There is nothing bad to say about the axe itself. When it arrived, the handle had quite a few splinters, and it had only been soaked once in linseed oil. But that's what fine sandpaper is for—I smoothed out the splinters, then soaked it with linseed oil: every day during the first week, then every week for the rest of the month, and after that whenever I remembered. So, the axe is very good quality – perfect for use in the forest.