I found an old rugged axe out by the cabin. After brushing of some dust and spiders web I can see it's an old classic; it's a "Säteryxa" (Säter Axe). This charming tool makes me wanna dig deeper into it's history. Helpful people at the municipality, hembyggdsförening and last but not least The Technical Museum enlighten me about the Säters Axe Factory that was built in the year of 1894. They manufactured the appreciated Säter Axe up until 1966 when the factory closed down. By then the Swedish Säter Axes had been exported all over the world. My old and rusty find bears the name "SÄTER BANCO" on the left hand side of the axe's head. This marking was put to use in 1920. Judging from the material I've been provided I'd say that this particular axe might have been made during the 1920's. In an old catalog from 1935; Aktiebolaget Säters Yxfabrik, 1935 Års Katalog I can find a younger sibling named N:r 12 Huggyxa, Turpentinemodell.
Inspired by the winds of history it's now time to clean this axe up. The handle is broken and the head is in bad shape. This axe has lived a rough life, but it will absolutely be chopping away out in the forest again soon. Conveniently I also find a new handle in the barn. I remove the broken handle, do some filing to the head and put the new handle in place. This gives a fine size axe that reminds me of an American Felling Axe. The total weight of the axe is now 1,9 kg, and the length 69 cm. After some oiling and sharpening this axe is ready for some test chopping. An scots pine get to feel this old Swedish steel and contribute to this evenings fire. The reborn Säter Axe feels really good and will probably from now on be my reliable friend in the woods. But first I need to work some more on the sharpening and also make an protective leather sheath.
To see more about the Säter Axe; click HERE.
På Svenska
