Wetterlings hudson bay

S

Shimo

Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
86
I'm always on the lookout for a no nonsense hudson bay axe. A complaint of these axes as discussed in other threads is that the eye is short, which gives the handle too much leverage when pulling upwards or pushing down on the handle after striking wood. This causes the head to come loose quickly, which i have experienced with my Norlund hatchet. I think I've rehung it about 4 times now, although I do use the small hatchet for heavy duty chopping on a longer handle.

Anyways, I found this Wetterlings hudson bay pattern recently: http://www.wetterlings.com/hudson-bay-axe-by-wetterlings-2/

It looks like the perfect utility axe, with plenty of meat around the eye for a reduced "leverage effect". It reminds me of a GB small forest/scandinavian axe with less metal removed from the collar. Wetterlings is a well established Swedish company, so I have no concerns of the steel quality and forging techniques.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this axe? Does anyone own one that can give a review? Thanks!
 
This Wetterlings is certainly very well thought out with regard to the north American market. I have to compliment these guys and their CEO gal. It has the appearance and appeal of a Hudson Bay but with improvements over the shortcomings of the genuine article. The sample that Operator1975 uses features first choice wood grain orientation, a haft that is thoughtfully proud at the eye and there are no CYA (cover your arse) conical or straight metal wedges slammed in as cheap insurance.
 
i had one for a winter, and used it frequently for limbing trees and splitting kindling. it is a no nonsense axe, and packs a punch for it's compact size. my specimen held a fantastic edge, and experienced no chipping when splitting frozen, knotty wood.

i sold it last summer, and still regret it.
 
Thanks for the replies and the links, they really show what the axe is capable of. My only concern is the weight. It doesn't seem very packable, but it woud be great for chopping at home.

Right now it's between this, a Wetterlings bushman axe, or a GB scandinavian forest axe. I'm leaning towards both of the Wetterlings because their bits are thicker and seem more geared towards splitting rather than chopping, which I rarely do. I also already have a tomahawk for bushcraft, so maybe I should get the heavy hitting hudson bay for thicker trunks.
 
I dont have one, but my friend does and iv used it and played around with it a bit.
I really like it. Its a nice axe in its size category. I would have one.
I really like the thin feel of the handle. Thats the main thing about it that sticks with me.
 
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