The Gränsfors Bruk Natural Whetstone is made from two unique natural materials, selected to meet the demands of both coarse and fine sharpening.

The coarse side is sandstone from Orsa, Sweden, with a variable grit of approximately 120–200. This fossil-free sedimentary rock is composed primarily of silica-bound quartz and has been used for sharpening since the 1500s. Its slightly porous surface makes it excellent for reshaping edges and beginning the sharpening process before final honing.

The fine side is made from a fine-grained slate found only in Los, Sweden. Used as a whetstone since the late 1800s, the Los stone has a grit range between 500–1000. Its smooth, hard surface makes it ideal for producing a keen, refined edge with excellent bite.

The stone’s rounded shape fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to grip, making it straightforward to follow the existing bevel and grind angle while sharpening.

Each stone comes with a sheath made from vegetable-tanned leather by Tärnsjö Garveri in Sweden. A small strap allows for easy attachment to your trousers or backpack - perfect for sharpening in the field.

If used carefully, the leather sheath can also double as a strop to bring your edge to its sharpest finish.

About Gränsfors Bruk:
For more than 100 years, Gränsfors Bruk AB has built a business upon handcrafted axes and axe expertise, with a focus on quality and environmental responsibility. When it comes to the quality and feel of the axes, this is reflected in the experience and skill of the individual craftsman. Each axe is signed with the smith’s initials as a guarantee of quality.

The company is located in the Swedish village of Gränsfors in northern Hälsingland. The forge sits at the heart of the village and you can hear the rhythmic pounding as you approach, a sound we always take pleasure from when we visit!

We are lucky to be one of the few retailers of Gränsfors Bruk axes in the UK, which has been based on a long standing relationship between our small family business and their forge. We like to think that our close ties to the forge and the alignment in ethos between our two companies make us a knowledgeable, premium purveyor of their world class tools. If you have any questions at all in any product in the Gränsfors range - please reach out to our friendly team and we'll be more than happy to help.