1844 Helko Werk Germany Traditional Black Forest Woodworker Axe - Hand Forged Bushcraft and Forest Axe for Cutting, Head 2.25 lbs, Handle 24 in. (Made in Germany) #13562

Update: My husband contacted their customer service and they sent him the missing oil. They were really nice and helpful.Bought this for my husband and he loves it. He’s already been putting it to work and has said it may be his favorite axe. It seems to split wood easily as I watched him split some pretty large logs yesterday with it. Well worth the money! My only complaint is that it’s advertised as coming with the head oil but there was none included.

I love reading reviews. Thank you for all the people who use products and then post reviews. It really helped me pick a good one from the many options out there. I knew there were lots of mass market options more budget friendly, but having no experience and particular skills and having a decent amount of wood to work through, I wanted something that would last. I also wanted something that wouldn’t be likely to injure me due to being to heavy for me to handle or having too much handle reverb. This axe seemed like the happy solution. Hand forged head, well crafted beautiful wood grain handle with a 25” length from the axe head, to hold up for many years. On the smaller side (I am 5’2” female with much smaller hands than most men). Total weight with blade protection on 4LBS 10oz very wieldable. The handle is a little large for me, with gloves I usually find some soreness in my hands after a 60-90 minute chopping session, but I chalk that up as much to learning a new skill as the handle size which seems fairly comfortable and functional. I always wear goat skin gloves and have hand no blistering issues. I purchased from the same company Helko Werk their kit for upkeep on your axe head (the axe does come with some head oil). The additional kit comes with a two sided grind stone and additional head oil. I end each chop session with a blade care session. Before my first use I also applied 3 coats of raw Linseed oil to seal the wood and will continue to apply additional coats as needed. I saw some reviews mention the blade not being at all sharp on arrival, mine was fairly sharp, I probably could have used it out of the box, but it was a bit sticky probably from old head oil so I gave it a grind session before the first use. All in all, I am very pleased with this axe. The head seems very secure. I look forward to continuing to hone my aim and skill. Of note I have only been using this axe to chop kindling sized pieces from a huge brush pile, horizontally so far, so I am not able or skilled enough to review a vertical chop on larger diameter pieces yet (working up to that). The blade is fully able to chop through pieces 1-2” in diameter and wedge itself in the block beneath, due to my lack of skill more often, I need more chops then more skilled persons would to get through the 3-4” diameter branches. It’s a learning process. I very much enjoy using this blade and hope it will serve me for many years to come. The head seems very solid. I had also purchased the additional leather guard for the handle, but since it would impair the way my glove slides down the handle on swings, I haven’t used it yet. I may apply it one I approach vertical chopping (I purchased it chiefly to protect on over chops).

I was impressed with the craftsmanship and the weight distribution, making splitting wood very effective without alot of effort, just a smooth swing. Love it

I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been said about this tool. It is absolutely amazing at busting stubborn links. Knots? What knots? It bust through them with an ease never thought possible. North of $200 for a splitting ax is a tough ask. But I can assure you, it's worth it.

At only 24” long, this thing is a unit! Solid German craftsmanship.

Axe is a beautiful little piece, great for backpacking. Works great for small felling, cutting small-medium sized branches off a trunk, great for split small oak and locus rounds, works okay for split medium sized pine rounds.

Excellent, top quality build and feel. Razor sharp edge, with quality edge guard.

Wonderfully constructed axe. World class build. Axe was left in its natural state after coming out of the forge, no grinding polishing or paint. Handle is first class hardwood. Very heavy and thick compared to many of the forest axes I have seen of similar handle length, much more of a full sized felling axe weight on a slightly shorter than average handle. The axe was shipped dull, nothing a file and honing stone couldn’t fix but it was blunt enough that I needed to give it a full sharpening before working with it. It cuts well in green hardwoods and softwood for both limbing and felling. I’m not sure I would use it for splitting though as there are better purpose built tools for that kind of work.