Hults Bruk – African Felling Pattern – 1930s
I am wondering about the angle of the handle.
On the axehead I can make out Electra Bond Steel.
It will be interesting to know when this axe came to South Africa.
My wife’s forebears were all foresters, going back 3 centuries or so, and it is from her mother that I received the rusty old piece of metal, which turned out to be a masterpiece after my restoration effort. Once again thank you.
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JamesFebruary 1, 2018 at 12:11 pm
The pattern looks like a Hults Bruk Africa Felling Pattern. Very old and very rare.
From what I can see the poll (or butt of the axe) has an HB stamp (not an HM) meaning this was most likely made between 1930-1958. Before 1930s most poll stamps were the HM or Circle H. Hults Bruk stopped using poll stamps entirely around 1958. I’ve never seen the “Electra Bond Steel” stamp – but Hults Bruk did use a stamp that read “electro boracic steel” – a marketing slogan. This stamp was used closer to 1900-1930s. Which makes me think this axe is much older than 1958. If I’m wrong and the stamp on the poll reads HM rather than HB, it could put the date of production closer to 1900s.
Why Hults Bruk would call this a felling pattern is a mystery to me. The profile looks more useful as a carpentry axe or broad axe. Which brings us to the handle. Hewing and carpentry handles feature an angle like this axe. The angled handle allows the axe to cut straight or plane a log without catching, basically it helps keep the worker’s hands away from the log while cutting. My guess from the photos is the original user was right handed and this axe was used to shape wood rather than cut down trees. Hope this helps. Thanks for sharing a great piece of HB history.
RIAN COETZERFebruary 2, 2018 at 1:47 am
Dear HB,
The effort you put in to accommodate the curiosity of an old man, is commendable. I thank you very much.
I can now tell the grandchildren where this axe comes from, and ask them to tell their children and so on.
It is remarkable that my in-laws, on whose side of the family the axe was used, kept it for many decades as they travelled around. Just as remarkable is your ability to dig up the information for me. It speaks of pride in your work and your product.
Once again, thank you very much.