Axes · #10
Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe
Hultafors
Reader rating
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A beautiful, balanced hunting axe with enough head mass for real work and a polished poll useful around game.
Pros
- Excellent balance and control for precise work
- Hand-forged Swedish steel holds a keen edge
- Polished poll useful for processing game
- High-quality hickory handle for comfort and durability
- Compact enough for carrying, capable enough for real tasks
Cons
- Not suited for heavy felling or splitting larger logs
- Premium price point compared to some competitors
- Carbon steel requires regular maintenance to prevent rust
Best uses
- Field dressing and processing game
- Preparing kindling and small campfires
- Light trail clearing and brush removal
- Backpacking and minimalist camping
- General camp chores
Specifications
- Maker
- Hultafors
- Type
- Hunting Axe
- Head Material
- Swedish Carbon Steel
- Handle
- American Hickory
- Craftsmanship
- Hand-forged head
- Sheath
- Leather included
Pricing
Street price
Prices move with sales and stock — confirm the live offer at the retailer below.
Full catalog listing & offersBest for
Field dressing and processing game, Preparing kindling and small campfires, Light trail clearing and brush removal, Backpacking and minimalist camping, General camp chores
Where to buy the Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe
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The Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe holds down the tenth spot on our list, and for good reason. This isn't just a pretty face; it's a tool built with a specific purpose in mind, and it executes that purpose admirably. Hultafors has a long-standing reputation for quality Swedish steel, and the Ekelund lives up to that legacy. It's a hunting axe, first and foremost, meaning it’s designed to be light enough to carry afield but robust enough to handle the tasks associated with processing game or setting up a rudimentary camp. The balance is exceptional, which is crucial for precise work whether you're limbing a downed animal or splitting kindling. While it might not be the powerhouse for felling large trees or heavy-duty splitting, the Ekelund isn't trying to be. Its strength lies in its thoughtful design and attention to detail. The head geometry is optimized for both cutting and, importantly, for the polished poll to be useful without being overly aggressive. It’s a tool that feels good in the hand, inspires confidence, and performs exactly as advertised. For the hunter or the minimalist camper who values a reliable, well-crafted axe that won't weigh them down, the Ekelund is a solid, albeit specialized, choice.
Who It's Really For
This axe is designed with the hunter and the light-and-fast camper in mind. If your wilderness excursions involve processing game, clearing small brush for a blind, or preparing firewood for a modest fire, the Ekelund will excel. It's not the axe you bring if you're felling mature trees or building a log cabin. Its strength lies in precision and portability. Think of it as a finely tuned instrument rather than a blunt force tool. Backpackers who want a small, capable axe for emergencies or small camp chores, and who appreciate traditional craftsmanship, will find this a worthy companion.
Materials and Construction
The Ekelund features a hand-forged head made from high-quality Swedish carbon steel. This isn't stamped sheet metal; it's a solid, well-tempered piece of steel designed to hold an edge and stand up to hard use. The handle is American hickory, a classic choice for its strength, shock absorption, and comfortable feel. The handle is shaped ergonomically, providing a secure grip even when wet or cold. The assembly is robust, with the head securely wedged onto the handle, ensuring durability and safety in the field. Hultafors takes pride in its forging process, and it shows in the finished product's integrity.
Real-World Performance
In the field, the Ekelund is a joy to use for its intended purposes. The sharp, thin bit bites deep into wood for limbing small branches or splitting kindling. The balance makes it surprisingly easy to control for finer tasks. The polished poll, while often overlooked on other axes, truly shines when field dressing or quartering game, providing a smooth surface that won't mar meat unnecessarily. It holds an edge well through sustained use, requiring only minor touch-ups. For processing small to medium-sized game or managing campfires, this axe punches above its weight in efficiency and feel.
Weight and Packability
Weighing in at a manageable heft, the Ekelund is light enough to be carried on a belt or in a pack without becoming a burden. Its overall length, which is shorter than a full-sized felling axe but longer than a hatchet, strikes an excellent balance between swinging power and portability. It comes with a well-made leather sheath that protects both the edge and your gear during transport. While it won't disappear into a small daypack, it's a sensible size for a dedicated bushcraft or hunting kit where space is at a premium but real capability is still required.
Durability and Longevity
Given its hand-forged Swedish steel head and hickory handle, the Ekelund is built to last for decades with proper care. The quality of the materials and the traditional construction methods mean it can withstand significant abuse. Carbon steel will rust if neglected, but a quick wipe-down and oiling after use will keep it pristine. The hickory handle is resilient, but like all wooden handles, it can be damaged by improper striking or prolonged exposure to moisture. This is an axe that can be passed down through generations if maintained, a true testament to its craftsmanship.
How we chose
We started with a long list of axes that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Edge geometry and steel
- Grind, stock thickness, and how the steel behaves between sharpenings in real camp tasks.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe — frequently asked questions
- Is the Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe worth it?
- We rank it #10 in Axes. A beautiful, balanced hunting axe with enough head mass for real work and a polished poll useful around game.
- What is the Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe best for?
- Best for field dressing and processing game, preparing kindling and small campfires, light trail clearing and brush removal and backpacking and minimalist camping. Standouts: excellent balance and control for precise work and hand-forged swedish steel holds a keen edge.
- What are the downsides of the Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe?
- Not suited for heavy felling or splitting larger logs, Premium price point compared to some competitors and Carbon steel requires regular maintenance to prevent rust.
- What are the key specs of the Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe?
- Maker: Hultafors · Type: Hunting Axe · Head Material: Swedish Carbon Steel · Handle: American Hickory · Craftsmanship: Hand-forged head
- Who It's Really For?
- This axe is designed with the hunter and the light-and-fast camper in mind. If your wilderness excursions involve processing game, clearing small brush for a blind, or preparing firewood for a modest fire, the Ekelund will excel.
- Materials and Construction — what should I know about the Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe?
- The Ekelund features a hand-forged head made from high-quality Swedish carbon steel. This isn't stamped sheet metal; it's a solid, well-tempered piece of steel designed to hold an edge and stand up to hard use.
Compare side by side
Put the Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe against any other pick on this list — specs, price, pros, cons and reader ratings.