Couple of weeks ago a customer asked me if I preferred the Hults Bruk Aneby or the Adler Canoe Ax. Good question. Like most things, it depends on your needs and personal preferences as both are similar but different.
Aneby and Canoe Axe Comparison
- Hults Bruk Aneby
- Handle: 20″
- Head Wt: 2#
- Blade Width: 3″
- Total Weight: 2.75#
- Price: $144
- Adler Canoe Axe
- Handle: 19.5″
- Head Wt: 1.35#
- Blade Width: 4.125″
- Total Weight: 2.2#
- Price: $94
Head to Head Comparison
So, other then price, not a whole lot of difference between the Hults Bruk Aneby and the Adler Canoe Axe, right? Maybe. The best way to show the major differences can be seen in the side by side photo’s.
You’ll notice that the heads of the two are very different. The Adler Canoe axe has a noticeably larger cutting surface but a narrower poll or butt. The Hults Bruk has a neck which should mean a stronger (?) attachment to the handle. Picking the two axes up you’ll notice the additional 1/2 pound of weight the Hults Bruk carries.
The next thing worth mentioning is the shape and design of the handles.
The Adler has a slimmer handle but they increased the thickness at the shoulder. This accomplishes a couple of things. Obviously, it increases the strength of the handle at this point. More importantly, it provides a really comfortable grip point for doing ‘carving’. Carving as in shaping the point on a stake, trimming small twigs from a pole, cutting wood shavings for fire starting. In the first photo you’ll also notice the black textured paint on the Adler for additional gripping power. So what does this all translate to in the real world?
While both are top quality axes, they do have different applications. Let’s deal with the Adler Canoe Axe first.
The Adler Canoe axe was designed to be exactly that. A compact axe that can be easily carried on a back pack or strapped to a canoe. The weight is reduced but not to the point of affecting its ability to take on a number of tasks fit for either an axe or a hatchet. With a handle designed to give you a secure grip while chopping, thought was given to tighter detail work. Strength was considered with the increased length of the shoulder of the handle. And I can’t emphasize the fact that 1/2# weight advantage over the Hults Bruk is noticeable if you’re going to carry it any distance over rougher terrain. I‘ve used the Adler Canoe Axe and I love it.
The Hults Bruk Aneby is a more robust feeling axe when you pick it up. The added weight gives you an advantage when chopping. You’ll also feel a difference when you grab the handle and feel the thickness. It has the feel of a full size axe. This would be my choice if I needed an axe to use around the yard or splitting wood for the fire ring. The extra weight isn’t an issue and it’s a lot handier then a full size axe.
Hults Bruk & Adler Price Differential
Price is a factor as the Aneby is half again the price of the Canoe Axe. Is it worth it? Your getting a quality axe with either. There’s also the fact that Hults Aneby is from their Premium Line. They spend more time hammer forging the head and consideration is given to the shape of the head and final finishing. The Hults Bruk Salen Hatchet is close to the Aneby but comes from their standard line at a price point similar to the Adler Canoe Axe.
Frankly, it comes down to personal preference. I grabbed an Adler Canoe Axe and immediately fell in love with it for a camping axe. I could have chosen the Hults Bruk Salen at a similar price point with some of the Hults Bruk Aneby features but I really liked the feel of the Adler Canoe Axe. Like I told my customer, you really need both axes if you’re thinking of a camping/hunting axe and an ‘around the yard’ axe. Kind of like knives and guns, you can never have too many!!