1840 – 1960
Urafors Yxfabrik history is sparse at best. Like most of the great Swedish forges their history has been lost to time. Even the three forges that remain in business can only recall a brief overview of their past.
Here is a very brief history of Urafors Bruk from 1840 – mid 1960
The forge was originally founded in 1840 under the name Ullingsfors Manufakturverk to support the growing logging industry.
Axes remained the primary tool of choice for all aspects of logging as saws where still very expensive and had to be imported from Britain or America. The company also would go on to pioneer the first factory made bark spud around 1940.
The forge was sold in 1870 to Olof Aberg and Per Stalberg with Per Stalberg in charge of treating.
In 1900 the forge was sold to Carl Olof Aberg and Jonas Stalberg, sons of the original owners. Eventually being moved to Edsbyn.
The forge remained strong well into the 1960s when it finally closed its doors, followed shortly by Sater Bruk in 1966.
Urafors axes tended to have a very recognizable shape and forge welded bit until 1940. In my opinion, these where some of the best axes ever produced. The consistency and heat treating in every one I’ve seen have been near perfect. With roughly 1 in 10 having such a hard blade they can’t be sharpened with a file and so tough they wear out sanding belts.
Urafors Blacksmiths
Olof Aberg 1831 – 19100
Carl Olof Aberg 1873 – unknown
Per Stalberg 1839 – 1920
August Hedvall 1866 – 1900
Johan Orinder
Per Ungman
Karl Stalberg
Jonas Stalberg
William Stalberg
I’m an Oberg family member. Thanks for this post.
As far as I know the factory was owned ( at the end ) by
Arvid Jonsson (his “bomark” was stamped into the axes).
Correct name: Ullungsfors