Best Made Company. was founded by designer and author Peter Buchanan-Smith, and outdoorsman and environmental entrepreneur Graeme Cameron, boyhood friends who met in 1984 at legendary boys camp, Camp Ahmek, in Northern Ontario. They say that, "it was there they learned- with love & respect- to wield an axe."
Thirty years have passed and both boy's have grown into men. They have families and children, live urban lives in Manhattan & Toronto, and are surrounded by the "must-have toys," imperative to our fast-moving lives: i-Pods, iPhones, nanos, flat screen TV's, cell phones that take pictures & videos, apps, and more!!! They realized, time is moving incredibly fast and "toys" need updating almost monthly. Slowing down and catching their breath, Peter & Graeme began thinking about timelessness, true happiness, real satisfaction, honesty, and simplicity. They talked about their boyhood, where they had been, what they wanted, and what they needed ....... and realized "all we really wanted was just a good axe- so we got to work."
Working from small workshop in downtown Manhattan each axe is made to order. The 29" long handles are made of Tennessee Hickory, each is hand-painted, varnished, and polished. The heads are fine-grain steel and are exactly 71/4" deep. One of the most important elements in the design process is naming each axe!!!! According to "axe artists" Peter & Graeme, "the naming process is crucial: it's where we give the axe the beginning of it's story, albeit a very short story (we purposely do not caption the axes, just give them names) because we know our customers are inventive enough to create the real ongoing story." Finally, the axes are packed into hand-made wooden crates and this "timeless instrument" begins it's "adventure."
I saw the axes originally at Partners & Spade, a well-curated design emporium, and knew I had to write about them!!!!!!!! They are stunning objects- good design, wonderful colors, & great packaging too. But, definitely the most unusual "accessorations" I have found yet!!! I think they are fabulous ........don't you adore them too!!!!!!
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