If you are thinking about purchasing this tool BUT IT. For its price this is of extremely high value. High quality handforged Swedish steel and beautiful durable handles. NO VARNISH. Instead the handle has a light coat of oil on it. The axes does not come razor sharp but has a decent edge. It also comes with a leather sheath that is of decent quality.

I have had this hatchet for a few years now and love it. I have had others much more expensive but none quite like this. It is a bit more robust, with an awesome sturdy handle. The head weighs a bit more than the average hatchet but that is how I prefer it. My wife doesn't care for the weight so I bought her a Stihl. After 3 years of fulltime professional use I lost it at the end of last season but am in the process of ordering a replacement. As for issues with the handle coming loose as mentioned in other reviews I have had no such problems. Of course I regularly oil the handle with boiled linseed oil as all wooden handles should be and that completely prevents any issues.

The grain orientation in the handle is phenomenal and it's ergonomical. The handle qaulity is just below some of my more expensive axes not even a problem with the kerf or wedge. The sheath holds up well but fits a little loose on the head and can easily be slipped of without undoing strap. The worst part of this axe is the edge, it comes terribly dull so expect to be sharpening this and reshaping it before you can finds its full potential. In my opinion this shouldn't be your primary hatchet but it's a good complimentary hatchet to a Gransfors Bruks when using in less preferred situations that may result in damaging the edge.