Most axes get their character from the blade. This one gets just as much from the handle: a 19-inch ashwood shaft with a hand-engraved pattern running down it, wrapped in rope rather than leather. It’s a different look from the rest of the collection, and it changes how the axe actually feels in your hand, too — rope grips differently than leather, with more texture and less give.
The head is forged from high-carbon steel with a 5.3-inch cutting edge, giving it enough bite for real chopping while the 19-inch overall length keeps it manageable one-handed.
The Engraving Isn’t an Afterthought
The pattern on the handle is hand-cut, not stamped or printed — you can feel the depth of it under your fingers, which also happens to improve grip in the same way any texture would. It’s the kind of detail that separates a tool someone made from a tool that came off an assembly line: no two handles carry the engraving in exactly the same way.
Rope Wrapping — Why It’s Different From Leather
Rope wrapping is a deliberate handle choice, not a downgrade from leather. It holds up better in wet conditions since it doesn’t get slick the way leather can, and it’s simple to re-wrap yourself if it ever wears out — most people can’t say the same about a leather-wrapped grip. If you’ve used a rope-wrapped tool handle before, you know the grip is more aggressive; if you haven’t, it’s worth trying at least once to see which you actually prefer.
The Steel Underneath It All
Forged from high-carbon steel and hardened to 58-60 HRC, the head holds an edge through real use without turning brittle. This is the same hardness range used across the rest of HM Knives’ axes — the engraving and rope are what make this one distinct, not a different steel or process.
Handmade to Order
Every axe ships with a leather sheath and is made to order, typically 5-7 business days before it leaves the forge. Because the engraving is done by hand, minor variation between pieces is normal — that’s part of what separates it from a machine-stamped pattern. If you’d rather compare it against the rest of the lineup first, our full handmade viking axe collection has every style we forge, including versions with leather wrapping instead of rope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the handle engraving done by hand or machine? By hand. Each pattern is individually cut, which is why no two handles look exactly identical.
Why rope wrapping instead of leather? Rope holds up better in wet conditions and gives a more aggressive grip texture. It’s also simpler to re-wrap yourself if it wears down over time.
Will the carbon steel blade rust? It can if left wet. Wipe it dry after use and keep a light coat of oil on it in storage — see our axe care guide for the full routine.
What’s included with the axe? The axe itself and a leather sheath. Custom engraving elsewhere on the blade is available as an add-on if you want it personalized further.
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