Best Made Company

Profile

This design-centric camping store was founded in 2009 to fill the gap in the apparently buzzing artisan-ax market. The Tribeca headquarters specializes in domestically produced tools and gadgets for the contemporary lumberjack. All axes are made to order from Appalachian hickory wood and high-carbon steel heads forged in North Carolina. For those who prefer cutting meat to chopping wood, the store also carries a variety of hunting knives and machetes. Of course, not all of their products are quite so luxe. Many are downright practical, such as cloth extension cords, chore gloves, and a combination nail brush/soap dish. The store is scattered with enamelware, aprons, and an array of goods (shirts, notecards) emblazoned with their ad-hoc motto: “Be Optimistic.” The company’s stated goal is to get people outdoors—even if it means luring them there with a “Big Jug” (64 oz.) of organic maple syrup. To this end, they carry a line of rugged and very warm-looking canvas jackets and fishing sweaters, as well as a set of whiskey tumblers made from polished Ankole cattle horns. — Erica Schwiegershausen