Update: Yes, striking the bottom of the hatchet handle with the hatchet upside down and held aloft with a rubber hammer did the trick to fully seat the handle so that it is now just past the top of the head of the hatchet.
...
I was a little weary as some reviews seem hit or miss at this price point, but I got a good one and am well pleased with it.
The grain of the hickory handle is very good, only about 10 to 15 degrees off from front to back and runs the whole length and is very well seated and flush within the head's eye. The edge is perfectly aligned with the handle so far as I can tell, both vertically and in handle rotation.
It isn't perfect as the top round metal wedge holding the handle in is very slighly proud above the wood and the wood is ever so slightly sunken bolow the top of the head. should be an easy fix for me with a few taps on the bottom of the handle held upside down in hand with a rubber mallet.
Also, the leather mask was a little on the brittle side, but was easily rejuvenated with a mix of mineral oil and beeswax that I use for just about everything, rubbed on by hand, mixed to the consistency of a slightly firm paste when cooled to room temperature.
The edge came ground slightly burred to one side, but a few rubs with a sharpening stone puck sorted it. There weren't any nicks nor cracks nor bulges nor divits on or near the edge and bevel. It is now true and razor sharp. I shaved off a small patch of arm hair and accidentally cut myself twice testing it. The steel takes an edge and holds is very well.
Not perfect out of the box, but near enough and no real complaints. Makes for a very nice chopper and carver for me, and fits well in the hand for me for both. The longer width of the handle from front to back near the head makes for firm and delicate control while carving.
I can't vouch for all iterations, but mine is a winner and I'm very pleased with it. Thanks.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Frequently bought together
$235.00
Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15
In Stock
+
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Top rated similar items
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the brand
Axe Makers since 1844
Recognized as a producer of premium world-class handmade axes and is one of the oldest axe manufacturers still operating in Europe.
-
-
Helko Werk Classic Line
Helko Werk's Classic range combines versatility, performance, and aesthetics to create a premium line of pristine working axes.
-
Helko Werk Traditional Line
Helko Werk's Traditional line is a premium collection of hand-forged German heritage axes.
-
Helko Werk Vario 2000
The Vario 2000 is a patented design using a German engineered fastening system that introduces incredible versatility and efficiency.
-
Helko Förster 7 Axe Set
Förster by Helko is a commercial line of professional axes and forestry tools manufactured by the Helko Werk company.
-
Helko Werk Frontier Collection
Our signature Frontier Collection includes an assortment of top-quality outdoor and travel gear.
-
Helko Werk Tools & Accessories
Premium sharpening, maintenance and tools for keeping your leather and axes looking and working their best.
-
Helko Werk Leather Shop
We carry an assortment of sheaths and leather products, made in the USA from full-grain, vegetable tanned cowhide leather.
-
Helko Werk is widely recognized as a producer of premium world-class handmade axes. It is one of the oldest axe manufacturers still operating in Europe. The story of Helko Werk began in the village of Cronenberg, Germany, now part of the city of Wuppertal. It was there, in 1844, that August Helsper founded the August Helsper Werkzeugfabrik (the Helsper Tool Factory) and began producing axes for the region.
-
The Helsper Tool Factory increased its export of axes beyond the borders of Europe during the early twentieth century, and by the 1930s was regularly shipping axes to countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. It was also around this time that the Helsper family formed a partnership with the Kotthaus family, setting the stage for exponential growth and giving the company its current name: Helko (an amalgam of Helsper and Kotthaus).
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
0:51
Click to play video
Traditional Hinterland Axe
Helko North America
Videos for this product
1:25
Click to play video
Helko Werk Commercial
Helko North America
Videos for this product
2:16
Click to play video
Helko Werk Manufacturing
Helko North America
Product Description
-
Handmade in Germany
Hinterland Double Bit
The American inspired Hinterland Double Bit is a capable, highly effective felling tool, suited for large timber. If inclined, the user is able to profile each blade differently and may use, for instance, one edge for splitting and the other for cutting. Traditionally, one bit was used for heavy work that was prone to dull the blade, while the other was kept with a finely honed edge.
-
Hinterland Double Bit
Specifications
Head Weight: 3 ½ lbs. Total Weight: 4 ¾ lbs.
Bit Length: 4 ½ in. Handle Length: 30 in.
Head - Hand forged using a drop hammer on open dies - Premium grade C50 high carbon steel - 53-56 HRC (Rockwell Hardness) Handle - Sustainably sourced grade A American hickory - Individually selected for grain orientation and density - Boiled linseed oil finish, 150 grit smooth sanded - Hung with hardwood wedge and steel ring wedge
-
What's Included
Care For Your Axe
- 1 oz. bottle of Axe-Guard protective oil - Axe Guard is a 100% green metal treatment oil manufactured in the USA.
- Vegetable tanned Leather Sheath - Our sheaths are handmade in the USA from vegetable tanned, top-grain cowhide leather.
-
Care For Your Axe
Sharpening & Maintenance
Become familiar with proper sharpening techniques. Keep the edge sharp while maintaining the original bevel. Use a flat file and sharpening stone to sharpen your edge. Grinders or sanders can be used with extreme caution, as overheating can alter the steel temper. Our Dual-Sided Axe File has a double-cut pattern for rapid material removal when reprofiling, or for removing dings and nicks from the edge.
-
Care For Your Axe
Storage
Store your axe in a cool, dry place. Excessive exposure to moisture and the elements may cause damage over time. Do not store in direct sunlight, or near a stove, fireplace, or other heat source. This can cause significant damage to handles by lowering humidity levels in the wood. After using your axe, always clean and oil the head.
-
Safety
Splitting Techniques
When splitting, use a firm and stable chopping surface to reduce the risk of injury or damage to your tool. Never split wood against the ground. Take care to avoid striking the handle against logs or other objects, which can happen in the event of a miss swing, and is the leading cause of damaged handles. If your axe blade becomes stuck in a log, rock it back and forth in line with the blade. Never twist side to side, as this may break your handle.
-
About Helko Werk
Manufacturing Process
Our axes are individually forged by hand using a drop hammer on open dies. The blacksmith works on a drop forge, using tongs to hold the hot steel as a hammer falls repeatedly onto it. The drop hammer runs continuously at remarkable speed, requiring a highly skilled and time-tested smith. The hand-eye coordination and judgment required for this process can only come from years of experience, as every split-second decision ultimately affects the shape and integrity of the final product.
-
About Helko Werk
Rockwell Hardness
An important factor to consider when evaluating the quality of an axe. The steel must be tempered just right, without being too soft to hold an edge or hard enough to become brittle. Helko's Master Smiths have cumulatively spent hundreds of years perfecting the hardness and temper of our axes, creating an ideal balance between superior edge holding ability, ease of sharpening, and resistance to chipping.
-
About Helko Werk
Handles
The quality of the handle is also a significant measure of the tool’s integrity. Helko handles are proudly crafted from sustainably sourced Grade A American hickory. Helko promotes environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically prosperous management of the world's forests.
-
About Helko Werk
Leather Sheaths
Our Leather Sheaths are made from vegetable tanned, full grain, cowhide leather. We install a heavy duty welt in all of our sheaths, which is an added strip of leather that rests against the blade, for maximum blade protection. The buckle fasteners are nickel plated with an adjustable strap that will always ensure a snug fit, even if the leather stretches over time.
-
Helko Classic Line
Polished blades to resist rust & cutting friction.
Combine versatility, performance, and aesthetics to create a premium line of pristine working axes.
-
Helko Traditional Line
Hand-forged German Heritage axes.
Premium collection of hand forged German heritage axes, handcrafted by one of Helko’s Master Smiths.
-
Helko Vario 2000
A Helko Werk patented design.
All Vario heads, handles, and fastening components are fully interchangeable and inter-compatible.
-
Made in the USA
Premium gear for the discerning outdoorsman.
Top quality outdoor and travel gear, proudly handmade in the USA and built to last a lifetime.
-
Made in the USA
Sheaths, axe collars, and leather goods.
Handmade in the USA from full grain, vegetable tanned cowhide leather.
1 Axes - Classic 2 Axes - Traditional 3 Axes - Vario 2000 4 Frontier Collection 5 Leather Shop
Axe Care and Accessories
 Axe Maintenance Kit |  Sharpening Kit |  Leather Axe Hangers |  Leather Axe Collar |  Fire Stater Kit |  Bedrolls & Blankets |  Steel Splitting Wedge | |
|
Customer Reviews
|
19
|
— |
231
|
643
|
17
|
— |
43
|
|
Price
| $150.00 | $94.00 | $25.00 | $26.00 | $28.00 | — | $76.00 |
|
Best Use
| File, Stone, and Block | Axe Guard Head Oil | Wall Mount for Any Axe | Available for Axes or Hatchets | Everything to Start a Fire | Premium Made in the USA | Made in Germany |
|
Contains
| Axe Guard Blade & Handle Oil | Handmade Leather Stone Pouch | Brass Hardware | Fits Most Axes | Premium Fire Starter | Quality Bedrolls | C50 High Carbon Steel |
|
Contains
| Repair Rings & Wedges | Dual Side Sharpening Stone | Handmade in the USA | Handmade in the USA | Fatwood & Matches | Handmade Blankets | Weight: 4.5 Lb |
|
Contains
| Oil Rags & Sandpaper | Premium Leather | Easy to Mount | Tough & Tick | Beeswax Candle | Thick and Heavy | Twisted Notch Design |
|
Contains
| Handmade Leather Carrying Case | — | — | — | Aluminum Case | Keeps Dry | Drop Forged & Heat Treated |
Compare with similar items
This Item  1844 Helko Werk Germany Traditional Hinterland - Made in Germany Double Bit Axe, Felling Axe for Felling Trees and Cutting Wood with Two Blades - Head 3.5 lbs, Handle 30 in. (Hinterland) #13575 |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $235.00 | $69.99 | $86.76 | $31.00 | -12% $52.99 List: $60.04 | $70.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it May 15 - 21 | — | Get it May 21 - 22 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Craftsmanship | ||||||
| Light weight | ||||||
| Sold By | Helko North America | SZFSK | Gritr | Harry J. Epstein Co. | Northern Tool + Equipment | ValoMarket |
| head type | Felling | Viking | — | — | Splitting Maul | — |
| blade material | Carbon Steel,Steel | Carbon,Carbon Steel,Steel | — | Carbon Steel | Alloy Steel | Hickory |
| handle material | Steel,Wood | Hickory Wood | Alloy Steel | Leather | Hickory Wood | Hickory Wood |
| style | Drop Forged Tomahawk | — | Traditional | — | 8 lb Wood Handle | American |
Reviews with images
Quality Steel - Performance Design
Well made based on about 7 hours splitting some very wet and knotty wood. Edge is still sharp. Handle has good heft and fills my size large hands. Handle nicely finished with good straight grain—this is a detail often overlooked.Wood flies apart on 6-inch logs and 12-14 inch open up in 3-4 blows. The shape of head splits well without sticking because the widest portion is a small surface area. Never got it stuck bad enough I couldn’t work it out.Head did not loosen in 7 hours splitting.I’ve been splitting wood since I was about 25 years. This is my favorite splitting tool. Very impressed how it not only splits well, but also holds and edge and chops well when you need to cut a stringy bit or cut through a knot.10 out of 10 hand tool for quality and function.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024
Size: SaxonVerified Purchase
Well made based on about 7 hours splitting some very wet and knotty wood. Edge is still sharp. Handle has good heft and fills my size large hands. Handle nicely finished with good straight grain—this is a detail often overlooked.
Wood flies apart on 6-inch logs and 12-14 inch open up in 3-4 blows. The shape of head splits well without sticking because the widest portion is a small surface area. Never got it stuck bad enough I couldn’t work it out.
Head did not loosen in 7 hours splitting.
I’ve been splitting wood since I was about 25 years. This is my favorite splitting tool. Very impressed how it not only splits well, but also holds and edge and chops well when you need to cut a stringy bit or cut through a knot.
10 out of 10 hand tool for quality and function.
Wood flies apart on 6-inch logs and 12-14 inch open up in 3-4 blows. The shape of head splits well without sticking because the widest portion is a small surface area. Never got it stuck bad enough I couldn’t work it out.
Head did not loosen in 7 hours splitting.
I’ve been splitting wood since I was about 25 years. This is my favorite splitting tool. Very impressed how it not only splits well, but also holds and edge and chops well when you need to cut a stringy bit or cut through a knot.
10 out of 10 hand tool for quality and function.
Images in this review
