Kalthoff Axes

Edition Four Feature
We Interview: Julia Kalthoff 
Location: Stockholm, Sweden 
Photo Credit: ©Julia Kalthoff / ©Henric Lindsten @henric_lindsten /©Katja Säther @jodiekatjasaether

What is it that you do and how do you do it? 

I make axes. I only make one style of axe and I make it to order, and I have done that for three years. When I designed the axe, I forged the prototypes and did all the testing myself. For the production, I am cooperating with a forge in Värmland, which makes the axe heads with me, and then I do all the details in my shop. There are many steps: grinding, polishing, removing scuffs, oiling and sawing, carving, and hanging – or assembling – the axe. Most people don’t realise it takes so many different steps to make an axe. 

I’ve always been pretty nerdy with crafts. My mum had a fabric shop when I was a kid, so I always went there after school and made things out of fabric, like clothes or small dolls. I somehow just have a lot of patience to do something for a long time. 

How did you get into axe making in the first place? 

It started with an interest in forging. Or at least I had an idea that I would probably like forging, because you work with fire and you get all messy and sooty, and you need to use your body a lot. 

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