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Knives & Tools
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Axes & Hatchets

Axes & Hatchets – hand-forged from Sweden, rugged from the USA

From compact 0.5 kg bushcraft hatchets to 1.5 kg splitting axes: premium tools from Hultafors (Hults Bruk, the world’s oldest active axe forge since 1697), Gerber, BeaverCraft and Camillus – in stock in Switzerland.

✅ 9 hand-forged Hultafors axes from Hults Bruk, Sweden
✅ Gerber Freescape, Pack Hatchet & Bushcraft Axe in stock
✅ BeaverCraft carving hatchets with ash-wood handles
✅ Camillus tomahawks with Titanium-Bonded blades
✅ Shipping from Swiss warehouse – free over CHF 100

A good axe is not a disposable tool – it accompanies its owner for a lifetime. That is why we stock axes and hatchets made by specialised forges: Hults Bruk in eastern Sweden has been forging since 1697, making it one of the oldest still-producing axe makers in the world. Gerber delivers rugged outdoor geometries from the USA, BeaverCraft hand-forged bushcraft hatchets from Ukraine, Camillus modern Titanium-Bonded tomahawks. Whether you split firewood, build a shelter or just want a lightweight pack hatchet – this category has the right tool for you.

9 hand-forged models from Hultafors / Hults Bruk – from 0.5-kg mini-hatchets to 1.6-kg throwing axes
Premium steel grades: Hults Bruk Swedish Axeblade Steel (55 HRC), forged carbon steel, corrosion-resistant coatings
Handles from American hickory (Hultafors), ash (BeaverCraft) or virtually indestructible Fibrecomp / glass-fibre nylon (Gerber, Camillus)
Lifetime guarantee on Hultafors premium axe heads (Hults Bruk line)
Shipped from our Swiss warehouse – free over CHF 100, personal advice from Menzingen

Which axe for which job? Key types at a glance

Choosing the right axe depends entirely on the task – not every blade fits every use case. Felling large trees in the forest calls for different tools than chopping tinder for a bushcraft fire. Here are the main axe types in our range:

Felling axe

Felling axes are designed for cutting down trees, limbing and reducing standing timber. They have a relatively narrow, sharp blade with a high cutting angle that drives deep into the wood. Typical head weight: 0.7–1.0 kg, handle length 50–65 cm. From our range, the Hultafors ÅBY Felling Axe (0.7 kg, mid-length hickory handle), the Hultafors EKELUND Small Felling Axe (0.85 kg) and the Hultafors QVARFOT Felling Axe (0.85 kg) all fit the bill – all three hand-forged in Hults Bruk.

Splitting axe / maul

A splitting axe works differently from a felling axe: it wedges the wood apart instead of cutting it. The head is therefore wider, thicker and has a larger splitting angle. Head weight is higher (1.2–2.0 kg), and the handle is usually shorter than on a pure felling axe. Recommendation: Hultafors HULT Splitting Axe with a 1.5 kg head – ideal for firewood up to about 30 cm diameter.

Hatchet & hand axe

Hatchets are the compact relatives of the axe: short handle (25–40 cm), light head (0.4–0.8 kg), perfect for one-handed work. They excel at camping, bushcraft, carving, driving tent stakes or processing kindling. Typical models: Hultafors ÅGELSJÖN Mini-Hatchet (0.5 kg), Hultafors HULTÅN Hatchet, Gerber Pack Hatchet (590 g, full-tang) and the BeaverCraft AX1 Hand Hatchet with a hand-forged head and ash-wood handle.

Bushcraft & survival axe

Bushcraft axes are multifunctional tools: blade for cutting, back as a hammer, often with paracord wrap or integrated firesteel storage. If you want a truly rugged outdoor axe, the Gerber Bushcraft Axe Coyote with waterproof storage compartment and a mini fire starter makes a faithful companion. The Gerber Freescape Hatchet series (in 9", 14" and 17") – produced in Finland by Fiskars – is the more affordable all-round alternative.

Carpenter’s axe

Carpenter’s axes have a flat blade geometry with a straight cutting edge – ideal for precise hewing and smoothing of timber beams. This specialty shape is rarer in outdoor use, but indispensable in traditional log construction. From our range: Hultafors STÅLBERG Carpenter’s Axe (0.8 kg, hand-forged).

Throwing axe

Axe throwing has evolved from a bushcraft pastime into its own competitive discipline. Throwing axes have a short, straight handle and a heavy, well-balanced blade with a defined centre of gravity. The premium model in our range is the Hultafors WETTERHALL Throwing Axe (1.6 kg) – specifically designed for competition throwing.

Hultafors & Hults Bruk – the world’s oldest active axe forge

When you buy a Hultafors axe from the Hults Bruk line, you hold a piece of industrial history in your hands. The forge in Hults Bruk in Swedish Östergötland has been producing axes continuously since 1697 – that is more than 325 years of axe-making experience. Every premium axe head is individually forged from Hults Bruk Swedish Axeblade Steel, shaped with around 50–60 hammer strikes and hardened to 55 HRC. The cutting edge is then ground in a three-stage process – on the premium models so sharp that the blade shaves paper cleanly.

Three things set Hults Bruk axes apart: first, the steel is produced climate-neutral from recycled material. Second, the handles are made from American hickory – one of the toughest woods in the world. Third, premium axe heads come with a lifetime guarantee. The production facility is certified to ISO 9001:2015 (quality) and ISO 14001:2015 (environment).

Brands in our range

Brand	Origin	Specialty	Price range
Hultafors / Hults Bruk	Sweden (since 1697)	Hand-forged, premium, hickory handle	CHF 149–499
Gerber	USA / Finland (Fiskars)	Rugged, full-tang, bushcraft, tomahawk	CHF 60–200
BeaverCraft	Ukraine	Hand-forged carving & bushcraft hatchets	CHF 50–120
Camillus	USA	Tomahawks, Titanium-Bonded blades	CHF 70–130
Morakniv	Sweden	Lightweight tactical axes	CHF 40–90

Steel, handle & material – what really matters

The lifespan and edge retention of an axe depend 90% on two factors: steel quality and handle material. High-grade carbon steels (such as Hults Bruk Swedish Axeblade Steel) can be hardened to 55–58 HRC and hold their edge significantly longer than cheap stainless steels. Corrosion-resistant coatings (e.g. on Gerber models) strike a compromise between sharpness and ease of maintenance.

For the handle, hickory is the gold standard: an extremely tough, fibrous structure that absorbs shock and rarely breaks. Ash – as used by BeaverCraft – is a classic European axe wood with good shock damping. Glass-fibre reinforced plastic handles (Fibrecomp on the Gerber Freescape) are virtually indestructible and maintenance-free, but transmit more vibration to the hand.

Frequently asked questions about axes & hatchets

Are axes freely sold in Switzerland?

Yes. Under Swiss weapons law, axes and hatchets are not classified as weapons but as tools. There is no minimum age, no permit and no registration. For transport in public (e.g. on public transport), you should have a legitimate reason – carrying for hobby use, to the forest or for service is unproblematic.

What is the difference between an axe and a hatchet?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically they differ: an axe is a two-handed tool with a long handle (50 cm and longer) and a heavier head (around 0.8 kg and up). A hatchet is the one-handed version with a short handle (25–40 cm) and lighter head (0.3–0.7 kg). Hatchets are more compact, lighter and perfect for camping, bushcraft and detail work.

Which axe suits beginners?

For beginners we recommend a light hatchet of 0.5–0.7 kg with about 35 cm handle length – easy to control, versatile and with low injury risk. The Hultafors ÅGELSJÖN or the Gerber Pack Hatchet are ideal starter models. Once you feel confident, you can move up to a heavier felling axe.

How do I care for my axe properly?

Three rules: first, wipe the blade dry after every use and apply a thin film of care oil (Ballistol, camellia oil) – carbon steel rusts quickly otherwise. Second, treat the wooden handle with linseed oil one or two times per year. Third, sharpen the edge regularly with a whetstone (1000/3000 grit) instead of letting it go dull – a sharp axe is safer than a dull one.

What does “hand-forged” mean at Hults Bruk?

In Hults Bruk, every premium axe head is shaped individually in the forge fire – with around 50–60 hammer strikes per head. This process compacts the steel structure and significantly increases toughness and break resistance compared to machine-pressed heads. The head is then differentially hardened (hard edge, softer eye) and ground in a three-stage process.

How long should my axe handle be?

Rule of thumb: hatchets 25–40 cm (one-handed), camping and bushcraft axes 40–55 cm (semi two-handed), felling axes 60–75 cm (fully two-handed), large splitting axes 80–90 cm. A longer handle gives more swing and chopping power, but less control – so the choice also depends on your body height and the specific task.

What is a throwing axe and which one is suitable?

Throwing axes are designed specifically for sport throwing: straight, short handle (35–45 cm), heavy and symmetrically balanced head, defined centre of gravity. The Hultafors WETTERHALL Throwing Axe (1.6 kg) meets WATL competition rules (World Axe Throwing League). Regular felling or bushcraft axes are not suitable for throwing – they can break or damage the throwing target.

Carbon steel or stainless steel – which is better?

Carbon steel (e.g. Hults Bruk Swedish Axeblade Steel) is harder, holds an edge longer and is easier to resharpen – but needs regular care to prevent rust. Stainless or coated steel is lower-maintenance and better for damp conditions (boating, tropics), but holds the edge somewhat less long. For serious forestry work, carbon steel is the professional choice; for outdoor all-rounders, coated models such as the Gerber Freescape work very well.

Do I need a leather sheath for my axe?

Yes, absolutely. An unprotected edge is an injury risk in your backpack, in the car or in the tool shed. Hultafors axes ship with a high-quality vegetable-tanned leather sheath, Gerber and Camillus models with a nylon sheath with belt loop. Care for the leather sheath regularly with leather grease and it will last as long as the axe itself.

What does a good outdoor axe cost?

For a reliable hatchet or compact camping axe, expect CHF 60–120 (e.g. Gerber Pack Hatchet, BeaverCraft AX1). A full-size felling or splitting axe from Hults Bruk sits in the CHF 175–240 range. Specialty and collector axes such as the WETTERHALL throwing axe reach CHF 500. Important: a good axe lasts generations with proper care – over its lifespan it is one of the most affordable outdoor purchases there is.

Does Swiss-Sale.ch ship from Swiss stock?

Yes. All axes and hatchets in our shop are available from our warehouse in Menzingen (ZG) – no waiting time, no customs charges, no risk. Free shipping within Switzerland and Liechtenstein on orders over CHF 100. You can also view and handle the tools in our showroom – with an axe, that makes a real difference. If you are not satisfied, our 30-day voluntary return right applies.