Hults Bruk has forged axes at its facility north of Norrkoping, Sweden since 1697, making it one of the world's oldest continuously operating axe manufacturers. The company hand-forges over 100,000 axe heads annually using traditional techniques refined over three centuries. Blacksmiths work in pairs at massive forging machines with more than 10 molds, shaping heated steel through precise strikes and careful timing. The forge was originally located at a valley's end to access a stream that powered early water-driven hammers. The facility still operates on these historic grounds today.
HB3 Swedish Axe Steel and Heat Treatment
Hults Bruk forges axes from HB3 steel, a proprietary Swedish blend developed for the company and sourced from northern Sweden mines. This high-carbon steel is produced to European Union manufacturing standards and includes recycled content. Each axe head is heated to about 1200 degrees Celsius in induction ovens before forging, then hardened and tempered to achieve 55-57 HRC. This hardness balances edge retention with the ductility needed to resist chipping during heavy chopping and splitting. The steel maintains sharpness through repeated sharpenings while withstanding the impact forces of felling and splitting.
American Hickory Handles and Traditional Patterns
Every Hults Bruk axe handle is crafted from Grade A American hickory wood, a dense open-grained hardwood selected for its strength and shock absorption properties. Handles are sanded smooth and treated with boiled linseed oil for protection. The company's axe patterns are based on 19th-century North American designs including Yankee, Montreal, and Turpentine styles that ironmaster Gunnar Ekelund studied during his 1887 trip to America. These patterns feature counterbalanced polls and specific beard geometries developed for North American hardwoods. Premium series axes have thinner oval-shaped handles with slight knob swells, while Agdor series handles are thicker and more rounded.
Premium Series and Agdor Axes
The Premium series represents Hults Bruk's top tier with hand-finished edges ground and polished to razor sharpness through multiple stages. Premium models include the Akka forester's axe, Tibro carpenter's axe, and Motala double-bit axe, each featuring blackened finishes, full-sized leather sheaths, and handles engraved with the HB logo. The Agdor line offers the same hand-forged Swedish steel construction with a more rustic finish and bright blue protective coating. Agdor models like the 15-inch hatchet and 28-inch Montreal felling axe provide traditional performance at accessible price points. Both lines feature finger notches on select models for choking up during precision carving work.
Felling Axes, Splitting Axes, and Hatchets
Hults Bruk's catalog spans applications from compact hatchets to specialized competition axes. Felling axes like the Kisa and Spika feature longer handles and head weights optimized for taking down standing timber. The Sarek and Gran splitting axes use pronounced spines and expanding cheek geometries to drive wood apart efficiently. The Arvika 5-Star Racing Axe carries a massive 4.5-pound head designed for competitive chopping events. Hatchet models including the Aneby, Almike, and Jonaker range from 15 to 20 ounces for trail clearing and backcountry tasks. Each axe ships with a protective leather sheath, and replacement handles are available for all models.
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