A Very Special Auction

Jeff · February 22, 2012, 05:02:40 PM

I'm excited to tell the Forestry Forum membership about a project that has created a one of a kind item in support of the Forestry Forum. After an inquiry from our member "Rooster" in Wisconsin to another of our members about creating something for the support auctions. Nebruks from Latvia and his fellow craftsman John Neeman, also of Latvia have generously put their time and talents together to create a Handcrafted Axe in the American Felling Axe style. The Axe, Handle, and leather sheath will be completed in the coming days and sent to me to then list in the auctions.

I'll announcing the start of the auction on the top of this post in a week or two. If you are not signed up to bid already, you might want to get that out of the way HERE.

Nebruks sent along some first photos that I put in a video slideshow to share and this note:

QuoteBeauty finished shots will come in 2 days. Maybe Jeff you can already post these pictures in the forum with the information about the particular axe and donation for the forum. Then as the 2nd part would come beauty shots in the forest and also our movie "The Birth Of A Tool" it will also be ready in 2-3 days.

All the best

Jacob

http://youtu.be/JC9ma74xZSI

From Nebruks.

Quote"We are a small company located in the small country of Latvia that is located in Northern Europe along the Baltic sea. Our company is founded by two craftsmen. Skilled blacksmith John Neeman and his friend carpenter Jacob, who's passion is traditional woodworking and bladesmithing.

We use our hands to create hand tools that will live and tell their story lying in hands of craftsmen that will use it.

Our traditions of blacksmithing and woodworking walk step by step together. We are uniting our history, traditions and craftsmaniship in one ancient craft. Tool making.

When someone asks, "Why? Why are you making hand tools in this hi tech age?". Then we usually answer them with this quote:

Quote"It is a tragedy of the first magnitude that millions of people have ceased to use their hands as hands. Nature has bestowed upon us this great gift which is our hands. If the craze for machinery methods continues, it is highly likely that a time will come when we shall be so incapacitated and weak that we shall begin to curse ourselves for having forgotten the use of the living machines given to us by God."

Mahathma Ghandi

Some of the forum's first introductions to Nebruks was when he shared some of the most beautifully done videos I think has ever been posted on the forestry forum. You can find topic here: The old way of felling trees (with a felling axe)
Additional Information:

QuoteThe web page www.neemantools.com is under construction at the moment. There will be available - framing chisels, woodworking and forest axes an adzes, drawknifes, froes, hunting knives and kitchen knives. Our page will be ready in a month with possibilities to order tools online and see all the process of how they are being crafted.

PHOTOS USED IN THE VIDEO SLIDE SHOW IN THIS FORESTRY FORUM GALLERY
https://forestryforum.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4031

Warbird · February 22, 2012, 05:25:47 PM

Absolutely amazing.

Rooster · February 22, 2012, 06:27:22 PM

This is going to be an awesome auction for a very unique tool. John and Jacob have been making some serious tools that work as good as they look.

I'm almost "giddy"!

Just wait until you see the documentary video on how they make their tools!!!
World class/ Professional...yet humble!!

Get ready for a piece of the "Old Country".

Rooster

doctorb · February 22, 2012, 06:39:07 PM

Very, very cool.

Jeff · February 22, 2012, 06:47:53 PM

I've had some sneak previews of the video. Awesome work.

Don K · February 22, 2012, 07:54:32 PM

Saw the vid on facebook. A beautiful work of art. Interest will be high on that one for sure.

Don

isawlogs · February 22, 2012, 08:38:43 PM

Thats a beauty! 8)

DanG · February 22, 2012, 09:53:31 PM

WOW!! I'm blown away by this. What a generous offer!

sandhills · February 23, 2012, 12:23:26 AM

And yet another very special item, this auction is truly amazing. Sure doesn't take long to figure out the amount of talent and craftsmanship that has been put together here!

thecfarm · February 23, 2012, 07:43:47 AM

Thank you Nebruks and John Neeman for supporting the FF. You guys saw my handy work with the ceiling tile. :

I won't be donating much to the auction.

Jeff · February 24, 2012, 10:34:38 AM

This is the first part to a short documentary movie that Nebruks sent for me to post that shows the whole process of how the John Neeman tools are being hand crafted so you all know the process that created the American Felling Axe for the Forestry Forum.

This is a carpenter's axe.

http://vimeo.com/37360333

Texas Ranger · February 24, 2012, 11:01:50 AM

Years ago I received a call from a gentleman to come mark and sell some of his timber for him. It was around his house and shop, his blacksmith shop. Turned out he was one of the smiths that makes period hardware for the movies, as well as some for the Renaissance Festival sites. He made iron for the Last of Mohicans film, the more recent one.

He was small in stature, but made the iron ring, and I had a flash back to older days, marking timber and listening to that ring.

The old ways were simpler, and to an extent, more satisfying than now. I think I need a walk in the woods.

Warbird · February 24, 2012, 11:06:50 AM

Amen to that, TR.

isawlogs · February 24, 2012, 09:28:45 PM

That is one easy to look at clip, I really like the music on there anyone know who that is or the name of the band .

WDH · February 24, 2012, 10:02:37 PM

I was mesmerized.

mikeb1079 · February 25, 2012, 11:32:00 PM

a special auction indeed. i was very impressed by the generosity of the offer and the caliber of the video, not to mention the craftsmanship.

dolce vita · February 26, 2012, 08:43:39 AM

A true artist .... Wow !

customdave · February 26, 2012, 10:56:35 AM

That is absolutely AWESOME!!!...

Dave

Magicman · February 26, 2012, 04:40:15 PM

Wow, I thought I should have to bid just to watch the videos. That is true craftsmanship.

westyswoods · February 28, 2012, 06:29:55 AM

Artisans come in all forms. This is an absolutely amazing craft nothing more need be said.

My dog and I are heading to the woods at day break to just sit, look, listen and feel the day dawn. Thanks

Westy

Jeff · February 29, 2012, 12:05:54 PM

The Axe is on it's way from John and Jacob's workshop in Latvia to Harrison Michigan. When the Axe arrives in a week or two this auction will commence. This is a wonderful thing

The one sad thing about this auction for me is that I'm the only one on the forum that doesn't have a chance to own this wonderful gift from our friends in Latvia, however I am one of a few that will actually get a chance to admire it in person. ;)

American Felling Axe
Hand forged traditional American Felling axe.
Laminated steel. Using W108 tool steel for the blade.
Hand shaped, (linseed oil and bees wax finish) elm wood handle.

Overall length: 32 inches.
Blade width: 5 inches.
Axe head height: 7.5 inches.
Axe weight: 4.4 pounds

Made as a special donation for the Forestry Forum.