Axe models

Log-building and Carpentry Tools

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, Sweden had a wide variety of Broad Axes – axes that were used to create flat surfaces, for example hewing square beams from round logs.

The Broad Axes were generally supplied in four or five edge widths, always without a handle. Broad Axes and other axes were the carpenter’s most important tools when building a log house, although other tools such as the Draw Knife, Mortise Axe, Log Dog and Log Scribe were also in his toolbox.

There remains a wide variety of different log-building tools, all different in their weight, length and historical origins. A Broad Axe is described based on its design, the grinding on the edge and the angle of the handle in relation to the edge. Other key attributes are the length of the edge, the weight of the axe (now usually including the handle) and the length of the handle.

Gränsfors Log-building and Carpentry Tools have been specially developed for use in log house building, carpentry and wood sculpting. These axes and tools have been designed in collaboration with expert woodsmen and carpenters.

Traditional tools have provided a template for the models that Gränsfors Bruk now produces, but they have been modified and developed in partnership with specialists and professionals to meet the demands of today’s users.