Swedish hatchet?

[Agent_H]

Looks as if these axes start @ $100 and quickly go to $150. Quality forged head. If it were mine I would send it back to them and let them completely recondition it. You would be in it for much less than the cost of a new one but it would be like new. Just my .02

Your question made me wonder.

Here is the exchange with the rep.




From: Me
Subject: Factory reconditioning

Message Body:
Good day,

I have an older Hults Bruk hatchet.

Does your company offer a "reconditioning" service
for axes/hatchets not purchased from you directly?

Thank you for your time!

Me

--
This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Hults
Bruk (http://hultsbruk1697.se)



The rep’s response:

Thank you for the message, ME.

Unfortunately, we do not offer a reconditioning service. There may be a blacksmith or speciality hardware store in your area who would offer such a service.

Thank you, Matt

Matt Huff
Managing Director
Sport Hansa
Asheville, North Carolina

 

[300Six]

Agent_H; can I blame them for that response? No. I was told 15 years ago that the expense of bulk packaging of bargain store flannel shirts from Bangladesh was 90-95% freight and packaging rather than actual cost of materials and physically making the shirts. And, that retail stores double the price between wholesale and retail.
To send a 40 year old axe head (of unconfirmed (Swede though!) origin) back and expect a talented craftsman to freely or cheaply rejuvenate it is a 'pipe dream'. Their (the few 'become-boutique' makers that are still in business) regular production line is not becoming rich and neither are the niche 'craftsmen' in it, but the corporate 'bean counters' involved are keenly aware of what it does cost to do business.

 

[markv]

nice handle. carve or rasp or sand some of the meat away until you achieve the desired feel/thickness. the length seems good. can you show an image of the wedge?
matching up older axe/hatchet heads with newer handles is definitely a "try this ,try that" approach for me too.
i've hung several dozen axes over the years and learn something new every time i do. those older Hults Bruks heads are pretty decent, you have a good tool.
thanks for posting

 

[Buck268]

I should have hogged the handle down more, mostly up by the head, but it fits my hand great and has a nice swing none the less. Seems to have fit nicely- I did wipe the wedge with BLO before driving it in place. Now to find a reason to chop some kindling!

 

[M.Burman]

I believe Smedbergs in Rydaholm is the factory that's made the shafts for almost any brand of Swedish axes since the early 1900s, although under a few different names at first and from the 1960s under the name Smedbergs.

Their shafts are readily available in Swedish hardware stores for about 100-150 SEK (about 10-15 USD), branded Smedbergs Hickory.

For your axe it should be a 400mm shaft like this:

As a side note they are the ones that make the shafts for Gränsfors Bruks. I believe Wetterlings produce their own shafts.

I'm not sure what the shipping would cost to the U.S. would be but I'll look into it if you'd like me to go and purchase one for you.

 

[HARDBALL]

Thank you for posting the ABOVE Handle info M. Burman. I have two or three of these HB Hatchet Heads I've purchased from Flea Markets needing handles. I will looking into Smedbergs! Thanks.

HARDBALL

 

[nzedge]

I should have hogged the handle down more, mostly up by the head, but it fits my hand great and has a nice swing none the less. Seems to have fit nicely- I did wipe the wedge with BLO before driving it in place. Now to find a reason to chop some kindling!

]

now we're talkin' looking much better than previous