Erik Jönsson, also known as Kånå-Jerk Erik Jönsson, carried the legacy of his family's knife-making business in their "Kånå workshop" in Mora, Sweden, a workshop which began its operation in 1925 and has passed through three generations
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Jönsson's Knife Factory in 1925: Erik took over the business from his grandfather and father who together with his uncles Erik & Anders Jönsson had been in knife production since 1908
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Eric's workshop was the last traditional knife makers still in business outside of the now modernised, mechanised giant MoraKniv, who make high quality precision engineered knives such as the Mora 106 and the Mora 120.
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E.Jönsson - the last hand made tool maker in Mora
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Tragically, a fire at Eric's workshop in 2020, meant the future of the company is now unknown. According to Erik Jonsson, the polishing machine caught on fire and very little was salvaged
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A devastating fire at the Jonsson workshop in February 2020
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The old Katrin Jöns Persson and old machine "Märta" were lost. Only a few knives and punches were saved
This machine was called "Märta" in honor of Märta Persson, who the machine replaced. The machine was built by Lasse Sjöberg at Eric Frosts in the early 70's. This machine made the ferrules for knife handles
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I am fortunate to have a handful of the salvaged knives which I have made available in my webshop.
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'A small factory indeed, but in many ways offers more in the way of soul than the mass produced knives of its much larger neighbour. Carbon steel with a scandi grind, birch handles painted red and a plastic sheath. Simple, classic Swedish work knives. They also do a range of scout knives for the younger adventurers...'
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These classic scout knives have handstitched leather sheaths with belt loops which are reminiscent of a time when children were trusted with belt knives and whittling was a childhood staple.
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E. Jonsson product catalogue
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I will be keeping a classic Swedish work-knife and a Mora Scout for my family, the rest I hope will find loving homes of young and older carvers alike.