Hults Bruk Kisa Axe Review

Overview

Most of you are probably familiar with the Hults Bruk Kisa. Virtually every manufacturer has a similar axe in their line up. However it’s the main rival, in my opinion, is the Granfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe.

In this review, I will be comparing the Hults Bruk Kisa to a vintage 1970’s Gransfors Forest Axe. One of the main reasons for this is that many people like to say current production axes can’t compete with vintage steel. When really, at least with this model, very little has changed in almost 50 years.

The Sheath

As sheaths go Hults Bruks sheaths are all well made. Although I’m not a big fan of the exaggerated shape. I guess it’s there to display the HB logo. However, the leather is nice and thick with a heavy welt. They also use a draw cord which is unique. Buttons and buckles can break with use and so can a drawcord. But the latter can easily be replaced.

Suggested Product:  Hults Bruk Kisa

Length

The length is identical. With the Kisa having a little more shoulder. Hults Bruk seems to hang their heads high which is just fine with me. Both the Kisa and Forest axe come in at 25.5″ overall.

The Head

The perspective is a little off but these heads are nearly identical in shape.  With the Kisa being slightly longer from poll to bit. This head shape works well for general use, with lots of blade area, and was common to almost every manufacturer over the last 60 years.

Bit Profile

Next is the actual overall bit profile. One thing that Hults Bruk gets right is the bit thickness and edge transition. It’s exactly the same as Gransfors Bruks and is right in that sweet spot. Thin enough to penetrate well but thick enough to use for splitting tasks.

Any thicker, much like Wetterlings modern bit profiles, and penetration is noticeably reduced.

The Handle

Side by side you can see the thickness is the same. Both handles are nice and slim. However, if you look closely the Forest Axe handle has a perfectly smooth transition into the eye.  While the Kisa flares out slightly with a larger shoulder and then tapers in. It’s a minor complaint but something you notice when you choke up on the handle.  So depending on your intended use it may or may not affect you.

 Palm Swell

My biggest complaint is the palm swell, which is really a minor issue in the grand scheme.

On top, you can see the Kisa has very little shape. Does it work? Sure. But I personally like to see a well define palm swell. There are lots of shapes to choose from. It’s a feature overlooked by most modern manufacturers. In the glory days of axes the palm swell was the defining feature! Something that defined every manufacturer, region and country. But I digress.

Conclusion

With only a few minor complaints I can honestly say the Kisa is currently my favorite modern production axe. Not everyone can or wants to restore vintage axes.  The quality and design are on par with the Gransfors Scandinavian Forest Axe. Both old and new. It’s a design that’s been produced by every major Swedish manufacturer for half a century.

It fits the slot for a general use work axe. Not too big for small tasks and not too small for big tasks.