Until 50 or 100 years ago rural woodworkers commonly used axes for preliminary shaping on a wide variety of items, such as chair parts, kitchen ware (bowls, spoons), farm implements, etc.. Axes were also used by carpenters for trimming shingles, fitting joints, and hewing logs and square beams. If you're interested in traditional woodworking you may find that axe work is not only interesting and challenging; it can be a very efficient way to shape wood. At Country Workshops we have assembled a collection of some of the best axes currently available. If you have questions about the different models, do not hesitate to phone us.

SVANTE'S BABY. Our name for this axe is a bit corny, but this tool is quite impressive. When Drew Langsner first saw one of these little axes, which are hand forged by Swedish knife maker Svante Djarv, he thought it must be for children. However, during chairmaking class in Norway, Drew had a chance to try one. He was surprised to learn that this baby axe really packs some punch, and it's extremely easy to control. The secret is the small, but dense head, combined with the nicely balanced handle. The blade is 2-3/4 inches wide; the 12 inch handle is duplicator shaped with a rough surface for getting a good, easy grip. The axe (head and handle) weighs about 13 ounces. For detail spoon carving, light sculptural work, and camping. And this is a perfect first axe for youngsters.

GRANSFORS BRUKS AXES ARE BACK IN STOCK

If you have followed our CW Store selection for very long you may recall that Country Workshops was selling Gransfors Bruks axes in the US for several years before these tools became commonly available through a Gransfors distributorship. Over time, there came to be so many Gransfors dealers, and so much price cutting, that we decided to discontinue this line of excellent tools. Also, Gransfors had changed the design of their then smallest axe (our Spoon Carvers Axe) in ways that looked good, but that actually detracted from itís usefulness for woodworking.

Recently, Gransfors in the US has changed its dealer network and pricing arrangements. Now, there are many less dealerships and the axes are sold by all dealers at Gransforsí recommended retail prices. Once again we are stocking the GB-01 Sloyd Axe (Gransfors calls it the Large Carving Axe) which was originally designed by our friend Wille Sundqvist. This is Drew Langsnerís favorite axe for hewing the exterior of a wooden bowl. We have also brought back the GB-04 Woods Axe (Gransfors' name for this one is the Small Forest Axe). This is a really useful axe that can be used single-handed or with both hands. We use one for removing cross fibers while splitting large logs, light woods work, and even some hewing.

In the interim Drew also consulted with Gabriel Branby, the owner of Gransfors Bruks, about the possibility of offering some smaller woodworkerís axes. In the coming weeks we will be testing 3 new models. If they are as good as they look in the e-mail pictures that Gabriel sent, we will add them to our selection. Hopefully we will report on these new axes in the March e-Newsletter. We can also special order any of the other Gransfors axes, such as their right and left-handed 1900's style broad axes. All Gransfors axes come with a leather guard.

How To Order
Tools can be purchased three ways: Order by phone (Office hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Eastern Time) using your Visa/MasterCard for payment; order by mail, by clicking on Order Form (you can print the Order Form on your computer's printer, but we do not yet offer on-line ordering); direct purchase at our store and showroom.

Order Form

Country Workshops Home Page

E-mail:
Drew Langsner
Phone:
828-656-2280 (Daily, 9-6 Eastern time)