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Quality to last generations

Hand forged tools and restorations

I believe that no one should have to sacrifice beauty for durability and function. At Sugar Shack Forge I create hand forged tools and household items for the discerning woodsman and homesteader using traditional techniques that will last a lifetime. 

#11 is the wedding axe. This is the last project I will finish before my wedding this weekend. This axe will be available at some point next week! It's hung on an ash handle with a stabilized and dyed green sycamore laminated palm swell. #raceaxe
#11 is the wedding axe. This is the last project I will finish before my wedding this weekend. This axe will be available at some point next week! It's hung on an ash handle with a stabilized and dyed green sycamore laminated palm swell. #raceaxe #timbersports #madeinmichigan #madeinusa #traversecity #woodsman #lumberjill #lumberjack #axejunkie
Plumb Hytest splitter, ready to head over to @keentimberandtool for a handle!
Introducing the "No Frills Racer" This is the third addition to my line of axes. It is meant to be the least expensive and most customizable by the grinder/user. It allows for the most variation in grinds because it doesn't have a CNC mach
Introducing the "No Frills Racer" This is the third addition to my line of axes. It is meant to be the least expensive and most customizable by the grinder/user. It allows for the most variation in grinds because it doesn't have a CNC machined in hollow or wings. This axe is part of a small test run. I have one available for a reduced price ($265 + shipping) for an experienced axe grinder to test out and use. If you would like to get your hands on the first of it's kind no frills racer, please don't hesitate to reach out! I am not grinding this model myself. Please don't ask me to. #timbersports #axegrinder #axejunkie #stihl #madeinmichigan #madeintheusa #lumberjack #lumberjill #woodsman
The last race axe blanks from my first run just arrived from @distal steel! Included are two "no frills" race axe blanks that I had made as a test. If there is enough interest in this style of head I will have more made! @distal_steel mad
The last race axe blanks from my first run just arrived from @distal steel! Included are two "no frills" race axe blanks that I had made as a test. If there is enough interest in this style of head I will have more made! @distal_steel made some tooling changes that have improved the overall surface finish and made the heat treatment slightly more consistent. All good things! As I'm sure most of you have noticed, we hit some delays finishing this run of axes. Rest assured we are still moving forward and will continue to produce these. #raceaxe #handmade #timbersports #madeinmichigan #madeinusa #traversecity #axejunkie #woodsman
Contrary to what my Instagram feed shows, I am still getting work done in the shop. Today I finished forging one of my oldest custom orders. I have started this project probably 5+ times at this point. Each time I have screwed up at some point in the
Contrary to what my Instagram feed shows, I am still getting work done in the shop. Today I finished forging one of my oldest custom orders. I have started this project probably 5+ times at this point. Each time I have screwed up at some point in the process. I've either made the knife too big, too small or made a mistake while forging. This should have been a simple order. This is the first one that I have been happy with. Hopefully it survives heat treatment and grinding 🤞 #chefknife #projectfromhell #bladesmith #traversecity #madeinmichigan
A beast of a custom splitter restoration for @heldenkreuz. This elwells tassie is ground with a thicker convex bevel and hung on a @keentimberandtool handle with one of his segmented wedges. Zach's handles are one of the few handles that I don't feel
A beast of a custom splitter restoration for @heldenkreuz. This elwells tassie is ground with a thicker convex bevel and hung on a @keentimberandtool handle with one of his segmented wedges. Zach's handles are one of the few handles that I don't feel like I need to modify at all. They are perfect just the way they are. This is one BA splitting axe! #axerestoration #axejunkie #handmade #madeinmichigan #traversecity
Elwells Tasmanian pattern splitter ready for the handle that @keentimberandtool made for it! This axe has a fairly obtuse convex grind that is perfect for splitting. #woodsplitting #axerestoration #handmade #madeinmichigan #traversecity #axejunkie
Elwells Tasmanian pattern splitter ready for the handle that @keentimberandtool made for it! This axe has a fairly obtuse convex grind that is perfect for splitting. #woodsplitting #axerestoration #handmade #madeinmichigan #traversecity #axejunkie
I am fascinated by kitchen knives. There aren't that many knife designs out there that get used as often as a kitchen knife. It has to work and keep working day in, day out. I've made it a personal goal of mine to make the best kitchen knives I can.
I am fascinated by kitchen knives. There aren't that many knife designs out there that get used as often as a kitchen knife. It has to work and keep working day in, day out. I've made it a personal goal of mine to make the best kitchen knives I can. It is a struggle. This knife didn't make the grade to sell due to a couple of minor cosmetic issues. I forged the bevel a little too thin. I tried a couple for different things on this knife. I ground it with a deep s-grind to see how it impacts performance. It sure makes it lighter! I also tried out a new handle design that I've had in my head for a while. It is what I call a shield cross-section, with a taper at the bolster. This handle shape is comfortable in the hand and the taper makes it comfortable to hold in a pinch grip. I also gave the edge bevel a Japanese Waterstones finish to see what I thought of that look. I don't hate the look, but I'm not sold on it. I want your opinions! What do you think about this design? #kitchenknife #chefknife #chefsofinstagram #handmade #madeinmichigan #traversecity #locallymade #localfood #northernmichigan
The full picture of the Aeb-L nessmuk style knife for my buddy @murrburr1. I made a sweet knife for him last year out of 1095 high carbon steel for the guiding season. Apparently it's pretty wet in Alaska, and that knife got more corroded than most o
The full picture of the Aeb-L nessmuk style knife for my buddy @murrburr1. I made a sweet knife for him last year out of 1095 high carbon steel for the guiding season. Apparently it's pretty wet in Alaska, and that knife got more corroded than most of my salt water fishing knives. I cleaned it up, but I didn't feel comfortable just sending him back out with that knife again because I'm sure the same thing would happen. I'm hoping the Aeb-L holds up a bit better! This knife has a canvas micarta guard and a stabilized curly maple handle. The colors on the blade are from heat treatment. I surface ground the flats before heat treatment and then just left them afterwards. #handmade #bushcraft #madeinmichigan #traversecity #bladesmith
These heat treat colors are something special. This Nessmuk-ish knife went to a buddy of mine. #bushcraft #handmade #madeinmichigan #nessmuk
These heat treat colors are something special. This Nessmuk-ish knife went to a buddy of mine. #bushcraft #handmade #madeinmichigan #nessmuk
I've still got it! It's been a while since I've had to grind a race axe blank from scratch. Aesthetically my goal is to maintain crisp transition lines between all of the different faces. It's deceptively hard to do, especially with the very fine h
I've still got it! It's been a while since I've had to grind a race axe blank from scratch. Aesthetically my goal is to maintain crisp transition lines between all of the different faces. It's deceptively hard to do, especially with the very fine hollowing that I do on the face behind the chisel. #raceaxe #axegrinder #timbersports #lumberjack #woodsman #lumberjill #axejunkies
This Nessmuk blade blank is available! This is a great way to get into knife making! $80 shipped CONUS Specs: Blade - 4.5" Spine - 5/32" Tang - 3.75" Steel - 52100 #bushcraft #nessmuk #diy #handmade #madeinmichigan #traversecity
This Nessmuk blade blank is available! This is a great way to get into knife making! $80 shipped CONUS Specs: Blade - 4.5" Spine - 5/32" Tang - 3.75" Steel - 52100 #bushcraft #nessmuk #diy #handmade #madeinmichigan #traversecity
This Council Tool fallers axe from @whiskeyrivertradingco came in for a basic tuneup. This is about as basic as I will go. I gave the face a silky smooth satin finish and a wickedly sharp edge. The poll cleanup is the cherry on top. #axejunkie #han
This Council Tool fallers axe from @whiskeyrivertradingco came in for a basic tuneup. This is about as basic as I will go. I gave the face a silky smooth satin finish and a wickedly sharp edge. The poll cleanup is the cherry on top. #axejunkie #handmade #lumberjack #timberfaller #axerestoration #axegrinder #madeinmichigan #woodsplitting
I'm liking this new photo editing software I recently found. It takes a normal photo and lets you overlay it on a ton of different backgrounds. I think it'll bring a new level of professionalism to my photos. At least I hope it does... These axes
I'm liking this new photo editing software I recently found. It takes a normal photo and lets you overlay it on a ton of different backgrounds. I think it'll bring a new level of professionalism to my photos. At least I hope it does... These axes are still available btw on my website. #maker #axejunkie #madeinmichigan #traversecity
Last weekend I went on one of the hardest adventures I've ever gone on. It was a 55k kayaking trip in Superior Provincial Park Ontario. I don't know if I would really call this a kayaking trip. I think calling it a portaging trip would be more accura
Last weekend I went on one of the hardest adventures I've ever gone on. It was a 55k kayaking trip in Superior Provincial Park Ontario. I don't know if I would really call this a kayaking trip. I think calling it a portaging trip would be more accurate. These portages averaged 600m long and were over very steep and rocky terrain. Against all odds we finished our loop ahead of schedule and it was a fantastic experience with some great friends. The only downside was that I didn't catch a single fish. #kayaking #portage #deathkayak #adventuretime #camping #bushcraft
#11 is the wedding axe. This is the last project I will finish before my wedding this weekend. This axe will be available at some point next week! It's hung on an ash handle with a stabilized and dyed green sycamore laminated palm swell. #raceaxe
Plumb Hytest splitter, ready to head over to @keentimberandtool for a handle!
Introducing the "No Frills Racer" This is the third addition to my line of axes. It is meant to be the least expensive and most customizable by the grinder/user. It allows for the most variation in grinds because it doesn't have a CNC mach The last race axe blanks from my first run just arrived from @distal steel! Included are two "no frills" race axe blanks that I had made as a test. If there is enough interest in this style of head I will have more made! @distal_steel mad Contrary to what my Instagram feed shows, I am still getting work done in the shop. Today I finished forging one of my oldest custom orders. I have started this project probably 5+ times at this point. Each time I have screwed up at some point in the A beast of a custom splitter restoration for @heldenkreuz. This elwells tassie is ground with a thicker convex bevel and hung on a @keentimberandtool handle with one of his segmented wedges. Zach's handles are one of the few handles that I don't feel Elwells Tasmanian pattern splitter ready for the handle that @keentimberandtool made for it! This axe has a fairly obtuse convex grind that is perfect for splitting. #woodsplitting #axerestoration #handmade #madeinmichigan #traversecity #axejunkie I am fascinated by kitchen knives. There aren't that many knife designs out there that get used as often as a kitchen knife. It has to work and keep working day in, day out. I've made it a personal goal of mine to make the best kitchen knives I can. The full picture of the Aeb-L nessmuk style knife for my buddy @murrburr1. I made a sweet knife for him last year out of 1095 high carbon steel for the guiding season. Apparently it's pretty wet in Alaska, and that knife got more corroded than most o These heat treat colors are something special. This Nessmuk-ish knife went to a buddy of mine. #bushcraft #handmade #madeinmichigan #nessmuk I've still got it! It's been a while since I've had to grind a race axe blank from scratch. Aesthetically my goal is to maintain crisp transition lines between all of the different faces. It's deceptively hard to do, especially with the very fine h This Nessmuk blade blank is available! This is a great way to get into knife making! $80 shipped CONUS Specs: Blade - 4.5" Spine - 5/32" Tang - 3.75" Steel - 52100 #bushcraft #nessmuk #diy #handmade #madeinmichigan #traversecity This Council Tool fallers axe from @whiskeyrivertradingco came in for a basic tuneup. This is about as basic as I will go. I gave the face a silky smooth satin finish and a wickedly sharp edge. The poll cleanup is the cherry on top. #axejunkie #han I'm liking this new photo editing software I recently found. It takes a normal photo and lets you overlay it on a ton of different backgrounds. I think it'll bring a new level of professionalism to my photos. At least I hope it does... These axes Last weekend I went on one of the hardest adventures I've ever gone on. It was a 55k kayaking trip in Superior Provincial Park Ontario. I don't know if I would really call this a kayaking trip. I think calling it a portaging trip would be more accura