Gränsfors Splitting Axes are, as the name suggests, made to split wood. The axes have a large and heavy head that is forged and ground into a concave shape with a relatively thin edge. The axes are made to chop along the grainof the wood fibres, in contrast to Forest Axes, which are made to…

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The carpenter’s tools have been developed over many thousands of years. Tradition, climate and local woods have led these tools to vary from country to country. It used to be that the village blacksmith would make tools to order for the local carpenter, which naturally also produced major regional variations. By the early 20th century,…

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New ax heads getting sharpened and ready to find new homes 😃 #gransforsbruk #madeinsweden #axe #yxor #bushcraft #outdoors #craftmanship #blacksmith

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Autumn nights. A time when it starts getting darker at night and when the fire feels more cozy again. We got this amazing photo from @mountainginger.adv 🙏❤️ We wish you all a nice weekend! #gransforsbruks #axes #fire #bushcraft #gränsforsbruk #evening

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The axe is one of the oldest tools used by mankind. The oldest axes was known as hand axes. Hand axes had no shaft and were used by Homo ergaster as far back as 1.6 million years ago. When, much later, the axe was given a wooden handle, several different types of axes were developed,…

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Gränsfors axes come with a sheath made from vegetable-tanned leather. The leather is tanned to prevent it being broken down by bacteria. The tanning preserves and improves the natural properties of the leather and can be done either through treatment with natural vegetable products such as bark from various trees, flowers and roots, known as…

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The handle on Gränsfors Bruk’s axes was designed by Hans Erik Persson. Old traditions have been embraced and adapted to the demands of today’s users. The ergonomic shape provides a steady, comfortable grip on the handle, even at arm’s length. #gransforsbruk #madeinsweden #axe #yxor #bushcraft #outdoors #craftmanship #blacksmith

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Summer nights are best enjoyed in good company in front of a fire! 🙏 #gransforsbruk #madeinsweden #axe #yxor #bushcraft #outdoors #craftmanship #blacksmith

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The steel that Gränsfors Bruk uses has been specially created to produce the perfect axe head. The steel must not be too hard, or too soft and pliable. Gränsfors Bruk uses steel from Ovako that derives entirely from recycled scrap and we maintains a constant dialogue with Ovako to secure its supply of steel best…

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To remove the stresses in the steel caused by the forging and hardening, the steel needs to be annealed, which involves keeping the axe heads in an oven at 195°C for 60 minutes. The hardness of the steel depends chiefly on its carbon content, but also on the annealing temperature. Oil or lead can be…

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After forging, the focus turns to grinding and sharpening the edge. The rest of the axe head is left just as it is. After coarse grinding, the edge is hardened by heating it to 820°C and then rapidly cooling it in cold water. The hardening makes the steel much harder, but also rather brittle. #gransforsbruk…

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For Gränsfors axes we use a specially alloyed steel with a high carbon content. The steel is heated to around 1200°C, at which point the steel turns a reddish yellow. The smith takes a cut-off piece of glowing steel in his tongs and works it in a large press. The press operates at a rate…

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