Tre Kronor - Three Crowns -
Sweden’s coat of arms for 700 years
The
story of Sweden's national coat of arms, Tre Kronor, is to say the
least an exciting one. We know from a well-documented find in Avignon,
France, that the three crowns were used as a Swedish national symbol
as early as 1336, but even 75 years earlier they were used on coins
from Sweden. From the time of the reign of Magnus Ladulås in the 13th
century, there are depictions of the three crowns as a national
symbol, and the kings Magnus Eriksson and Albrecht of Mecklenburg
subsequently used them as symbols for Sweden and the Swedish Crown.
The
enormous cathedral in the German town of Cologne contains relics of
the Three Wise Men, or the three holy kings, as they are also known.
It is known that the three golden chests originally bore regal
crowns of pure gold. Historians believe that King Magnus Ladulås, who
became an increasingly devout Christian, in commemoration of his
pilgrimage to Cologne included the three crowns in his coat of arms.
However, the three crowns were already in use in the 12th century,
then as symbols for the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Modern
historians say that the first Swedish kings and the spread of
Christianity gave impetus to each other in acquiring power over the
territory which would come to be called Sweden. The Swedish national
coat of arms, Tre Kronor, has continuously been used as a symbol until
the present day, and is now the world's oldest universally used state
symbol.
Our
company has received special permission (VAD 411-3830/2003) to use
Sweden's national coat of arms, Tre Kronor, on these knives: something
which makes us very proud and pleased.
Care
instructions — sheath knife
The
easiest way to take care of a knife is to keep it clean and dry. Wash
it in water and a small amount of washing-up liquid and make sure that
it dries properly afterwards. The blade need not be oiled or greased,
however the handle will acquire a deeper and more beautiful patina if
it is treated with wood oil or linseed oil. The sheath does not in
fact need any maintenance, but a silicone-based shoe cream will
improve the water resistant properties of the surface. Grease should
not be used since it makes the leather soft.
How
to sharpen your knife
The
best way to sharpen your knife is to use a flat, fine diamond stone,
for example DC3 or DC4. The technique is simple: try to cut a thin
slice off the stone! Impossible of course, but you will suddenly be
holding the knife at the "right" handle, and making the
"right" movement. Finish
by carefully polishing with a ceramic stone. Oil or water are not
necessary.
In
time, the edge will become so thick that the blade will need to be
reground. If you do not have access to the machines and knowledge for
this job, you can send the knife to us for regrinding. Call us for
information about the cost, or visit our web site.
Guarantee
We
offered a two-year guarantee covering material defects and
manufacturing defects, i.e. defects that arise during manufacture but
are not noticed until the knife is used. A defect is generally
discovered within half a year, not after several years. We will repair
the knife or replace it with a new one. The guarantee is not valid if
the knife has been used incorrectly — the knife is a precision
cutting implement and is not to be used for levering or prising.
Discolouring caused by blood, salt-water or other corrosive substances
is not covered by the guarantee, neither are broken blade points. The
sheath will be replaced if faults in the original manufacturing are
found.
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