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While researching axes I came across an intriguing story that I though I would share on KNIVES AND HATCHETS. That story is about Peter Buchanan-Smith and the axe company he founded in 2009 known as Best Made Co. (BMC).
Peter had a vision to make an extraordinary axe that could work magnificently in the woods and be beautifully displayed in your man-cave. His axes came with artistic and vibrant painted handles and axe heads stamped with BMC on one side and USA on the other.
BMC axes came with catchy names such as “Lincoln”, “Strike Anywhere”, “Hushabye Baby”, “Black Donald”, and “Bobby McGee” for example.
The American Felling Axe was solidly made for taking down trees and is drop forged in the United States from American-made 5160 alloy
steel that is hardened to a Rockwell harness of 54-56 HRC.
The Hudson Bay Axe, a medium-sized axe, is perfect in camp at 2 lbs and built for clearing brush, limbing, and splitting firewood.
BMC axes included a durable leather sheaths and shipped in a wooden crate with 25 page manual and individual serial number.
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| Hudson Bay Axe |
BMC had an axe for just about any tough work from felling trees, chopping, chipping, splitting wood, and any other wood cutting task that can done in the wilderness.
BMC was sold in 2017 to Bolt Threads, an apparel company who specialized in spider silk technology. After three years, Peter grew uncomfortable with the direction the company was going. After 10 years as the creative inspiration for BMC axes, Peter Buchanan-Smith made the decision to walk away in 2019.
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| Source: Buchanan-Smith's Axe Handbook |
Peter didn't leave behind his passion for axes however. His follow-on project was writing a field-guide-like book on axes titled Buchanan-Smith's Axe Handbook: Knowing, Buying, Using, Hanging, Restoring & Adorning and published May 2021 by Abrams Image, New York.
The handbook has beautiful illustrations, photos, and rich informative content - it is a must-have for any die-hard woodsman or for those wanting to know more about axes.
In a Q&A article in Courier, Peter Buchanan-Smith was asked what fascinated him so much about axes. His response is eloquent yet primitively inspiring.
"At the end of the day, you can wander outside with an axe, cut some wood and build a fire. It’s one of the greatest things in the history of humankind. It’s deeply embedded in our DNA in that sense. The axe is a tool that belongs in our hands."
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| Straight Hold Hatchet |
Today, you can find Best Made Co. axes at Deluth Trading, where they bought BMC in 2020 and offer three models: American Felling Axe, Hudson Bay, and Straight Hold Hatchet.
BMC axes continue to have the vibrant painted handles and can also be purchased unfinished. Deluth Trading offers the BMC axes at prices ranging from about $150 - $275.
The Axe Handbook can be purchased in hardcover on Amazon for about $20.
Additional Reading & Sources:
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