Help with my new Hultafors

M

Maus1322

Joined
Mar 24, 2013
Messages
14
hey all,

I have a question. Well here is the background. I have been looking for a good axe. I found a Hultafors hunting axe to fit the bill. Well i ordered one and it came in a somewhat timely matter. To my surprise though it came with a crack in the handle and the grind is not even on both sides. Is this common? This axe was supposedly one of the best kind of axes available and it is no better then one i can buy at menards...... It did come shaving sharp and the head seems ok. I guess is this common and I will show you pictures of the crack. Here are a few more questions. I am wondering if the crack jeopardizes the integrity of the handle or not? I also wonder if the head is supposed to be slightly off balanced on the bevel or no? I would guess not as a knife maker i would never want that. (Chisel grind excluded of course) Are these axes just a crap shoot either way or is QC failing with all axes.


Thanks for your time and wisdom

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130968590@N08/16720143765/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130968590@N08/16720143515/in/photostream/
 
Ill be honest with you, ive returned a gransfors bruks american felling axe for way less than that, it all depend on your perception, if you dont mind the crack etc.

doubt its serious, some real strong superglue in it with applied pressure, then some sanding and im sure you would never hear from it ever again... but on a brand new axe, that is supposed to be among the top dogs... yeah, id return it, but thats just me!
 
You could repair it but it's a relatively pricey axe that's slightly defective. Me...I'd likely call the vendor and explain the problem and ask for return postage and a hand picked replacement.
 
I can't comment on the grind with out a picture.

Your handle is defective. Don't be to hard on them for that, it may have just shown up. In my experience it is damaged wood that happen when the tree was felled or after. You can get all kinds of wood like that from rummaging through bulldozed trees for instance. I have never really had much luck in repairing them kind of splits and its really hard to tell how far they actually travel.

I reserve the right to wrong and maybe in this case a little super glue will fix it, but I highly doubt it.
 
garry3 said:
I can't comment on the grind with out a picture.

Your handle is defective. Don't be to hard on them for that, it may have just shown up. In my experience it is damaged wood that happen when the tree was felled or after. You can get all kinds of wood like that from rummaging through bulldozed trees for instance. I have never really had much luck in repairing them kind of splits and its really hard to tell how far they actually travel.

I reserve the right to wrong and maybe in this case a little super glue will fix it, but I highly doubt it.
Click to expand...

I agree. It looks like a weak spot. If it was on my Indian hatchet, I might just rehandle, but I expect the price of this one might guide expectations higher... Same with uneven grind, esp w/handle problem!
 
Maus1322 said:
hey all,

I have a question. Well here is the background. I have been looking for a good axe. I found a Hultafors hunting axe to fit the bill. Well i ordered one and it came in a somewhat timely matter. To my surprise though it came with a crack in the handle and the grind is not even on both sides. Is this common? This axe was supposedly one of the best kind of axes available and it is no better then one i can buy at menards...... It did come shaving sharp and the head seems ok. I guess is this common and I will show you pictures of the crack. Here are a few more questions. I am wondering if the crack jeopardizes the integrity of the handle or not? I also wonder if the head is supposed to be slightly off balanced on the bevel or no? I would guess not as a knife maker i would never want that. (Chisel grind excluded of course) Are these axes just a crap shoot either way or is QC failing with all axes.


Thanks for your time and wisdom

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130968590@N08/16720143765/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130968590@N08/16720143515/in/photostream/
Click to expand...

I had an Hultafors with a similar crack in the handle, so I contacted them and they talked to the store I ordered it from, so they sent me a new axe. The new axe had a twisted head, and the edge didnt run parallel with the handle, so I talked to them once again and they sent me a 3rd axe, that was perfect.

Great service, so send them an email and explain. After all, they are the oldest axe manufacturer in Sweden..
 
Maus1322 said:
hey all,

. . . To my surprise though it came with a crack in the handle . . .
Click to expand...

That "crack" is a classic example of tearout.

Maus1322 said:
. . . or is QC failing with all axes. . . .
Click to expand...

IMHO QC failed in this instance. That handle should never have been hung with the tearout.

Considering the grind and the tearout I would return it. If you can live with the head then "fix" the tearout. It's likely to get worse with use. It's also likely to get caught on something and deepen the split and/or chip off. You also don't want something on a handle that could poke you in the hand. If you try glue sand it smooth. I can't tell how much wood you have to work with from the pictures, but you might be able to take the tearout areas away using the tool of your choice. Here is the direction I would cut:
 
Everyone,
I want to thank everyone for their input. I really like the work that rjdankert did, Thank you sir/maam. I was also wanting to let you all know i have contacted the supplier that is overseas and they said with a good picture they could possibly send me another axe! (fingers crossed) I will keep you all informed with what happens and I hope it works out. (I have the worst luck with my online orders.)
 
Well guys I said that I would keep you all updated,
After talking with the company going back and fourth they have refused to pay for return shipping which to England happens to be $28.00. Sad actually because they let something like this leave their doors. I will be leaving a review for this company but do not think that it is appropriate to talk about it on here. I have decided to put a new handle on it with that being only $13.00. I was just wondering if anyone knows any threads with a how-to-do? I appreciate all your thoughts and am sad about the outcome of such a high rated axe.... I feel bad for people who order it from here on.
 
Do please provide us with the link to the forum review here, i really dont want to be ordering from them by accident.
 
That's too bad. I recently bought a Hultafors large hatchet, and the handle is made such dense wood that it barely takes BLO.
 
Thanks Bob haha. The company was through Amazon and they are called Great British tools. This like i said is sad. I havent talked with Amazon yet but it will be brought up. Well i can make a knife now lets see if i can fix this handle problem......
 
Do like Bob suggested, until you get under it. It might work out for you with out replacing it.

Thank you for sharing the name of the company.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top