Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
COURSES IN GRÄNSFORS 2017
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Gränsfors Bruk Over more than 100 years, Gränsfors Bruks AB has built up a business based around
handcrafted axes and axe expertise, with a focus on quality and environmental
responsibility. Today, 30 people work here in production and sales. 80 procent of the
production is exported to 30 countries. The company is located in the Swedish village of
Gränsfors in northern Hälsingland, around 10 km west of the E4 motorway, between
Hudiksvall and Sundsvall. The forge sits at the heart of the village and you can hear the
rhythmic pounding as you approach. In addition to the forge and a factory shop, there is
also an axe museum and during the summer a café and craft courses in subjects such as
forging and log-building.
Gränsfors village
In some places, history and tradition converge with modern times in a completely natural way.
One such place is Gränsfors. Firmly established along a meandering river, Gränsfors is situated in
the north of Hälsingland. Just a short detour off the busy E4 motorway, you will find yourself in
a world you thought no longer existed. A vibrant culture of craft and industry has thrived here
for hundreds of years. Mills, stove builders, breweries, sawmills, forges and much more have
been in operation along the river at one time or another. Two of these fine craft-based industries
still remain in full operation: Gränsfors Bruk makes quality axes and Gränsfors Blomkruksfabrik
turns out superb flowerpots. Gränsfors is a living place above all, a place where history informs
the modern pulse of life.
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Forging courses
For many years we have organized courses at Gränsfors Bruks axe forge. The courses are
led by Fredrik Thelin who is a qualified and experienced blacksmith. Fredrik has
worked as a professional blacksmith for 20 years and has extensive experience in various
forms of cooperation with Gränsfors Bruks. The well-equipped course forge in Gränsfors
has many over the years take their first step into hot forging fascinated world. All
courses provide gloves, hearing protection, goggles and apron.
Log-building courses
The instructor takes course participants through log-building from log to finished
house. Participants have the opportunity to try out and use various broad axes, other
axes and traditional equipment for log-building. Instruction is also given in the use of
modern equipment for sawing logs for building log houses. The course books are ‘From
Log to Log House’ by Sven-Gunnar Håkansson and ‘Knuttimring’ [Timber Jointing] by
Jan-Ove Jansson. The courses are led by Andreas Hipf and Tomas Ljungström who is
both skilled carpenters with long experience.
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Forging course – Foundation 5 days
Education in Swedish and English.
No previous knowledge is required. With the help of examples and instructions,
participants will be given a step-by-step introduction to the methods and holds involved
in hot forging. You will learn to light and use the forge and get to know a little more
about the tools and material used. You will start by forging a candlestick, some hooks
and then a few pieces of door furniture: a hinge, hasp, handle and nail. You are
encouraged to bring along some simple ideas about what you want to learn to forge. The
course has scope for individualization and the course leader will make sure that
everyone gets to grips with their new-found forging knowledge.
Course information
Course price: 9200 SEK including VAT
Content: Practical instruction including materials
Lunch, coffee and dinner, Book – Swedish Blacksmithing
Date: 3 – 7 July
Forging course – Tool making 5 days
Education in Swedish and English.
A level of previous knowledge equivalent to the Foundation forging course is recommended. On
this course, you will learn to make forging tools and steel-edged tools using traditional
methods (forge, hammer and anvil). You will learn how to forge a mandrel, tongs and a
splitting chisel. The forging tools that the course participants have made will then be
used to forge a laminated axe. To practice welding techniques, you will also get to forge
a few laminated knife blades. The course also includes information on materials,
tempering and grinding. There is plenty of scope for your own ideas during the course.
Course information
Course price: 9200 SEK included VAT
Content: Practical instruction including materials
Lunch, coffee and dinner, Book – Swedish Blacksmithing
Date: 10 – 14 July
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Forging course - Damascus 5 days
Education in Swedish and English.
Previous experience equivalent to Forging Courses – Foundation is required. With the
help of examples and instructions, the participant step by step insight into and learn the
basics of Damascus forging arts and methods, also known as pattern welding. That is
what the course is all about, with welding techniques and layering to create different
patterns in the steel and learn to control and manage the pattern of the material. In this
course you will learn to mix different steel; carbon steel, nickel steel, unalloyed steel and
pure nickel, as well as gain an understanding of the material properties and what
material should be selected depending on the pattern you want to create, but also what
one thought to use the steel for the type of object. Welding technique used not only to
create beautiful patterns, but also to create a unique composition of different materials
based on the blacksmith's wishes.
Objective of the course is the production of basic material Damascus and to learn the
technique how it is created. During the course there will be room to forge something of
the self-produced Damascus steel such as knives, jewelry, etc. The course also examines
the fundamentals of tempering, sharpening, polishing and etching.
Course information
Course price: 9200 SEK included VAT
Content: Practical instruction including materials
Lunch, coffee and dinner, Book – Swedish Blacksmithing
Date: 17 – 21 July
Forging course – Tailor Made
Education in Swedish and English.
Book your tailor-made forging experience in Gränsfors – a fantastic event for co-worker
and company groups, friends or stag parties. Time for your own project planning and
experiences may be included. Max. 8 people and up to 5 working days.
Call or send an email for more information and prices.
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Forging course – Forging an axe 2 days
Education in Swedish and English.
Now is your chance to try making your own axe. Gränsfors Bruks, together with
Naturkompaniet developed a "try-on" course in axe forging. This course is ideal for
those who want to try something very different or for a group of friends who have
already done it all.
In a group of maximum 8 people, you get by using templates and instructions, step by
step insight into axe forgings drills and practices. You will learn how light the forge, and
a little about the tools and materials used. Course focus is to try out the foundation of
the forging and manufacturing the various steps. You begin to forge the axe head, then
follow the post as hardening, tempering, grinding and put the handle on the axe head.
The goal of the course is that each participant will be able to bring their own
manufactured axe home. No previous experience required.
Course information
Course price: 4650 SEK included VAT
Content: Practical instruction including materials
Breakfast, lunch, coffee, dinner and accommodation
for 1 night.
Dates: 17 – 18 Mars, 7 – 8 April, 21 – 22 April, 28 – 29 April,
5 – 6 May, 12 – 13 May, 9 – 10 June, 16 – 17 June
15 – 16 September, 22 – 23 September, 6 – 7 October
13 – 14 October, 20 – 21 October
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Forging course – Forging a knife 2 days
Education in Swedish and English.
Now is your chance to try making your own axe. Gränsfors Bruks has developed a "try-
on" course in knife forging. This course is ideal for those who want to try something very
different or for a group of friends who have already done it all.
In a group of maximum 8 people, you get by using templates and instructions, step by
step insight into knife forgings drills and practices. You will learn how light the forge,
and a little about the tools and materials used.
Course focus is to try out the foundation of knife forging, you may try to forge a pair of
knife blades for example, Women's knife. In this course, you learn also to grind, harden
and tempering the knife blades. The goal of the course is that each participant will be
able to bring their own manufactured knives blades home. No experience required.
Course information
Course price: 4650 SEK included VAT
Content: Practical instruction including materials
Breakfast, lunch, coffee, dinner and accommodation
for 1 night.
Dates: 2 – 3 June, 29 – 30 September
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Log-building course (Hälsingeknut) 7 days
Education in Swedish.
Course content
Design of a simple log house
Ground and foundation
Log-building tools and how to sharpen them
Obtaining, selecting, drying and sawing timber
Notches
Hewing technique
Types of joints – Hälsingeknut
Dowelling
Door and window opening
Roof construction
Grinding – The different phases, coarse and fine grinding
Browning and strigling
Different edges and their grinding technologies
What to bring to the course?
Spirit level, carpenter’s square, folding rule, carpenter’s pencil, ear defenders, wet
weather clothes including hat and boots. Safety shoes are recommended but not
required. It is an advantage if you have read the course books mentioned above.
This course is held by Tomas Ljungström. Tomas is a skilled carpenter with over 25
years’ experience of building log houses.
Course information
Course price: 10 000 SEK included VAT
Content: Practical instruction including materials
Lunch, coffee and dinner
Gränsfors Broadaxe model 1900
Dates: 26 June – 2 July, 31 July – 6 August
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Log-building course (Dalaknut) 7 days Education in Swedish, English and German.
Course content
Design of a simple log house
Ground and foundation
Log-building tools and how to sharpen them
Obtaining, selecting, drying and sawing timber
Notches
Hewing technique
Types of joints – Hälsingeknut
Dowelling
Door and window opening
Roof construction
Grinding – The different phases, coarse and fine grinding
Browning and strigling
Different edges and their grinding technologies
What to bring to the course?
Spirit level, carpenter’s square, folding rule, carpenter’s pencil, ear defenders, wet
weather clothes including hat and boots. Safety shoes are recommended but not
required. It is an advantage if you have read the course books mentioned above.
This course is held by Andreas Hipf. Andreas is a talented carpenter with a multi-year
experience in the field and is a trained carpenter in Germany. Andreas has also been
hiking journeyman during his trip, he worked with carpenters for over ten different
countries.
Course information
Course price: 10 000 SEK included VAT
Content: Practical instruction including materials
Lunch, coffee and dinner
Gränsfors Broadaxe model 1900
Dates: 14 – 20 August, 4 – 10 September
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
General information about the courses
Timetable
2 days: Course 09.00 – 17.30 day 1, 08.00 – 16.00 day 2, collection in the factory store day
1.
5 days: Course 09.00 – 17.00 every day, collection in the factory store day 1.
7 days: Course 09.00 – 17.00 every day, collection in the factory store day 1.
Signing up for a course
Please register on our website under the tab www.gransforsbruk.com courses> course
application or phone +46 (0) 652 – 244 54 / +46 (0) 730 – 59 88 99.
After course registration will be sent a confirmation along with more information about
Gränsfors and your stay during the course.
Payment for courses
Full payment of the course fee is paid within 15 days after receiving the booking
confirmation.
Along with booking confirmation, we will send an advance invoice with the full amount
of the fee that must be paid within 15 days, absent the payment canceled the reservation
and you lose your place at the course.
The course fee can only be paid in advance by invoice, we have no way to receive the
course fee in cash / card payment.
Receipt of the course is submitted in connection with the course. Accommodation and
meals are payable on departure.
Accommodation, food for accompanying and other sales in the cafe and our factory store
can pay in cash or using major credit cards.
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Accommodation
Overnight in Gränsfors can usually be booked together with the course.
Gränsfors Bruk offer different kind of accommodation.
Log cabin
Right next to the log-building area there are four log cabins. The cabins have two to four
beds, electricity, but no running water. The site also has a service building with a
communal kitchenette and lounge, plus a toilet block with shower and eco toilet. The
river that runs alongside the log cabins is good for bathing. There is also a wood fired
sauna there. Take a torch if you are here in late summer!
Augustas
Augustas offers a simple café on the lower floor and three rooms upstairs. There are two
single rooms and one room that is slightly larger with a small double bed (120 cm).
There are also communal areas on the upstairs floor: toilet, shower and kitchenette.
Breakfast is served downstairs, where there is a kitchen (for staff only), dining room and
guest toilet. There are also tables outside for the café guests.
Dammstugan
Dammstugan is an old red cottage located right next to the old dam. In Dammstugan
there are two single bedrooms and a large double bedroom with own WC/shower.
Dammstugan is also have common areas; WC, shower, kitchen and a small living room
with a sofa.
Caravan/Tent
Caravans can be placed outside Augustas. Tents can be pitched about 30 m from
Augustas, on the other side of the river. There is a power outlet outside Augustas and a
guest toilet in
Augustas. The shower and toilet block is located by the log-building area and log cabins.
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Prices – Accommodation
Price per night, excluding breakfast. Sheets and towels are not included but can be
ordered separately.
Log-cabin (2 beds) 400 SEK/night
Log-cabin (4 beds) 600 SEK/night
Augustas - Single 400 SEK/night
Dammstugan – Single 400 SEK/night
Dammstugan – Double 600 SEK/night
Caravan 100 SEK/night
Tent Free
Food & Drink
At Augusta's restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the summer, the
restaurant serving the public. Extra meals and requests for special diets must be notified
when booking.
Getting to Gränsfors
Gränsfors is about 35 mil north of Stockholm, between Hudiksvall and Sundsvall, 10 km
west of E4, along the road between Gnarp and Bergsjövägen. A map is available on
www.gransforsbruk.com
The immediate area
Gränsfors located in Nordanstig in Hälsingland. More information about Gränsfors
available on www.gransforsbruk.com, and about the neighborhood on
www.nordanstig.se and www.halsingland.se
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Visit Gränsfors
Gränsfors Bruks Axe Forge
Gränsfors Bruk is open weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm.
The Axe Forge is closed on weekends.
Guided tours at Gränsfors Bruks
During the summer season we are held guided tours of the axe production on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday at 10 am and 12:30 pm with the collection in the factory store.
No advance booking is required.
Other times of the year, you are welcome to book guided tours of the axe production,
which is done to Phone: +46 (0) 652 - 244 54 or +46 (0) 730- 59 88 99.
A guided tour takes about 30 minutes and the tour is free.
Gränsfors Bruks Factory Store
Open for visitors on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. The store is closed on Saturdays and
Sundays. During the summer season the factory store held open also on Saturdays from
10 am to 2 pm.
Axe Museum
Next door to the forge lies Gränsfors Axe Museum, packed with over 2,000 axes from
floor to ceiling. And anyone who thinks an axe is an axe is in for a surprise – there are
special axes for most purposes. The museum’s collection includes root axes, notching
axes, marking axes, mortise axes, packing house axes, adzes, pick axes, fire axes, battle
axes, executioner’s axes and double bit throwing axes, to name but a few. The museum
also has on display axe models forged at Gränsfors Bruk and in Gränsfors before the
time of the forge. The oldest axe from Gränsfors is a small stone axe that dates back
around 3,500 years and was found on the river bank.
At Gränsfors Axe Museum, visitors can try their hand at throwing an axe and chopping
and splitting firewood. The museum is open weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm.
The Axe Museum is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free.
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
Around Gränsfors
Lakes, beaches, forests and mountains
Upstream of Gränsfors lies a sizeable lake, Grännsjön that is perfect for fishing and
swimming. There are two excellent sandy beaches to enjoy: Krusbaden and Jägarviken.
Around the lake stretch endless forests with peaks at 200-300 meters above sea level.
On a clear day, from nearby Klövberget you can see the Gulf of Bothnia to the east and
the blue mountains of Hassela in the west.
Bergsjö
10 km west of Gränsfors is the village Bergsjö. Here lives about 1,500 people and coming
from Gränsfors, this is the nearest place to find supermarket, ATM and gas station. In
Bergsjö is also the bus station where buses run daily to Hudiksvall and Sundsvall.
Gnarp
10 km east of Gränsfors, at the motorway E4, is the village Gnarp. Here floats Gnarpsån
and here you can visit Gnarps church from the late 1700′s. From Gnarp you can also
take the train and bus to Sundsvall and Hudiksvall and coaches to Stockholm.
Högen
The village of Högen is a peaceful spot just south of Bergsjö, beautifully situated beside
the lakes of Kyrksjön and Storsjön, and clearly illustrates the long history of iron in the
local area. You can see graves and ruins and imagine life back in the 6th century. Access
to the sea, the social life of the village and bog iron are essential building blocks in the
history of iron. This was an import site during the Iron Age, as is shown in a small
exhibition in a nearby log cabin. Contact Nordanstig Municipality for more
information. www.nordanstig.se
The Gulf of Bothnia
Twenty kilometres to the east lies the Gulf of Bothnia with wonderful, often wholly
unspoiled, beaches. You will also find a string of beautiful small coastal communities,
Gränsfors Bruk AB – Phone +46 (0) 652-710 90, +46 (0) 73-059 88 99 [email protected] – www.gransforsbruk.com
including Sörfjärden with its beach and golf course, and Mellanfjärden, which has a
hotel and the Sjömärket Restaurant. Running along the coast is Kuststigen, a walking
trail from village to village, stretching 60 km in total.
Hassela Ski Resort
Hassela, 20 km west of Gränsfors, has 12 downhill ski runs, cross-country skiing trails,
scooter safaris, dog sled tours and spa facilities during the winter season. In the
summer, Hassela has a choice of two golf courses. www.hasselaski.se