Vipukirves: A Finnish Axe

Vipukirves is an interesting axe design made in Finland.  It is a precision-cast product made at Sacotec Components Oy in Riihimäki, southern Finland and the Blade is painted by Lainisalo in Oy, Helsinki.  You can read a bit about the precision-cast method here.  There you will also find more information about the product.  What's really interesting is the short amount of time it will take you to cut through a big block. Check out this quick video here.  For those traditionalists out there...be open minded, the Fins know how to keep warm using tools that get the job done.

Kershaw Ken Onion Leek One Year Later

 

I've had the Kershaw Ken Onion Leek for about a year now and posted about here, here and here (because I'm really not joking when I say it'll be a great gift).  This is the best pocket knife I've ever had and for many reasons.  First, it holds a super sharp edge like a champ.  I've sharpened it about 3 times on a stone to keep the razor-like edge.  The best thing about the knife is the speed safe opening mechanism, you only need one hand and the flick of a finger to open it.  It's super slender and lightweight and fits in my pocket more conveniently than my chapstick.  There's a lock on the bottom to keep the blade from flicking open, another useful little feature.  For around $45.00 I can't think of a better tool.  I use mine anywhere from food cutting, box cutting, bike tool as an emergency, whittling, pry bar and much more...I really abuse it.

Old School Woodworking: Froe

 


Chair Notes Demonstrates the Froe

 A froe is a simple wood cutting tool equipped with a blade at the end of a long stick.  When struck with a mallet, the froe is forced into the wood to make a long, board-like cut into the wood.  This tool was used before the band saws and sawmills came into existence.  Lee Valley offers a pretty nice PDF instruction on how to use and maintain the tool, here.  There's a bunch of things you can do with a froe, check out this Earthbag home made with wood shakes:



Wooden Shakes Home



Would-Be Cabin Essentials

Yeti Mountain Bike  |  Sebago x Filson Boots  |  Best Made Co. Blanket  |  Designs by Floris Wubben  |  Kershaw Knife  |  Poler Headlamp  |  Lands End "Fair Isle" Scarf  |  Bushnell Binocs  |  

Style Update: Spring Edition

A.P.C.--"Post-Poo Drops" Here  |   F.S.C. Barber Candle Here  |   3 Sixteen Waxed Canvas Tote Here  |   Naked and Famous Denim; avail. Barney's  |   3 Sixteen Dbl Wrap Bracelet Here  |  Fred Perry Shoes  |  Braun Watch; avail. Amazon  |

Harris Tweed

If you haven't been following the tales from The Croft, you're missing out.  If you want to read about Mike Donald, whom recently started on a sponsored scheme to learn to become a certified Harris Tweed weaver, you're in luck.  There's a great interview over at Kaufmann Mercantile (interview by James Fox of 10engines).  It's always intriguing to learn about somebody learning a craft, especially one tied to the people and the land in which you came from.  These pictures were taken from The Croft Flickr set here.  Happy Monday and enjoy.

Firewood Days

Firewood

Filson Tin Cruiser: $225

Poler Hoodie: $50

Goe Tex Boot: 160 Euro

Levis 501: $44

3 Dog Fleece: $49.50

Katahdin glove: $29.50

Best Made Co. Axe

Stihl Chainsaw

ninja gear

Kershaw Knives

The current company is named KAI USA Ltd

Made in USA

I’m a pretty big fan of Kershaw knives.  My dad’s been carrying his around all summer and it seems to be the perfect knife for everything.  It’s easy to sharpen, indestructible and slim.  My Opinel, sadly, is not turning out to be as good as I thought (for my needs at least).

Prolly featured the anodized version of some Kershaw models on his site.  Fortunately, for anyone not interested in the new color, there’s a variety to choose from.  

Kershaw Knives was started in Portland, Oregon in 1974 when Knife salesman Pete Kershaw left Gerber Legendary Blades to form his own cutlery company based on his own designs.  Like this pretty sweet knife action here:

Anyone sporting one?

Fixer's Collective

"The Fixers’ Collective seeks to displace cultural patterns that alienate us from our things, by collectively learning the skills and patience necessary to care for them. Link"

"Bring us your broken things, and we’ll help you fix them. Or just bring yourself, and help us fix other people’s stuff."

I'm embarrassed to say how much "crap"  I've thrown out (and owned) that I simply should have taken the time to fix.  Instead I just chucked it out and bought something new.  Something I deemed as needing.  These guys/gals over in Brooklyn, NY have a nice thing going.  I need to start giving my possessions some TLC.

thumbs up

Link

I am really excited about checking this place out.  Unfortunately the hours are a little crazy, but I'll have to hop on my bike and head over to Manayunk for the barn sale.