Gränsfors Splitting Hatchet

Exceptional demands and meticulous economy are the two principles (by no means mutually exclusive) which govern the manufacture of axes in the Swedish Gränsfors Bruk smithy.
Gabriel Brånby's smiths are satisfied with nothing less than materials of exceptional quality: a special alloyed axe steel and the best hickory wood. They are generous with regard to the time each smith takes to forge, harden, temper, align and sharpen the axe which they have made by hand from start to finish and equally generous when they polish, fit and secure the helve so that it sits well in the hand. They do, however, stay away from superfluous operations such as embellishing the axe in any way, shape or form: the axe head is not smoothed, primed or painted.
The result is a triumph in the art of omission: With its rough, unfinished head and its carefully processed helve, a Gränsfors axe is considerably more attractive - in its own special way - than others of its type. Anyone who uses them is amazed at how light they are and how well balanced they lie in the hand.