>>1096266I've bought a few of these axes and a few axes in general.
If you're buying an axe from a big name manufacturer other than gransfors, you will need to follow a bit of a maintenance schedule. Gransfors are the only manufacturer I know that actually use proper kiln dried and aged wood. Even wetterlings didn't until gransfors took them over.
Basically, any axe you buy that was manufactured more than 6 months ago will come to you with a loose head or one that will work loose quickly as you get some compression into the fibers because they used wet wood to make the handle.
So, you get a new axe, swing it for an hour, take it back to the shed and bash the butt of the handle with a mallet to seat the head down further. Tap the wedges in a bit further with a punch/screwdriver and hammer and repeat.
Any reasonable axe will come with plenty of room on the handle to move the head down further. Once you're satisfied, trim off the excess, or don't.
Also don't soak the eye of the axe in oil or anti-freeze or anything. That trick is very effective, but it will just delay the problem and make it worse when it comes back.
Ultimately the hultafors axes are nice. I just get the husqvarna ones, they come with a far worse finish but then I don't feel guilty when I reprofile them. Hultafors axes usually benefit from a good handle shave (Especially that stupid knuckle), which I consider a benefit because the handles come with a bit of room to make a custom handle. Exaggerate the palm swell and thin out the handle to make it comfortable.
