Wetterlings & Husqvarna Opinions

[blade54]

Hi everyone, some advice from the forums axe aficionados would be appreciated.

I've been reading the forums to obtain information in my search for my first high quality hatchet & mid-size axe. I first decided on the Husqvarna 13” hatchet and 26” multi-purpose axe, because it was speculated that they were being made by Wetterlings, a good value, and had good reviews. I’ve since then reconsidered because Husqvarna has changed their manufacturer and thus product.

What are your opinions on the new versions of the Husqvarna hatchet and 26” axe?

There’s been a lot of buzz about Husky being equivalent to the Wetterlings, but is it really exactly like a Wetterlings?

If the price was the same for the Husky & Wetterlings, which one would you get?

How does the Wetterlings compare to Gransfor Bruks?

Thank You

 

[bjp]

I have absolutely no experience with the what-I-believe-to-be-current-production-Hult-Bruks-made Husky axes, but I have 5 of the Wetterlings-made Husky branded products. They are exactly like Wetterlings-labelled products, so far as I can tell. In fact, two of them ARE Wetterlings-labelled. These two only say "Husqvarna" on the handles. The heads are stamped with the Wetterlings "SAW" logo instead of the Husky logo.

My experience is that the Gransfors axes come from the store with a sharper edge. A little bit of work gets the Wetterlings/Huskies in fine shape, though.

Quality is about the same, otherwise, in my opinion, between Wetterlings and GB. I've got GB tools with funky poll shapes and rough finish work, and I've got GB tools with excellent finishing. Same with Wetterlings/Husky.

If the prices were the same, I'd probably get the GBs. More raw appeal, I suppose. Maybe it has something to do with having the smith's initials stamped on the head. As it is, I have more Wetterlings/Husky products than I do GB. Why pay 110 or 120 bucks for a hatchet when I can drive to the local farm equipment supply store and get a Husky/Wetterlings for 40 bucks?

YMMV.

-ben

 

[slipp]

Good choice I own a husky and was impressed I assume the one I own was made by wetterlings and head stamped by husqvarna I know that there is a quite a thread already on this subject do your homework before you buy because husky contracted more that wetterlings to make axes for them they also contracted hultafors burks which is also a good Swedish axe maker good luck

 

[bearhunter]

i have the 'new' husky hatchet and am not impressed with it. if you can find the 'old style' wetterlings i would say sure get it, but i would not recommend the hults version. i am not happy with it at all. theres a thread on here that i started about said hatchet.

 

[rg598]

Some people don't like the new ones because they are stuck on the style. In terms of use value, I would say they are about the same. Hults Bruk (the new manufacturer of the axes) has been making axes for a very long time, and they know what they are doing. The new ones are not perfect, but neither were the old ones. I am afraid that now that Husqvarna has switched manufacturers, people are starting to do the whole "things were so great in the good ol' days" thing and romanticize how great the old versions were, when in fact, they were complaining just as much about the Wetterlings made versions. It looks like the new hatchets might be of the Agdor pattern. They are just as good, but some people just love the look of what they think was the "more traditional" older model (it's not actually more traditional). The 26 inch is the same as the Hultafors classic pattern Forest axe. Neither one will be as well finished as the GB axes. You will have to work on the edge, and probably sand down the handle. It was true with the older models, and it is true with these models. They are made of good metal, and have a good profile. If you are willing to do some work, then they are a great value. If you want an axe that will be perfect in terms of finish out of the box, then GB is the way to go. Also, if you are not too picky about the finish, you should take a look at the Council Tool Boy's axe.

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/