Hultafors Ågelsjön Mini Hatchet

Here’s a handy hatchet with a very short handle for weight-conscious bushcrafters, hikers, and hunters. Perfect for tinder-making and building this and that small at the camp. A perfect choice for tougher hikes when minimizing the weight is more important than maximizing the power. Comes with a thick leather axe sheath.

Hand-forged head

This axe is named after the lake Ågelsjön, where the water needed to run the waterwheel for the forge was once taken. It is hand-forged using high-quality Swedish carbon steel, using methods that date back to the 17th century. The blade is so sharp that you can shave with it. (We just had to try it and now the skin is very smooth.) The 500 gram head represents the lighter and smaller end of the Hultafors lineup. Perfect for, well, smaller tasks.

Hultafors axes are made of relatively soft steel which is easy to sharpen but keeps the edge rather well (when not hit against a rock). We imagine if they have made them like this for centuries, it's a pretty good recipe!

The axe comes with a sturdy good quality hickory handle. Hultafors does offer the handles of all lengths separately, so if you manage to break yours, you don't have to go on making a new one from scratch.

Axeptable uses

This is the smallest hatchet by Hultafors. It is designed e.g. for demanding hikes in the mountains and other such trips where you don’t want to carry anything extra. If you need to whittle tinder, chop smaller pieces of wood into kindling, and build this and that in the camp, this works. If you want an axe for serious logging, you should naturally look for something else. As a major pro, this short axe is easy to carry both in the pack and on the belt while it still provides the utility of an axe, although a short one. So when the weight is a problem, here’s a high-quality solution. Another option for weight problems is to leave the axe at home and take along our Terävä Skrama 240.

Axe sheath included

This axe comes with a leather sheath. It doesn’t have a snap fastener, instead, there is a leather drawstring, which is better in the long run. Leather usually stretches in use, so in time the snap fastener will be a bit wobbly but the drawstring can always be tightened more. It is also easy to replace if needed.

Also included is a small booklet (in Swedish and English), which gives you some info on the history and manufacturing techniques, as well as tips on proper axe maintenance.

Manufactured by Hultafors

Hultafors axes are manufactured at Hults Bruk in Southeastern Sweden. Hults Bruk was originally founded in 1697. First, they primarily forged nails for shipbuilding but quite soon they also began making various hand tools. By 1870 axes had become a major part of their production. Today Hultafors is a fascinating combination of traditional handicrafts and modern technology. Their fantastic axes are known for their quality across the world.

And of course there's the aesthetic side: this really is a beautiful item.