Three things Hults Bruk needs to change

Three things Hults Bruk needs to change about their axes. First, produce a great splitting axe, second modify the design of their hatchet to be a better carver, and third, modify the design of their Arvika five star racing axe.

[@whitesparrow4907]

Appreciate the honesty and shared experience. Makes it a lot easier for the rest of us to make wise purchases.

[@brettbrown9814]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don't have personal experience with these 3 products but your comments seem valid.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks for checking it out. Lots of great axes from HB, and the agdor line seems to make a lot of improvements.

[@ryanmurphy7313]

Great video! I've recently started trying to get into axes now that I have my first fireplace to burn wood. I've already learned a lot from what videos of yours i've watched! Thank you!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks man! Awesome about the stove, best thing to have in your house

[@bentonleach6730]

Great video

[@Brian2bears]

Mr. Urban, I owned the American Felling Axe for a period of time and currently own the Hunter's Axe by Hults Bruk I am/was very satisfied with their products. I too watched Ben Scotts' video you mentioned. I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the subject....

[@urbanlumberjack]

From what I’ve seen those are both great axes. HB does a lot right, every hand I’ve seen has been solid, the handles are typically. High quality and even on the splitting axe the design and execution are beautiful. They haven’t actually been distributing in the US that long so perhaps they are still working through how to expand internationally

[@johngibbons6155]

Great video, and always nice to hear a self formed opinion from someone who knows what they are talking about. Thanks for sharing.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks for checking it out! Your video hewing that pine log is one of the best I’ve seen recently. Excellent work, really fun to watch

[@940joey2]

Awesome video man !! I don’t have any personal experience with any of the axes you talked about in the video. I am familiar with all of them because of other videos and research and you seem to be right on the money with what other people say about these particular axes. Makes you wonder if the the manufacture is testing out these designs. Thanks again for putting out great content !!!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Much appreciated, I kind of went back and forth on this one, but ultimately decided these are very expensive axes, and I hope it helps people spend their money wisely.

[@940joey2]

@@urbanlumberjack You’re very welcome man !! I know you definitely helped me out !! I’ve had my eye on an arvika 5 star for a while but after seeing this and a few other videos in the past, I think I’m going choose something else !!

[@scottsiejkowski8486]

I have always second guessed that H-B splitter just by the looks of it. Due to the cost, I'm glad that I never took a gamble on it.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I think HB is putting their reputation at risk with it, there are plenty of Scandinavian splitting patterns out there that would represent the brand better. Thanks for your input

[@jamesedwards6269]

Great video. I have such a hard time dropping the dough on a premium axe when I watch review like this. I want to get more value for a premium tool than just a name.

[@urbanlumberjack]

For sure. Hultafors and husqvarna are worth a look, but hard to source at good prices in the US.

[@Joey-L]

I agree with the 5 Star criticisms, especially with the thin cheeks. I have one as well and have struggled with the bit geometry to try and make it perform better. I would also recommend removing the long club like handle. I've recently had my eye on the blue paint Agdor tassie they offer as well. I wonder if its much different in design though.

[@urbanlumberjack]

The agdor Tassie looks quite a bit different than my arvika, and in all fairness from the picture I saw seems to not only have a better finish but thicker cheeks. I do know some sources in Canada can buy just the arvika heads and it’s pretty economical that way. Tempted to see if I can get one that way.

[@kurts64]

Agree with many of your thoughts here. HB is probably my favourite modern company, a good range at different price points and generally good value. The splitter is a bit weird. I have the heavier splitting maul/sledge axe version and it's a bit of a love/hate relationship. The hatchet is a good all rounder but in my opinion could do with a straighter thinner handle. The Arvika though is a bit of a mystery. I've got several old HB agdors and been using tassie patterns for decades. My vintage HB 4lb model has been one of my favourite go to axes for years. So to see what the the new arvika has turned into is really strange. It's almost become more of a heavy limbing axe with that thin edge and super hollow cheeks. Dunno if HB is trying to squeeze too much bit- or edge-length out of the given steel weight or maybe they're trying to concentrate on the supposed aesthetic of a race axe. Maybe they're trying to change with perceived customer use over time? The Helko is a much closer representation of a true tassie (though still not perfect) and probably the better purchase out of the two. Imagine helko did a forged finish version of their tassie... subbed👍

[@urbanlumberjack]

Much appreciated, I was hoping to hear from an Aussie on the Arvika! I’ve heard excellent things about the vintage ones. Id like to see what has changed on the axe from then to today. A “heavy limbing axe with a thin edge” is an excellent way to describe the modern arvika. Apparently the Agdor Arvika has a forged finish under the paint and from pictures looks like it has thicker cheeks and a better profile, I’d love to get my hands on one to compare.

[@kurts64]

@@urbanlumberjack no worries! I do have one modern agdor tas, but I've left it unmodified for a while now with the thoughts of doing a comparison vid with the helko, and maybe a discussion on tas design over time. The agdor does have forge marks under the paint. It's still thinner than the vintage ones but does have a bit more centreline than the Arvikas I've seen, and here in Aus is up to $100 cheaper.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the tassies. They are an extremely rare axe around where I live, so I don’t get the chance to see or use one as much as I’d like.

[@helterskelter156]

I have to admit, my favorite splitter is the Fiskars 5Lb Splitting Maul. That thing is an absolute beast, is virtually unbreakable, and isn’t super costly.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I’ve heard the at a lot, and totally get it. I have a fiberglass handle husky that has split a ton of wood and works great. Very reliable and doesn’t ask a lot

[@MatthewAmsbaugh]

I really like your content. You call it like you see it and you don’t pull punches. I’ve never owned the splitter or hatchet. I can tell by looking at the splitter that it wouldn’t be effective. I’ve also heard a few people talk about how terrible it is, so there is zero chance I’ll spend my money on it. I’m a little baffled that so many people dislike the Arvika. It’s among my favorite users. Have mine sitting at around 19 degrees flat with a micro bevel. It doesn’t have a very high centerline, but seems to have enough for most species I’ve used it in. It is quite a stretch to call it a tassie (I actually did a side by side of a modern and vintage arvika on my latest video and it’s hard to believe just how different they are). I actually think it has more in common with a big Connie than a tassie or a racer. But overall, it’s been a really good axe for general chopping. Light enough for felling but has the extra weight for bucking bigger logs. Now the bit did roll when I first used it but it didn’t have any secondary bevel on it. Once I added one, it held up great. And honestly I’d rather have it roll then chip or crack. Overall, I love the axe. I think the design makes it an effective chopping axe for a fair amount of species and the steel it’s made out of is pretty spot on for an axe. I should add that the lacquer on mine was a bit of a pain to remove as well. Luckily I was able to get it off with a wire wheel on my grinder.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks man! I’ve followed your channel for a while now, part of what got me into putting some things on KZbin so much appreciated. You swing the arvika well! Any axe, really. Amazing to see the difference between a new and old arvika.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Arvika is shit 😉 lol

[@bushleague3472]

Totally agree with you about the hatchet, I was all set to upgrade from my Fiskars... until I actually tried one. The Fiskars is actually a pretty versatile tool, despite its utilitarian look, the HB very much felt like a one trick pony. To be fair, its relatively difficult to find a good hatchet without spending a whole pile more, I'm thinking the Adler Scout Hatchet with a slightly longer handle might be a good option.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Adler makes great stuff, I did a video on their canoe axe and short splitter. The canoe axe is solid

[@joshkelloggKCR]

Thought about picking up the husky version splitter but due to the multiple bad reviews passed on it. Guess I'll stick with the old Fiskars, hate to love it but works better than anything else I have used. In your original review on it, my thought was design may be good for smaller axe bucked logs (if designed pre power saw) and splitting from the side. Haven't seen it put to work that way yet. Love the takes you have, keep up the good work.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks man I appreciate it! I do like the smaller splitting axe, wish it had a wider bit bit it’s good for kindling. I’ve never owned a fiskars but I know a lot of people swear by them.

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

Two splitting axes I've had my eye on is the Ochsenkopf splitting axe, not the one you showed, the one with the 2500g head with yellow paint, and Council Tool 5lb splitting axe. I do believe that first Hults Bruk splitting axe you showed is designed for the soft wood trees in the north. And the little Hults Bruk hatchet I have and I got to say I love mine. It's great for me. Also, Hults Bruk does have a carving hatchet, it's called the Almike and also the Hultafors brand has the same carving hatchet with different name.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Ox head makes great axes. If somebody needs a heavy duty ax that can take a beating there’s splitters are great. It’s a totally different experience splitting with the ox head versus a 5 pound splitting axe. I’m no slouch, but after a few hours, I find myself gravitating toward a splitting axe after using the ox head. I do like the small splitting ax HB makes. If I were them, I would keep that in their lineup and get rid of the full size. Probably make the bit taller on the smaller axe.

[@rallelevin6102]

The old splitting maul that they used to make works great, but for some reason they just stopped with that design and switched to slimmer and longer axes. Would really love to find out why they made those decisions.

[@urbanlumberjack]

It’s a mystery why they would go for a functional pattern to this one. I think it’s marketing honestly. Hults bruk is owned by a parent company who is owned by another parent company. So I think they lose some control over their designs

[@mikenormandy9250]

Will 100% agree, holy crap you took the words out my mouth! the Sarek, full size splitting axe, it is really such a let down! And not only that, the wooden wedge had a knot in it, caused it to split in the kerf, and just work it’s way out. The Shelf, at the neck of the bit, looked like they used a spoon to carve chunks out the wood?!? For $187 I was PISSED. I only have shit hardware store axes around me - public lands/Dicks stores sell HB - Got the Medium Felling axe, The Kisa, FREAKING LOVE THAT THING, the Sarek - the one thing I regret….literally took the words out my mouth - was going to put it on a smaller handle and use it for a wood stove kindler. What do you think? Any tips or ideas what I should do with it? It’s a pretty piece of steel! Oh and literally bought the Ox Head (Stihl) splitting axe and no longer need a maul between the CT 5# splitter and the Ox Head LOL. The ONLY saving grace I have is ONE hardware store near me selling the Stihl rebranded Ox Heads! LOVE those axes!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Stihl has great axes. Usually a bit cheaper than a straight branded axe head too. I'm not sure what to do with the axe, it will sit on the shelf now and make me irritated when I look at it for now! haha

[@mikenormandy9250]

Shit, I actually would buy it off you! If You want to get rid of it! I’ll gladly take it off your hands - I got a great 2-1/4 HB boys axe 10/2, blue paint worn off, was permabond as well (I re hafted with a Stihl/ox pack axe thinned out handle. - awesome looking patina - no idea where it’s from, def a boys axe from their American pattern line (now the agdor patterns are blue and yellow?) LOL. Always wanted the Arvika, what a let down.

[@rickdunbar2319]

I've always liked hults bruk and helko. But if you can find one I have a 25 year old keech and nothing I've ever used can touch it.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Those are excellent axes. I also like HB and Helko. Was just splitting white oak today with my Helko tassie and had a blast. Would love to get my hands on a Keech

[@matte8433]

When they mess up they weld their mistakes and grind down. Their axes are know to chip and they'll continue covering up their shortcomings. Im not sure but these axes might even be contracted so its not going to be possible to have such strict quality control...

[@urbanlumberjack]

I’m not sure what’s going on with the arvikas. I haven’t heard they are contracted out of they were that would be a major disappointment. From what I’ve seen the newer agdor arvikas are much better but I can’t speak to that yet not having seen one in person. I think they’re just not sure what to do with the axe right now and are working through how to keep it relevant.

[@nevadahughes7962]

Great video. Agree with the thin cheeks. Thanks for unblocking

[@urbanlumberjack]

Lol, but I didn’t block you???

[@runtr8389]

just a couple thoughts, racing axes have evolved to what they are today , Heavy, 2x heaver than what you would used as normal person,if a normal person wants to cut down a tree , they are not concerned in doing it in 40 seconds , and a normal person does not do the relentless training to have the body to swing a heavy racing axe , , so have a look at the build on the best axe men, now as to the type of wood your cutting, down under in Australia we have the hardest woods in the world , and generally have led the world in cutting wood , with the kiwis , so in the past we have had the axes to do the job , along with the kiwis,( who still do , tuatahi ) when an axes are used on different species of wood, they change the angle to suit, depending of where they are in the world , ( the high polish helps them not stick or release easier ) next , you don't split wood with an axe, you use use splitter, ( different tool )can be called a maul, unfortunately some of our wood , is just too hard to split by hand , so we hire a hydraulic splitter 25 tonne ram capacity , just a couple of thoughts keep up the good fight ,

[@urbanlumberjack]

Always appreciate wisdom from Australia. Spotted gum really is on a whole different level.

[@Tony.795]

I disagree on the forged finish. Virtually any axe is drop forged nowadays, even the GB axes that started this trend of the forged finish to make them look truly hand forged. So it doesn't say much about how well crafted the axe is as they are forged in dies. Personally, I prefer the smooth finish like on most vintage axes. Some people seem to complain about the finish underneath the paint of the Agdor axes and see it as a downstep from the previous finish. I'd imagine it's harder to hide micro cracks with a satin finish than than with the forged finish.

[@urbanlumberjack]

GB forged their axes with open dies same as HB. Many others do too, including Mueller. Open die forging is basically trip hammer forging except instead of changing out dies on a single hammer it has several dies in a row.

[@Tony.795]

@@urbanlumberjack I know that GB axes are not really hand forged, except for the special axes like the trade tomahawks they make sometimes. Leaving the forged finish is just a sales gimmick really. A hand forged axe would be too expensive and making a head look like it is hand forged is the middle ground I guess.

[@TomKim]

Just buy more Arvikas. And just pick thicker one.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Would love a vintage one, they are great from everything I’ve heard

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

1: have you complained to them directly? 2: have you asked for your money back? 3: have they replied? 4: if so, have they offered a refund or an alternative gesture of goodwill? Once all that is done, you can make a click-bait video and tell us how bad YOU think it is.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I kept the splitter past the 30 days return period, I own it now. I have tried to contact HB, but could not locate any contact information for warranty or input of the kind I would offer. One of the reasons I like Council Tool is they make that information immediately accessible and I’ve actually spoken to people from their company about issues. I can’t even find out where to start with HB.

[@yeetyeet8365]

Yes he is a tool talking about a tool. His comments are FANTASY. MAN UP. That axe would do fine in the 1800s. 😂

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I, too, dislike the Arvika.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Right? It’s a weird axe, I can’t keep mine from chipping out either. Kurt S did an awesome video comparing a vintage and new arvika. There are huge differences, and that’s coming from an excellent Australian axeman. I’d like to try out an old Arvika