High Quality, Hand forged Axes & Wrecking Bars 20-Year Product Guarantee

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1 High Quality, Hand forged Axes & Wrecking Bars 20-Year Product Guarantee Gränsfors Bruks is a small Swedish family operated company formed in Ever since it was founded the company has been making axes and wrecking bars of the finest quality. The smiths at Gränsfors Bruks are famous for their skill. They have the reputation of being one of the world s best axes and wrecking bars, hand-made by professionals. The highly skilled smith marks the axe-head with his own initials when he is satisfied with his work. The Swedish manufacturer - Gränsfors Bruks gives a 20 Year Product Guarantee. At the end of the 1980 s Gränsfors Bruks took one step back to the more traditional and craftsman like production that had been the standard a long time ago. Today the commissions are gone. The professional craftsmanship is allowed to take its time. Quality is important, quantity is not. Gone is also the unnecessary grinding, painting, varnishing, gone are the dangerous 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 to the customer and the user of the product. A high quality product, in the hands of those who have learned how 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 and annealed to the right toughness. The handles are made of selected high quality American hickory and each axe-model has different handles to suit its purpose. In 1990 Gränsfors Bruks Axes were awarded a prize in Ecological Design from The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation in cooperation with The Swedish Society of Crafts and Design. In 1995 Gränsfors Bruks received another award from The Swedish Society of Crafts and Design for the Hunter s Axe. 173 Queen St, Warragul - Phone Fax Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representative s in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.

2 173 Queen Street, Warragul Axes. Phone: Web: 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. Gränsfors Mini Hatchet 27 cm, 0,3 kg Item No. 410 Wildlife Hatchet 35 cm, 0,6 kg Item No. 415 Hunters Axe 48 cm, 0,9 kg Item No. 418 Small Forest Axe 50 cm, 1 kg Item No. 420 Scandinavian Forest Axe 64 cm, 1,2 kg Item No. 430 Splitting Hatchet 48 cm, 1,5 kg Item No. 439 Small Splitting Axe 60 cm, 1,6 kg Item No. 441 Large Splitting Axe 70 cm, 2,4 kg Item No. 442 Splitting Maul 80 cm, 3,2 kg Item No. 450 Carpenters Axe 45 cm, 0,9 kg Item No. 465 Large Swedish Carving Axe 37 cm, 1 kg Item No. 475 Splitting Wedge 23 cm, 1,7 kg Item No. 460 The Axe Book 36 pages of Axe information. Double Bit Throwing Axe 74 cm, 2,1 kg Item No Axe Sharpening File Total length 14 cm Weight 74 g Item No Axe Sharpening Diamond Total length 14 cm Weight 74 g Item No Axe Sharpening Stone Weight 190 g Ø 57 mm Item No Gränsfors Bruks AB, Bergsjö, Sweden. Phone Fax axes@gransfors.com Dahlgr ahlgren Trading - The Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.

3 Broad Axes and log-building tools. 173 Queen Street, Warragul Phone: Web: P&P KOMMUNIKATION for more information about Gränsfors Bruks Broad Axes and log-building tools, please go to and download a brochure. Courses in log-building are arranged at Gränsfors Bruks, Sweden. Swedish Drawknife Total length 64 cm Face 32 cm, 0,8 kg Art nr 486 Scandinavian Forest Axe 64 cm, 1,2 kg Item No. 430 Carpenters Axe 45 cm, 0,9 kg Item No. 465 Mortise Axe 50 cm, 1,2 kg Item No. 485 Log Dog 49 cm, 0,7 kg Item No. 488 Traditional Log Scribe 0,5 kg Item No. 489 Froe Face 30 cm Handle length 44 cm 1,4 kg Item No. 487 Small Gutter Adze Face 6 cm Total length 24 cm 0,8 kg Item No. 478 Large Gutter Adze Face 7 cm Total length 64 cm 1,5 kg Item No. 479 Small Straight Adze Face 5,5 cm Total length 24 cm 0,8 kg Item No. 476 Large Straight Adze Face 7,5 cm Total length 65 cm 1,3 kg Item No. 477 Swedish Broad Axe, 1900 Face 17 cm Total length 50 cm 1,7 kg Item No. 480 Swedish Broad Axe 1800 Face 18 cm Total length 50 cm 1,8 kg Item No. 483 Swedish Broad Axe 1700 Face 18 cm Total length 50 cm 1,8 kg Item No. 484 Slick Axe Push-Style Mortise Axe, Face 5,5 cm 1,4 kg Item No. 492 Tove Spring Steel Wrecking Bars 11, 0,4 kg 20 0,9 kg 25 1,4 kg 28 1,8 kg 36 2,5 kg Item No. 111 Item No. 120 Item No. 125 Item No. 128 Item No. 136 Gränsfors Bruks AB, Bergsjö, Sweden. Phone Fax axes@gransfors.com Dahlgr ahlgren Trading - The Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.

4 - It s a pleasure splitting fire wood, again! Helps, Save Your: Back The ideal design makes it split wood like you never have experienced before. The curved in shape of the head and the weight behind it together with the perfect balance - Makes this splitter do the job for you, while you save your back. It s not like hitting a rock anymore. Lennart Pettersson (LP), axe-smith at Gränsfors Bruks Axe Forge Temper This is a splitting axe, it s developed and hand forged by probably the most skilful blacksmiths in the world. Therefore it s no longer a frustration to split firewood it s a pleasure. It also saves you energy by keeping you calm. Wallet This splitting axe is made to last. Only the best steel for axes is used and selected high quality American hickory for the handle. If you get a mishit a steel cover protects the handle. When you buy this splitter you will not end up buying a new one every year. That s why you also save money, in the long run. Please visit our store for a wide range of forestry tools. We are looking forward to show and tell you more. 173 Queen St, Warragul - Phone Fax Dahlgr ahlgren en Trading - The Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.

5 Hand forged by professionals from Special Swedish Steel for axes 20-Year Product Guarantee Gutter Adzes - Curved or Straight 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 flattened at the bottom for clean shaping. The short handle adze is particularly useful for sculpting. Boat builders like the long handle adze. Also available with a straight and slightly swept blade, for easy cutting. Picture shows Art No: 478 Curved Adzes Straight Adzes Art No: 478 Art No: 476 Face length: 6 cm Handel Length: 24 cm Weight: 0,8 kg Face length: 5,5 cm Handel Length: 24 cm Weight: 0,8 kg Art No: 479 Art No: 477 Face length: 8 cm Handel Length: 65 cm Weight: 1,5 kg Face length: 7,5 cm Handel Length: 65 cm Weight: 1,3 kg 173 Queen St, Warragul - Phone Fax Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.

6 Hand forged by professionals from Special Swedish Steel for axes 20-Year Product Guarantee Broad Axe Model 1900 All Gränsfors Bruks Broad Axes and log-building tools are handforged at the axe factory in Sweden. The patterns of the Broad Axes and the handles are based on Swedish logging techniques for squaring logs and structural timbers of all kinds. The Broad Axes come with a high quality hickory handle slightly curved upwards and a grain leather cover. Gränsfors Bruks Broad Axes have a 20 year guarantee and are stamped with the smith s initials. Face length: 17,8 cm With angled handles the handle and your hands remain at a distance from the timber, thereby minimizing the risk of personal injury. Before it was the user himself who made a curved handle in either direction. Now we bend the poll and the eye 10 to the left or right. When the 1900 Model Broad Axe is used as a carving axe, it often has an angled handle (Art No: 481). When the 1900 Model is used as a chopping broad axe the handle is usually straight (Art No:480). Length: 50 cm Weight: 1,6 kg Art No: 480 & 481 The pattern of the Broad Axe and the handle is based on old Swedish logging techniques for squaring logs and structural timbers of all kinds. Has sufficient space 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 (and the 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). On the 1900 Model Broad Axe the handle can be straight, angled to the left or angled to the right. Gränsfors Bruks Broad Axes 1900 Model are available with different sharpenings. Most Common Art.No: 480 Double-sided Sharpening For all types of hewing of timber and corner chopping. Chopping Broad Axe Art.No: 481 Reverse Scissors Sharpening For the planning of log walls. Carving Broad Axe Art.No: 481 Standard Scissors Sharpening For squaring of logs. Carving Broad Axe The illustrations above show the broad axe s head from the user s side (handle end.) Gränsfors 1900 Model Broad Axe can be delivered sharpened either on both sides Double-Sided Sharpened (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 purchase will have a double-sided sharpened edge. The doublesided sharpened Broad Axe (Chopping Broad Axe, Art No:480) is used for corner chopping and also for all types of hewing of logs. The handle is by default straight (Art No:480). 173 Queen St, Warragul - Phone Fax Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.

7 Hand forged by professionals from Special Swedish Steel for axes 20-Year Product Guarantee Double-Bit Axe Working & Throwing Different models of double-bit axes have been popular in the US since the last quarter of the 19th century because of its balanced feel and versatility. Typically, one blade was sharpened to a finely honed, narrow felling edge, 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. Axe throwing - Rules: Today the double-bit axe is used as a Working Axe or as a Throwing Axe 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 hickory handle and the Working Axe has a 90cm straight hickory handle with swell-knob. They come with two grain-leather sheaths. Working Axe Handle with swell-knob Length: 90 cm Art No: 490 Throwing Axe Face length: 15,2 cm Length: 74 cm Weight: 1,9 kg 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 the target. Should be checked by a linesman. The Fore-Bit is the bit in the target direction in the moment when the thrower lets the doublebitted 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 bit sticks in the target. The Fore-Bit only needs to cut the outer edge of a line of the scoring area to win points of that higher scoring area. The Back-Bit is not allowed to brush against the target - if so the scoring will be 0 even if 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 competition means automatic disqualification. Throwing Axe: Weight: min 1,134 kg, (incl. handle) 1: Min. 610 mm 2: Max. 152 mm 3. The Fore-Bit is the bit in the target direction in the moment when the thrower lets the doublebitted axe go. 4: Fore-Bit sticks in target. 1: 6,1 m 2: 1,5 m Pay attention to the security so that none of the participants or audience will be hurt! Rope off an area large enough. Enter the area only to throw or check score. Target: 1: 102 mm 2: Ø = 914 mm 173 Queen St, Warragul - Phone Fax Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representative s in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.

8 Hand forged by professionals from Special Swedish Steel for axes 20-Year Product Guarantee Froe & Drawknife Logbuilder s tools have developed over a period of many thousands of years. Tradition, climate and the type of timber have caused these tools to vary from country to country. The axes, generally speaking, 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 the drawknife, froe, log dog, auger, log scribe and measuring tools. All Gränsfors Bruks log-building tools are handforged at the axe factory in Sweden. Froe This is the perfect tool to use for splitting shingles, shakes and lumber. Designed to be struck with a wooden maul or mallet. Art No: 487 Face length: 30,5 cm Handel Length: 45,7 cm Weight: 1,2 kg Swedish Drawknife The hickory handles are set on full-length tangs extending straight out from the ends of the blade. The blade is bowed up and curved forward in the centre for effective peeling, shaping and smoothing. Art No: 486 Total length: 57 cm Blade length: 29 cm Blade width: 3,8 cm Weight: 0,7 kg 173 Queen St, Warragul - Phone Fax Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.

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10 Gränsfors American Felling Axe 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 considerable 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. Item no: Length with handle: 81 cm curved handle (32 ) Weight: 2,1 kg (4.6 lb) Sheath in vegetable-tanned leather Extra sheath item no: Queen St, Warragul - sales@vctraders.com.au Dahlgren Trading - Australian Representative of Gransfors Bruks

11 Gränsfors American Felling Axe 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 considerable 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. Item no: Length with handle: 90 cm curved handle (35.5 ) Weight: 2,2 kg (4.8 lb) Sheath in vegetable-tanned leather Extra sheath item no: Queen St, Warragul - sales@vctraders.com.au Dahlgren Trading - Australian Representative of Gransfors Bruks

12 Gränsfors Tomahawks 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 Europeans, 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 interested 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 first Europeans to use the word tomahawk as we use it today were the settlers that founded Jamestown in 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.) Art.nr French Trade Axe, Tomahawk Blade guard in grain leather supplied 0,52 kg haft included Blade ca 8 cm Shaft Haft 50 cm Art.nr British Trade Axe, Tomahawk Blade guard in grain leather supplied 0,7 kg haft included Blade ca 9 cm Shaft Haft 50 cm GRÄNSFORS BRUKS AB, Bergsjö, Sweden 173 Queen Telephone St, +46 Warragul sales@vctraders.com.au Fax Dahlgren Trading - Australian Representative of Gransfors Bruks

13 The Gränsfors Francisca 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 European 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 eigenartige Axt, die als Franziska bezeichnet wird. 1 Burial site discoveries have also taught us that the Francisca was common during the period 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 occurred when the Franks assaulted their enemies in Italy. When the axe was used as a hunting 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 between 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, Forstwissenschaftliche Forschungen, Die Konstruktionsgrundlagen der Axt, Hamburg 1959 (2.) William Reid, A history of Arms (Vapnens Historia), AB Nordbok, Gothenburg 1976 Franziska 0,8 kg haft included Blade ca 10 cm Shaft Haft 49 cm 173 Queen St, Warragul - sales@vctraders.com.au Dahlgren Trading - Australian Representative of Gransfors Bruks

14 Hand forged by professionals from Special Swedish Steel for axes 20-Year Product Guarantee Broad Axe Modell 1900 Based on old Swedish logging techniques for squaring logs and structural timbers of all kinds. Has sufficient space between the blade s beard and the handle for the user s fingers. Beveled on two sides (double beveled) or on one side, left or right. The eye (and the direction of the handle) may be straight or sideways angled, right or left, to protect the knuckles. Doubel-Bit Axe Different models of double-bit axes have been popular since the last quarter of the 19th century because of its balanced feel and versatility. Today the double-bit axe is used as a Working Axe or as a Throwing Axe for timber sports. Face length: 17,8 cm Length: 50 cm Weight: 1,6 kg Art No: 480 & 481 Carpenter s Axe These axes have a straight edge and thin blade with low angle of the bevel face, suited for work in dry wood. The forged inward curve from the heel to the lip of the head allows your hand to grip almost straight above the center of the edge. This, and the long straight cutting edge, gives rigidity, stability, and control when cutting. Functions like a good heavy knife. The axe poll is ground and can be used as a hammer. Face length: 8,9 cm Length: 44 cm Weight: 0,9 kg Art No: 465 Face length: 15,2 cm Length: 74 or 90 cm Weight: 1,9 kg Art No: 490 Swedish Carving Axe A chop axe for hewing bowls and other wooden objects, artistic wood carving and architectural work. The characteristic curved shape of the cutting edge, carried well above the head s eye, the position of the edge in proportion to the handle, the rather thick bit and the big angle of the wide beveled face makes the axe a good carving tool. You cut on the beveled face with curved movements. The handle is rugged to give a good grip. Face length: 11 cm Length: 37 cm Weight: 1 kg Art No: Queen St, Warragul - Phone Fax Dahlgren Trading - Are the Representatives in Australia of Gränsfors Bruks, hand forged Axes and Wrecking Bars.