The smiths at Gränfors Bruks’ forge each axe head with special carbon-steel alloy and stamp it with their initials when they’re done. This, plus a hickory handle and vegetable-tanned sheath ...

Hults Bruk said it trimmed half a foot off its Akka axe handle. The end result is a more versatile, all-purpose forest hatchet, made easier to carry with the sling that ties into the sheath and ...