alexey pavo envisions nomad hatchet + knife for outdoor adventures

alexey pavo envisions nomad hatchet + knife for outdoor adventures
photo © alexey pavo
all images courtesy of alexey pavo

‘nomad’ is a project of alexey pavo, an industrial design graduate from israel’s shenkar college of engineering and design. the work originates from pavo’s family tradition of outdoor traveling and camping. this immersed him in the wilderness, where he was able to learn about the necessary tools, skills, and items for survival. ‘even the very basic axes and knives, are highly versatile tools and work as a system. establishing and focusing on the main applications of such tools was essential at the early design stages. taking care of heat source, food preparation, and shelter construction – all are impossible, tricky and inefficient without an axe or a knife,’ he says.

the hatchet in action
photo © alexey pavo

the accessory represents a ‘hatchet’ type of tool in the axes family – compact and handy. the manufacturing process is based upon ancient tool forging techniques. steel blocks are almost heated their melting point, and then struck with a hammer in order to achieve a homogeneous part. damascus and scandinavian laminated steel are produced in a similar production method for swordmaking. contemporary industrial craftsmanship and machinery have pushed old and traditional technology to a whole new level of quality, speed, and precision. furthermore, pavo elaborates, ‘for hundreds of years, the distinct shape of axes remained the same. there are a few basic and undeniable principles of physics and material strength which must be considered. traditional shapes in such tools grant something that ‘feels right’ about proportions, weight, and materials.’

closeup of the steel
photo © alexey pavo

graphic design is in an important characteristic of the work, as the use of color variations in each tool enhances its personality. product tags match the palette and are designed to wake the urge for an adventure. they include wooden, laser engraved backpack pins – a small reminder of the great outdoors. ‘nomad’ is a result of combining tradition and innovation, past and future, into reliable and relevant tools.

laying out all the equipment
photo © alexey pavo

product tags with backpack giveaway pins
photo © alexey pavo

the blade weighs 520 grams
photo © alexey pavo 

each handle is made of maple hardwood
photo © alexey pavo

detail of the joint
photo © alexey pavo

the entire knife weighs 160 grams
photo © alexey pavo

closeup of the wood and metal intersection
photo © alexey pavo

the color palette relates to shades seen outdoors
photo © alexey pavo

the hatchet and knife

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project info:

graphic design: katrin zotchev
grinding, sharpening and consulting: lee lerman
handle material: maple hardwood
blade material: tool steel 1.2312
hatchet weight: 750gr
knife weight: 160gr

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.