Hand hatchets
Hand hatchets
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE HAND AXES
Which hand axe to buy?
Swedish Manufacturers such as Gränsfors Bruks and Hultafors are known for their tradition and experience in the production of axes and hatchets. Axes and hatchets from DICTUM are exclusively forged by hand in small forges in Europe. The open-die forging process used requires experience and craftsmanship on the part of the blacksmith. The axe head is not simply pressed into a mould, but forged from high-quality steel, usually carbon steel, in several passes. Hand-forged axes and hatchets are particularly robust and wear-resistant.
Wooden handles made from ash, robinia and hickory are light and hard-wearing. Make sure that the wood fibres run straight along the entire length of the handle. If the fibres are very crooked, the handle will break sooner or later. To protect them from moisture and sweat, the handles are treated with oil (linseed oil), oil/wax mixtures or Urushi. This keeps the handles open-pored and gives them a good grip. On high-quality hand axes, the wooden handle is attached to the axe head with at least one wooden wedge and secured with another metal wedge.
What is a hand axe suitable for?
The hand axe is a universal axe in mini format and is suitable for a wide variety of tasks. Here are a few examples:
- Making firewood. With a hand axe, you can split small kindling from a larger log in a targeted and safe manner. It is so compact that it can also be used indoors, directly in front of the stove or fireplace.
- Hiking and trekking. On your outdoor adventures, you can use it to drive tent pegs, split wood for the campfire and even prepare dinner. As a recreational hatchet, it is lightweight and compact, so you won't be carrying around unnecessary weight. A hand axe is an excellent scouting and camping axe.
- Survival and bushcraft. Hand axes are practical tools for sharpening stakes when building a camp in the forest and for making a fire with a fire stick. In survival, you can cut meat with its edge and crush spices and herbs with its neck. It takes up very little space in your rucksack or on your belt.
- Carving. Many sculptors use hand axes to carve sculptures and objects. They can be guided precisely on their short handle. Well sharpened, they can also be used to carve fine details and different textures.
- Gardening. Hand axes are also robust garden axes. The short wooden handle and sharp cutting edge are ideal for thinning out shrubs and limbing small trees.
- Hunting. As a compact hunting axe, it is a helpful companion for work in the hunting ground. Hand axes are also practical for breaking up and chopping.
How to properly care for your axe:
- Clean the hand axe immediately after use. As long as resins, plant juices etc. are still damp, they are easier to wipe off.
- Sharpen the axe or its blade in good time, i.e. before it is blunt. This means less Material has to be removed from the cutting edge during sharpening. When travelling, you can quickly resharpen your axe using a folding sharpener with a diamond coating or an axe sharpening stone, for example.
- Protect the axe head from rust with a few drops of oil, especially if it is forged from carbon steel. The axe handle will also benefit from a little oil from time to time (e.g. linseed oil is suitable).
- When the axe is not in use, always protect the sharp cutting edge from damage with the Leather or Felt guard supplied. This also protects you from injury.
- Do not leave axes and hatchets lying on damp ground in the forest or meadow for a Lengthy period of time. Store them dry, but not too dry. This could dry out and loosen the handle.
