High Quality, Hand forged Axes & Wrecking Bars 20 … · Gränsfors Bruks is a small Swedish family...

Gränsfors Bruks is a small Swedish familyoperated company formed in 1902. Eversince it was founded the company hasbeen making axes and wrecking bars ofthe finest quality. The smiths at GränsforsBruks are famous for their skill.

They have the reputation of being one ofthe world’s best axes and wrecking bars,hand-made by professionals. The highlyskilled smith marks the axe-head with hisown initials when he is satisfied with hiswork. The Swedish manufacturer -Gränsfors Bruks gives a 20 Year ProductGuarantee.

At the end of the 1980’s Gränsfors Brukstook one step back to the more tradi-tional and craftsman like production thathad been the standard a long time ago.

Today the commissions are gone. The professional craftsmanship is allowed to take its time. Quality isimportant, quantity is not. Gone is also the unnecessary grinding, painting, varnishing, gone are the danger-ous epoxy-plastics and all the other pollute components.

Gränsfors Bruks believes that to make a high quality product is a way to pay respect and responsibility tothe customer and the user of the product. A high quality product, in the hands of those who have learnedhow to use it and how to look after it, will very likely be more durable.

The prize-awarded Axes are forged from Special Swedish Steel for axes and the blades are tempered andannealed to the right toughness. The handles are made of selected high quality American hickory and eachaxe-model has different handles to suit its purpose.

In 1990 Gränsfors Bruks’ Axes were awarded a prize in “Ecological Design” from The Swedish Societyfor Nature Conservation in cooperation with The Swedish Society of Crafts and Design. In 1995Gränsfors Bruks received another award from The Swedish Society of Crafts and Design for the “Hunt-er’s Axe”.

High Quality, Hand forged Axes & Wrecking Bars20-Year Product Guarantee

Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representative s in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks , hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars. www.dahlgrentrading.com

173 Queen St, Warragul - Phone 0356 235005 - Fax 0356 234933

Axes.gränsfors axes are forged by very professional smiths. The proof of this professionalism is that they are able to forge axes with such precision that no supplementary work, to hide mistakes in the forging, is needed.

When the smith is satisfied with his work, he marks the head with his initials.

GränsforsMini Hatchet27 cm, 0,3 kgItem No. 410

Wildlife Hatchet35 cm, 0,6 kgItem No. 415

Hunters Axe48 cm, 0,9 kgItem No. 418

Small Forest Axe50 cm, 1 kgItem No. 420

Splitting Maul80 cm, 3,2 kgItem No. 450

Carpenters Axe45 cm, 0,9 kgItem No. 465

Splitting Wedge23 cm, 1,7 kgItem No. 460

Large SwedishCarving Axe37 cm, 1 kgItem No. 475

Splitting Hatchet48 cm, 1,5 kgItem No. 439

Small SplittingAxe60 cm, 1,6 kgItem No. 441

ScandinavianForest Axe64 cm, 1,2 kgItem No. 430

Double BitThrowing Axe74 cm, 2,1 kgItem No. 490-1

Axe Sharpening FileTotal length 14 cmWeight 74 gItem No. 403-1

Axe SharpeningDiamondTotal length 14 cmWeight 74 gItem No. 403-2

Axe Sharpening StoneWeight 190 gØ 57 mmItem No. 403-3

Large SplittingAxe70 cm, 2,4 kgItem No. 442

Gränsfors Bruks AB, 820 70 Bergsjö, Sweden. Phone +46 652 71090. Fax +46 652 14002. [email protected] www.gransfors.com

The Axe Book36 pages of Axe information.

Phone: 03 5623 5005

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.vctraders.com.au173 Queen Street, Warragul

©DDDDDahlgrahlgrahlgrahlgrahlgren Ten Ten Ten Ten Trrrrradingadingadingadingading - The Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars. www.DahlgrenTrading.com

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Swedish DrawknifeTotal length 64 cm Face 32 cm, 0,8 kgArt nr 486

FroeFace 30 cm Handle length 44 cm1,4 kgItem No. 487

Mortise Axe50 cm, 1,2 kgItem No. 485

Large Gutter AdzeFace 7 cmTotal length 64 cm1,5 kgItem No. 479

ScandinavianForest Axe64 cm, 1,2 kgItem No. 430

Carpenters Axe45 cm, 0,9 kgItem No. 465

Large Straight AdzeFace 7,5 cmTotal length 65 cm1,3 kgItem No. 477

Small Straight AdzeFace 5,5 cmTotal length 24 cm0,8 kgItem No. 476

Slick AxePush-Style Mortise Axe, Face 5,5 cm1,4 kgItem No. 492

Traditional Log Scribe0,5 kgItem No. 489

Swedish Broad Axe 1700Face 18 cmTotal length 50 cm1,8 kgItem No. 484

Swedish Broad Axe 1800 Face 18 cmTotal length 50 cm1,8 kgItem No. 483

Swedish Broad Axe, 1900Face 17 cmTotal length 50 cm1,7 kgItem No. 480

Small Gutter Adze Face 6 cmTotal length 24 cm0,8 kgItem No. 478

Log Dog49 cm, 0,7 kgItem No. 488

Tove® – Spring Steel Wrecking Bars11”, 0,4 kg 20” 0,9 kg 25” 1,4 kg 28” 1,8 kg 36” 2,5 kgItem No. 111 Item No. 120 Item No. 125 Item No. 128 Item No. 136

Gränsfors Bruks AB, 820 70 Bergsjö, Sweden. Phone +46 652 71090. Fax +46 652 14002. [email protected] www.gransfors.com

Broad Axes and log-building tools.for more information about Gränsfors Bruks Broad Axes and log-building tools, please go to www.gransfors.com and download a brochure. Courses in log-building are

arranged at Gränsfors Bruks, Sweden.

Phone: 03 5623 5005

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.vctraders.com.au173 Queen Street, Warragul

©DDDDDahlgrahlgrahlgrahlgrahlgren Ten Ten Ten Ten Trrrrradingadingadingadingading - The Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars. www.DahlgrenTrading.com

Helps, Save Your:

••••• BackThe ideal design makes it split wood like you never have experi-enced before. The curved in shape of the head and the weight behindit together with the perfect balance - Makes this splitter do the job foryou, while you save your back.

It’s not like hitting a rock anymore.

••••• TemperThis is a splitting axe, it’s devel-oped and hand forged by probablythe most skilful blacksmiths in theworld. Therefore it’s no longer afrustration to split firewood it’s apleasure.

It also saves you energy by keepingyou calm.

• • • • • WalletThis splitting axe is made to last. Only the best steel for axes is usedand selected high quality American hickory for the handle. If you geta mishit a steel cover protects the handle. When you buy this splitteryou will not end up buying a new one every year.

That’s why you also save money, in the long run.

- It´s a pleasure splitting fire wood, again!

Please visit our store for a wide range of forestry tools.

We are looking forward to show and tell you more.

Lennart Pettersson (LP), axe-smithat Gränsfors Bruks Axe Forge

©DDDDDahlgrahlgrahlgrahlgrahlgren Ten Ten Ten Ten Trrrrradingadingadingadingading - The Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars. www.dahlgrentrading.com


Gutter Adzes - Curved or Straight

• Face length: 6 cm• Handel Length: 24 cm• Weight: 0,8 kg

Hand forged by professionals from Special Swedish Steel for axes

20-Year Product Guarantee

Curved Adzes Straight Adzes

Art No: 478

• Face length: 8 cm• Handel Length: 65 cm• Weight: 1,5 kg

Art No: 479

• Face length: 5,5 cm• Handel Length: 24 cm• Weight: 0,8 kg

Art No: 476

• Face length: 7,5 cm• Handel Length: 65 cm• Weight: 1,3 kg

Art No: 477

Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars. www.dahlgrentrading.com


Available with either a short handle or a long handle,these hand-forged adzes have a deep, curved head

ideal for removing wood.

The blade is deeply swept and slightly flat-tened at the bottom for clean shaping. The

short handle adze is particularly usefulfor sculpting. Boat builders like the

long handle adze.

Also available with a straightand slightly swept blade,

for easy cutting.

Picture shows Art No: 478

Broad Axe Model 1900

• Face length: 17,8 cm• Length: 50 cm• Weight: 1,6 kg• Art No: 480 & 481



With angled handles the handle and your hands remainat a distance from the timber, thereby minimizing therisk of personal injury. Before it was the user himselfwho made a curved handle in either direction. Nowwe bend the poll and the eye 10° to the left or right.When the 1900 Model Broad Axe is used as a carvingaxe, it often has an angled handle (Art No: 481).When the 1900 Model is used as a chopping broadaxe the handle is usually straight (Art No:480).

Most Common Art.No: 480Double-sided SharpeningFor all types of hewing oftimber and corner chopping.‘Chopping Broad Axe’

Art.No: 481Reverse Scissors SharpeningFor the planning of log walls.‘Carving Broad Axe’

Art.No: 481Standard Scissors SharpeningFor squaring of logs.‘Carving Broad Axe’

The illustrations above show the broad axe’s head from the user’s side (handle end.)

Gränsfors Bruks Broad Axes 1900 Model are available with different sharpenings.

On the 1900 Model Broad Axe the handle can be straight, angled to the left or angled to the right.

All Gränsfors Bruks Broad Axes and log-building tools are handforged at the axe factory in Sweden. Thepatterns of the Broad Axes and the handles are based on Swedish logging techniques for squaring logs andstructural timbers of all kinds. The Broad Axes come with a high quality hickory handle slightly curvedupwards and a grain leather cover. Gränsfors Bruks Broad Axes have a 20 year guarantee and are stamped

with the smith’s initials.

The pattern of the Broad Axe and the handle is based on old Swedish loggingtechniques for squaring logs and structural timbers of all kinds. Has sufficientspace between the "blade's beard" and the handle for the user's fingers.

Bevelled on two sides (double bevelled) or on one side, left or right. The eye (andthe direction of the handle) may be straight or sideways angled (10°), right or left, to protect the knuckles.Example; bevelled on left side, normally goes with an eye angled sideways to the right (Art No: 481).



Gränsfors 1900 Model Broad Axe can be deliveredsharpened either on both sides ‘Double-SidedSharpened’ (Art No:480) or only on one side ‘Single-Sided Sharpened Edge’, (scissors-sharpened, Art No:481). As a rule of thumb, if nothing else is specified,the 1900 model Gränsfors Broad Axe you purchasewill have a double-sided sharpened edge. The double-sided sharpened Broad Axe (Chopping Broad Axe,Art No:480) is used for corner chopping and also forall types of hewing of logs.

The handle is by default ‘straight’ (Art No:480).

Double-Bit Axe Working & Throwing



Different models of double-bit axes have been popular in the US since the lastquarter of the 19th century because of its balanced feel and versatility. Typically, one

blade was sharpened to a finely honed, narrow “fellingedge”, while the second blade was ground slightly blunter,and used for knots and cutting near the ground where a

finely sharpened blade was more likely to be damaged.

Today the double-bit axe is used as a Working Axe or as a ThrowingAxe for timber sports. The head weighs 1,9 kg and the face of the bits

are about 15,2 cm. The Throwing Axe has a 74 cm straight hickoryhandle and the Working Axe has a 90cm straight hickory handle withswell-knob. They come with two grain-leather sheaths.

Throwing Axe

• Face length: 15,2 cm• Length: 74 cm• Weight: 1,9 kg

Working Axe

• Handle with swell-knob• Length: 90 cm• Art No: 490

Axe throwing - Rules:

The straight distance from the “Throwing Line” to the bull’s eye on the target should be 6.1 m.

The thrower may not overstep or cross the “Throwing Line” before the axe has hit or missed thetarget. Should be checked by a linesman.

The “Fore-Bit” is the bit in the target direction in the moment when the thrower lets the double-bitted axe go.

Only the “Fore-Bit” of the double-bitted axe can score a hit on the target area - a condition is however that the bitsticks in the target. The “Fore-Bit” only needs to cut the outer edge of a line of the scoring area to win points ofthat higher scoring area. The “Back-Bit” is not allowed to brush against the target - if so the scoring will be 0 evenif the “Fore-Bit” has hit the target at same time. Best score in minimum of three throws wins.

At competitions, targets for practice should be provided. Practicing throws at targets planned for competitionmeans automatic disqualification.

Target:

1: 102 mm

2: Ø = 914 mm

1: 6,1 m 2: 1,5 m

4: “Fore-Bit” sticks in target.Throwing Axe:

1: Min. 610 mm

2: Max. 152 mm

Weight: min 1,134 kg,(incl. handle)

Pay attention to the security so that none of the participants or audience will behurt! Rope off an area large enough. Enter the area only to throw or check score.

3. The “Fore-Bit” is thebit in the target directionin the moment when thethrower lets the double-bitted axe go.

Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representative s in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks , hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars. www.dahlgrentrading.com


Froe & Drawknife



Swedish Drawknife

• Total length: 57 cm• Blade length: 29 cm• Blade width: 3,8 cm• Weight: 0,7 kg

Froe

• Face length: 30,5 cm• Handel Length: 45,7 cm• Weight: 1,2 kg

Art No: 487

Art No: 486

Logbuilder’s tools have developed over a period of many thousands of years. Tradition, climate andthe type of timber have caused these tools to vary from country to country. The axes, generallyspeaking, were available in four to five different edge-widths and were always sold without a handle.The axes were the logbuilders most important tools but he also had many other tools, like thedrawknife, froe, log dog, auger, log scribe and measuring tools. All Gränsfors Bruks log-building toolsare handforged at the axe factory in Sweden.

This is the perfect tool to use for splitting shingles, shakesand lumber. Designed to be struck with a wooden maul ormallet.

The hickory handles are set on full-length tangs extending straight out from the ends of the blade. Theblade is bowed up and curved forward in the centre for effective peeling, shaping and smoothing.



©Dahlgren Trading - Austral ian Representative of Gransfors Bruks

173 Queen St, Warragul - [email protected] - 03 5623 5005www.vctraders.com.au - www.facebook.com/vctraders

www.gransfors.se • [email protected] • +46 (0) 652 710 90

The Gränsfors American Felling Axe is a professional axe for those who want to work in the forest in the traditional way. The axe is ideal for felling very large trees, thanks to its long, broad edge of 11.5 cm. The axe is forged to a curved bit, making it suitable for cutting into fresh, resinous wood such as spruce or pine. The heavy head and long handle also give conside-rable power to the cut. The axe is almost twice as heavy as the Scandinavian Forest Axe. The Gränsfors American Felling Axe comes in three versions.

Gränsfors American Felling Axe

Item no: 434-1Length with handle: 81 cm curved handle (32”)Weight: 2,1 kg (4.6 lb)Sheath in vegetable-tanned leather

Extra sheath item no: 434-1-408



www.gransfors.se • [email protected] • +46 (0) 652 710 90

The Gränsfors American Felling Axe is a professional axe for those who want to work in the forest in the traditional way. The axe is ideal for felling very large trees, thanks to its long, broad edge of 11.5 cm. The axe is forged to a curved bit, making it suitable for cutting into fresh, resinous wood such as spruce or pine. The heavy head and long handle also give conside-rable power to the cut. The axe is almost twice as heavy as the Scandinavian Forest Axe. The Gränsfors American Felling Axe comes in three versions.

Gränsfors American Felling Axe

Item no: 434-2Length with handle: 90 cm curved handle (35.5”)Weight: 2,2 kg (4.8 lb)Sheath in vegetable-tanned leather

Extra sheath item no: 434-2-408

The tomahawk hatchet was introduced by the Europeans, but was so frequently used by Native Americans that over time it became one of their leading symbols.

The Viking landings on the eastern shores of North America were the source of the first contact with axes and other metal items for a small number of Native Americans. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Indians lived in the stone-age and had never seen iron objects. Their axes were made of stone. When America was re-discovered centuries later by the Europe-ans, the so-called trade axes played a major role in trade with the natives. Trade axes served as a currency and the Europeans could trade a given number of hatchets for guides, bearers, leather and fur, and other valuables. The practical tomahawks soon became very popular and were used for hunting, as battle arms, for household needs and for religious rites. In close combat, the tomahawk was primarily used as a hand weapon – much like a war club, but the Indians were also skilful in throwing axes. Whether in combat or whilst hunting, the Indians rarely missed their target and the tomahawk was a feared weapon even after the introduction of the rifle.

With the passing of time, decorative brass axes which also doubled as smoking pipes became more common. Perhaps it was the imagination of the white immigrants that gave form to the

axe as artifact – from battle axe to peace pipe. The transformation from an everyday working tool to a decorated work was dependent on the pride of the bearer, who often contributed to the changes and decoration of the object himself.

Most of the Indian tribes were nomadic and did not concern themselves with house building or chopping firewood. Thus they were not inter-ested in the larger broad axes, carpenter’s axes or splitting axes. Rather, they preferred smaller, more convenient models suited for field use. So-called belt axes that could be kept under the belt had been fairly common in Europe since the Iron Age.

The word tomahawk stems from the Lenape tribe and their word tamahak (-an), which roughly translates to “cutting tool”. The Lenape Indians belong to the Alonquian people, an anthropological term that refers to the many tribes of the North-East coast of the USA, in the lands between Virginia and New York. The firstEuropeans to use the word tomahawk as we use it today were the settlers that founded Jamestown in 1607.

The tomahawks that we forge at Gränsfors Bruk are two basic original models – one of French and one of British origin. The tomahawks from Gränsfors Bruk are normally forged by Lars Enander (LE) or Ulrika Stridsberg (US.)

Gränsfors Tomahawks

GRÄNSFORS BRUKS AB, 820 70 Bergsjö, SwedenTelephone +46 652 71090 Fax +46 652 14002 www.gransfors.com

Art.nr 499-1French Trade Axe, Tomahawk

Blade guard in grainleather supplied

0,52 kg haft includedBlade ca 8 cm

Haft 50 cm

Art.nr 499-2British Trade Axe, Tomahawk

Blade guard in grainleather supplied


Haft 50 cm

Shaft

Shaft



Since ancient history, axes were used as both tools and weapons, apart from serving as symbols of status and cult items. This is evident from the many burial site excavations where axes have been found. In some Central Euro-pean graves, a special model called the Francisca has been found. ”So findet sich in Gräbern fränkischer Krieger und vereinzelt auch in denen anderer germanischer Stämme häufig jene eigenar-tige Axt, die als Franziska bezeichnet wird.“ 1

Burial site discoveries have also taught us that the Francisca was common during the period 500 – 750 AD and that it was initially used by the Franks. Later, its use expanded further to the Germans, the Burgunds, Lombards and finally the Goths. Most commonly, the Francisca was used for close combat, when it was important to keep a steady grip on the battle arms. It is less likely that a warrior would throw his valuable weapon and rest unarmed, even if it is said to have oc-curred when the Franks assaulted their enemies in Italy. When the axe was used as a hunt-ing weapon, it was with completely different prerequisites. It was far more easy to approach a frightened animal than a combatant; conversely, an axe could be thrown quietly from a distance with great precision. If the target was missed,

it was still possible to search for the axe during a hunt, as opposed to the far more hostile situation of close combat. A small and light hatchet was in many cases both simplier to carry and handle than an ungainly spear or an easily damaged bow.

The special form of the Francisca make it useful practically only as a throwing axe. It is clear that the form of the axe is developed for it to function as an effective throwing weapon. ”The obtuse angle be-tween head and haft made it easier to throw, and put less strain on the socket when the axe hit its target.” 2

When a Francisca is thown correctly, it will rotate a number of times in the air, before the blade finally hits its target. In 4 to 5 meter’s distance, the axe will rotate one time, 8 to 9 meters will require two rotations, and a 12 to 13 meter’s throw will finally yield three full rotations.

The Gränsfors Francisca is forged by Lars Enander (LE) or Ulrika Stridsberg (US).

(1.) Gottfried Reissinger, ForstwissenschaftlicheForschungen, Die Konstruktionsgrundlagen der Axt, Hamburg 1959

(2.) William Reid, A history of Arms (Vapnens Histo-ria), AB Nordbok, Gothenburg 1976

The Gränsfors Francisca

GRÄNSFORS BRUKS AB 820 70 BergsjöTelefon +46 652 710 90 Fax +46 652 140 02 www.gransfors.com

Franziska


Haft 49 cm



Shaft

Broad Axe Modell 1900 Doubel-Bit Axe

• Face length: 15,2 cm• Length: 74 or 90 cm• Weight: 1,9 kg• Art No: 490

• Face length: 17,8 cm• Length: 50 cm• Weight: 1,6 kg• Art No: 480 & 481

Based on old Swedish logging techniques for squaringlogs and structural timbers of all kinds. Has sufficientspace between the “blade’s beard” and the handle for theuser’s fingers. Beveled on two sides (double beveled) or

on one side, left or right. The eye (and the directionof the handle) may be straight or

sideways angled, right or left, toprotect the knuckles.

Different models of double-bit axes have been popularsince the last quarter of the 19th

century because of itsbalanced feel and versatility.Today the double-bit axe isused as a Working Axe or as aThrowing Axe for timbersports.

Swedish Carving Axe

• Face length: 11 cm• Length: 37 cm• Weight: 1 kg• Art No: 475

Carpenter’s Axe

• Face length: 8,9 cm• Length: 44 cm• Weight: 0,9 kg• Art No: 465

Hand forged by professionals from Special Swedish Steel for axes20-Year Product Guarantee

A chop axe for hewing bowls and other woodenobjects, artistic wood carving and

architectural work. The characteristiccurved shape of the cutting edge, carriedwell above the head’s eye, the position ofthe edge in proportion to the handle, therather thick bit and the big angle of thewide beveled face makes the axe a goodcarving tool. You “cut on the beveledface” with curved movements. Thehandle is “rugged” to give a good grip.

These axes have a straight edge and thinblade with low angle of the bevel face,suited for work in dry wood. The forgedinward curve from the heel to the lip ofthe head allows your hand to grip almoststraight above the center of the edge.This, and the long straight cutting edge,gives rigidity, stability, and control whencutting. Functions like a good heavyknife. The axe poll is ground and can beused as a hammer.



High Quality, Hand forged Axes & Wrecking Bars 20 … · Gränsfors Bruks is a small Swedish family...

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