GRANSFORS BRUKS Axes, Adzes and Hatchets
Back To Basics For The Real Craftsman!
In pre-industrial times, axes were made in many small forges and smithies. A hugh variety grew up as the smith matched his skill to the use his customer wanted to put his axe to. The mass production that came with the Industrial Revolution brought a change to the shape and construction of axes. They all had to look the same, the surfaces were ground absolutely smooth and given a coat of paint - incidentally, a useful means of disguising poor quality.
The small Swedish smithy, GRÄNSFORS BRUKS, has gone back to the original principle of hand production with the aim of putting on the market a sound, longlasting product. The company has worked with the designer Hans Erik Persson and developed axes that have traditional shapes and still meet the demands of those felling trees by hand today.
The motto of GRÄNSFORS BRUKS is: "An axe is as good as the smith who made it". The forged surface, free of all disguise, is a guarantee of the smith's skill and the quality of the axe he has made.
So it follows that you should know which smith made your axe. A clever smith is proud of his handiwork. Every axe from Gränsfors Bruks is marked with the initials of its maker, and the smiths are:
| US | Ulrika Stridsberg |
| UN | Ulrik Nielsson |
| MM | Mattias Mattsson |
| AS | Anders Strömstedt |
| LP | Lennart Pettersson |
| KS | Kjell-Ake Sjölund |
| RA | Rune Andersson |
| DG | Daniel Gräntz |
| BA | Bert-Ove Andersson |
The steel is heat-treated in stoves at a temperature of 1200°C. When the right temperature has been reached - and this is clear to the smith from the red and gold colour - the glowing end is cut off and the work with anvil and swage can begin. The smith skilfully forms an axe-head from the square piece of metal. He then embosses it with the name GRÄNSFORS BRUKS and his own initials, inspects it closely and hangs it up to cool. When the cutting edge has been hammered and ground, the lower part of the axe-head is annealed - by heating it to 820°C and then quenching it rapidly in cold water. After that, the axes are tempered for 60 minutes in an oven at 195°C, to take out the stresses that arise in the forging and annealing processes. Then there is a test of the hardness. The shafter now gives the axe a handle, or helve. The prepared shaft is inserted into the eye of the axe with the aid of a hydaulic press. The axe is greased to protect it from rust.
Every axe (with few exceptions - see item description) goes out accompanied by a leather sheath for the blade and the "Book of the Axe", which contains a wealth of practical information.
To sharpen axes we recommend a Japanese Waterstone! Replacement handles you find on the bottom of this page!
Wildlife Hatchet
A hatchet (short-handled axe) for trekking, easy to stow in a rucksack. The leather sheath stops the blade piercing the rucksack. This hatchet has a 36 cm handle and weighs only 0.7 kg. A reliable companion on all trips into wild country!
Order nr.
307305 
Price
€ 65.20
Hunter’s Axe
A specialist axe for hunters. The front edge of the head is curved; the curve is not concave as in most hatchets, but convex. The shape of the curve follows the traditional line of the native American tomahawk. The neck is narrower than usual, and beaten thinner, slightly rounded and polished, for skinning animals. To "flay" game, it can be used as a tanning hammer. It is a hatchet that can be used not only for butchering game and splitting bones but also for hewing wood. There are rings cut into the handpiece to enable the hand to keep a fast grip even when wet and slippery. This hatchet was the first and so far the only one to receive an award in Sweden for excellence of design - from the Swedish Design Centre. Its length is 48 cm including handle and it weighs only 0.9 kg.
Order nr.
307306 
Price
€ 99.30
Small Forest Axe
More force for woodcutting than the trekking hatchet has is given by the larger head and longer handle. This axe can still be quite well accommodated in a rucksack. It is 50 cm long including handle, and weighs 1.0 kg
Picture with leather protection
Order nr.
307307 
Price
€ 68.95
Scandinavian Forest Axe (Large Forest Axe)
A true felling axe for people who want to do traditional forestry work. Outstanding for felling small trees and removing branches. Forged into round curves, it is well suited to work on fresh, resinous woods such as spruce and pine. Because of the long handle, it can be swung well. Its length is 64 cm including handle and it weighs only 1.2 kg.
Order nr.
307308 
Price €
75.95
Large Splitting Axe
A new generation of axes for splitting logs. Lars Enander, master smith, has developed an axe with the aim of making log-splitting easier and giving the tool a longer life. The result is to be seen here: a broad axe-head with a concave profile forces the wood apart with a minimum of contact. The handle is in high quality hickory and has been given a steel sheath to reduce the wear that arises when the handle strikes the log by mistake. The steel sheath is attached to the handle and head simultaneously, under a pressure of about two tons. Do not use this axe as a hammer or as a wedge. The splitting hammer is the right thing for that! This axe is 70 cm long including handle and it weighs only 2.6 kg. Handle (helve) sheathed in steel!
Order nr.
307309
Price
€ 89.95
Small Splitting Axe
as above, length of handle 60 cm, weight 1.8 kg
Order nr.
307329 
Price
€ 82.25
Splitting Hatchet
Smaller than the splitting axes this hatchet is made for one-handed use.
Total weight: 1.7 kg
Length: 48 cm
Order nr.
307328 
Price
€ 79.50
Splitting Hammer (Splitting Maul)
Design features basically as those of cleaver, but considerably weightier to tackle heavy jobs. This splitting hammer is suitable for cleaving very coarse and knotty wood. The hammer end is very good for hammering in splitting wedges. Its length is 80 cm including handle and it weighs 3.2 kg.
Warning: Remember that when steel strikes steel, splinters can fly and damage your eyes - wear goggles!
A number of users of this splitting hammer have reported with pride - and independently of one another - that they have managed to turn more than 8 cubic metres of wood into logs in one weekend.
Order nr.
307310 
Price
€ 97.50
Splitting Wedge
This hardened steel splitting wedge has a slight twist in it, to achieve faster splitting and at the same time reduce the risk of its jamming. It 23 cm long and weighs 1.5 kg.
Warning:
Remember that when steel strikes steel, splinters can fly and damage your eyes - wear goggles! Protect the other parts of your body with heavy clothes! Keep other people off! Remove the burr that appears as a result of striking thoroughly with a file. Buy this tool only, if you are able to follow these rules!
If you find this wedge too dangerous, we recommend our
Ox-head Aluminium wedge for safe working.
Order nr.
307311 
Price
€ 43.10
Carpenter’s Axe
Carpenter’s axes have a long, thin blade, giving a regular surface to the cuts it makes. The head is forged with a recess that enables the hand to grip almost immediately over the blade, increasing stability and accuracy. The poll of the axe can be used as a hammer; the handle is straight. The flat blade and straight line make it superb for chopping dry wood. The carpenter's hatchet is 45 cm long and weighs 0.9 kg, Cutting edge approx. 10 cm.
Order nr.
307312 
Price
€ 73.00
Swedish Carving Axe
The scupltor's axe has a long, curved blade with a broad, straight, bevelled cutting edge to make light work of sculpting wood. Its shape is the outcome of co-operation between Wille Sundquist, sculptor in wood, and Onni Linnanheimo, designer, who were inspired by ancient hatchets of the kind. The handle is "rugged" to give a good grip.
Total weight: 1.0 kg
Length of edge: 11 cm
Length of handle: 37 cm
Comes with a grain-leather sheath.
Righthander Axe
bevelled on the right side - seen from the handle!
Order nr.
307314 
Price
€ 99.00
Lefthander Axe
bevelled on the left side - seen from the handle!
Order nr.
307313 
Price
€ 109.00
The terms "right" and "left" mean: view from the handle to the blade!
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Swedish Broad Axe Mod. 1900 straight
Axehead eye straight
blade sharpened on both sides
Total weight 1.7 kg
Handle length 49 cm
total length 54 cm
Edge length 18 cm
Order nr. 307315 
Price € 176.00
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Swedish Broad Axe Mod. 1900 left-handed!
Axehead eye offset to left
one side of blade sharpened (to the normal scissors-type cutting edge for work along the length of the wood)
The upper part of the hatchet ( poll and eye) is turned approx.10° to the left in the course of forging.
The beam is to the right of the hatchet from where the joiner is standing.
Total weight 1.7 kg
Handle length 49 cm
total length 54 cm
Edge length 18 cm
Order nr. 307316 
Price € 199.00
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Swedish Broad Axe Mod. 1900 right-handed!
Axehead eye offset to right
one side of blade sharpened (to the normal scissors-type cutting edge for work along the length of the wood)
The upper part of the hatchet ( poll and eye) is turned approx.10° to the right in the course of forging.
The beam is to the left of the hatchet from where the joiner is standing.
Total weight 1.7 kg
Handle length 49 cm
total length 54 cm
Edge length 18 cm
Order nr. 307317 
Price € 199.00
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Heavy Broad Axe Mod. 1800
Broad axe, model 1800, a traditional Scandinavian design. The enlargement shows clearly the marked increase in thickness near the cutting edge. This axe is suitable for cutting through trunks and for rough joint work; both sides of the blade are ground. Weight 1.85 kg, length of handle 50 cm, over all length 54 cm, blade 19 cm.
Enlargement!
Blade!
Order nr.
307332 
Price
€ 325.00
Heavy Broad Axe Mod. 1700
Broad axe, model 1700, head resembles that of model 1800 in cutting area but there is a wellshaped forged socket to protect the helve from breakage. Weight 2 kg, length of handle 50 cm, over all length 59 cm, blade 19 cm.
Enlargement!
Blade
Order nr.
307333 
Price
€ 449.00
Adze with curved blade and short handle
The best one for sculptors! Weight 0.85 kg, length 24 cm, blade 6.5 cm.
Order nr.
307324 
Price
€ 185.00
Adze with curved blade and long handle
Boatbuilders like this adze. Suitable for general work! Weight 1.55 kg, over all length 64 cm, blade 8 cm.
Order nr.
307325 
Price
€ 230.00
Adze with straight blade and short handle
DThe best one for sculptors! Weight 0.85 kg, length 24 cm, blade 6.5 cm.
Order nr.
307326 
Price
€ 184.00
Adze with straight blade and long handle
Boatbuilders like this adze. Suitable for general work! Weight 1.55 kg, over all length 64 cm, blade 8 cm.
Order nr.
307327 
Price
€ 225.00
American Felling Axe
A professional axe for working in the same way as the "fallers" of the old days. Hand forged out of a solid piece of steel and carefully tempered and sharpened. With American hickory handle.
Enlargement
Axe with shorter handle 81 cm (31 in.)
Total weight 2.2 kg (4.9 lb)
Blade width 115 mm (4-1/2 in.)
Order nr.
307365 
Price
€ 114.00
Axe with long handle 90 cm (35 in.)
Total weight 2.3 kg (5.1 lb)
Blade width 115 mm (4-1/2 in.)
Order nr.
307366 
Price
€ 119.00
Double Bit Axe
Double bit axe for wood-cutters. Length of handle 90 cm, weight of head 1.6 kg, total weight 2.4 kg.
Warning: Only for skilled wood-cutters! This axe can be hazardous for untrained people! This is no throwing axe!
Order nr.
307330 
Price
€ 137.00
Scandinavian Broad Axe (Danish Double Bearded Axe)
A lightweight is this "Bredbila". Weight 1.45 kg, handle 46 cm, Over all length 63 cm, blade 37 cm, comes without blade protection!
Order nr.
307360 
Price
€ 379.00
Tomahawk "Dakota"
The Indian spirit! Weight 450 g, length 48 cm, blade 7 cm.
Order nr.
307361 
Price
€ 199.00
Scandinavian Bearded Axe "Gothem"
A Swedish axe developed during the 7th century. The broad axe originally came to the Nordic countries from Western and Central Europe and was subsequently developed into two basic types: the two-lugged and the four-lugged. The two-lugged broad axe is characterised by two lugs below the eye and was often quite big and heavy. It had a short handle and a long extended edge.
The beard axe was used primarily as a tool for woodwork and for cutting and smoothing planks, for example. This type of axe was an essential too used for boat building and in the construction of Viking buildings (skiftesverkhus) wich were built using horizontal planks.
This replica, forged by hand, is based on an 11th century axe found in Gothem on the iland of Gotland. The original axe is exhibited at the Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm. Weight 2 kg, length 80 cm, blade 14 cm.
Order nr.
307362 
Price
€ 285.00
Scandinavian Four-Lugged chopping Axe "Skane"
A Norwegian axe from the 7th century which was developed into a western Scandinavian style. It is characterised by its four eye-lugs: two above and two below the eye. The axe has a relatively wide, curved edge.
Archeological findings indicate that this type of axe probably formed part of poeple's personal equipment. It was used both as hatchet and as a working axe, but also as a weapon in battle before the actual battle axe was developed.
This replica, forged by hand, is based on an axe dating back to the 9th century, and was found in Skane in the southern part of Sweden. The original axe is exhibited at the Museum Kulturen in Lund (Sweden). Total weight 1 kg, length 75 cm, Blade width 12.5 cm.
Enlargement
Axe head
Order nr.
307364 
Price
€ 269.00
Froe
Weight 2.2 kg 2-1/2 lb
Length of blade 30 cm = 12 in.
Length of handle 45 cm = 18",
without blade protection!
Use a wooden mallet to strike the back of the blade!
Mit dieser Schindelspalthacke können Sie Holzschindeln herstellen. Die Schneide liegt auf dem zu bearbeitenden Holz auf, der Stiel wird mit der linken Hand gehalten (sofern Sie Rechtshänder sind). In der rechten Hand haben Sie einen Holzklüpfel und schlagen auf den Rücken der Klinge.
Gesamtgewicht ca. 2,2 kg, Klingenlänge 30 cm, Stiellänge 45 cm, ohne Schneidenschutz!
Order nr.
307320 
Price €
97,-
Mortise Axe
A mortise axe is used in joinery, specially loghouse building.
Weight 1 kg, length of axe head 21 cm, blade width 6 cm, length of handle 50 cm.
Order nr.
307318 
Price
€ 95.00
Sharpening Axes
Japanese Combination Stone
This Japanese waterstone is the ideal stone for sharpening axes and hatchets! With grit 250 (green) you can grind down notches and with grit 1000 (brown) you obtain a high grade of sharpness for your axe.
Grain size: 250/1000
Size: 205 mm x 50 mm x 25 mm
Order nr.
309353 
Price
€ 21.90
Japanese Mini Combination Stone with plastic handle
As alternative we offer this versatile and cheap stone, handle with hand-protection! Suitable for axes and sickles too!
Note that this stone cannot replace a large stone, and sharpening takes longer. For tools which need precise angles such as chisels or plane blades this stone is not suitable.
Grit: 250/800
Stone size: 80 mm x 30 mm x 10 mm each side
Length with handle: 195 mm (8 in.)
Order nr.
309357 
Price
€ 12.50
Replacement Handles
These handles fit only the Gränsfors Bruks Axes and hatchets offered on this page!
| Description |
Order nr. |
Price |
| Handle for Wildlife Hatchet 307305 |
307340 |
€ 12.50 |
| Handle for Hunter’s Axe 307306 |
307341 |
€ 15.50 |
| Handle for Small Forest Axe 307307 |
307342 |
€ 12.50 |
| Handle for Scandinavian Forest Axe (Large Forest Axe) 307308 |
307343 |
€ 17.00 |
| Handle for American Felling Axe 31 inch 307365 |
307344 |
€ 24.30 |
| Handle for American Felling Axe 35 inch 307366 |
307345 |
€ 27.20 |
| Handle for Splitting Hatchet 307328 (Comes with steel sheath) |
307350 |
€ 26.50 |
| Handle for Small Splitting Axe 307329 (Comes with steel sheath) |
307346 |
€ 27.50 |
| Handle for Large Splitting Axe 307309 (Comes with steel sheath) |
307347 |
€ 29.00 |
| Handle for Splitting Hammer (Splitting Maul) 307310 (Comes with steel sheath) |
307348 |
€ 30.50 |
| Handle for Carpenter’s Axe 307312 |
307349 |
€ 12.50 |
| Handle for Swedish Carving Axe 307314 |
307351 |
€ 14.50 |
| Swedish Broad Axe Mod. 1900 307315 |
307352 |
€ 22.50 |
| Handle for Double Bit Axe 35 inch 307330 |
307354 |
€ 24.00 |