Classic Pathfinder Hatchet - Made in Germany Camping, Bushcraft, Survival, Backpacking, Small Lightweight Hatchet - Head 1.25 lbs, Handle 15 in. (Pathfinder) #11438

Excellent craftsmanship , both the head and the handle and the hanging. So precise , so symmetrical, grinding the head and the blade is beautiful. Sharp out of the box. The handle looks made of a high quality piece of wood. The leather sheath is of high quality too. I never saw so perfect grain orientation of the handle wood. On every step of the production you can see the GERMAN dedication to precision and quality. I didn't get chance to put it to work yet. I will update the review once I do it (especially if there is any issue) and of course I will take some pictures and videos and upload. These nice people and their axes deserve it :) . Thank you! p.s. If I have to have only one axe I would choose the Expedition. Im a big guy and that axe is simply perfect for me for almost any task. The Tasmanian one is also excellent but little bit specifically designed for racing , and I'm not an expert for that , but I'm sure it's going to serve me very good for anything. It's just a bit lighter and shorter than the Expedition and will be perfect when I get tired :) or for limbing a tree , smaller splittings or felling, etc

Outstanding axe- handle is very comfortable with a great feel, head is well angled for splitting smaller logs & the first swing at a tree it took twice the bite I was expecting. Could not be happier I’m about 6’ and the size is perfect. The finish actually helps significantly to remove from stuck logs. Looking forward to wearing it down over the coming years it truly is a pleasure to swing

Great freaking axe, absolutely chops almost anything wooden. This axe is not for a novice and I did quit a bit of work to the edge to get the bevel profiled to my standards, but worth the effort. Very easy to sharpen, holds edge very well. Since it was an import I thought It would require additional metal wedges but to my surprise they doubled up on the conical wedge. Currently this thing has been used very successfully against many hickory trees, while holding its edge and no head loosening. My only gripe is the anti - rust coating makes it a little hard too clean at first; I recommend using WD - 40 and 1,500 - 20,000 grit sandpaper to clean off the post work crud and maintain its shine. I have been falling trees with axes since I was 11 and that was before the axe fad became a thing. This axe has a 4.5 pound head which for novices the average full sized falling/chopping axe has a 3-3.5 pound head so yeah I would not recommend this for those who haven’t developed the strength or endurance to safely use this, not a good starter axe. I recommend a 2-2.5 pound medium or boys axe as it used to be called, but I am still able to use it despite being an asthmatic. The axe came razor sharp right out of the box but, if you’re the kind who wants a new axe to be sharp right out of the box hoping it will stay sharp always because you don’t know how to sharpen, your going to need Learn how eventually, especially if you plan on actually using the thing. I have big Hands so this axe handle despite being very thick is more comfortable for me but I would not recommend for those with smaller hands. Lastly, I apologize for any novices are offended by any of my comments, using axe can be very dangerous especially when you are inexperienced and do not give an axe the proper respect it is due. This axe is a great axe but for some I would recommend something smaller, hello werk makes good axes not just this one, you can do what I did, check their website before buying.

I really like this hatchet. Top quality craftsmanship and steel is high quality and will last a lifetime.

Full day of use splitting logs, very nice finish on the head and the handle. Sheath could be better IMO but it works so I won't dock stars. Came sharp, not razor but sharp enough to not complain. The little bottle of oil and care instructions were a nice addition to those that aren't used to axes. So far very sturdy and well made. I'll update if there's a failure based on manufacturing.

Few things withstand obsolescence like hand tools. The craftsmanship on this axe is on another level and really something to look at after unpacking. Unlike a mass produced axe (which has a role too), this axe is really beautiful to see and use and, could become a future heirloom. The price will always cause pause before purchasing, but its durability over time will help balance this out. The weight, at around 5lbs, is helpful for getting through hardwood and the handle is wide in the hand and solidly mounted. Great with gloves and reassuring when swinging into tougher timbers. As a new axe, the polished head clearly shows it was hand beaten - Its form so impressive that I video chatted with my dad to show off the hammered dimples - for real. The Helko Werk team are a great example a local small business - their responsiveness and customer service easily as impressive as their products. Could not have asked for better service from their team. Overall an extremely satisfying purchase and looking forward to using it to "warm me twice" for many seasons. After this, I'll probably pass it down.

I am an Axe \ knife and Tomahawk junkie... Actually if it has anything to do with the outdoors or survival I just seem to have to have it. For quite awhile I have been buying Cold Steel and or other Chinese made axes that I do have to say they do the job and quite well especially for the price paid. So one day I was cruising an Axe forum and came across a very well written article about the "High End" axes from Sweden, Germany etc. So, the first axe I bought was a Granfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe ( almost perfection! VERY sharp and so useful !). Was so impressed with it I had to try the Helko, I figured if the Swedes could hand make such perfection then the Germans would have to match it. I was not disappointed. I settled on the Helko Classic Journeyman as I wanted something a little smaller then the GB Forest axe. The Helko came in faster then promised. Packaged VERY well. I was almost like a little school boy opening the box. Size was perfect, handle and grain spot on. Head finish "almost" perfect. The head shines like it should but the ONLY issue I had was the axe came a little dull. Nothing my honing skills couldn't fix. But I did expect a axe ready to be used. Especially such a fine German axe. The other pet peeve was the axe's leather sheath had NO protection on it at all, it was 100% raw leather. Not acceptable in my book. Especially as I use my axes. So I spent an hour or so doing my Johnson's paste wax protection on the entire axe and especially the sheath... The sheath took 6 heavy applications before it even started to look like it was getting any kind of a water proof seal. The following day it took 6 more applications. As far as carrying and using the axe. I think in my world the Helko will become my primary "hunting" axe. It holds its edge, feels almost prefect when using (slight heaviness in the head)... BUT that helps a lot when chopping etc. The handle length is perfect for me when on my hip or backpack. It is just fantastic for shaving fire tender also. I have a Wetterlings 116 Back-country Hatchet 16" coming in to complete (for now) my High End axe quest. I truly hope it is as nice and useful as this Helko. While you can find similar axes and hatchets for less money. You will not sit in your chair polishing and smiling at the quality and usefulness of these German and Swedish tools. They're top notch and worth every penny, if not just alone for the edge retention. Note... this axe would of gotten 5 stars from me if it came in razor sharp as I had expected and the sheath was sealed. This is more like a 4.7 out of 5 rating in my book.

I bought this axe because i like to use a beefy felling axe to split wood instead of a maul, when it comes to straight grain woods like ash. I split about 1/3 of a cord of ash with this axe the day i got it and i'm very impressed. The whole thing looks and feels great. The handle is nice and solid, well fit and the grain is oriented perfectly. The head is polished and smooth which i feel helps you free it from a log more easily. It came very sharp from the factory. I like the fact that the handle is a little longer than you normally see. I'm 6'2" so i like a little bit more axe and this one is awesome. I may buy more of their products in stead of a gransfors next time becasue i like this axe so much. Its not a cheap product but its cheaper than some others and id say its top quality. feels like a deal based on what you get.