Stuff That Works — Wetterlings Forged Axe

It’s no wonder our forebears associated the forging of steel with magic. There is nothing like wielding a traditional forged axe. It’s alive.

My forged axe is by Wetterlings Swedish Axe Works and it’s one of my favorite pieces of kit. Wetterlings, like Gransfor Bruks, offers a range of axes, from full size tree-fellers down to little hatchets. I chose the Wetterlings Outdoor Axe #118. It’s got a longer handle than the usual hatchet (total length 19 ¼″) but it’s still much more compact than a full-size axe. I’m a tall, long-limbed guy and the length fits me well. It will also accommodate a two-hand swing where you need it.

It’s a little long to hang on the belt, but straps nicely to a rucksack.

This kind of tool ain’t cheap — it’ll cost you as much as a good knife. But I’ve had mine for years now and it has cut a lot of wood. And it’s a tool I use with appreciation and satisfaction, every time I take it out of its leather sheath — and that’s worth something, too.