweet spots of head weight and handle length, and with the longer German-style bit. Head appears well crafted, and handle grain alignment on this one is excellent. Very nice leather mask: the buckle style - though a little less convenient than a snap - is 100% more secure.I had been looking for a pack style axe and previously ordered the Hults Bruk Akka and the Council Tool Woodcraft Pack Axe. Both seemed like potentially excellent tools, but both had quality control issues: the Akka was hung so poorly that it was unusable (something I've observed in 9 out of 10 Gransfors axes these days too...the Swedish makers seem to be getting careless with increased popularity, though they don't hesitate to charge more). I wanted to like the USA-made Council Tool, but the eye was not vertical and so the bit was out of alignment with the handle. Uneven grind as well. Disappointing.Enter the Helko Werk. Less popular and known perhaps with the "bushcraft" crowd. But it's a user, rock-solid, and just as beautiful as the Gransfors. Most importantly: at last an axe that is hung correctly. Don't hesitate to give it a try.

I ordered both the Classic Scout & the Traditional Hessen Woodworker. The Scout , as received, would cut paper. The Hessen, as received would not cut paper but it chopped better than my sharpened hardware axe. The axe heads were exact with the specifications given. The handles completely filled the eyes and were well secured. From the pictures, the Hessen's head appears much larger than the Scout's head; however the weight differences is only 0.25 lbs. Nevertheless, the Hessen felt better in my hands than the Scout.The Scout's handle was heart wood and the grain orientation was perfect; however, the handle knob was not aligned well with the blade of the axe. The Hessen's handle had both heart wood and sap wood and the handle knob aligned perfectly with the blade of the axe. The throats of each handle were about an inch wide and the width increased to about 1.25 inch at the shoulder.I kept the Hessen and returned the Scout. The Hessen is a great axe. Although it is lighter and shorter than my hardware axe it cuts as deep or deeper. Helko Werk makes a good product although for the two I compared, I rate the axe head quality superior to the axe handle quality.

Highly recommend this axe. Comfortable grip, lightweight, yet durable, and keeps a great edge.