This far Leveraxe has managed to make small production batches and distributed their invention in small quantities and solely on receiving customer feedback purposes. However, to produce on a larger scale they require expensive production tooling and this is why they now ask people to help them out through crowdfunding.
Invention background
About 20 years ago a 74-year-old inventor, Heikki Kärnä, began clearing trees to build a house, an arduous task that led to an obsession with improving on the tools he found at the local hardware store. He spent 15 years building numerous prototypes of his axe at a local steel workshop. Now the product is finally ready to be brought in front of wider public and ramp up the production capacity to take on its competitiors.
Kickstarter
As many people in the States heat their homes year round with wood, Leveraxe took first steps to approach their market segment in the USA. This far the feedback from test users has been amazing and interest towards this invention spreads rapidly worldwide. Most importantly there have been no accidents with Leveraxe since they started selling their previous models. The popularity of these axes exploded once bloggers began posting YouTube videos of Leveraxe in action, splitting hardwood rounds into three-inch pieces in mere seconds.
Only during Kickstarter
Leveraxe for $119 + Free shipping in the US.
Leveraxe – Kickstarter green, Special edition for $199
CAMPING WITH HEIKKI – we will fly you to camp overnight with Heikki in Finland, see all the prototypes and hear the whole story directly from him + get unique edition of Leveraxe directly from the inventor himself.
Big scale production
Production cost of new Leveraxe will be reduced by manufacturing in a larger scale than before. This far Leveraxe has been basically hand made and in small quantities. The lead time for a small production batch can take up to 8 weeks. We have also had trouble with small stock as last year we had 3-4 months delays in providing products to our customers.
Our own tools for manufacturing
Main purpose of Kickstarter is to introduce our product to the US market and find resources to invest in our own production tools.
Leveraxe handle
The current version’s handle is made of wood. The new handle will be made of engineering compound, characterized by high mechanical strength, stiffness and thermal resistance. Most futuristic about this part is that it is hollow inside, making the Leveraxe even more lighter which in turn helps to build up more speed when in action. Furthermore, this polyamide offers high toughness at low temperatures as well as easy processing.
Leveraxe head
The new axe head will be made of iron alloy, which enables us to produce more complicated products in one step but also offer excellent wear resistance in later use. Regarding the design we will keep all the proven features like the side hook, which will clamp on the log after the swing the axe, thus reducing the risk of hitting yourself.
Guy Kawasaki
What he said about original Leveraxe: I’ve got to get one of these axes! I love the design of these axes! (We have got permission by email to use his words).
Interesting facts
* Outside shoots are made at Heikki’s place in Finland, Sipoo, where Leveraxe was born and where Heikki was assembling all the axes by him self until April 2014.
* ALL the video materials and outside photos were made in one day by our friend Felix Laasme who is young and talented graphic designer.
Link to Kickstarter page: www.kickstarter.com
Kicktraq: www.kicktraq.com
Press Kit: www.dropbox.com
New Leveraxe – The Smart Axe
Reimagined. Reinvented. Reborn.
