"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."
- John Muir


I suppose I can speak for everyone here at Fontenelle Axe Restoration when I say that I never feel as alive, as aware of my place, significance, purpose, or humility, as I do when surrounded by the vast beauty of nature. Living in a city, even a typical midsized Midwestern city as Des Moines or Omaha, it is all too easy to find comfort in our rituals: morning commutes, work, meals, chores, end of night drink, and repeat. But deep within all of us, whether we're aware of it or not, is a primal urge to ditch our routine, to go back to our ancestral homes, to get outdoors and escape ourselves, to tear down the walls that surround us and shelter us and discover the true comfort that only nature provides. Our houses and our paved roads tell us that we have conquered nature, that we are the designers and the masters. But only once we allow ourselves to be surrounded by the ancient trees of a sprawling forest or surrounded by the cliffs of a mountain valley do we shatter our illusions of mastery. We are small, finite, powerless, and humble. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the only truth that matters, and it's totally awesome.

It is this realization that prods the crew at Fontenelle Axe Restoration to take an annual trip, an excursion that resets the soul and cleanses the urban palate. Last year we hiked the unassuming yet beautiful Nebraskan Northeast along the powerful banks of the Missouri River. The year before that, we crossed the buffalo plains and camped the breathtaking back country of the South Dakotan Badlands. This year, we shadowed the footsteps of our pioneering ancestors, crossed through the gateway to the west, and followed our Manifest Destiny to the great land of Northern California.

In the next few posts, we'll be sharing some of our favorite parts of the westward journey. Stay tuned.

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"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail"

                                                                           -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friends, the year 2012 was as exciting as it was tumultuous for us at Fontenelle Axe Restoration. January saw the birth of our little business, and with a few rusty axe heads, a rasp and file, and a fierce determination to bring back the importance and timelessness of forgotten and neglected tools, we followed our ambitions. Along the way, we honed our skills and learned from our Noble masters, as well as our humble mistakes. We watched in awe as the first uninspiring piece of rusty steel made its way from the vinegar bath to the top of a new handle, then into a box an on to Ohio, where an inspired young man began his craft with our first sale. But as we watched the raw steel and wood turn into works of beauty and tools of unfaltering power, we also saw our lives change in unimaginable ways.

For those of you who knew the faces behind Fontenelle Axe Restoration, you knew that we were husbands, sons, students, and (at least for the majority of the year) grocers. As devoted as we were to our new enterprise, life had its way of slowing us down. We began the year as a band of creative and eager brothers, centered in the basement workshop of our Omaha home, supported by our fellow entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. We ended the year as a fragmented and somewhat defeated group trying to hold on to what we had built. What happened in between were busy school and work schedules, painful personal tragedies, and the relocation of two of our members to out of state ventures. Fontenelle Axe Restoration had not been forgotten, but it had become largely irrelevant.

What remains, however, is that lingering excitement and drive to revive forgotten steel, get people interested in their roots and back into nature. All of us still feel the same passion for the trade of axe and tool restoration, and will continue to pursue it in our own ways. The Fontenelle Axe Restoration base has been moved from Omaha to Des Moines, where I will continue to seek out and revive the tools of yesteryear. I can’t promise as big as an operation as we experienced in Omaha, but I can promise a steadier attention to the blog, Facebook, and Etsy pages, a more organized shipping and selling process, and an overall speedier, more centralized and coordinated operation.  

So, to everyone who has helped Fontenelle Axe Restoration get to this point, thank you. To everyone who wishes to see it continue for future years to come, get ready.

Iowa, here we go.

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Here at Fontenelle Axe Restoration, we strive to provide modern men and women with the highest quality restored tools of yesteryear. Our axes and hatchets cater to those who are inspired by traditional restoration and DIY projects, such as building log cabins, vintage hand tool repair, and machine-free carpentry. It seems as if today's craftsmen are rediscovering the value and purpose of vintage handtools, techniques, and hard-earned, hand-built creations. But as we delight in the re-awakening of our forefathers' craft, we must also find value in the lessons learned from modern times.

Brian Turner, a health advocate and safety blogger, contacted the shop about contributing an article on the health risks associated with home restoration and other DIY projects that we felt could resonate with our readers and fellow craftsmen. So in the spirit of safety for all of our customers, here is Brian Turner's article on the dangers of asbestos exposure.




"How to Avoid Asbestos During Renovations

Asbestos exposure during home renovations can cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that occurs when a person inhales asbestos, and the mineral becomes lodged in the tissue lining of the lungs and other organs. Renovators are at-risk for asbestos exposure in homes that were built before the 1970s. If the insulation, roof, windows, piping, hot water heater or tiles require replacement, asbestos exposure should be a concern. Here are some steps to take to prevent asbestos exposure during home renovations.

Test the Home for Asbestos
Purchase a home tester or hire a professional to test the home for asbestos. Drilling into an asbestos-laden floor tile or wall may expose a home to asbestos. The mineral may be inhaled after it is airborne. Drilling in an older home puts people at high-risk for asbestos exposure.

Hire a Professional to Remove the Asbestos
Since asbestos can contribute to the development of mesothelioma, a professional is recommended because the mishandling of the material can be detrimental to your health. Asbestos removal service is expensive, but professionals can remove asbestos because they have the proper equipment.

Wear Protective Gear
Always wear protective gear. Protective gear may consist of an aspirator, a protective suit, goggles, and a head covering. This gear is necessary to prevent inhalation of this dangerous material. No renovator should attempt to restore a home without wearing protective gear. Mesothelioma is difficult to recover from, and it often requires surgery, chemotherapy and radiology. If you wear protective gear, you will prevent the development of mesothelioma.

Asbestos Exposure is Avoidable Always take precautions when entering a house that may be full of asbestos. You should always wear protective gear to prevent inhalation. When you are finished for the day, remove all clothing and shower before hugging your family or friends. Many people have exposed their children and spouses to asbestos by hugging them or forcing them to wash their clothes before they have removed all asbestos. Hire professionals or take all precautions to avoid asbestos exposure. Professionals may be expensive but your health is worth the effort."

You can find more of Brian's work and other educational endeavors at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance blog.  http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog

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