Svante and Elsa Djärv started S. Djärv Hantverk AB in 1989, along with Svantes father, Kalle Djärv. Svante is the toolsmith. He forges and sharpens all our tools and has an in-depth understanding of steel and heat treatment and how to work with it. Elsa takes care of handle production from Swedish elm and ash and preparation of the steel from rods and sheets to make it ready for forging, which includes cutting, drilling and turning. She also manages the day-to-day running of the company. Kalle made all the machines and equipment that Svante and Elsa needed to prepare and forge the steel as well as to make the tool handles.

We get our tool steel as round or flat bars, or as sheets. For the handles we only use swedish hardwood: elm and ash. We get them as large boards. All manufacturing of our tools is completely done from “wheat to bread”.

Kalle Djärv was a tool manufacturer and mechanic, and Svantes grandfather was a carpenter and a woodworker. So Svantes interest in tool making and woodworking began at a very tender age.

Svante was originally trained as an model carpenter, while working for Chalmers in Gothenburg. But then he changed course to focus on outdoor life at Sjöviks Folkhögsskola in Dalarna. That was also where his interest in woodworking increased and he learned to carve all sorts of useful items, such as spoons and bowls, as well as sculpting and wood turning.

Of course he wanted to use the best quality steel tools for his projects, and he found some which was good, but he wanted go further and to see if he could make the tools himself to his own personal specifications.

He bought his first forging equipment in 1987 and started to forge some knife blades and an axe. The small smithy was placed in a shed with gravel floor. His interest and skill quickly grew and he soon realized that this could become more than just a hobby.

Svante started to make reality out of his dreams and in 1989, together with Elsa and Kalle, we started our company and the first tools we sold were a knife blade and a spoon knife.

We built a new smithy in 1992 and soon the space became too tight in the garage for our carpentry need, so in 1994 we added a new big workshop. And already in 1996 we grew out of the new smithy so we had to expand the building some more. And then again in 1998. Along with the expansions our line of tools was enlarged as well, and the collaborations with craftsmen and wood workers flourished.

Over the years, we have developed a functional line up of tools with focus on tradition. For example: spoon knives, carving knives, adzes and axes. We have also developed some woodturning tools, tools for sculpting, timbering and picture carving. As well as a special line up of tools for children.

Today, S. Djärv Hantverk AB consists of Elsa and Svante working full time with specializing in high quality hand forged tools for woodworkers. We make 120 different models and around 3000 tools every year, and are pleased to sell them both in Sweden and abroad.

S. Djärv Hantverk AB – keeps the heat up in work and love.