Our Story
Origin Story
I was born in Slobidska Ukraine, which literally means Free Ukraine, a fertile and generous region in Northeast Ukraine renowned for its artisans, craftsmen, and people with golden hands. This region has a rich history, once home to Scythians, Khazars, and Cossacks — people who were not only sophisticated weapon makers and warriors but also skilled metalworkers. I was no exception regarding this inherited love of metalwork and handmade stuff, and I liked to watch people working with their hands. It was charming. My father was often away due to his military duties, so I didn't have many chances to learn a craft from him. But my grandfather stepped in to fill that gap somehow. He made wooden toys for me and took me to the garden to prune the trees. Grandpa spent hours carving tiny details for our garden tools, his hands steady and skilled. He showed me how to split logs, and I still remember the feeling of the ax in my hands; it was the first tool for handwork I had ever used. Those moments sparked my lifelong love for craftsmanship and taught me the value of hard work and dedication.
Those were the days when I began to understand the magic of human hands, creating something unique that lasts for generations. I started to feel that working with your hands fosters a deeper connection to nature, cultivating сalmness and conciliation.
Later, we rented a small workshop and dove headfirst into blacksmithing. Back then, we called ourselves Kharkiv Forge, and this remains the name of one of our online shops. I dodged my day job, made up excuses, and dedicated hours upon hours to learning the craft. At first, we made axes and hatchets for friends and neighbors, then started selling them within Ukraine. My father, ever my biggest supporter, suggested that our products deserved a wider audience. People liked axes and handmade stuff I was making, and sales were increasing. So, I overcame anxiety, made a decision to quit my day job, and focused entirely on my craft. I rented a bigger premise, started my small forge, and named it "Fadir Tools." Fadir means father from Old Norse: it's my tribute to my father's support and my firm belief in the quality of our craftsmanship. I aspire it will become a lasting legacy, passed down from father to son for generations to come.
As my business grew, I found myself unable to keep up with the number of orders. That's when I hired Vitaly, the first employee of my forge. I was impressed by his extensive experience and deep understanding of metalworking. It was Igor who suggested we switch to 52100 steel, which he believed was the best for our tools. His expertise transformed our production, and he quickly became an invaluable part of our team.
Shortly after, Dmytro joined us. He had a keen interest in woodworking and began crafting chisels for himself. We were all impressed by his work, and together, we decided to produce chisels on a larger scale.
Recognizing that we needed expertise in leather, I found Serhii, a passionate craftsman with over ten years of experience in leatherworking. Thanks to him, we started producing great leather cases, and over time, he expanded our product line to include leather bags, which we now sell.
Together, we continue to uphold the tradition of creating high-quality tools that embody our dedication and passion. With each tool we make, we honor the legacy of craftsmanship and the bond between generations, ensuring that our work remains a heritage to be cherished for years to come.
At some point, we felt the need for a new challenge and decided to start making knives. We aimed to create the best knives possible, pushing ourselves to excel. Our test knives were good, but we wanted them to be perfect. After working through ten attempts and blanks, we finally found the best formula, and the result was knives we were incredibly proud of.
Over time, the axes and tools sold out more and more, so we had to move to a larger workshop and expand production. Now we had 3 stoves, and 3 buildings for 6 workshops! And the team of 22 craftsmen. Sometimes I still can't believe it happened!
We started selling our tools abroad - and suddenly, they were reaching people all over the world! It was both exciting and nerve-wracking, as we had never shipped our tools overseas before. We anxiously awaited the reviews, but to our delight, our customers were incredibly happy. Just recently, we sold our 15,000th tool on Etsy. Each one of these tools holds a special place in our hearts because at Fadir, no two instruments are identical—they are all unique, just like the hands that craft them.
Looking back, I know I made the right choice. Hand working is my call. Now, I have my own business, something I believe in wholeheartedly and invest all my strength into.
Now I have a team of passionate craftsmen who love nothing more than crafting awesome stuff like axes, woodworking tools, knives, and leather goods.
