Müller Hammerwerk

Müller Hammerwerk, formally Himmelberger Zeughammerwerk Leonhard Müller & Söhne GmbH, is an Austrian manufacturer of hand-forged tools based in Frantschach-St. Gertraud, Carinthia. It is described as the oldest still-existing family-run hammer forge in Europe, with a documented history dating back to 1675, when Peter Müller was first recorded as a tool and hoe smith in Steindorf in the Murau district of Styria. Over more than three centuries the business has moved several times — to Turrach, then to Himmelberg on the Tiebel river, and finally to Frantschach after a devastating fire in 1917 — while remaining under the continuous leadership of the Müller family, now in its 14th generation. The company specialises in forged forestry tools, where it is the market leader in Austria, as well as tools for landscape management and demanding private users. Its range includes extra-wide de-limbing axes, splitting axes in various regional geometries (Tyrolean, Bavarian, Stuttgart forms), Wiedehopf hoes and broad hatchets. Müller is one of the last manufacturers — alongside Gränsfors Bruks of Sweden — whose smiths stamp their initials into the tool heads. All tools are still made by hand in a traditional process, a point of differentiation the company emphasises as a unique selling proposition appreciated worldwide. Müller Hammerwerk operates as a family business with around 45 employees. Sustainability is central to its philosophy: raw materials come from regional suppliers selected on ecological criteria, and production is powered by the company's own hydroelectric plant. The firm holds a State Award (Staatliche Auszeichnung). In 2024, Lisa-Marie Müller joined her father Wolfgang Müller in the management, becoming the first woman to lead the company. The brand sells through its own catalogue and direct customer consultation, offering custom-made tools alongside its standard range.

The history of Müller Hammerwerk begins in 1675, when Peter Müller was first documented as a Zeug- und Hackenschmied (tool and hoe smith) in Steindorf in the Murau district of Styria, producing hoes, picks, mattocks and wedges. In 1785, Martin Müller relocated the business to Turrach, then a centre of iron and steel production, where records show he used the world-famous Paaler cast steel for his high-quality tools. In 1884, Bartholomäus Müller moved the operation again, this time to Himmelberg in Carinthia, where the Tiebel stream — which did not freeze in winter — allowed year-round production for the first time. Bartholomäus sought to escape industrialisation as far as possible while staying a step ahead of competitors. In 1901, Leonhard Müller, the youngest son of Bartholomäus, took over the family business with its six employees. He created the 'I.H.S.' brand to differentiate his products and developed innovative new tools for woodworking, including models suitable for left-handed users. Already at that time, 95% of products were intended for export. On 6 December 1917, the forge burned down to its foundations, making continued production at the site impossible. Leonhard Müller relocated the business to Frantschach-St. Gertraud, where it remains today. The company survived wars, economic crises and the fire without abandoning its quality philosophy. Over the centuries the forge developed into one of Austria's leading tool manufacturers. It is described as the oldest still-existing family-run hammer forge in Europe. In 2024, Lisa-Marie Müller joined her father Wolfgang Müller in the management, becoming the first woman to lead the company in its 14th generation. Today the company employs around 45 people and holds a State Award (Staatliche Auszeichnung). All tools continue to be made by hand in a traditional process, a unique selling proposition valued worldwide. The firm is committed to sustainability: raw materials come from regional suppliers chosen on ecological criteria, and production is powered by its own hydroelectric plant.

• 2024

  Lisa-Marie Müller joins her father Wolfgang Müller in management, becoming the first woman to lead the company.

• 1917

  A fire destroys the forge on 6 December; the business relocates to Frantschach-St. Gertraud.

• 1901

  Leonhard Müller takes over the family business with six employees and creates the 'I.H.S.' brand.

• 1884

  Bartholomäus Müller moves the operation to Himmelberg, Carinthia, enabling year-round production on the Tiebel river.

• 1785

  Martin Müller relocates the business to Turrach, a centre of iron and steel production.

• 1675

  First documentary mention of the forge; Peter Müller works as tool and hoe smith in Steindorf, Styria.

Traditional, hand-forged premium quality tools combining centuries-old craftsmanship with modern innovation and sustainability; market leader in forged forestry tools in Austria.

• MÜLLERs Meister Axt

  Flagship master axe.

• Extra-wide de-limbing axes

  Forged forestry axes for de-limbing.

• Splitting axes (Tyrolean, Bavarian, Stuttgart forms)

  Splitting axes in various regional geometries.

• Wiedehopfhauen

  Specialised hoe type.

• Broad hatchets

  Broad hatchets for forestry and landscape work.

1. 1Werkzeug kaufen in Kärnten - Qualitätwerkzeuge durch Traditionmueller-hammerwerk.at
2. 2Werkzeughersteller Müller Hammerwerk - Unser Team und Schmiedemueller-hammerwerk.at
3. 3Werkzeug für Holzarbeiten - jetzt in unserem Traditionsbetrieb kaufenmueller-hammerwerk.at
4. 4Unsere Vision - Müller Hammerwerkmueller-hammerwerk.at
5. 5Müller Hammerwerk - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Müller Hammerwerk - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org