>>1333717Finns used to think hard handles are bad since they worked so long in the forest and did everything with their axe (hence collar design for durability). Birch is much softer on the hands (less vibration). I also posess the legendary Billnäs 12 2, it is perfection, great for splitting, perfect weight, looks smaller than it weighs though. I own plenty of axes, even expensive Fiskars splitting axe, everyrhing Ive ever used has been worse than this axe, and this axe is even meant to be chopping trees with, not just splitting.