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The Axe Day 2026 - with a craft theme!
4 March 2026
During this year’s Axe Day, craftsmanship takes center stage. Date & Time: May 30, 2026, 10:00 - 15:00, Location: Gränsfors Bruk
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Welcome to Axe Day with a craft theme!
During this year’s Axe Day, craftsmanship takes center stage. Here you can experience traditional woodworking and blacksmithing up close, including demonstrations of how log construction is done. In addition, last year’s crowd favorite, the carving competition, returns! Some of Sweden’s most skilled woodworkers will meet in an intense competition where, during four hours, they create unique pieces using an axe and wood. As a visitor, you will help vote for the winner and get very close to both the process and the craftsmanship.
During the day there will also be factory tours, an open museum, special offers in the factory shop, and the opportunity to have axes resharpened or rehandled. The Flower Pot Factory will be open, and food will be served at Augustas. For children and families there will be activities such as try-your-hand blacksmithing, crafts, and activities together with Woolpower and Svedbro Smide (our sister companies).
The program for the day will be published here during the spring. Keep an eye out and mark Axe Day in your calendar!
The day at a glance:
Date & Time: May 30, 2026, 10:00 - 15:00
Location: Gränsfors Bruk
Program: Will be published on gransforsbruk.com during the spring and in the Facebook event: Axe Day 2026
Program & Activities
10:00–15:00 – Factory Tours
Follow the entire process from steel to finished axe. Our staff will show you how it’s done.
10:00–15:00 – Factory Shop, Rehandling and Resharpening
The shop is open with special offers. We regrind and rehandle axes from Gränsfors Bruk (maximum 3 axes per person).
10:00–14:00 – Craft Competition Led by Jögge Sundqvist
Some of Sweden’s most experienced craftspeople compete for four hours using axes from Gränsfors Bruk and a piece of wood. The competition is led by Jögge “s u r o l l e” Sundqvist. At 14:00, visitors can vote for their favorite pieces, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
10:00–15:00 – Split Firewood!
Try splitting axes from Gränsfors Bruk.
10:00–15:00 – Sawing with Woxna!
Test your skills in Woxna’s sawing competition.
10:00–15:00 – Log Notching with Isak Stålenhag
Outside the Axe Museum, timberman Isak Stålenhag will build a new barbecue area during the day.
10:00–15:00 – Jon Långström Makes Wooden Skis
See how traditional wooden skis are made by Jon “Greve Långböj” Långström.
10:00–15:00 – Timber Framing Construction in Practice – Building a Portal
On the other side of the river, behind the works, timbermen Filip and Simon will demonstrate the technique behind post-and-beam construction and build a portal that will be raised during the day.
10:00–14:00 – Traditional Blacksmithing
Blacksmith Sam Ritter will bring his forge and traditionally craft an honorary prize for the winner of the craft competition.
10:00–15:00 – Gränsfors Flower Pots
The shop and production are open throughout the day.
10:00–15:00 – Gränsfors Axe Museum
The Axe Museum houses over 2,000 axes from floor to ceiling. Follow the history of the axe from the Iron Age to today.
For the Whole Family
10:00–15:00 – Try Blacksmithing
Try forging in our training forge. An activity for the whole family led by an experienced blacksmith. Note: limited number of spots. Registration takes place on site.
10:00–15:00 – Crafts with Woolpower
Create freely using leftover wool materials from Woolpower, a creative activity for the whole family.
10:00–15:00 – Axe Throwing with the Axe Throwing Association
Compete for an axe of your choice from Gränsfors Bruk. Instructors are on site, so give it a throw!
10:00–15:00 – Wrecking Bar Golf with Svedbro Smide
Test your skills in mini golf using the only Swedish-made wrecking bar from Svedbro Smide. Clubs are available for both children and adults.
10:00–15:00 – Gävleborg County Museum – The Museum Moves Outdoors
Gävleborg County Museum will be on site with an exhibition, a craft workshop in wire craft, and opportunities to meet educators who will share stories about the region’s history, archaeology, iron production, and timber building traditions.
Food & Drink
10:00–15:00 – Food Service at Restaurant Augustas
Well-prepared meals served throughout the day.