1844 Helko Werk GermanyClassic Forester - 3.5 lb Felling Axe - Made in Germany Multi-Purpose Cutting and Felling Axe for Felling Trees, Splitting Wood - Head 3.5 lbs, Handle 31 in.(Forester) #10495

Why did you pick this product vs others?:this Ax is a for real tool. It's so much sharper I just got it yesterday and I cut through two 1 foot diameter trees, 5 to 10 times easier than with a typical store Ax. It's probably close to already worth the 200 dollars in one day. It's very sharp not like a store Ax if you drop this on your foot or think you can just sit it down any old way its going to cut. There is no perfect tool for everyone I'm 5'7" and if you have open space it's no problem. But when you stand on the logs to finish them it's difficult because the handle is so long. But even this being said its night and day compared to regular axes which I have used for 10 plus years

A “Few Years Ago”- I’m 68, so maybe more than a “Few”- I used to follow the paper company logging trucks thru the forest they least , they harvested all of the pine and left the hardwood that their skitters fell with the Pine. I cut 12-14’ length pieces of Oak,Hickory and other hardwood trees. I’d take them to a Old antebellum Southern home I was restoring, I’d cut the logs (after it sat in the Alabama summer sun for 6 months) to 20” and split them with the very same brand of axe I just bought here to use to keep my new house warm during Wyoming winters. (I’m already missing the Oak & Hickory) This axe is identical to my original one but I paid 8X’s for it (How the cost of everything has gotten out of control) Thanks “Helko - Werk” for the Best Quality of Craftsmanship and Material & heat treatment for the past 181 years and to Amazon for selling top quality “Old School” tools

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

I was a little perplexed to spend 200 on a axe but after going through 3 Home Depot ones With the soft Chinese steel I wanted to try and taste quality and was it worth it this thing looks like the axe from breaking bad polished. And it’s so easy to swing and it hits hard too the steel is hardened so it holds its edge it takes big chunks of wood off each swing I love it. And MOST IMPORTANTLY it can serve as a home defense or offence weapon if needed 😎 makes no noise if you get my drift

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.

I just received the axe today. After unpacking it I was initially impressed. The weight felt great and the handle was of very high quality. It has a nice natural feel to the swing. The axe head itself appeared to be of high quality with no visible cracks or weak spots and was fitted very well to the handle. When I felt the edge I could tell it was not properly ground. There was a noticeable bend from the top down 3/4 of the way. The bottom half of the blade was rather dull. I am going to have to go over the blade myself with my stone to finish it. While it won't be a big issue to fix the blade I would think that for what these axes cost and the companies reputation is I shouldn't have to worry about this before I start using it.

This axe is a work horse, and with proper maintenance, the head is a hand-down piece. It's everything I hoped a quality German axe would be.