Got a Wetterlings Wildlife Hatchet

Wildcat

Wildcat

Joined
Apr 14, 2003
Messages
925
It is the 13" model. I have never handled a Gransfors, but this Wetterlings has a nice fit and finish. Took it straight to the back yard to cut on some 4" diameter oak limbs. It ate right thru the limbs. The center of the limbs was pretty hard wood and there was no rolling or chipping of the edge. For $32 shipped, it was an excellent deal. I'm gonna have to get another and even one of the larger axes now.:thumbup:
 
I realize this post is from March, but I figured I might as well post this here instead of starting a new thread.

I've used the Wetterling's Chopping Axe and I really love it. I just ordered the Wetterlings Wildlife Hatchet from Smoky Mountain Knife Works tonight and I can't wait to get it. It should be a great little tool for carrying in my truck and for cutting through things that are a little too thick for my Tramontina's. I'm glad the hear that you like your Wildlife Hatchet and I anticipate I will love mine as well.
 
product.jsp


Swedish made axe made out of alloy right. I can't remember if it is forged or from stock (not likely i know) or cast I'm not sure. I hear it is a user and worth the money.
 
What a coincidence.

I just got a couple of Wetterlings scout axes from the local hardware store- - larger than the wildlife axe and weighing 500gms overall...

very good quality, not hand forged, but extremely good little axes.

I am donating one to the local boy scouts.

In my opnion, these are fantastic value for money. I only paid the equivalent of 28 dollars each for these.
 
I might be wrong, but from my understanding the Wetterlings are all hand forged. Just to make sure, I checked their website at www.wetterlings.com and it said the same. Either way, I currently own three of them of varying sizes and have no complaints.
 
Wetterling has two product lines: one handforged and one drop forged.

If you go to the above link of Wetterlings.com, under Products you will see listed both.

American distributors usually provide only the handforged line.
 
What does drop forge mean? I've heard it alot but never knew what it really meant. Is it another term for cast?
 
I had overlooked their drop forged line, my mistake. As far as the hand forged line, I have absolutely no complaints with the three I own. I have heard many folks talk about the GB axes, but unfortunately they are much beyond my budget.
 
I received my Wildlife Hatchet in the mail yesterday and it looks good. I am not sure if it is drop forged or hand forged, but the head and handle on it look great. It wasn't shaving sharp when I got it, but it was much sharper than a lot of axes are when new. I haven't tried it out yet, but I have quite a bit of chopping and limbing to do Saturday morning so it should get quite the workout.
 
I've had mine for 6 months now. It's a heck of a cutter. I've used is to split wood for kindling and make fuzz sticks, limbing and everything else. It's a great hatchet.
 
The Wetterlings in my opinion are the equal to the GB if you are willing to do a bit of finishing yourself.
 
AustinTXShooter said:
I received my Wildlife Hatchet in the mail yesterday and it looks good. I am not sure if it is drop forged or hand forged, but the head and handle on it look great.
Click to expand...

If you bought it from a US vendor, it is most likely to be the hand-forged. Also, id the finish is rough, it is the hand-forged one. The smoother finished drop forged ones are cheaper, since not too much manual labor gores into the forging.

The handforging is thorough process of working the metal into a mechanically superior blade.
By the way, the handforging in these cases means that the smith shapes the metal using a machine operated heavy hammer, instead of banging it with a hand hammer. Still, the amount of manual labor involved and the personal skills required are tremendous, so it is justly called hand-forging.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top