1844 Helko Werk GermanyTraditional Spaltaxt - German Splitting Axe, Made in Germany Wood Splitter and Wood Splitting Axe Midsize Medium Splitting Axe - Head 4.5 lbs, Handle 28 in. (Spaltaxt) #13582

Great intermediate size axe design, hits the sweet spots of head weight and handle length, and with the longer German-style bit. Head appears well crafted, and handle grain alignment on this one is excellent. Very nice leather mask: the buckle style - though a little less convenient than a snap - is 100% more secure.I had been looking for a pack style axe and previously ordered the Hults Bruk Akka and the Council Tool Woodcraft Pack Axe. Both seemed like potentially excellent tools, but both had quality control issues: the Akka was hung so poorly that it was unusable (something I've observed in 9 out of 10 Gransfors axes these days too...the Swedish makers seem to be getting careless with increased popularity, though they don't hesitate to charge more). I wanted to like the USA-made Council Tool, but the eye was not vertical and so the bit was out of alignment with the handle. Uneven grind as well. Disappointing.Enter the Helko Werk. Less popular and known perhaps with the "bushcraft" crowd. But it's a user, rock-solid, and just as beautiful as the Gransfors. Most importantly: at last an axe that is hung correctly. Don't hesitate to give it a try.

I ordered both the Classic Scout & the Traditional Hessen Woodworker. The Scout , as received, would cut paper. The Hessen, as received would not cut paper but it chopped better than my sharpened hardware axe. The axe heads were exact with the specifications given. The handles completely filled the eyes and were well secured. From the pictures, the Hessen's head appears much larger than the Scout's head; however the weight differences is only 0.25 lbs. Nevertheless, the Hessen felt better in my hands than the Scout.The Scout's handle was heart wood and the grain orientation was perfect; however, the handle knob was not aligned well with the blade of the axe. The Hessen's handle had both heart wood and sap wood and the handle knob aligned perfectly with the blade of the axe. The throats of each handle were about an inch wide and the width increased to about 1.25 inch at the shoulder.I kept the Hessen and returned the Scout. The Hessen is a great axe. Although it is lighter and shorter than my hardware axe it cuts as deep or deeper. Helko Werk makes a good product although for the two I compared, I rate the axe head quality superior to the axe handle quality.

There are 5 things every man needs to own in his life. Those things are: 1. A good knife 2. A great pair of boots 3. A fishing rod and reel 4. A gun 5. A quality axeI already had all of these things but I required a slightly smaller axe since I got a bigger gun. This axe is made for work. Came sharp enough to fall a small pine out of the box. Could use this to slay the enemies of northmen. Quality German craftsmanship that I've come to respect. If I were a little person or living in a world were dwarfs and I fought side by side, I would give this axe to my vertically denied buddy and watch as he took over the world on his own. This thing is a beast. Shared it with my file and leather strip and Helko Werks puck. If I believed in shaving, I could do so with this axe. I gave it a custom leather grip so I can swing it as long as I need to. Best part is, its half the price and every bit as good as what is considered to be the premier small forest axe... you know the one... to hell with that. Buy this one and put the rest of the money into other gear.

This axe is is awesome. Cuts wood like paper. Very nice

It really is a great looking axe. The hickory handle is top choice wood grain throughout. I could hang it on the wall and be proud of it as a display, but I can't wait to carry it on my next hike to do some trail maintenance. The weight is acceptable for carrying it on a trail. The craftsmanship on the forged head is awesome. I understand that as handmade, every one is different, but I got a good one for sure. With Amazon, it's not like I can look at a few of this axe and pick one out of a bunch, but whatever machine picked this box to send me do a good job.The axe feels good in my hand. Well balanced, and a decent weight at the end to deliver a strong strike. I tested it out on a few branches I had lying around, made a nice pile of kindling. And I am looking forward to tackling some small down trees with it.It's a lot of money for an axe, and I would have returned it unused if I saw anything I didn't like about it, but I received a keeper.