Overview
I’ve owned the Husqvarna Multipurpose Axe for almost two years and as you can tell it’s seen a fair bit of use. So I thought I would do a brief review and comparison to let you know my thoughts.
For comparison, I’ll be using a Hults Bruk Kisa. They both are very similar in weight and length with the only major difference being price point.
The Sheath
To start off I’ll mention the sheaths quickly. While not everyone cares about sheath quality, it’s only fair to mention the Husqvarna sheath is complete junk.
The Hults Bruk sheath has a heavy welt and a retention strap. In comparison, the Husqvarna sheath tends to fall off quite easily. There is also no welt so if you aren’t careful setting it down the rivets can chip the edge. Which, oddly enough is a very common problem.
Overall not a deal breaker but. But if you buy one throw the sheath out before it can damage your bit.
Length
The length is virtually identical. The Kisa is 25.75″ overall and the Multipurpose axe is just over 26″.
For serious chopping tasks, it would have been nice to see a 28″ handle. Those 2″ add extra leverage that such a light head desperately needs.
The Head
As you can see they are virtually identical in shape. Even the lugs match. The main difference that you can see immediately is the fit and finish.
The poll was so rough from the factory that I ended up filing it square. As well, the bit was unevenly ground which meant re profiling it. I didn’t bother to get all the scratches out. It’ll never be a show horse. These axes come rough. So be warned.
These types of axes are quite light at 1.75lbs each but still manage to hold their own as a solid general use axe.
Bit Profile
Next up is the bit profile. In the above picture on the left, you can see just how thin it is. Almost half the thickness of the Kisa and with a much smoother transition to the edge.
The Husqvarna Multipurpose Axe bites aggressively, performing chopping tasks well. However, such a fine bit tends to stick and loses a lot of functionality for splitting. With no way to really salvage it. Thicker bits can be thinned out but you can’t add metal.
Suggested Product: Husqvarna Forest Axe
The Handle
When compared side by side you can see the noticeably thicker handle of the Multipurpose Axe. Depending on your hand size this may or may not be an issue. Personally, I don’t mind it but you can always slim the handle down to suit your needs.
Overall the quality of the hickory is very close. There is very little run out and the grain orientation is only a few degrees off. Being a natural material there will be some variation though.
Palm Swell
Here the Husqvarna Multipurpose axe is the clear winner. As you can see, on the left, it has a well defined palm swell with plenty of material to hold onto. Much like the Gransfors Bruks handles. While the Hults Bruk handle could actually use a little more.
Conclusion
So where does this leave us? Well, it’s not perfect. There are clearly areas that could be improved. Some you can do yourself at home and some that just are.
Overall it’s a decent axe for the price point. You could easily get two for the price of one Hults Bruk Kisa.
In my opinion, the bit is too thin if you’re going to be doing any splitting but if your pursuit is for a bushcraft/ trail axe then it works just fine.
They’re also cheap enough to keep in the truck, garage, as a backup axe, just for beating on around the yard or all of the above.
Personally, I plan on buying one of the bundles of three axes for just such purposes. You can never have too many beater axes stashed in convenient places.
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